First Official Surf Outing of the Year at Phillips Beach
The Surf Club had their first official outing this past Friday and Saturday at Phillips Beach in Deal. The club provided two surfboards, two paddle boards, a skim board and three kayaks. The water was beautiful as well as the weather, everyone had a great time.
The Surf Club has always been around at the University but never too active. This year the Surf Club was absorbed by the Outdoors Club and taken over by Steven Steger, junior and new President of the Surf Club.
“It was really a great way to get the Surf Club more active,” said Greg Cenicola, Secretary of the Outdoors Club, “Absorbing the Surf Club really allowed Steve to take the club in a direction they have always wanted to go in, but never had the opportunity to.”
The weather both Friday and Saturday was nicer than anyone could have asked for on a mid-October afternoon. Bright sunny days in the low 80’s, coupled with the warm ocean water really allowed for a great time.
Steger was able to provide all the surfboards, paddle boards and skim boards while also using a few kayaks courtesy of the Outdoors Club.
In the summer time, Steger runs his own surf and paddle boarding lessons in his home town of Cape May.
It was really a great opportunity for Steger to bring his talents to the University and teach willing students how to master the ocean. He was friendly and helpful to anyone who came out. Regardless of their experience, Steger couldn’t have been happier to get people out there in the water trying something new.
The club had eight students come out on Friday and six on Saturday. There were enough boards and kayaks supplied allowing everyone who showed up to have something to do.
There were two one-person kayaks and one two-person kayak. Paddling out in the ocean wasn’t too difficult, but getting past the initial breaking waves proved to be somewhat of a challenge for some.
Paul Mandala, Monmouth Alumni and marine biology major, as well as founder of the Outdoors club had said, “The idea is to keep the kayak pointing straight at the wave, if you aren’t facing directly at the wave, you’re going to get tipped.” Quite a few students learned that lesson the hard way, but no one was hurt.
The paddle boards were a huge hit over the weekend. A paddle board is basically a very large surfboard which you paddle out into the ocean on. Once out there you can stand up on its gripped surface. With both feet facing forward and your balance slightly towards the back of the board, you use the paddle to direct yourself through the waters.
Paddle boarding is as close as you will ever get to walking on water. There is no feeling like standing, out over one hundred yards at sea, enjoying the sun, nice breeze and company of your friends.
Lauren Buonpane, junior and captain of the dance team, said, “I had a really great time and I’m glad you guys convinced me to come out. Kayaking out in the ocean is not something I thought I’d be doing two weeks into October, let alone ever, but it really was a ton of fun.”
At one point there was a whole caravan of students far out into the ocean on the kayaks and paddle boards, floating there enjoying the sun and each other’s company. Quite a few members even jumped in to cool off in the water.
Victoria Dell’Aquila, sophomore, said, “I had such a great time!
I don’t understand why more students didn’t come out. It was such a beautiful day and everything you could have needed was supplied. There was no reason not to.”
Steger hopes to plan a surf trip to Montague, New York in the spring but as of right now it is only speculation.
Steger said, “The club is about getting people together who not only love surfing, but all aspects of the water and getting together to have a good time.”
He made it clear that he did not want students feeling discouraged because they were inexperienced or new to surfing. Everyone is welcome. “With a school so close to the beach, why not take advantage of a great opportunity?” Steger said.
PHOTO COURTESY of Steven Steger
