The Surf Contest That Put Belmar On the Map

The Belmar Pro is one of the only marquee surf events to take place in New Jersey every year.

It used to be a featured stop on the ASP's WQS tour. Once the ASP lifts their sanction from an event, the event usually folds. The Belmar Pro, however, is still running stronger than ever. With over 100 of the top competing surfers from all over the globe setting their sights on a Belmar Pro victory, it is more entertaining now than ever.

Holding a major surf event in New Jersey is always a risky endeavor. Not for lack of spectators, but for lack of waves. To hold an event of this magnitude, you need at least three days of contestable surf. Although that doesn't sound too challenging, New Jersey in the beginning of September is very hit or miss in terms of surf. Somehow, the organizers of this event have had the luck of a mega millions winner. 

The event almost always runs when we get our first decent size swell of the hurricane season. In the last nine years, the waves have only been small for the whole event about two times.

That means that the other seven years were held in surf that offers up much more high performance conditions than you would expect with eye-blistering performances to awe the crowd.  Being able to watch some of the best surfers in good waves proves to all spectators why surfing is growing at such an historic rate. 

With the event held in September and spanning into the weekend, it brings two completely different spectrums of people together— surfers and the ever-present Belmar summertime dwellers. 

The looks and reactions from the traveling surfers that make their way here for the first time are absolutely priceless. When they first witness the train wreck that are D'Jais party-goers, the jokes, hilarious banter, camera phone photos and gut wrenching shock fill the air. It's probably vice-versa for the guidos that get their eyes on the surfers on their turf.

The Belmar Pro is a crucial fixture for the New Jersey surf scene. Any event featuring a large prize purse adds legitimacy to our surf scene and allows the locals a chance at professional competition. The fact that it meshes together such different demographics offers an experience that would only exist at "the Jersey Shore."

If you are in Belmar or the surrounding area this coming September, be sure to stop and check out the contest. It is an all out celebration. With vendor booths, live band performances, tons of give aways, autograph signings, the surfing and so much more, it will be an experience you likely won't forget. 

ON THE WEB: www.belmarpro.com