2009 Freeze For a Cause

Casino Pier videos 12/21/08

Two quick vids I shot around 3PM on 12/21/08. Nothing spectacular, but captures the mood of the day.

Manasquan pics by Surfmama

"Surfmama" posted up a big ol' batch of photos from the 12/21/08 swell:

http://surfmama.smugmug.com/

More Grudge Match footage

http://surfermag.com/av/flash/new-jersey-grudge-match-08/

Dark Fall- NJ surf vid

Check out the trailer below for Dark Fall by Alex Dephillipo .

Looks REALLY good.

Featuring Sam Hammer, Andrew Gesler, Zach Humphries, Jamie Moran, Dean Randazzo, and others.

http://surfermag.com/av/flash/dark-fall-new-jersey-surf/

Photos from Tuesday 11/25

The afternoon saw excellent conditions for most areas up and down the coast. Photos from Localswell by Jesse Pomeroy.

http://www.localswellphotos.com/112508/

$25 off Coil custom board at No Flat Earth

No Flat Earth is going to be carring stock Coil surfboards in the spring, but you can get a good deal by ordering custom now through Christmas.

This deal is being advertised at www.localswell.com ; the link to the coupon is to the right of the "recent rip" photo.Print out the coupon and bring it in to the shop.

Tell them you read the review (link below) and heard about the deal here!

Review:

http://eastcoastsurfer.com/reviews/coil/index.html

Mike Gleason vid (more Grudge '08 footage)

From the Volcom site:

http://www.volcom.com/news/article.asp?sid=&articleID=3074

Also included is Sam Hammer's 9.5 barrel.

JETTY Clam Jam contest photos

Richard Cardona's pics from the Jetty Clam Jam:

http://shoreisfineart.com/JettyClamJam/index.html

grudge match video

From the 7th Street Surf Shop forum.

http://7thstreetsurfshop.com/bb/viewthread.php?tid=11926

Surfline feature on Sunday's swell

Hope you all got some

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/east-coast-lights-up-from-puerto-rico-to-new-england-colors-of-fall_19669/photos/1/

Sam Hammer wins Grudge Match

Sam Hammer wins the Garden State Grudge Match for the 2nd time, beating Mike Gleason who came in 2nd. I'm sure cyberspace will be full of photos and coverage of the event.

His loooong left barrel in the finals will surely be the subject of much discussion, and I assure you it was everything it is chalked up to be. I'm a pretty objective observer and was pretty subdued during the three heats I watched, but I tell ya that barrel had me hooting with both fists in the air.

Congrats to Hammer, Gleason, and all the other GSGM competitors who gave it their all, and big props to Cloupe for organizing another great GSGM.

Surfline's feature on the event: http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/sam-hammer-wins-smith-optics-garden-state-grudge-match-in-pumping-barrels-tunnel-of-love_19523/

video- September In NJ

Check out Carmen Vicari's submission to Grind TV: September in New Jersey

Featuring: Drew McCoy, Luke Ditella, Tom Petriken, Billy Hume, Jeff Myers, Brendan Buckley, and Clay Pollioni.

http://www.grindtv.com/video/skate/september_in_new_jersey

NJ and NY surfers in Indo

Fantastic ESM article and photos about some NY and NJ surfers in Indo. I know and am acquaintences with a few of the guys in the article, and I can't say how stoked I am for them for their trip and this well-deserved coverage.

Check it out at: http://www.easternsurf.com/Indo131.html

Randy Towsend, 2nd place @ Unsound Pro

Long-time friend of Eastcoastsurfer.com Randy Towsend, Unsound Champ from 2001, placed second at this year's Unsound Pro. Congrats Randy!

Sounds like Jersey boys Sam Hammer and Matt Keenan did well in the event too.

Check out the coverage, and some photos, at:

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/jeremy-johnston-takes-unsound-pro-balaram-stack-wins-alliance-pro-junior-in-epic-surf-new-york-goes-off_18497/

7minds on 106.3 with Matt Knight

Seaside Tony with gazooos?

Yes you heard it on 106.3. Chris, Casey and Eric from 7minds http://www.7minds.com/ played live on Friday at 5pm on 106.3 with Matt Knight

If you missed it. I was there to document it all on HD video and Photographs.

