Jersey Shore Surfing

Catch waves with Jersey surfer Kevin Shea

Just what the surf doctors ordered

by Kevin S.

Tuesday November 18, 2008, 5:26 PM

I finally got in the water Sunday afternoon after probably three weeks of dryland dwelling.

And it was excellent. Not huge, but nice waist-high barrels that I tried to maneuver on my 7-8.

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Downcycles and joblessness

by Kevin S.

Thursday November 13, 2008, 12:11 PM

I really wanted to surf this past weekend. Had the board and wetsuits in the van and I was there, on the wood steps at Karge Street in Bay Head.

And there were waves. But they were ankle high. In years past, I would have gone on principal and to just get wet.

Not lately, though.

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Tooker Classic photo galleries are up

by Kevin S.

Wednesday October 22, 2008, 4:25 PM

Several photographers have posted galleries from the 2nd Annual Kenny Tooker Memorial Surf Classic in Bay Head on Oct. 11.

First off, Doug Salvatoriello, who drove down from Bergen County for the event. His gallery is here. (If you don't see it right away, check back, cause he's been having technical difficulties and is currently rebuilding it.)

Also, Rob Tooker has some great shots that also capture the whole event. They're here.

And www.squidforce.com has this gallery and Alex Rivera has a gallery posted off Local Swell, which has password access for the site.

And while you're at Local Swell, check the photos of the Garden State Grudge Match.

Surfer Jon Coen covered the contect for the Press of Atlantic City and filed this story, Lavallette surfer wins Grudge Match, about winner Sam Hammer.

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Report from 5th place at the Tooker Classic

by Kevin S.

Monday October 13, 2008, 6:57 PM

I didn't have my game face on when I got to Karge Street beach in Bay Head very early Saturday morning.

I had my sleep face on.

And I didn't have a longboard either when I checked in for the 2nd Annual Kenny Tooker Memorial Surf Classic. And that's a problem, since it's a longboard competition.

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Action and 'art' from the Tooker Classic

by Kevin S.

Monday October 13, 2008, 6:03 PM

Here is my best stuff, photographically speaking, from the 2nd Annual Kenny Tooker Memorial Surf Classc in Bay Head, Sat. Oct. 11.

Enjoy.

Contact me here.

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Well Sept. was swell, but I've yet to get wet in Oct.

by Kevin S.

Wednesday October 08, 2008, 6:21 PM

I know, I know, all you millions of readers of mine have been asking yourselves, 'Where have you been?' Right?

Well, we all go through surfing dry spells and this is one of them. It's been like over two weeks since I have paddled out. The result is no blog activity. Well I am back with a bunch of stuff.

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Saintly surfers praise divine waves in California

by Kevin S.

Wednesday October 08, 2008, 6:01 PM

This entry and story below have nothing to do with New Jersey, but I could not resist. I mean surfing priests? It could only be a California story, or maybe Florida. And it's just hilariously written.

Also, I loved the Associated Press headline above, and the reporter/writer, John Rogers of the AP, wrote a lead that I most totally jealous of:

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- He may not be able to walk on water, but when the mood strikes, Father Matthew Munoz can ride one gnarly wave all the way into the beach.

Right on. And check the Big Kahuna reference too. Click below for the rest of the story.

AP Photo/Chris CarlsonRev. Matt Munoz heads to the surf during the Blessing of the Waves ceremony at the pier in Huntington Beach, Calif.

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This is for all the people who think they are too old ...

by Kevin S.

Wednesday October 08, 2008, 5:46 PM

...to surf.

So, you kept reading? Well, this is not my story, it was written by Lori Tobias of The Oregonian newspaper and - again I know, but couldn't resist - it has nothing to do with New Jersey, but it's just plain old cool.

It's long, but worth every word and instead of linking it I have just repeated it. I don't want to say much more about it, so just read:

NEWPORT, Ore. -- In the parking lot of Starfish Point, the surfers tug and pull, squirm and wiggle their way into tight neoprene wet suits. Eventually, booties are tight, gloves snug, hoods in place -- except for one surfer, who has no need for the head covering.

Hot flashes, says Tina Brush, explaining in two words everything women of a certain age need to know and defining this group as anything but your typical surfers.

Meet the Duchesses, five ladies with 279 birthday candles among them, the youngest newly turned 50, the oldest 66, and each determined on a sunny September morning to catch some waves, or at least suck up a lot of salt water trying.

AP Photo/The Oregonian,Torsten KjellstrandThe Duchesses of Oregon pose with their boards.

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