The 1998 Surf made its way back to the Florida Citrus Bowl for its third Orlando appearance at the DCI World Championships, again finishing in a disappointing sixth place, again just out of a finalist berth. With a “blast from the drum corps past” opening selection of the classic drum corps tune “Pictures of Spain,” the corps received rousing standing ovations at their performances in West Chester University, Giants Stadium, and at the World Championship Prelims. The corps was selected the 1998 “Most Improved Division II Corps of the Year” by the directors of the Division II corps at their annual meeting in October.