Check out the photos.

HD video Coming soon....
Brent Dolan
http://www.eastcoastsurfer.com/

PS I even got to tag up the studio with some What Exit Stickers.

PSS I even got a drive by photo of the plane that landed on the Parkway

Seaside Tony on Grock 106.3 Friday 5, 2008

Tomorrow a Live version of Seaside Tony will be performed by Members of the band 7minds www.7minds.com tomorrow Friday 5th, 2008 on Grock Radio 106.3.

Chris "Buzz", Casey and Eric of the Band 7 Minds will be performing a new updated version of the song Live on the air.

It will be live on the air at 5pm Friday 5th 106.3 Grock

for more info drop Matt Knight a message on his myspace http://www.myspace.com/grocknightlife

Brent
www.eastcoastsurfer.com

Sak Surfing Photo Sequence

From one blog to another

Click on this link below to check out Sak's Surfing photo Sequence recently taken by Alexis

http://surfboardpainting.blogspot.com/2008/09/090108-greg-sakowicz.html

Great stuff
Brent
www.eastcoastsurfer.com

Randy Towsend "best amplitude" award at the Red Bull night-time event

Congrats to Randy Towsend, long-time friend of Eastcoastsurfer.com, for his "Best Amplitude" award at the Red Bull Tow-at event in AC.

Surfline coverage of the event: http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/red-bull-tow-show-lights-up-atlantic-city-night-riders_17753/

Sea of Change, autism have a day in the waves

Link to original Asbury Park Press article (with 2 photos) at app.com:

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008808220420

SEASIDE PARK — For the children who participated in the Sea of Change surf day, being different was only a matter of what color surfboard they rode.

Sea of Change and Parents of Autistic Children held their second surf day at the Brighton Avenue beach in Seaside Park on Tuesday afternoon. About 300 people attended the free family event, said Mark Colino, event coordinator and owner of No Flat Earth, a surf shop in Brick.

Sea of Change was started last year, he said. There are about 50 members consisting of lifeguards, surf shop employees, surfers and instructors.

"We're the largest provider of autistic training and education in the state," said Gary Weitzen, executive director of POAC.

The event offered autistic children the opportunity to experience instructional surf lessons in a judgment-free environment. POAC event coordinators provided submarine sandwiches and refreshments for families. Participants also received a blue event T-shirt and other souvenirs.
Connor Thigpen, 6, of Brick was one of the children at the event. He has Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, explained Eileen Thigpen, a mother of two autistic boys.
Asperger's syndrome is commonly associated with social problems, vulnerability to sensory overload, awkward posture and a tendency to take many figures of speech literally, according to the Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Web site.

Connor has been on a surfboard two other times, Thigpen said.

"He was petrified at first, and he was scared to go out on the board," his mother said. "But once he got out there, he loved it."

Nestor Wagner of Christian Surfers in Manasquan and Jennifer Steffener and Lance Tompkins, owners of Coastline Adventures Surfing School in Normandy Beach, were among the surf instructors at the event.

Cutting Edge youth group ministry brought about 25 junior and high-school student volunteers. Cutting Edge is a part of the Church of Grace and Peace in Toms River.

In June, they paired up with Sea of Change to learn how to instruct autistic children.
Family members sat on beach chairs or stood at the water's edge and cheered. Most of the children appeared delighted at the event.

Chris Reinhard, 14, lives for the water, said his mother, Nancy Reinhard of Brick.
Every time he comes to the beach, he wants to body-board. If he can't body-board, then the family must go home, she said.

Reinhard said she has no fear of her son being discriminated against.

"They run across your beach towel and don't get yelled at," she said. "Here, people understand, and everyone is in the same boat. Autistic behaviors are not surprising to anyone here."

Waterspouts near Tices Shoal

Wild weather on Monday resulted in some waterspouts near Tices Shoal behind Island Beach State Park. Check the picture and video on this site.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080812/UPDATES01/80812002

Sak gets Interview by Jon Coen

Click Here http://www.eastcoastsurfer.com/sak/sandpiperarticle2008/

To check out the Exclusive Interview of East Coast Surfer's own Greg "sak" Sakowicz by Jon Coen. Great Article.

