Anytime is a good time to surf—especially summer

Time to pull out those surfboards!
Summer is here, and the waves are looking mighty fine.
From beginning surfers to advanced surfers to floaters and barrel tricks, surfing is a great way to get active.
“Taking the elements and ripping it up, is what it is all about,” said Mark Ruggiano.
Owner of Method Skate & Wakeboards in Sea Isle City, Ruggiano has been surfing since he was three years old. He grew up in Philadelphia, but vacationed in Ocean City and Sea Isle City.
“I love the local people and the atmosphere,” noted Ruggiano.
Method Skate & Wake Boards hold six events yearly to promote skating, surfing, and local bands. Ruggiano receives many sponsors for his events, like Electric Factory.
Surfing is a great family and friend-oriented activity that is always a blast, with a certain “feel” all its own.
“Surfing is a great getaway…and is like total freedom,” added Ruggiano.
Just about anyone can surf. All you need is the right equipment—surfboard, wax, wetsuit, leash—and some lessons.
Lessons are important before going out on your own.
Local surf shops can provide you with the equipment, and some can also give lessons. They even do rentals for those who just want to try it out.
“Practice laying on your belly then lifting your legs and arms,” Ruggiano instructed. “Then popping up is a great way to start. Doing pushups and crunches will help make everything a lot easier, too.
“Surfing is a great getaway from all the craziness,” he continued. And a great way to wrap yourself up in nature.”
There are many great locations to surf at the Jersey cape.
• Avalon surfing grounds—30th Street, and from 12th to 15th Street.
• North Wildwood—12th Street.
• Wildwood Crest—Rambler Road.
• Cape May Cove, just above the Coast Guard Base in Cape May.
“I surf from dawn till dust, and have been surfing for 30 years,” said Greg Forrest, owner of Wild Ocean Surf Shop in Wildwood. “The best time for surfing conditions are around September—during the hurricane season.”
But for beginners, you might want to start out when the weather’s a bit more cooperative, although veteran surfers get quite excited when there’s a hurricane heading up the coast.
The hardest part about surfing is being able to get up on the board and holding your balance; after that, it’s pretty straight forward.
“The Barrel trick is like a major trick for the local area because of the waves,” said Ruggiano. “People get excited when they get the trick, which happens often. My favorite is the floater—when you have one wave in front of you crash early. You jump on top and skim it.”
To find surfing conditions and forecast for surfing, it’s best to go to wavewatch.com and njsurfingclub.com, or any local wave watch website.
These will help you get an idea where the close-out waves and open-face waves are.
“The open face waves are the waves you want,” said Ruggiano. “Winds, high and low pressure systems are what create the waves, and what you need to look out for.”
Surfing is a great way to hang and chill with friends, and also meet some new people.
You’ll find surfers of all ages on local South Jersey beaches. The waves are good, beaches are clean, and local surf shops are friendly.
Surfing is one of the many attractions Southern New Jersey is known for. Many fall in love with the local beaches, waves, and local town atmosphere.
It’s a great place to surf, and a great place to get away from those everyday hassles.