| From: The Virginian Pilot | Date: May 14, 2006 | More results for: Steel Pier Virginia Beach publication:["The Virginian Pilot"]

Byline: ROBIN BRINKLEY

The first harbinger of summer hits Saturday with the third annual Steel Pier Longboard Classic, and Mary Knight is stoked.

Knight, the only president in the brief history of the Virginia Longboard Association, is doing her best to keep memories of Dewey Webber, noseriding and the Sufaris fresh and relevant.

Knight grew up surfing longboards on the Jersey shore and her children, Morgan and Sean, are longboarders. Morgan is headed to the World Longboard Championships in France in July, and Sean is a past champ in the Eastern Surfing Association.

The Steel Pier Classic is the largest longboard event on the East Coast, offering more than $40,000 in prizes. But it's more than a surfing contest.

With a retro art show, a retro longboard display, custom cars and vintage music, it's a celebration of the sport's roots.

"Shortboarding wouldn't be here without longboarding," Knight notes.

Full name: Mary Knight

Hometown: Virginia Beach

What neighborhood do you live in? Redmill Farms

Age: 45

Nickname: Mom

Occupation: President of the Virginia Longboard Federation/Accounting for Taylor Commercial Real Estate

Marital status: Married 24 years

Children: Morgan, 22, Sean, 18.

What was the first surfboard you owned? Con Surfboard

What's your favorite place to surf? Frisco in Cape Hatteras, N.C.

What do you enjoy most about the Longboard Classic? Making new friends with people from all over the country. Seeing the excitement in the eyes of the young and old who come out and share in this community effort of raising money for charity while doing something extremely cool and fun.

What is your idea of a perfect day off? Blue skies, waist-to-chest high waves, west winds and my friends at our First Street break.

Last smart thing you did: Listened to friends and started the first "Steel Pier Longboard Classic" in 2004

Last dumb thing you did: Locked my keys in the car with my dogs in it.

If you could invite three famous people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be? Pat Clark, former Virginia District Director of the Eastern Surfing Association, who passed away several years ago; my living mentor Mike Clark, who gives so much of his time to the community through volunteerism; and Zeke Sanders, a dear friend who passed away recently and was the inspiration to start the Steel Pier Longboard Classic.

Favorite movies: "Single Fin Yellow," "Goodfellas," "Pulp Fiction"

Favorite hangout: Java Surf on 25th Street

Favorite gadget: My iPod

What do you drive? Ford Expedition (it's my office on wheels)

Best present you ever received: My two beautiful children

Best practical joke you ever played: Swimming under water and grabbing my friend's leg pretending to be a shark.

Best joke played on you: My friends Carmen, Aaron and Little Carmen asked me what time their heats were for a surfing competition in Cape Hatteras. When I pulled up on the beach they told me I gave them the wrong times and they were put out of the contest. I was in tears due to my error. When I cried they 'fessed up that I had been joked.

Pet peeve: People who lack surfing etiquette and manners in the water

Hobbies: Anything surfing, collecting vintage surfboards and posters, coaching my kids in their surfing careers, birding and gardening

If I won $10 million, I would: Make a charitable donation to surfer's sanctuary, start a surf camp for autistic children, make a donation to the SPCA, open a farm for abandoned animals, travel around the world to exotic surfa and share what's left with my family.

How did you meet your spouse? He was playing rugby at ODU, and it was love at first sight.

One thing people don't know about you: I have an intense love for animals, and a desire to help those in need.

Somewhere you've never been, but would like to visit: Tahiti

Guilty pleasure: Buying surfboards for my kids

Favorite restaurant: Beach Pub

Favorite night on the town: Riding bikes on the Boardwalk with my "buds" and stopping for refreshment along the way

Favorite television shows: "The Sopranos," "Deadwood," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Survivor"

What song describes your life? "Sweet Child of Mine"

Favorite sport or sports team and why: Surfing, of course, and my favorite team is the Virginia Longboard Federation's Surf Team.

Dream vacation: Three months in an exotic location that has surf, sun and friendly people

Pets: Bonga, a Knotts Island Retriever. It's been a bad year for pets for me. My golden retriever "Yankee" passed, as well as my goose named "Goosey Girl" and our kitty, "Meisha."

Worst job: Waitress at a cafe across from ODU in 1977

My hero is: Pat Clark, past Virginia district director of the ESA, because she was the most caring, giving person I have ever met. She sent warm feelings with every word she spoke. She never raised her voice or got mad. She was incredibly organized and endlessly gave of herself without asking for anything in return. She was a model of how you are supposed to treat people and give to people. She was a tremendous mentor in my life.

Of what achievements are you most proud? My two children, Morgan and Sean, and their dedication to their studies and their ability to perform so elegantly on a wave. My marriage of 24 years and the endless love I have for my husband. I am very proud of the creation of the Virginia Longboard Federation and the "Steel Pier Longboard Classic," which brings the entire community together to raise money for charity.