Brent
www.eastcoastsurfer.com

Seaside, NJ 1966 video

Sak sent me this and I had to post this. Even has a small open right hander at 1 minute and 42 seconds.

I guess back then they didn't allow surfing between the hours of 9:30am to 6:00pm either.

Brings me back.
Brent
www.eastcoastsurfer.com

Nostalgic shots of Rockaway Beach, NY.

Hey All, thought you might like some nostalgic shots of Rockaway Beach, NY.

Also, click on the Aerial pics, pretty nice views of the rockaway Peninsula

http://www.nysurfshop.com/Rockaway60s.html

Stay Stoked
Brent
www.eastcoastsurfer.com

Thanks for your Help Allan is alive and kicking

Allan thanks you all for posting on the site and wishing him well.

I thank you as well for any of you that posted on the site as well. We would do the same for you.

Thanks
Brent
http://www.eastcoastsurfer.com/

Read below:

Hello Everyone,
John here again, Allan's friend and web guy.
First off, I want to thank all of you who posted well-wishes for Allan last week. You really blew his mind, and I think the positive messages you sent his way are really helping his recovery.
Yes, that's right: I said recovery. I just spoke with Allan a few minutes ago, and he is home from the hospital, healing from a 2-week ordeal that came very, very close to claiming his life. He asked me to update you all with this information, and said he would be in touch with all the gory details as soon as he's able to write. Right now he's very weak and still a bit addled by the pain meds they've had him on, so he's unable to really focus enough to write a full update for you. So I'll give you the basics, as per his request:
Allan was rushed to the ER in Southhampton early on July 2nd, where he underwent immediate emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer. The perforated ulcer had caused severe infected Peritonitis, a life-threatening condition caused by the leaking of stomach contents into the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis brings with it a slew of other problems if left to go too long -- if you want to look into it, check out the Wikipedia page on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peritonitis. It appears that Allan may have been experiencing symptoms for quite some time, blaming his Lyme disease instead, so the condition was very serious because it had gone untreated for far too long.
Then he caught Pneumonia in the hospital. To fight the pneumonia, the doctors basically induced a coma by sedating him and intubating him (breathing tube, not the kind of tube he's used to). He was unconscious for several days.
He beat the odds, so far. According to Wikipedia:
If properly treated, typical cases of surgically correctable peritonitis (e.g. perforated peptic ulcer, appendicitis, and diverticulitis) have a mortality rate of about <10% href="http://www.banditobooks.com/guestbook.php">www.banditobooks.com/guestbook.php .
Thanks again to all of you for your concern and support.
--
John BenedettiBandito Books

Fellow surfing/author Allan Weisbecker Needs our Support

Click on the link below to help support a fellow surfer in need.

http://www.banditobooks.com/guestbook.php#bn-service-top

Allan is a friend of eastcoastsurfer.com for years and is a fantastic surf author. If any of you have read his books you will understand.

Even if you haven't please read this letter I got below and show your support to an ill surfer.

Just a simple post of get well is all we ask.

Thanks
Brent
eastcoastsurfer.com


Hello Everyone,
John here, Allan's friend and web guy. Many of you may be wondering why Allan has not responded to inquiries and feedback related to his last DSP about his return to Costa Rica. The fact is, Allan is seriously ill and has not been able to check email.
Friends have asked that I keep the details of his illness private for now, so I'm going to respect their wishes and say only the following: He is seeking treatment and his condition is treatable (as in curable) if things go well in the next few days; though, as I write this, he is fighting for his life.
I have set up a message board/guestbook for those of you who would like to show your love and support for Allan. Please take a moment to sign it and send some positive thoughts his way. Your support has always been extremely important to him... now more than ever.
The message board is at www.banditobooks.com/guestbook.php
Thanks,
John BenedettiBandito Books

Upcoming Surfrider events

Copy-and-pasted from a recent emailing I received:

Surfrider has three great events over the next few weekends. Here is a brief description of each.

