Surfer's Journal story on Jersey

FYI, Sidewalks, Boardwalks, and Story Talks has been put together by Jon Coen, the author of the Journal article. He is writing a book about the surf/skate/snow/music? scene that has been a part of NJ for over 50 years. I believe this article, which I haven't had the chance to read yet, is more of a precurser to the book.

hey Beachbreak, I'm not calling you out over the internet or anything, but to say Jon's articles don't represent what NJ surfing is to you, is a bold statement. Again, it's your opinon and we all have them, but I've read all Jon's work and he's pretty well rounded. I'm also very critical whenever I read surf related articles about the NorthEast, NJ, cold water surfing, etc.

If you have the time, I think the date is July 22nd, try to get to the Seaport and see the slideshow. Jon will be there and although it might be a little hectic or not the ideal time, he is a good person to talk to. Why not bounce your ideas off him, share with him what surfing in NJ is to you. Chances are, he might want to write about it.

An afterthought, the slideshow at the Seaport should be pretty crowded and be prepared to see a few "surf bros", there are some people that when they hear surfing, they're there to be "cool" or "buddy buddy" with this person. It's inevitable.

 

Yeah I wasnt sure if Jon put it on or Rich . When I went to the show last summer Rich was doing alot of the narration for the slide show so I assumed it was his gig

 

when his perspective is different than mine is fine,but when it leaves out so much significant info like tony g.,who i'm not the guy to defend,and often puts obviously wrong photos like the 'infamous casino pier',and totally makes contradictory statements based on questionable sources like,so,let's see,was springsteen a 'big-time surfer,' or, 'not a very good surfer,' and was springsteen 'paddling out at dawn patrol,' 'sleeping on the beach,' or 'not to be woken up,' and my wife who has no interest in surfing whatsoever read it and thinks 'springsteen is known to show up at manasquan inlet from time to time' definitely makes it sound like the boss surfs the inlet a handful of times a year.
i don't know this guy jon,it would not be fair to attack him or surfer's journal in a mean-spirited way,but come on,people,just because he's making us feel so good about our identity doesn't mean we should just go along with his very narrow and totally incorrect representation of our history.
i'd bet springsteen and those guys were summer kooks who surfed a little on small days in the summer like all those summer kooks we complain about on swellinfo every summer,not 'a big-time surfer.' and if jon is such the pier local,then how does a photo end up in his article that is clearly some other pier.i'm not a pier local and it really stinks how this has happened before with him.the fact that so many lesser guys who moved away or are criminals or dirtbags are glorified,but tony is never mentioned,though he was on the peak at the pier back then,was on the world tour before anyone else,and never moved away to do it,either,and still totally rips.i could go on forever.

 

Again, I haven't read the article yet.

Jon is not a pier local.. he's an LBI guy.. and as for photos go, that's not up to him what they publish. I was asked by a person at the Journal to submit some photos for the article.. their response to me was that they decided to use photos they had in their archives.

As for Springsteen.. from what I know, he did surf and at one time may have lived in a shapers den up in or nearby Asbury.. truthfully I could care less as I'm not a fan of his.

As for Tony G... I don't know who you are talking about, just like if I mentioned an older, locally known surfer from where I lived (LBI), you might not know who I'm talking about.

My advice to you.. If you want to read about the "Tony G.'s" then I suggest writing about them and submitting your work. (I'm being serious, not sarcastic when I say that.)

 

Tony G is Tony Giordano, the first person from New Jersey to be on the Pro Tour and have a world ranking.He was on the IPS tour in 1976 and 1977.He owns Ocean Hut Surf Shop in Monterey Beach(Lavallette).Jon Coen said Linda Davoli (1977) was the first,and never even mentioned Tony.I'm not friends with Tony,nor am I a customer,but he rips and never moved away from this place.Not Randazzo,not Davoli,Giordano.unlike Mr.Coen,I made sure and looked it up.I found other interesting stuff,too,like I saw how Kevin Casey made it to the 5th round at the Seaside Pro in 1978 before losing to PT.Too bad he was so busy writing about the filthy stuff all of us dirtbag lawbreaking nj surfers did instead of Tony and Kevin,who he did at least name.The article portrays us and our world and lives as nasty and dirty.That may be springsteen's world,but my nj is mostly nice and beautiful.

 

its all good ( bueno haha ) just jons perspective and what he was told - i dont think he is all that old to know all that went down back in the day so he relys on other peoples accounts of what the deal was - grogs tales of seaside are always good - bobby and scottys account are pretty self serving with the springsteen thing well kinda ****ty and by the way we were nothing but outcasts in the beginning anyway so there ya go
later
bueno

 

Greenrmedia

Hello nice thread you have going here!