Surfers'
Environmental
Alliance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2005

Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey - Surfers’ Environmental Alliance (SEA) today issued a Request for Proposals to firms around the world for the design of an artificial wave producing reef to be located near Seven Presidents Park, North Long Branch. The project is being funded by a $40,000 grant from the NJ Casino Reinvestment and Development Commission and is being assisted by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. A subsequent RFP will be issued for the actual construction of the reef. This project has the support of New Jersey’s highest officials. "Through Governor Codey's ‘Coast 2005’ initiative, DEP is taking many actions to protect the natural resources and recreational opportunities we value at the Jersey shore," said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bradley Campbell. "We are particularly pleased to partner with the Surfers’ Environmental Alliance and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority on this unique reef project that ensures New Jersey remains a surfing destination on the East Coast."

Monmouth County witnessed the elimination of most of its historic surfing areas due to the decades-long federal beach replenishment program conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While such programs are intended to enhance infrastructure protection from storm surges and are widely supported by beachfront property owners, the reengineering of the slope of the near shore, notching of jetties, and other project features had the unintended consequence of ruining the wave-making capability of Monmouth County’s historic beaches. As a result, the County lost not only most of its quality surf breaks, but most of the businesses which were the backbone of the large local and regional surf community from the 1950s-‘70s. The economic loss to local communities from these business losses was substantial. Although the popularity of the sport has recovered, Monmouth County continues to suffer from the loss of high-quality waves.

Chad Nifoussi, former competitive surfer, attorney, and owner of Aloha Grove Surf Shop in Long Branch and Ocean Grove, NJ, agrees that an artificial reef would put Long Branch back on the national surfing map. “The selection of Monmouth County, New Jersey for an artificial reef is a validation of the extraordinary quality and diversity of the local surf community, the mature activism of our surfing groups, and the trust that exists between political leaders and surfers. We have a vibrant, active, and healthy surf community and culture,” Nifoussi explains, “and the reef is a revolutionary chance to restore New Jersey’s reputation in the surfing world.”

An artificial reef that actually produces high quality waves will be a challenging technical engineering achievement. There are several successful artificial surfing reefs in the world and many lessons have been learned, including from the failure of Pratts Reef, California, which was too small, while the Narrowneck reef, Australia, has had very good success. Reefs are also being designed in Cornwall England, Ventura California, and Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, to name a few.

The process involves complex analyses and computer modeling of historic wave and wind patterns at the proposed location, and the selection of materials, structural design and placement of the reef are difficult decisions. An artificial submerged surfing structure would have a primary objective of producing waves but also provide substantial public benefits including a safer swimming area in the shadow of the structure and prevent beach erosion. By causing waves to break offshore, the beach would be protected from erosion, and its physical structure would attract fish and other marine plant and animal life. “Unlike the poorly designed straight-line steep beach approach to mitigation which simply creates a wall of unstable sand, the submerged structure will replicate nature and accomplish the desired results,” said Andrew Mencinsky, SEA president and Reef Project Manager. “I believe this project will single handedly change how we view beach mitigation projects. I personally would like to thank NJ DEP Commissioner Brad Campbell and his staff for their courage, foresight, and willingness to believe that coastal mitigation does not have to eliminate recreation,” he added. Additionally, Willard Somers, SEA board member, will lead SEA’s review of incoming proposals. Somers, an active surfer, obtained an engineering degree from Princeton University and a MBA from Harvard University.

Derf McTighe, proprietor of Island Style Surf Shop, Sea Bright NJ, one of the oldest surf shops in the area, looks forward to the reef becoming a reality for the expansion of surfing’s popularity and business opportunity. “A reef, if done correctly, can only be a good thing. It could make the surf better and stop erosion and it could help the environment by attracting fish. If surf is created it will be great for my business.”

Success in Long Branch would bring international attention to the County for its surfing and for this new, creative approach to beach erosion and infrastructure protection. “If it works it’s a really interesting proposition,” said Adam Schneider, mayor of Long Branch. “It could be a lot less expensive than pumping sand, and might be a really ingenious way of resolving the problem of beach erosion. I’ve been told it’s worked in other places. Maybe it needs to be looked at because federal funding for beach replenishment is an iffy proposition these days,” said Schneider.

Copies of the RFP for the project can be obtained from Andrew Mencinsky at 732-804-4096 and at www.seasurfer.org.

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Surfers’ Environmental Alliance is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization devoted to protection of the ecological and cultural aspects of the sport of surfing. The group is based in Santa Cruz, CA and Long Branch, NJ.

Contacts: Andrew Mencinsky, SEA board member and president - 732-804-4096