Belmar Seafood Festival – 6/7-6/8 (this weekend) 11AM – 7PM The New Jersey Seafood Festival in Belmar combines a culinary celebration of seafood delights with a day of fun. The Annual event will once again unite master chefs, fine artists and crafts people along with musicians from around the state. The Jersey Shore Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will have a table at the festival again this year. Please stop by the table to learn more about the chapter and our local campaigns. More Information: http://www.belmar.com/Default.asp?Section_ID=501

Out There Showing – 6/14 at 8:30PMThe new surf movie Out There will have its area premier at the Stone Pony on Saturday, June 14th. Of course, Teton Gravity Research’s film has the world’s best surfers in the best surf locations in the world, but it also explores some of the environmental problems in those locations. Watch the trailer here Doors 8:30 PM, Movie 9:30 PM, Local Band Echo Movement at 11 PM. Get tickets here $12 in advance at http://www.wanttickets.com/ and $15 at the door.

International Surf Day at Brick Beach III - 6/21 12(noon) - DuskEnjoy an amazing day of surfing, learning and sharing! Learn about and share ideas in our open forums to discuss environmental issues threatening our beaches and oceans and how you can help. Learn about seaside wildlife from local naturalists. There will be children’s activities and games, as well as, free giveaways and demos from Billabong and local surf shops. Scheduled Activities; Complimentary 1.5 hour Introductory Surfing and Ocean Safety Clinic - Your choice of 12:30 - 2:00 pm OR 3:00 - 4:30 pm; Sea-to-Summit Environmental Presentation at 12:00 and 2:30 pm; Beach Cleanup starts at 5:00 pm, please bring your own gloves.More Information: http://webmail.aol.com/37080/aol/en-us/admin_mailform.asp

Just in time for summer flatness....

In the midst of our first summer flatspell, the shots from a recent trip to Indo by Jersey boys Nick Rossi, Pete Machotka, Randy Townsend, and others have been posted on localswell. I was really jealous when I heard that a few of my friends would be heading out there and after seeing these insane pictures, the jealousy has grown exponentially. Shots by Bill Machotka. Enjoy.

http://www.localswellphotos.com/Indo/

Surfing IN Barnegat Bay

Eastcoastsurfer.com contributer and blogger, Chris, surfed IN Barnegat Bay during the last Noreaster. Check out the feature article on his experience at http://www.eastcoastsurfer.com/articles

Surfline feature on Noreaster Swell

This past week was packed with waves if you timed the winds right. Here is surfline's feature on the swell up and down the East Coast. There's a little bit of Puerto in there too for good measure.

http://www.surfline.com/surfnews/photo_bamp.cfm?id=15492&ad=1

AB3 East (NJ) pics and chatter

The AB3 East site has some pics up of the NJ event last Sunday. GREAT boards and GREAT time.

http://www.anythingbut3east.blogspot.com/


I also started a thread on the surfermag.com forum page, LOTS of photos and chatter about the event there:

http://forum.surfermag.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1362874&an=0&page=0#Post1362874

Anything But Three (AB3) East

AB3 East is this Sunday.

Visit http://www.anythingbut3east.blogspot.com/ for up-to-date info.

I'll be there until noon with a killer Spindrift twin-keel fish and a quad-vertible by Coil Industries. I think Chris (from this site, helps with content on this Surf News blog) will also be there with a Spindrift quad-fish. Hopefully I'll see you there, be sure to introduce yourself.

Clay P. and Josh R. in surfline feature

Jersey surfers Clay Pollioni and Josh Redy were featured in a recent surfline feature of east-coast surf.

http://www.surfline.com/surfnews/photo_bamp.cfm?id=14907&ad=1

Slides 7 is a shot of Clay and slide 16 is Josh.

Congrats to the both of them for some well-deserved coverage!

Grudge Match gallery

A huge collection of shots from the Grudge Match trials, by Mike Laielli, are posted at http://www.localswell.com/ Check them out!

Surf Night Monmouth University April 30th

New York Longboarding Web Site

http://www.newyorklongboarder.com/

Check out this Site dedicated to the North East Longboarder.

Brent
www.eastcoastsurfer.com

Lavallete photos 3/26/08

Mike Incitti posted some great shots of ultra clean Lavallete from last Wednesday. Looks like I made the wrong call to stay further south.

http://mincittiphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4599878_kwCUd#271234477

Slater Wins Bells 2008! Congrats Kelly

http://www.ripcurl.com/vividas_high.html

You can watch the finals on that link above.

