Back in NJ!

After nearly a month in the Tropics Our lowly band of travelers has pretty much returned to cold old NJ...... The surf for our trip ranged from days of flatness to solid overhead North groundswell which lasted for days.

My good buddy and travelling partner, Admiral Stockdale had the highlight of our trip occur at Apple Bay in Tortola. After arriving in St Thomas, the Admiral was in the water within an hour, catching those thickies........ After two days we ventured over to Tortola, hoping the days of surf had quieted the crowds. We arrived at 10am to solid head high to overhead sets and light offshore winds, and only 9 guys out! Within minutes we're on it, immediately right in the pack, but getting into the set waves. After a bit two guys paddle down to Bomba's and a dinghy pulls up and picks up the remaing surfers (all on a boat from Dominica). We look around and we're suddenly alone. We don't say a word to each other but set up to trade off the set waves......... After numerous waves and still no one else out, I paddled over to Danny and said "So what do you think?" Danny replies, "This is fucking insane!!!!" as he paddles into yet another overhead wall. The frenzy continued for about two hours, when a couple other guys finally paddled out. To be honest, it was the perfect ending...... I couldn't really even paddle anymore, so we went in for lunch and Red Stripes!

Welcome to the Tropics!

The leaves on the trees are beginning to to show us those beautiful colors that we surely know will soon lead to cold & snow. That means it's time for many of us to begin our annual pilgrimmages to the lower latitudes. Crazy Michael, Santa Claus, and Big Bruce have hit the BVI and I've returned rto my usual haunt in St Thomas. There are no waves yet, but hopefully the deepening of the Cold Fronts will signal good days to come. Just prior to our arrival, the entire area was deluged with up to 8" of rain from a tropical low that just refused to move for nearly a week.

The large amount of rain has caused a mosquito feeding frenzy. No going out without some bug protection!

TS Ernesto Arrives!
After a long & surfless Summer, Ernesto arrived on 9/03 delivering without a doubt the best swell this year. Jay Karpinski arrived home after spending 50+ days in Indo just in time to cash in! (More photos to follow) 

2006 OG Gromfest

The Annual OG Gromfest was held on Monday Aug 28th at the North End in Ocean Grove. The contest, run by Jack Green, is held in memory of our friend, TJ Stockdale. The event, meant to just be a fun-filled beach day for the kids......was a success again this year!

for lots of photos go to: www.freewebs.com/drstockdale

Darrick Doerner spent an enjoyable evening with the Eastern Lines Crew on Wednesday August 16th. Darrick spent some time with the Belmar Guards at Lifeguard headquarters talking about lifesaving techniques in heavy water conditions...... Later it was on to the Colimns for a buffet sponsored by Fosters and a viewing of Darrick's video, "All aboud the Crazy Train", which chronicles their exploits at Jaws. The movie was sick.......

Thanks very much to Darrick and S.E.A. for coming to Belmar.......
Aloha!

Reef Brazil Party!!!!!

The Reef Brazil Part on 7/19 at Paul's in S Belmar was a killer success..... Over 250 people showed up to meet Brad Gerlach, Rob Machado, Ben Bourgeouis and Evan Valere, as well as the Reef Girls were much anticipated arrivals.

Barry and the Penetrators laid down their cool dub sounds before the arrival and the after party was led by Chapter 11.



Brad Gerlach was an instant crowd favorite. His really cool down to earth attitude.... wowwed most of the groms in attendance!

Rob Machado, although seeming a little nervous, gave that great smile to all the young groms that asked......

From the looks of everything..... most of the older kids were having some fun too!!!!!

The Belmar Boyz & Girlz take over the Manasquan HS Auditorium for the recent showing of Oakley's new surf video. With th EL crew is John Behler (2nd from L) our local Oakley Rep and Kelly (3rd from L), the Oakley National Sales Manager......

100's of Surfboards now in stock @ the shop.......

Shortboards, fishes, 4-Fins, Hybrids, Funboards,

and all types of Longboards......... by

JC Hawaii, Placebo, HIC, Local Motion, Aloha,

Gary Linden, Hank Warner, Murphy, Donald Takyama, Brian Wynn, SRH, NSP, Ezera, Walden, Greg Webber, Jum Phillips, and Legend Surfboards....

June 6 2006

The 2006 Hurricane Season is now offically underway. All estimates are for another season with lots of named storms, from Trop Derpressions to Cat 4 Hurricanes. Some reports that the East Coast, well overdue for serious action, may come due this year. Hopefully we'll have an all-time surf season with an absolute minimum of destruction!!!!

Pray for Surf!!!!

O'Neill Braggers Cup Contest

O'Neill Wetsuits brought the Surf Shop "Braggers Cup" contest to Atlantic City.
EL Sent a a very hot, young, and upcoming team consisting of Luke Mitchell, Brendan Buckeley, Justin Brahn and Dave McGillis. Altrhough our team may have been a bit outclassed by surfers like Sammy Hammer, and Matt Keenan, I'm very inpressed with the quality and eagerness of our team.

They definately made us proud!!!!!


DT

Russ Iglay and the Belmar Boyz.........

check out the cool video of Russ and Dean Iglay and the rest of the Belmar Reguulars.........Steve Herring, Jim Miurphy, Stick, Bert, Possum, Smiley and countless others ripping it and pushing each other as hard as poissible on the big ram at Grandads Farm. This was some of the most progressive skating going on locally, as well as the best parts of theUS!

