The Unsound Surf Pro returns

Largest surfing contest in New York runs from Sept. 1-5

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The Unsound Surf Pro, one of the longest running and most progressive surf contests in the world, returns to Long Beach next week, and 48 of the best professional surfers will boost airs at Lincoln Boulevard beach.

The competition runs on a Sept. 1-5 waiting period, and the winner will walk away with a $3,000 cash prize. The event will also feature a vending village on the boardwalk with huge sales and discounts on sponsor products, as well as parties and autograph signings throughout the week.

The contest is sponsored by Unsound surf shop, at 359 E. Park Ave., and is the largest surfing competition in New York. It follows last year’s Volcom Unsound Pro, and will again see the return of hometown favorites Balaram Stack and TJ Gumiela, as well as pro surfers like Ryan Carlson.

Unsound co-owner Dave Juan said that over the years, the contest has grown and put New York surfing on the map.

“It’s grown in a way that we like, and everyone has a lot of respect for it and people have respect for New York surfing,” Juan said.

On Thursday, Sept. 3, at 8 p.m., the Stance Unsound Pro Party will be held at Barrier Brewing Co. in Oceanside, and on Friday, Sept. 4, from 5-8 p.m., a movie night and pizza party will be held at the shop featuring athlete autograph signings, surf movies, free pizza and a huge storewide sale.

The Unsound Pro has been going strong since 1998, a year after Unsound opened, said Juan and co-owner Mike Nelson. Last year, some of the best surfers in the world competed at the 2014 Unsound Pro, presented by Volcom and considered the most important professional surfing competition in Long Beach since the Quiksilver Pro New York in 2011.

For more information about the contest and its events, visit www.unsoundsurf.com or check out Unsound’s Facebook page.