Kelly Seals the deal with an air on his last way to win the contest. It was amazing to watch it live.

Thanks Rip Curl for streaming the video.

laters
Brent

Slater vs Damien Hobgood 3/26/08 Live

http://www.ripcurl.com/vividas_high.html

Click the link above.

This Heat was suppose to take place tonight at 9:45 US east coast surfer time. but was cancel for bad conditions.

Rescheduled for tomorrow first heat of the day. Not sure what time but check that link and they will fill ya in.

All East Coast heat.
B

Vid from AC

Nice little youtube vid of a few of my buddies at AC from a recent swell. Looked fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omj-SnThAsM

Surfline Feature On The Past Two Swells

Surfline's feature on the past two swells for the East Coast. Some great shots of Dirty Jerz action along with highlights from New England and the Outer Banks.

http://www.surfline.com/surfnews/photo_bamp.cfm?id=14171&ad=1

Do It For Dean! Little Nasty Big Wave Challenge

In the ongoing effort to help Dean Randazzo with his battle with cancer, March has been designated as the Little Nasty Big Wave Challenge month. Rules are pretty simple. Get photographed riding the biggest wave of the month in the yellow Do It For Dean rashguard. Registration date has already passed but for those wishing to help, you can volunteer to be photographer for anyone with the yellow rashguard or pledge to donate money. The call for help has gone out and the contest has added a global section with photographs already coming from Hawaii and beyond. Information can be found on the NYNJsurf forum. Go Dean!

http://www.nynjsurf.com/forum/do_it_for_dean_the_2008_little_nasty_big_wave_charity_surf_competition_is_on-t14166.0.html

March 9th photos

A good sized south swell was met with howling offshores to produce hollow conditions up and down the coast. The spring tide and the west wind produced impressive blow out low tide conditions in the afternoon.

Photos from Belmar by the Lenz
http://www.jerseysurfvideo.com/030908/

Photos from Bayhead by Chris Zeh
http://www.jerseysurfvideo.com/030908a/

Video from northern Monmouth county showing how difficult conditions were throughout the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eybdh-3PSQw

Some shots posted on the 7thstreetsurfshop forum of Ocean City
http://7thstreetsurfshop.com/bb/viewthread.php?tid=10370

http://7thstreetsurfshop.com/bb/viewthread.php?tid=10369

Bayhead Photos

John Bell has posted shots from today's madness in Bayhead. Alot of juice today, LBI was pretty beat from the SW wind but looks like the boys up north scored some solid surf.

http://s164.photobucket.com/albums/u8/johnbell21/march%205th%202008/

Golden Glove photos

Some shots of The Golden Glove are posted over at www.localswell.com

http://www.jerseysurfvideo.com/030108/

shots from on top of the pier

Jesse Pomeroy shot some fresh perspective shots from atop the pier, posted over at www.localswell.com :

http://www.jerseysurfvideo.com/022807/

The Rocks- surf-umentary

Guerrilla Guru posted a great, award-winning mini-documentary by Mark Temme on the history and current scene of surfing in Rockaway Beach, NY. Definitely worth the download and time to view.

Check it out at:

http://www.guerrillaguru.com/vidGal/vidClip24.hal

Surfline video from the 19th

Nice water footage up on surfline. Someone needs to tell them that the difference between rights and lefts but regardless, great waves.

http://www.surfline.com/video/video_player/video_player.cfm?id=13885

more photos from the Dean Randazzo event

Surfina just posted a nice gallery of photos from the Dean Randazzo cancer benefit:

http://surfina.smugmug.com/

photos- Dean Randazzo benefit

I am soooo bummed I missed the benefit contest and event due to illness (came down with 1-2 of gastroenteritis and a cold to boot). I do hear despite the smaller surf, the event went off.

Sharkey images is the first to post, of which I am aware:

http://www.sharkey-images.com/photo_shoots/surfing.html

More to come as I find them posted online.

