Surfing & Watersports
Bay Cats, Kayaks & Catamarans- 316 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ (609) 391-7960
Bert's Beach Rentals - On the Beach at Plymouth Place, Ocean City, NJ (609) 399-3121
TI Kayaks - 1315 West Avenue, Ocean City, NJ (6090 391-8700
7th Street Surf Shop- 654 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ (609) 391-1700
7th Street Surf Shop- 652 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ (609) 398-7070
Surf Buggy Centers - throughout Ocean City, NJ 1-800-976-5679
Beach Bum's Limited - 9th & Palen Avenue, Ocean City, NJ (609) 398-6744
Heritage Surf & Sport- 744 West Avenue, Ocean City, NJ (609) 398-6390
Nelson's Five & Ten - 9th & Palen Avenue, Ocean City, NJ (609) 398-6744
7th Street Surf Shop - 1118 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ (609) 391-7877
Surfers Supplies- 3101 Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ (609) 399-8399
RECENT NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT THESE ACTIVITIES:
HOW TO HANG TEN DOWN THE SHORE
Not just for “dudes”anymore!
What does it take to hang ten at the Jersey shore? You might not find “Endless summer” style rip curls or turquoise waters along the parkway, but that makes the area’s beaches even better for beginners
“All you need is a board and a will to learn,” Ocean City Heritage Surf and Sport manager Andrew Traa says.
Despite the stereotype of the bleach-blond teenage surfer dude, Traa emphasizes that anyone can come in to learn how to ride. “As long as they can swim and are comfortable in the water, we’ll take them out,” Traa says.
“My daughter was three when she started going out with my husband,” Heritage owner Tracy Hennessey adds.
Surfing has become an unlikely family activity here at the shore. Kids do it because it looks cool and parents’ interest is often sparked by watching their children ride the waves.
“We get lots of mothers and daughters or fathers and sons,” says Matt Keenan, professional surfer and manager of 7th street Surf Shop in Ocean city. “People come in and say ‘My kid’s doing this,’ so they want to try it.”
Like most sports, surfing has been traditionally male-dominated, but more surfer chicks are out there riding alongside the guys. Movies, like last year’s “Blue Crush,” and clothing lines, such as Roxy by Quicksilver, are getting more girls interested in the sport.
Although they have less upper body strength necessary to ho onto the board, once they get up women have an easier time staying on the board.
“Women take to it more quickly,” Traa says. “They have more of a background in sports like gymnastics and cheerleading, so it’s easier for them to balance.”
“Paddling out and pushing up really works our upper body and shoulders,” he says.
Traa recommends lessons fro anyone who wants to get their feet wet
“We start giving group lessons in mid-June,” he says. “Right now the water temperature is too cold for most people.”
For $10, Heritage offers beginners an hour long group lesson and a rental board. Most surf shops offer lessons with a ration of one instructor for every three or four students or private lessons for an higher fee.
If you’re feeling competent (or shy), 7th ‘street (which is on the Boardwalk) will rent you just a board for $10, give you a few pointers and send you on your way.
No matter how much a beginner thinks he knows about surfing, everyone should visit a surf supply shop before buying a board. A smaller shop with a knowledgeable staff is your best bet for finding one specific to your needs.
“You have to take into account a person’s height, weight and experience,” Traa says.
First-timers need a longboard (about 8 to 10 feet)< which because of their greater thickness and width are more stable and easier to get up on.
In the past few years, soft boards - made of body-board –style foam – have become popular with beginners for their durability and softer skegs (or fins). At $150 to $170, they’re about the same price as a used fiberglass board and far less expensive than new longboards, which will run you at lest $300. Get a leash to keep your board from getting away after wipeouts and a wetsuit or rash guard, depending on the weather.
Lindsay Scarborough
Searching for the Perfect Wave
So you’ve got your board, you’ve taken a lesson or two, now you’re ready to hit the road. You’ve got hundreds of miles of coastline to scout for a beach that’s just right for you. Changing winds and tides mean a beach can have great waves on day and be as smooth as glass the nest. Always call the local surf shop for the wave report to avoid a pointless drive. Beginning surfers should stick to beaches with slower waves. Most shore towns have at least one or two beaches that allow surfing during the day, but they can get packed, which is a problem for new surfers and veterans alike. “A lot of the beaches get too crowded, “ Kevin Morris, manager of Heritage Surf and Sport in Sea Isle, says, “There’s no way to weed out the good and bad surfers.” More advanced riders, or those preferring a less stressful learning experience, usually bring some friends and paddle out after the beaches close. “Always look out for your buddies,” says Nick Fisher, manager of Heritage Surf and Sport in Ocean City. On Long Beach Island, Taylor Avenue in Beach Haven has a nice, guarded beach, while Hudson Avenue in Harvey Cedars boasts large, strong waves. The most well-known surfing beach on the island is Ninth Street in Ship Bottom, called 7-11 by locals. “You’ll surf there from 7 to 11,” Faria’s Surf and Sport manager Gary Grippaldi says. “Everyone goes there.” Brigantine’s Kirby’s point Beach on Ninth Street is a popular spot. Atlantic City has surfing beaches at Delaware Avenue and Annapolis Avenue, but a few surfers can be seen in the water at South Carolina Avenue after hours. Ventnor Pier on Cambridge Avenue and Margate Pier on Essex Avenue are good for beginners to ride. Ocean City is home to the most rideable waves at the shore. Even when most other beaches around here are a bust, there’s usually something suitable for a beginner. Seventh Street is the only guarded surfing beach, but a good chunk of the island has good waves after hours. Try Park Place, Waverly and from North to Third Street, as well as the beaches on the south end of the island. If you want relief from the crowds, check out Strathmere’s Sherman Avenue. John F. Kenneedy Boulevard in Sea Isle provides instant gratification to surfers who want to head straight from the parkway to the waves. Farther south, the surfing beaches get a bit sparse. Avalon’s 30th Street pier allows all day surfing on the north side of the jetty, and at Nun’s Beach, at 114th street in Stone Harbor, you’ll see lots of parents and kids surfing together. North Wildwood’s Ninth Street and Wildwood Crest’s Rambler Road are all guarded and host a few riders. Because of its older vacationers and residents, Cape May is passed over by most surfers during the summer. |
 Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, In later months, northeasters and hurricanes can make the seas too rough for even the most daring riders. But don’t let your summer of surf practice go to waste. Head to the Cape, where high winds and ocean swells stir things up just enough to make this one of the bet kept secrets of southern New Jersey surfing. Broadway and Poverty Beaches, at the east and west ends of Beach Drive in Cape May can get crowded when storms render most of the Atlantic coast unsurfable and quality waves can be challenging. But since you’ve been riding waves all summer, you won’t have a problem. |
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