MEET ME IN BELMAR Surfers Hope To Strike Up A Romance With Maria At 2011 Foster’s Belmar Pro By Jon Coen
Up until the Quiksilver Pro
New York last week, it was entirely possible that of all the waves scored and
horns blown on this coast in the last 12 months, the East Coast had not seen a
heat as exciting as the finals of the 2010 Foster’s Belmar Pro.
And until Hurricane Katia
combined with a million-dollar purse in New York, Belmar being blessed with
Hurricane Igor swell last year blew out of the water all those air reverses punctuated
with double bird claims, bitter border disputes, marquee Californian surf stars,
and Grudges settled.
But let’s face it; half the
time when the real housewives bring the kids down from Montclair and the PK
Shamrock’s crowd ventures into the daylight, they barely even see the surf
action. There are old friends on the boardwalk, fresh burritos from Fins, fun
in the sponsor village, and Predator Dub Assassins dropping reggae beats. To
your average beachgoer, those guys in the four colored jerseys pumping waist-high
waves might as well be invisible. And who is this guy on the microphone who
keeps making comments about your sister’s bikini?
But that wasn’t the story
last year. In 2010, every bronzing Monmouth University girl, every fanny-packed
tourist, and even the Belmar boys in blue had their eyes fixed on the ocean and
the four- to eight-foot hurricane bounty. Because to that kid from Metuchen who
just started surfing, six-foot might as well be 15-foot … Hawaiian.
The Eastern Lines crew has always
done a good job of updating the goings-on via social media. In the past, you’ve
been able to get Sam Hammer’s heat results via Facebook or win some cool shit
via Twitter. But, this year, they’ve taken it up a notch. Thanks to their
friends at TheSurfersView.com, the Foster’s Belmar Pro will be webcast live
this year on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 16th, 17th, and 18th. Now
Florida Moms can watch their little guys in the Pro Junior. And if you’re a
Jersey fan who just can’t get out of work on Friday, you’re all set.
The Atlantic Ocean has shown
no signs of backing off this September. Hurricane Irene bought Belmar one day
of tropical tubes and several days of leftovers already. Between that and the Katia
circus that just hit crashed into Long Island and Tropical Storm Maria on the
way, the Northeast is more hyped than Bill O’Reilly at a Ted Nugent concert.
So who might have to make
room in their boardbag for a giant check on the way home? You have to imagine
this thing going south, but not so far that they spend it all on sweet figs at
Publix. Sure, Florida has dominated in the past. Hewy won in 2004, Gorkin aced
it in ’05, Garson took ’07, and Jeremy Johnston has bridesmaided this one a few
times. But recent history points north. Benny B bagged it in 2009, and last
year, Michael Dunphy took it from Michael Powell in the waning moments. Then
there’s Fisher Heverly, who’s fresh off a 2nd-place at the Reef Pro
and a slot in the Quik Pro Trials. Lucas Rogers has been brilliant here. Any
one of those boys could take it.
And don’t count the Jersey
boys out, at least for a final berth. 2004 finalist Dean Randazzo and recent Smith
Optics Grudge Match winner PJ Raia made the third round of the 4-star Vans Pro
in Virginia Beach. “Raw” Rob Kelly exploded his way to Round Four, and Matt
Keenan, who made the Belmar finals in 2003, is making a competitive return
after a brief hiatus. But no matter who gets a sudsy shower from the oilcans on
Sunday, September 18th, you know it’s gonna be a good show. This is Belmar.
17th Annual Quiksilver King Of The Peak Set
To Go Down In Solid Northeast Swell Conditions On November 6th-7th By
Nick McGregor; Captions by Dick “Mez” Meseroll READ MORE…
TENS ACROSS THE BOARD Blue Skies, Thousands Of Surf Fans, Pumping Head-High Peaks, And Red-Hot Performances All Combine For Spectacular Final Day Of Quiksilver Pro New York
STORMY WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY Cory Robbed, Gabe Bounced, Bobby Suspended, Damien And CJ Out, Kelly Swept Straight Into Round Four… What A Couple Of Days In New York