Dean Randazzo Contest and Fundraiser February 9th

As you know, Dean's cancer has come back and Dean is again battling. A contest and fundraiser is being held on February 9th in Seaside with an after party in Lavallete. Details from the guys in the know on the Localswell forums below:

Here is the deal. The contest will be February 9th at Casino Pier in Seaside Heights. There will be a $20 donation for entry. There will be 3 divisions, Open Shortboard, Open Longboard, and Open Womens. Beach registration will start at 8:00 a.m. sharp! The contest will begin at 9:00 a.m. on the dot. There is going to be limited space so get there early and register! If anyone would like to pre-register please email me at themush@comcast.net or call 609-231-1562. I will have some give away schwag to throw out during the day. Right after the contest or at 6:00 p.m. there will be an after party that is a $10 donation to get in. This will be at Sam Hammer's parents place The Crab's Claw in Lavallette. There will be drink specials and some of the most INSANE raffle prizes ever offered at one of these events!! Remember guys all the money raised is going straight to Dean while he fights Cancer for the 4th time to help with the insane costs of treatment and other expenses! He is a true New Jersey legend that has made Jersey surfing what it is! It's time to step up and support a true hero and legend.

And for those not aware of the situation:
http://www.surfingthemag.com/news/surfing-pulse/dean-randazzo-cancer-relapse-012708/
and
http://www.surfline.com/surfnews/surfwire.cfm?id=13395

Photos from 1-28-08

Photos are up on localswell of yesterdays groundswell. While most spots were shutting down, somewhere in LBI was firing. Unfortunately it looks like the swell didn't stick around like we hoped, but not to worry, looks like theres more on the way. Stay tuned to Sak's forecast page this week. Photos by The Lenz.

http://www.jerseysurfvideo.com/012808/

Meanwhile, PPB was doing its thing too. Photos by Chris Zeh.

http://www.jerseysurfvideo.com/012808a/

Unfortunately it looks like our much hyped groundswell chose not to stick around like we had hoped. Not to worry though, looks like there's more waves on the way. Stay tuned to Sak's forecast during the upcoming week and hopefully we'll all luck out.

Heads up for Weds.1-23-08

Possibility for a weak windswell S windswell tomorrow with some offshores. Might be worth a check.

Dean Randazzo Battling Cancer

New Jersey's own Dean Randazzo is battling cancer yet again. Make sure you keep Dean in your thoughts and prayers. The eastcoastsurfer crew sends their support. Dean first was diagnosed with cancer in 2001 but has undergone treatment twice already to force it into remission. For more on Dean and his battle, including raising money for others like him, please visit his website. Beat it Dean!
http://www.deanrandazzocancerfoundation.org/

Saturday 1-12-08

Leftover SE swell in the water today with light offshore winds. Shots of LBI by Brittany Henry.

Wednesday Jan 9, 2007

by Chris

A small South windswell built up as the cold front came through today. Sak went and got a few waves as the wind went hard West in LBI. I'm still on injured reserve so I shot a few shots from the beach. Looked like there were a few fun ones out there but conditions never really came together though I'm sure there was a sandbar working somewhere.

Alex Riveria shots

Alex Riveria just updated his smugmug gallery. Some really good stuff in there, check it out:

http://www.ariveraphoto.smugmug.com/Surfing

apologies re: 1/1/08 prediction

Regarding the 1/1/08 prediction, or lack thereof…

My apologies for not picking up on the New Year’s Day swell, which turned out to be bigger and better than expected. When I penned the 12/31/07 prediction, I was looking at the current leftover swell running and the long-term outlook, but completely missed the near-term swell event. I also had a crazy amount of family commitments I was wading through and was not able to devote much time that morning to studying the models. I consider this my first significant screw-up in almost 4 years doing this. While on the surface that is a respectable success-to-failure ratio, I am still not happy about it and I apologize to anyone who missed out on yesterday’s swell due to this and will assure you that the likelihood of that happening again is even lower than before.

I would like to remind users of this prediction page that I encourage you to look at other prediction sites as well. I have always intended my predictions to be in addition to, and not a substitute for, the other wave-predicting resources and wave prediction webpages out there. Why limit yourself and put all your eggs in one basket? Read them all, compare and contrast, and come away with a better idea of what should happen wave-wise.

Sincerely,
Sak