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34-year-old Ben Graeff, better known as Ben Gravy, is one of New Jersey’s most famous surfers. Photo: Dave Moser
Maybe you’ve seen someone trying to ride waves on a summer afternoon at the Shore, attempting to stand on small, poorly formed Atlantic chop. You might get the impression that real surfing only happens in Hawaii or California. But you didn’t witness an October day with a hurricane offshore, or the frosty barrels from a February blizzard, or even a warm August morning with perfect little peeling waves. Very few Jerseyans know our state has a thriving surf scene.
“I think that the average waves in New Jersey aren’t as good as the average waves in California or Florida. And a lot of the time our best conditions are in the off season or very early in the morning, so the general beach-going public doesn’t see it,” says surf industry veteran Kevin Morris, the buyer and manager of Heritage Surf in Margate and a surfer for 43 years. “But when our waves get good, they are world-class. And they can be very technical and powerful.”
Surfing took hold in New Jersey in the 1950s, and by the ’70s, surfers were braving winter’s frigid ocean in full wetsuits. The industry grew from Sandy Hook to Cape May, and by the 2000s, there were several dozen Jersey surfers getting paychecks from global brands, with a host of professional contests in state. Each September for the last 20 years, the Belmar Pro has attracted surfers from around the world. On June 4, the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame inducted its sixth class of legends.
As for big names, they include Somers Point native Dean Randazzo, 53, and 34-year-old Ben Graeff, better known as Ben Gravy, one of the most popular surfers on YouTube and social media for his adventures around the world.
There are over 40 core surf shops in the state, as well as dozens of surfboard factories and surf camps.
So you think you know Jersey? Check out our list of fascinating things you might not know about our state.
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