By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Jude McAfee was surfing in turbulent 6-foot waves that were much taller than him, but he was having fun the whole time.
“It’s pretty big, like a foot over me,” Jude, an accomplished 12-year-old surfer from Upper Township, said of the white-capped waves.
“It’s a little rough, but it makes you a better surfer,” he continued. “It’s really fun out there.”
The ocean roared to life Saturday, a day after a coastal storm blew through the Jersey Shore, creating ideal conditions for the Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) South Jersey District Contest in Sea Isle City.
Altogether, 185 surfers from ages 8 to 60 competed in an event that looked like it was taking place in California or Hawaii instead of Sea Isle thanks to the big surf churned up by the storm.
“It’s awesome. The waves are great and the kids love it,” said Chad Gallagher, ESA co-director.
In contrast to the stinging rain, gusty winds and widespread flooding during the height of the storm Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday’s weather was remarkably placid for late October.
Partly sunny skies, a light breeze, air temperatures in the high 60s and a relatively balmy water temperature of 64 degrees drew the surfers and spectators to the beaches at 38th and 39th streets.
“We have many more surfers than expected,” Gallagher said. “It shows how people really enjoy the ESA. This is a family environment that is super-fun. Usually at this time of the year, the weather gets colder and the surfers may not want to come out. But not today.”
Gallagher and his wife, Kristin, live in Ocean City. Kristin grew up in Sea Isle and still has family in the resort. They are the parents of top local surfers Mia and Brynn Gallagher.
Jude McAfee, a seventh grader, also comes from a surfing family. His father, Jim McAfee, 49, and his 14-year-old brother, James, also surf.
Despite the choppy ocean Saturday, Jude said he has surfed in much more challenging conditions, including 8-foot waves, 30 mph winds and 30-degree water temperature in Ocean City during the winter of 2019.
“It’s just the satisfaction of doing it. This is my main sport,” Jude said of why he is attracted to surfing.
Matt Notch, of West Cape May, was drawn into surfing when he was just 8 years old and continues to compete in the sport at 49.
“I have a passion for the ocean. It’s something I plan to do for the rest of my life,” Notch said.
Notch, an arborist who owns a tree care company, attended the University of Hawaii and lived in Hawaii for 12 years, allowing him to hone his surfing skills. He needed them Saturday in Sea Isle.
“It’s gnarly out there. But it’s also a lot of fun. It’s very challenging on a long board,” he said of the rough surf.
The ESA contest was originally scheduled for Oct. 23, but, ironically, was postponed then because of a calm ocean not conducive for surfing. It was worth the wait until Saturday because of the storm-tossed waves.
“Storms make good waves,” Notch said, smiling.
Although the ESA hosts surfing competitions throughout South Jersey, Gallagher called Sea Isle a “gem” and a “hidden secret” because of some pretty special waves from time to time.
“There have been some epic waves in Sea Isle,” he said. “Sea Isle has been breaking really good. This is — or was — the secret spot right now.”
Results for the Sea Isle City contest will be posted on https://surfesa.org/districts/snj/
