I reluctantly made a career decision to do a 2 year stint in Philadelphia at the opportunity cost of my job and year-round surfing here on Oahu. Will be relocating temporarily to Philadelphia in June 2005. I’d like to do some surfing, if possible. Jersey is closest. Have surfed in AC before many years ago.
Will be bringing an assorted quiver of Parmenters, Pinders, and Takayamas of all sizes and shapes with me. Will bring some wetsuit gear for winter. Don’t know anybody back East. I’d like to meet up with some East Coast Guys who know the spots and surf, rather than drive around like a chump and look out of place. Any reasonable suggestions on where to go, people to get in touch with? Please let me know. Will share quiver and buy beers and gas in exchange for someone willing to show and share some waves.
Mahalo-
PS- anyone knows a longboarder named Neil Saunders in NJ? I’d like to get in contact with him.
I am in Manasquan and surf Central, NJ. I grew up in the burbs of Phila and was in Center City Phila for 5 yrs at Drexel Univ. I know the area well and can show you the ropes around NJ. Feel free to drop me an email and let me know when you get into the area. I can give you a couple of places to try out. Just remember, NJ is a far cry from Hawaii so you may not need you complete quiver on the east side. Rarely gets overhead, but when it does it is a good time. Drop me an email at wagoon@aol.com.
I live just west of Philadelphia and been surfing from Cape May to Manasquan for over 18 years. Shoot me an e-mail and I’ll be glad to get you hooked up in any way that I can - I’ll have you covered on surfing info and the beach towns. Also getting you acquainted to Philadelphia and introducing you to some friends.
Arriving in June, we just start to really defrost and the weather will be getting really nice (mid 70’s and better). As for water temps, by the end of the month, we’re usually just wearing a 3/2 full and possibly getting into spring suits. Bad news is that waves start take a break by the mid/end of June and really gets slow in July and August (waves are mostly small South wind swells (2’ to 3’ stuff). The upside is the beach towns will be in full swing and lots of fun in that sense. Although it also means lots of traffic so getting to and around the beach area is a large part of the planning. I keep a boat in South Nj and I’ll get you out on that for some fishing or site seeing / cruising.
Mid to late August, through November is the best season as it’s tropical storm season. Especially good is October and November as the beach towns become vacant again, the water is really warm, and the lifeguards have left for the season.
Give me some details on your new job and where you’re staying exactly. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to ask.
u r in luck man. i live in MD and next year i will finally have my liscenece and will be commuting to my beach house in NJ most weekends when there are waves.:D.i pass about 30 minutes outside of philly when i go up if u get a train to trenton i will give you rides.
Much mahalo to the sincere replies. At first I was a little bummed about leaving Hawaii and my place temporarily, but am now enthusiastic that there is an entire coast of surfing waiting for me. I guess i could be going to Kansas or Arkansas, where there are no waves. I will try to make good and meet up with you guys for a session, whenever that might be. Looking forward to it. Perhaps I could one day reciprocate as host on Oahu. Sincerely, Jason.
sandy hook is a good break… more northern jersey, then do to oceancity, belmar, long branch which is more central. you should check out www.localswell.com tom spader puts together a sweet site with local waves and swells that come through jersey and update rapidly with each swell… check it out.
my best friends yuncle is ironically moving form NJ to hawaii as a promotion as a hotel manager. email me if yu want more info on NJ my family has been surfing there since 1965
If you make your way down to South Jersey let me know.I live next to Atlantic City.We have a couple of good breaks that you need a 4x4 to get to .The locals are pretty good natured if you do not come on too strong.Welcome,good luck ,and maybe we will cross paths.
There’s no shortage of surf in South Jersey. Much to the chagrin of people who always say “there’s no surf in Jersey”…there is, indeed, surf in New Jersey. I live in Ventnor. I regularly surf Ventnor and Ocean City. There are also breaks in Atlantic City, Margate & Longport…and that’s just within a 2o minute drive.A little north and you have LBI…a little South and you have Cape May.
As you can tell by my name, I’m not a salty dog when it comes to surfing…but I’d be happy to paddle out with you when you get here. It never hurts to have a familiar face in the lineup.
What everyone else says just about sums it up. If you’re tired of surfing Jersey, there some decent breaks down in DE and MD which is about 30 to 45 minutes further away. I live in North Wilmington, DE and its about an 1.5 - 2 hours to go to Jersey or DE beaches. Jersey is usually better b/c theres a lot more shoreline to choose from. I’m actually sitting in my office here in center city philadelphia enjoying the rain and wishing I could surf. If you (or anyone else) wants to split the gas and paddle out, let me know.
That sounds like a great idea … there’s been talk of an East Coast 2005 SwayFest … we should put this thang together. Seems like there are plenty of East Coasters here. If anyone has any type of room to work we should have some shaping / glassing sessions.
I live near Princeton NJ and go to the beach about every weekend. Manasquan is is my favorite place to surf because its near me but down by Atlantic City is ok.
I have a question in some relation to this subject but i just finished shaping my first board and do not want to go throught the glassing part of it does, anyone know a good place to get the glassing part done and what is the price.
delaxing - Thread hijack - I live near Freehold and work near Princeton. Usually end up surfing Belmar or Springlake.
Where did you get your blank? Did you use just handtools or an electric planer as well? I think all the glassers (what few there are in NJ are based in South Jersey e.g., Bryan Wynn and whoever does Heritage Surf house boards (if they are even made in NJ).
I want to try to shape and glass a board, too. Why not glass it yourself - mail order the supplies or try the Mahoganey Company (sp?)
How was it shaping the foam? Did you make a template? Rails?
Like Nico and Ventnorkook, I’m in South Jersey and surf Ocean City and Atlantic City regularly, as well as Ventnor in the summer. Occasionally I’ll be up in the Central/North coast too.
I’ve found that the few Swaylockians (sp?) I’ve come across in Jersey are more than happy to help out, as you can tell by the replies. Send me a mail or start this thread up (moderators might move it to the ‘Hookup’ section) when you get here.
It’s not Hawaii, but we love it just the same.
Paul
BTW - Brian Wynn’s shop is in South Jersey. He glasses the Heritage boards as well as a number of other labels. His shop will take walk ins, if you can find it! Let me know if you want to get a hold of him.
I just want to surf, and maintain my level of surfing, so when I go home I don’t embarass myself in front of The Boys. Any waves are fine with me, however, I think I’ll try to surf somewhere warmer in the middle of the Jersey winter!
Goodluck! I grew up in Cape May (most southern tip of new jersey) where I learned to surf. Waves larger than chest high are few and far between but you may find some of the nicest formed beachbreaks as anywhere. One thing I can tell you, unlike living on the left coast, when I lived there the posers were few. When the water is 45 degrees and the surf is rideable the true watermen are out, ice-cream headaches and all! These guys live for the magazines they read about perfect surf and warm water, surfing places like hawaii. Probably not a good idea to brag about that where your from. Paddle out, be respectful and try to enjoy what you get. Even if its murky, cold and small.
delaxing - Thread hijack - I live near Freehold and work near Princeton. Usually end up surfing Belmar or Springlake.
Where did you get your blank? Did you use just handtools or an electric planer as well? I think all the glassers (what few there are in NJ are based in South Jersey e.g., Bryan Wynn and whoever does Heritage Surf house boards (if they are even made in NJ).
I want to try to shape and glass a board, too. Why not glass it yourself - mail order the supplies or try the Mahoganey Company (sp?)
How was it shaping the foam? Did you make a template? Rails?
Thanks, John
what do you look like cuz i surf SL when ever i get to so i might recognize you do you normally surf washington or the surfing beach closer to belmar?