Memories of Surfing in Seaside Heights

My surfing career lasted just a few weeks but I have been around the sport most of my life having grown up in Seaside Heights. 

My father loved surfing and helped establish the Atlantic States Surfing Contest in 1967...it was discontinued after a couple of years because of poor wave conditions.  I was a “runner” who would deliver score sheets from the judges and I remember some of the big names at that time like Gary Proper and Corky Carroll. 

It was around that time that my father took me to Keller’s Surf Shop in Lavallette where he surprised me with a brand new board, a Hobie “Corky Carroll” model.  I remember the smile on Charlie Keller’s face when he said “this is your first board. Don’t make it your last.”  Charlie, a local icon in the sport died about 20 years ago and I’m sorry to say…it was my last board.

I bring all this up because tomorrow (Saturday) night the inaugural class will be inducted into the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Algonquin Theatre in Manasquan.  The group of 35 will include the late Charlie Keller and Greg “Grog” Mesanko, who is really one of surfing’s pioneers at the Jersey Shore. Greg and his brother Chris were both Seaside guys and ahead of me at Central Regional High School. 

Along with the likes of Kevin Casey and the late Ray Andreola I would marvel at their skills especially during the cold and brutal winter months when if there were waves they could be found near the Casino Pier. Greg would later open a surf shop in Seaside Park and while I didn’t surf I spent my fair share of money on clothes and other accessories at Grog’s Surf Palace. No matter what time of year surfers would hang out and seek advice from him about everything from board choice to where to find the best waves. 

I still see Greg, who lives in Toms River with his wife Diane and smile whenever I do because it reminds me of simpler times when there was nothing better than growing up in Seaside.  He’s still drawn to the ocean and an avid paddle boarder in addition to his daily walks on the boardwalk. 

Long overdue, the creation of a New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to those who have added so much to a sport that is indeed a big part of the Garden State, especially here at the shore.  It is only fitting that this first class and future Hall of Famers will be enshrined in the New Jersey Surf Museum at Tuckerton Seaport.