These guys still rip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! www.olliegrind.com

DT

ESA Northeast Regionals Storm Belmar!

The ESA NE Regionals were held this past weekend in Belmar...... the weatherman's forecast, as usual was right on target.... the forecasted inches of rain never materialized. It was mostly sunny for the entire weekend. The surf was definately not all-time, mostly chest to head high with onshore winds.

The CNJ District placed contestants in each of the different divisions. Our local rippers did unreal....... Brendan Buckley finished 5th in the always tough Jr Mens Division. Justin Brahn, and Dave McGillis each made it to the semi's in Jr's as well as Dan Mcgillis in Boys.

Barry and the new Dub band hit it up on the boardwalk on Saturday......

The contestants party was held on Saturday night at the Columns.

For complete results, go to cnj.esa.org.

DT

Amfibian 1st Annual Big Wave Contest

The results of the Amfibian !st Annual Big Wave Contest were announced during the Earth Day Celebration on 4/22 at the Elks in Pt Pleasant Bch.

The winning photo of Jack Dwyer was taken by Alex Rivera on February 12th at Jenks. Dwyer received $1000 for the wave and Alex received $500 for the photo. The wave in the picture was estimated at 15'!

If you want to check out all the submitted photos, go to www.amfibianusa.com

DT

NJ Big Wave Contest & 2006 Hurricane Predictions

The photo period for the first annual NJ Big Wave photo contest has just ended. If you want to check out the entries go to: www.amfibianusa.com/bigwave.html

The awards ceremony is set for April 22nd at the Pt Pleasant Elks Lodge at 4pm. Barry and the Penetrators will be performing as part of the event.

Dr Gray, world reknowned Hurricane researcher has issued his predictions for 2006. He is currently predicting 17 named storms with as many as 9 major hurricanes. These predictions are based on very complex mathematical formulas, but often, these predictions are refined as the Hurricane season starts to develop.

If you'd like to check out Surfline's predictions, go to www.surfline.com/surfnews/article_bamp.cfm?id=2294

My personal take: although we definately seem to be in a phase of general global warming with increasing hurricane activity, I don't think we'll ever re-live the Hurricane Season of 1995. There was virtually rideable surf everyday from July 1st through September. In all my 40 years of surfing, I've never seen anything like it.

I think 2005 proved to be only an average Hurricane Season, surf-wise for us here in NJ. The majority of the storms either tracked into the Gulf, or were too close to the coast of Florida, which is really out of our wave window.

Hopefully 2006 will be a year when all the storms stay out in the Atlantic, away from land and just spin endlessly, providing us with an all-time Summer!

Welcome to Daylight Savings Time!

The beginning of Daylight Savings time marks the official beginning of evening surfing here in NJ. Although the water temps are hovering in low 40's, the weather has been mild the last few days and a real fun southeast wind swell continues to roll in.

Lots of surfers that take the Winter off are beginning to return to the water. 4mm and 5mm suits are still the rule, but for those unfortunate enough to only own a 3/2, will have to tough it out for the next few weeks until the water temps begin to rise......

Lots of new stuff has begun to arrive at the shop. New surfboards are now arriving weekly. The Clark Foam fiasco has seemed to cool down some, although many types of blanks are still hard to find. Surfboard prices seemed to have stabilized with about $30-50 price increases being the norm. As availability continues to improve, prices may head down a little bit lower.

DT
dt@easternlines.com

Belmar Shop Re-Opens

Even though at times it seems that Winter will never end, the worst is definately behind us. Although the shop has been closed for nearly two months, I'm coming home and the shop will re-open on Saturday March 4th. Barry has been working in the shop, painting and cleaning. We're excited to get back in the shop.

We'll be having lots of new inventory starting to come in. We've got a good supply of boards in the shop right now, with more boards slated for later in March. If you looking to get a new custom board for Spring, shoot me an e-mail or give me a call at the shop and we'll get you set up!

My buddy, Jon Ashton is back doing customs for the shop. He's working with quite a bit of epoxy right now..... super light and really strong!

On the foam front, it seems that most of the manufacturers have raised their prices about 50.00. Cool longboard blanks, like multiple stringers seem impossible to get right now. Gary Linden who is now running Walker Foam (in addition to all his shaping duties) told me that they are incrreasing their output and with the additions of blanks from South Africa and Brazil, there should be enough to satisfy most shapers needs. I don't think anyone that wants a custom should wait hoping the prices will go back down..... even if there's plenty of foam around, I don't think the prices will ever return to the clark foam days.

The Caribbean continues to have a record Winter!
Even though the weather has been unseasonably warm in NJ, spots all through the Tropics continue to rock with great surf.....

Tres, as well as other big wave locations have had some record swells in Jan and early February. The crowds for the most part have been manageable and the vibe mellow.

The record Blizzard of 2/11 is predicted to deliver a solid swell by Wednesday 2/15. Updates and reports to follow.

Back in the Tropics!!!

Even though the weather has been beyond unseasonable in NJ, it's really nice to be back in the Caribbean again. They are just ending a week long swell here that reached heights of up to 20'. It has been very windy for a few weeks now with the Christmas winds in full effect.

A new swell is forcast beginning tomorrow with predicated wave heights of 10-15' from the NNE.
I'll keep everyone posted!!!! Unfortunately I'm on dial-up down here so I can't upload photos!

Stay Warm!
DT