Local Surfers React to Ocean City’s Selection as #4 Best Surf Town in America by Surfer.com

OCNJ Daily

Our secret is out. Ocean City, long known in the surfing community as a great surf town, recently received some national validation. Surfer.com’s series on “America’s Best Surf Towns” ranked OC at number 4, ahead of such California mainstays as Huntingdon Beach, Ventura, and San Clemente; New Smyrna Beach, Florida and Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. https://youtu.be/klo3joXuQbc “It doesn’t surprise me,” said Greg Beck, of Surfers Supplies, Ocean City’s original surf shop. There have been so many people that have contributed to the surfing community and the lifestyle. It started back in the 60s with guys like John Carey, George Gerlach and Don Pileggi. They made it something that caught on and we developed a culture. They were promoting surfing as a lifestyle, not just the waves. They introduced it to people as something they could enjoy doing, and having a lot of fun.”

The surfer.com article extols the virtues of the Ocean City Boardwalk and the vibe of the locals, and acknowledged it gets pretty cold here in the winter months. “Yes you will need 5-mil full suit with gloves boots and hood, and yes it snows on the beach,” the article acknowledged. “But that’s why you’re scoring in wintertime with hardly anyone else out.”

Ocean City has so much to offer beyond surfing hours. The boardwalk and down town always seem to have something going on. Seamus Carey, a 12-year-old year-round shredder, said the ranking was a natural. “The waves are always fun and there’s so much to do here.” Becky Friedel, owner of the 7^th Street Surf Shop said "The Ocean City Surfing Association is the oldest organization of its kind on the East Coast. Also, the City of Ocean City has been awesome in helping to promote surfing and designating 7^th St. as the official surfing beach. That designation later enabled us to be the first shop on the East Coast to offer surfing lessons, which we believe helped to promote the sport."

Tyler Sankey and Maddy Presnall making things happen at 7th Street Surf Shop “For that we owe a debt of gratitude to the city as well as the entire surfing community who still enjoy surfing at 7^th St. to this day. We now see grandparents, parents and their children all enjoying the waves in Ocean City.” Tyler Sankey, an employee at 7^th St. Surf Shop said he was pleased the article mentioned that Ocean City was a breeding ground for many great surfers. One such OC legend, Dean Randazzo, said he was happy to see Ocean City ranked so highly, but like his fellow surfers, he was not surprised. “The City has been very supportive, there are some great surf shops in town and there is plenty to do, especially for families, besides surfing,” Dean said. Maddy Presnall, another 7^th St. employee, expressed gratitude that OC was coming out of the shadows with the article. “It’s nice that a small town like ours mattered to them.” she said. But why wouldn’t it? Ocean City has mattered to the hard core, enthusiastic and casual surfer for about a half century now. It seems that the rest of the world is finally catching up. Are you curious about who else made their list? Just click on the links below: http://www.surfer.com/features/best-surf-towns-in-america-2017-no-4-ocean-city-nj/ Best Surf Towns 2017 "The best places in the U.S. to eat, sleep, work, and shred"