CORY LOPEZ' NEKTON GRAND OPENING - A BIG SUCCESS...
L-R Shea Lopez, CJ Hobgood, Cory Lopez - Nekton Autograph Signing
Photo: Mark Hartman / Del Mar Media
September 3, 2006 - Indian Rocks Beach FL--: The Official Grand Opening of Cory Lopez' Signature 'NEKTON BOARD SHOP' was an overwhelming success with hundreds in attendance on Saturday, Sept. 2nd. The weather was picture perfect with not even a hint of rain. Chris O'Connell, Sports Anchor for CNN affiliate Bay News 9 'Toyota Sports Connection' was on hand to capture the festivities including interviews with Cory and Shea Lopez, 2001 World Champ CJ Hobgood and Alek Parker. Hundreds lined-up to meet the celebrity pro surfers and get their personal autographed posters.
After the Autograph signing, the Mayor of Indian Rocks Beach, Bill Okunzzi unveiled a prototype of the Official City Signs that will be placed throughout the coastal community later in the year, designed to salute local action sports heroes, Cory and Shea Lopez for their accomplishments in professional surfing and as recipients of three (3) X Games Gold Medals. In addition, the two surfing siblings who have been mainstays on the World Championship Tour, each boast a US OPEN victory between them; Shea - '99 and Cory - '03.
Prototype of Official City Signs to be placed throughout the city of IRB to salute the Lopez Brothers as local sports celebrities
Photo: Dan Putnam / Gulfster.com
Music entertainment was provided by 'Full Fledged Unit'. Food and drinks courtesy of DVS and Monster Energy. Cory Lopez recently made a special appearance at the Grand Opening of CJ's new surf shop 'The Goods' in Indialantic Florida. Good friend and fellow WCT compatriot, CJ reciprocated by supporting Cory's Official Grand Opening of NEKTON which was scheduled to coincide with the U.S. end of Summer, Labor Day, Holiday Weekend. The two Florida Pros will soon head to California where the WCT tour will resume at the Boost Mobile Pro, to be held at Lower Trestles, Sept. 12-16.The event was made possible with the support of MONSTER ENERGY, O'NEILL, DVS/MATIX, ANARCHY, FREESTYLE, PLACEBO/LOST, QUIKSILVER/DC, BILLABONG, VOLCOM, GLOBE, (sponsor of CJ Hobgood), COASTER'S BAR & GRILL and of course NEKTON, the CITY OF INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, the LOPEZ FAMILY and GULFSTER.COM (among others). A big MAHALO goes out to all vendors, sponsors and fans that supported this event! Congratulations goes out to Christian Moriarty who won the 'Name the Shop' contest raffle sponsored by Gulfster.com! A great time was had by all.
PUBLICITY/MEDIA CONTACT:
Mark Hartman
Del Mar Media Athletes & Events
