The town I've lived and surfed in since 1968 has finally agreed to let us "Surf Outside The Flags" after a petition was started and gained serious momentum in only two weeks. For decades there has been only a small area for surfing which would get ridiculously crowded during any good swells. The petition was presented at the town hall meeting on July 12th and "SOTF" was granted on a trial basis. Now I can surf during guarded hours in the summer right up my street instead of having to load up my car and seek sanctioned breaks in other towns near by.
   I had started a "Citizens For Surfing Outside The Flags in Surf City" facebook page last year but a young woman who's husband had to leave the family during a swell to surf started the petition. Her and another advocate did a great job researching the demographics and economics of surfing for the presentation. There were over 40 people at the meeting to show support and many of us spoke out on our feelings about the issue.
  Today was the first day I jumped in after the lifeguards showed up (They are on everyday in the summer from 10AM-5PM). Supposedly  they were not going to allow paddleboards which was of course a major bummer. I still launched right off my street and none of the guards whistled me out. I surfed my sup until 11:30 and as I was exiting the water a beach badge checker told me no sups allowed. Then like an hour later on the town facebook page it was announced that sups would indeed be allowed! But a beach badge is needed to access the beaches here in Surf City as is the case in most New Jersey seaside communities.
This photo illustrates the huge expanse of wasted ocean that was off limits during guarded hours. The off limits area is in between the arrows which are at the ends of the green flagged swimming area.


 Here are a few links to some of the details of this historic decision.
https://thesandpaper.villagesoup.com/p/surfing-outside-the-flags-approved-on-trial-basis-in-surf-city/1669027

https://thesandpaper.villagesoup.com/p/celebrating-surfing-freedom-in-surf-city-and-little-wave-love/1669513

https://www.change.org/p/mayor-surfing-outside-the-flags-in-surf-city?source_location=minibar

But a beach badge is needed to access the beaches here in Surf City as is the case in most New Jersey seaside communities.

Outstanding SC!  My local beach requires badges but its nice to know that some municipalities in NJ (like Asbury) do allow free access for surfing, fishing, etc.

N.J.A.C. 7:7E-8.11(a) Public Access - Public access to the waterfront is the ability of the public to pass physically and visually to, from, and along tidal waterways and their shores and to use such shores, waterfronts and waters for activities such as navigation, fishing, and recreational activities including, but not limited to, swimming, sunbathing, surfing, sport diving, bird watching, walking, and boating. Public accessways and public access areas include streets, paths, trails, walkways, easements, paper streets, dune walkovers/walkways, piers and other rights-of way.

That's awesome that you guys took on the establishment and won!!!

A "Beach Badge"?  I've got one of those right here, next to my first aid badge and chivalry badge!  Seriously, is it something you get after proving you are not a danger to yourself or others? Perhaps after you've signed the waiver that exposure to sunlight may cause death and low birth weight and you accept these risks? How about after you've paid your taxes to access a natural resource? How/why does one get a beach badge?   

Makes me think of . . . .

"Beach badge" You've gotta be joking, right? So much for "land of the free"

I heard they were going to do away with badges and instead just build a wall   

 Nice to hear from everyone. I thought this topic would go untouched!

Is it something you get after proving you are not a danger to yourself or others? How about after you've paid your taxes to access a natural resource? How/why does one get a beach badge?

These are not like scout badges. Our taxes do not fund the beaching staff here, the badges cover it. Beach Badges in Surf City, NJ can be purchased from town hall preseason for a discount and all summer long at the regular price. When I stopped buying em way back in like 1992 or so I think they were like $15 pre and $20 during. This year they're $35 and $40. I lucked and one of my friends gave me one right after they passed sotf.

I bet your brother was surprised - surfing allowed in Surf City? I still can't get used to the idea of badges, we only  have about 2 blocks of beach w lifeguards.

I don't remember you meeting my brother, but I can't even remember ur name! I always remember you as iop! Mybrother was def surfprised when it passed. We've had badges here for as long as I can remember. Growing up it was like a tradition for my parents to buy em and leave em at the back door for everyone. Then when I got married and had my own house years later it was only natural for me to buy em. But after like 5 years I was so bummed about not being able to srf off my street in the summer I stopped buying em.

this place is ridiculous

Sometimes the "Jersey Shore" is exactly that. But it's all we got so everyone tries to make the best of it. So different from all the other states I've visited to surf.  (RI, NC, CA, FL, NY)

So what do you get with a badge?  Well, you get a really nice looking badge, and if you happen to loose it, you get to buy a brand new one.  You also have the privilege of not bringing food or drink on the beach, no ball playing, no music, no Frisbee, no fun.
The town does clean the beach every morning. Teams of tractors pull beach rakes.
It amazes me that summer tourism in NJ is a $40 billion industry. 

You get to surf! Which to me is worth the price of admission, as a resident. I can understand why someone that doesn't live here would NOT wanna pony up. The public works crew do a bit more than just rake the beach every morning. They also have a sh!t ton of garbage to contend with. There is a set of cans at the street end and beach end of each access. There are over 25 public streets here and ALOT of tourists visit. Sometimes the garbage can be overwhelming here. And the regulations are definitely a drag. I just wish they'd ban smoking. I pick up WAY to many disgusting butts. The other day after sesh I picked up like 5 or 6 of the same brand. Some jay-off was to effin lazy and inconsiderate to police his foul putrid habit.

  I have never been asked for a beach badge.  All the rules and refs are not because locals are jerks but just due the huge amount of people you get, proximity to NYC and Philly.  Overpopulation.
Alan

I was asked for my badge twice today. Once before entering the water and then once again after sesh. The second checker was def prettier! Yes, the rules and regs are kinda needed considering the amount of thoughtless people that flood our beaches every summer. Why Sept/Oct is so special here. All the rules and regs are not enforced then. Fun sesh today sotf w/my beach badge affixed to my bucket lid.
(btw- I forgot to add HI to my list of states that I've visited and surfed).

SurferCook-

Im going to be in the area for the day on Thursday- Is SOTF only in Surf City on LBI?  I need to be in Beach Haven at somepoint and looks like there may be some waves- but I'd be there mid- day (Primetime lifeguard time)


If you are around- give a hollar on PM. would be cool to meet up.