WOMEN’S SURF FISHING CLUB OF NEW JERSEY

In February 11, 1952, a group of women who were interested in surf fishing began a club. They registered the club as a corporation in the state of NJ and Women’s Surf Fishing Club of New Jersey, Inc. was born.
WSFC of NJ was nurtured by these determined, founding members, Mrs. Robert Fite, Mrs. Jeffrey Paul, Mrs. John Mortimer, and Mrs. Emil Wirth. These ladies all went on to hold officer’s rank on the board and became better known as Joan Fite, president; Frances Paul, vice president, Janey Mortimer, corresponding secretary, and Sara Wirth, treasurer.
The first meeting had 18 women in attendance.
In March of 1952, WSFC of NJ was accepted as a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, a foundation created in 1935 and then all male. Today NJSFSC serves over 150,000 members, both men and women. By April of the same year, WSFC of NJ was accepted as a member in the Association of Surf Anglers Clubs whose inception in 1915 was all male. Today, WSFC of NJ is the only women’s club in ASAC.
By March 7th of 1953, WSFC of NJ held their first Awards Banquet. The club was 100 members strong. Trophies were donated by male dominated businesses. Women wore cocktail dresses and the men in attendance wore suits and ties. Henry W. Stelwagon, then President of ASAC and H. Willard Shaner, then Secretary of ASAC were the invited guest speakers. These women broke many barriers and never looked back.
THEY DID IT.
WSFC of NJ remained active for over 3 decades. They hosted their own tournaments, were involved in environmental issues, planned awards banquets, created their very own cook book, fished side by side with some of the best surf fishermen in the east coast, and kept the club prosperous.
But time was taking its toll on the club. Several of the original members were in the 60s, 70s and 80s and could no longer fish, or their husbands retired and the couples moved to warmer climates. Some of the members passed away. WSFC of NJ was feeling the aches and pains of “old age” just like her members.
In mid 1980s Sara Wirth, who had been treasurer for decades, laid the accounting books down. There was hardly anything to count anymore. The corporate registration with the state of NJ wasn’t being paid. The club was in critical condition brought on by time, neglect, lack of funds and, forgotten accomplishments.
By the early 1990s, with about 10 members left, WSFC of NJ was almost defunct. The club didn’t even have enough women to field a six member team for the tournaments. One of the original members, Flo Pancoast and her daughter Christine had to fish with other teams. The outlook was bleak.
A new leader was thought to be the tonic for rejuvenation. Christine Pancoast was voted in as President in 2002, the 50th anniversary of the club’s existence.
Hanging on by her fingernails, Chris tenaciously sought new members. She went looking for women fishing from the beaches, in tackle shops and by spreading the word to anyone that would listen.
Slowly the numbers crept up. She recruited one by one until there was a core of women willing to fish and work hard for WSFC of NJ once again. Ten members became twelve. Twelve became eighteen and so on.
Now in 2011 they are 40 members strong again. They field at least 2 teams during any given tournament and rank in the top five teams in the ASAC standing as of this press release.
Most important of all, WSFC of NJ is proud and excited to announce the reinstatement of the original Women’s Surf Fishing Club of NJ’s Corporation. The very corporation filed in 1952 has been brought up to date and all corporate fees for the 24 years that it was neglected have been paid.
The integrity of all the women who started out so many decades ago to make a difference in the sport of surf fishing has been kept intact. They have stayed true to their intent and fought to keep the original identity of the club.
THEY DID IT!
Arlene Perkowski and Andrea Tamburino set off on a mission that was conceived almost 5 years ago. They started with what was left of the original paper work and went to an experienced attorney. From there, they were guided through all the correct channels that enabled the club to maintain the original corporate seal.
The club is sponsoring their 27th annual tournament on Oct. 22 with registration starting at 6 a.m. at Brigantine Elks Club, Bayshore Road and West Shore Drive, Brigantine. Call 264-7754 for details.