South Seaside Park barrel | June 2009 (Photo: Justin Auciello)

Are you ready for Surf Weekend?

No, the Governor has not issued a proclamation. At Live for Jersey Shore, we’re dubbing it Surf Weekend, because today and tomorrow will feature two fun surf related events.

I’ve mapped it out for you.

Surf Weekend begins tonight at the grand Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, with the world premier of A Pleasant Surprise, a Super 16mm surf film, at 7 PM ($5 to enter, music by Sean Bones prior to the viewing, and 21+ to drink).

A Pleasant Surprise

Nick Zegel, left, Creator Director, and Kyle Pahlow, Filmmaker (Photo: Jonathan Hoover)

As a lifelong Jersey Shore surfer (bodyboarding by age 3, standing on the bodyboard by age 5, and riding my first surfboard–a used 5′8″ Al Merrick quad fin–by age 7), I am intimately familiar with the shore surf scene. Unlike our counterparts in locales that are warm year round, such as Southern California, Florida, and Hawaii, our conditions vary with each season.

If you surf here, you need to be ready to paddle out whether it’s 80 degrees, sunny, with 72 degree water temps in crowded conditions or 15 degrees, snowy, with 38 degree water temps in desolate conditions.

This is the life of a Jersey Shore surfer.

Although we haven’t seen A Pleasant Surprise yet, judging from its website, it appears that the film seeks to encapsulate our surfing culture, both in and out of the water.

From the film’s synopsis:

A Pleasant Surprise offers an honest look at the talents of a select group of surfers who live in a truly special part of the United States. Almost three years in the making, this film documents a world of contrast as daily changes in weather and waves prove to be all part of a larger picture; thumping beach breaks, cold water, and quick tropical storms are just a fraction of what you will find. Brought to you in Super 16mm, A Pleasant Surprise allows for the full beauty of this region and its surfers to be realized.

The film’s trailer:

A Pleasant Surprise from Kyle Pahlow on Vimeo.

You’ll notice that the surfing clips in the trailer range from bareback surfers to those in full head-to-toe wetsuit gear.

That’s Jersey.

After the film, head home, stretch, and sleep well, because Surf Weekend continues tomorrow with the Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest.

Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest

Surfer in South Seaside Park | August 2009 (Photo: Justin Auciello)

Surf for a good cause!

Wake up early, get stoked, and head to Seaside Park for the Doug Oland Memorial Surf Contest at the 2nd Avenue beach, benefiting the Doug Oland Scholarship Fund at Monsignor Donovan High School in Toms River. Registration begins at 8 AM, and heats will commence at 9 AM. The registration fee is $25, and all contestants will receive a hoodie and a Surf Taco lunch.

According to magicseaweed, a reliable surf forecasting site, surf conditions for Seaside Park are predicted to be approximately 4-5 feet tomorrow morning (yet somewhat sloppy from onshore winds). As I child, I surfed competitively, and I recall many surf contest cancellations due to poor surf conditions–this will not be a problem.

Today’s stormy weather will give way to clearing conditions throughout the day tomorrow, so after the contest ends,  spend the rest of your day in Seaside Heights, where the annual Mardi Gras celebration will be booming.

Sunday?

While there are no official Surf Weekend events on Sunday, the weather should be sunny and warm, so spend the morning in the water, early afternoon at the  Seaside Heights Seafood Festival, and then cap it off at 4 PM, with the always entertaining Shorty Long & The Jersey Horns at the Beachcomber Bar and Grill on the Seaside Heights boardwalk.

September is a beautiful month at the shore, so enjoy!