Surfboards Not For Surfing. Summer Fun iStar Style.

“Asburied In Time” documentary’s Film Trailer is set to be released on September 28th . The whole process of making this piece about Asbury Park’s history has been fascinating and spellbinding.

I realize I am a bit behind on blogging and current developments in Asbury Park but I still would like to go back to the day we filmed the lovely ladies behind the “Culture Thieves” sign: Joyce Grant, Michele Rachelson and Lynn Wilson. They are one of the most open minded and strong women we have ever met and they are not afraid of the big guns with the big bucks!

In reality, what do you think when you see surfboards planted in the ground all over the town? Surf is up! Correct?... Well not in this case. Over 20 surfboards were placed by iStar in sections marked for redevelopment and this has infuriated some members of the surfing community. Surfers are some of the most ardent environmentalists and this was simply a hard slap on their face. Designating local surf culture for financial gain is not moral even to the people that don’t surf. iStar’s idea of “summer fun” message was not only sitting poorly with the surfers, everybody loves this part of Asbury Park: beach enthusiasts, dog walkers, fishermen, seniors, couples in love… you name it.

The ladies had an idea to send their own message to iStar: that’s when “Culture Thieves” was written on a piece of paper and stuck to the surfboard in front of the tower at the North End Beach. They felt a duty to Asbury Park’s community to approach these developers arbitrarily as there is no reason why they should use surfers’ “sacred tool,” as president of Surfrider Foundation Joe Woerner called it, to promote their future development plans for fifteen townhouses at Bradley Cove. Little did the ladies know their short but strong message made them miss the forest for the trees. iStar accused them of vandalizing their surfboards. (A little chuckle here…) Either way, in my opinion and I'm sure I am not the only one here, it was a bad PR trick for iStar.

Eventually the sign (which was completely removable in the first place) was taken off and the surfboard at the “Bradley Cove” has been removed by developer. Now, all hope is in the Green Acres grant that city has applied for. If approved it will cover 75 percent of the costs to buy the land from iStar and the county will pay the remaining 25 percent.

We want to thank Joyce, Michele and Lynn for their time, dedication and valuable feedback, which have helped us continue to shape the most extraordinary story about Asbury Park.

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