Thursday, October 1, 2026
We can’t spell, or live, in Long Beach, without the beach. From the neighboring two-mile boardwalk constructed in 1914 — with help from some elephants — and the sight of community and cheer, the beach simply becomes a part of us.
Each summer, thousands of residents and visitors flock to the beach. Whether they’re taking part in city-sponsored programs like movie viewings, the illustrious Michelle O’Neill volleyball tournament, or just soaking up the rays of sunshine, it’s the premier spot in the “City by the Sea.”
One thing that makes Long Beach special is its surfing. The watersport attracts residents of all ages and experience levels, whose blood courses with the salt water they glide over. Some might even remember when the city played host to the Quicksilver Pro New York, with Australian Owen Wright winning the event over Kelly Slater, and $300,000.
But Long Beach surfing holds more than just monetary value — it’s a culture.
John Bertinetti, who moved to Long Beach from Brooklyn 43 years ago, spent most of his early surfing days at Riis Park, in Rockaway and Breezy Point. Back then, surfing was regarded as an outlaw sport, with many working odd jobs while pursuing their passion every day.
Looking back to the 1980s, Bertinetti says the surfing scene in Long Beach has become more popular, with surf schools popping up and pro surfers converging on the city. “Long Beach was a well-kept, hidden surfing gem. Now, everyone comes here.”
Over the years, Bertinetti has watched the culture of the sport he loves transform into something greater, noting that he’s seen more women, Hispanics and Asians, taking to the water with their boards.
“Surfing has no cultural or ethnic bounds,” he says. “Our beach scene is one of community. It’s vibrant, everyone gravitates toward each other.”
While some have moved to Long Beach for its ocean breeze and beach access, like Bertinetti, others have grown up here their entire life. Marvin Weiss, who picked up his first surfboard as an 8-year-old, after purchasing it from Mustache Surf Shop, just over the Long Beach Bridge, in Island Park. Weiss loves the water — he lifeguarded in Long Beach for nearly five decades — and assists Elliot Zuckerman, a Long Beach-based surf instructor, teach surf classes for children with special needs during the summer.
Despite being diagnosed with Parkinsons seven years ago, Weiss can’t wait to jump in the water. “The beach to me has always been grounding,” he says.
What was once considered an outlaw sport has become part of the city’s identity, shaping the shoreline with a spirit of adventure and a legacy that continues to grow across generations.
At the heart of that story are the Skudin brothers, Will and Cliff, two of Long Beach’s most recognized surfers. Will, of course, has competed on the national stage, but both brothers have stayed closely tied to their hometown through Skudin Surf, where they introduce young locals to the waves through lessons and mentorship. Their commitment extends beyond the sport itself through Surf For All, a nonprofit offering adaptive surf experiences for teens with disabilities, including cerebral palsy and other physical challenges.
Together, their work reflects how surfing in Long Beach is more than a pastime — it’s a shared culture built on inclusion, community and a lasting connection to the ocean.
