Supporter Spotlight: Thanks to Gold's Gym!

On June 14, more than 250 fitness enthusiasts took part in a 3½-hour workout on the Long Branch boardwalk, thanks to Gold’s Gym!  

The Boardwalk Workout to benefit COA featured Paddle Board Fitness, “Jersey Style” Body Combat, Zumba, and other classes led by instructors from Gold’s locations in Long Branch, Paramus, Howell and Bridgewater.  Special silent auction items were also available. Thanks to Mark Steinfeld, owner of the Long Branch location, and Manager Grace Wrightson, for creating this special event and selecting Clean Ocean Action as the beneficiary.  Join us next June for this now-annual event!

15th Annual Seaside Sunset, COA Celebrates Environmental Education Programs

L to R: Seaside Sunset Committee Member Debbie Disakis,
COA Executive Director Cindy Zipf and
Seaside Sunset Committee Chair Ann Gilmartin

Vibrant music, dedicated coastal supporters, and delightful food and drink from area businesses and local restaurants set the scene for the 15^th Annual Sunset event, a benefit for Clean Ocean Action (COA), Thursday, October 10 at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch, NJ.  This year’s event supported Clean Ocean Action’s environmental education programs.

COA’s environmental education programs include Beach Sweeps, the largest grassroots environmental event in New Jersey with thousands of volunteers cleaning waterways up and down the coast.  Clean Ocean Action also holds a biannual Student Summit where students become marine scientists for a day and experience hands-on marine environmental education at Sandy Hook, NJ.  School presentations to students of all ages are an additional component of COA’s programs.

The Sunset event gathered supporters of Clean Ocean Action, including ocean enthusiasts, local organizations and corporate partners.  The evening’s menu included a delicious raw bar by Lusty Lobster Seafood Market & Catering, a unique spread of artisan cheeses by Sickles Market, and a buffet designed by McLoone’s Chef Joe Racioppi.  Music for dancing was provided by local favorites and long-time COA supporters - Thom White and The Rogues.  The event invitation featured an image from New Jersey native and dedicated COA ally Ryan Struck, an award-winning surfing photographer.

“Defending the ocean is serious work, but the Seaside Sunset is a fun way to support the ocean.  Fellow friends of the ocean gathered, enjoyed fabulous food from the sea, and had a rocking good time,” said Clean Ocean Action Executive Director Cindy Zipf.   “Our education programs motivate people about how they can make a difference and become the solution to ocean pollution,” she added. 

Plymouth Rock Assurance enjoying the event

Seaside Sunset is sponsored by Plymouth Rock Assurance, The McManus Family, Shore Point Distributing Co., The Bailey Family, Litwin & Provence, LLC, Montecalvo Material Recovery Facility, and Guaranteed Plants & Florist. COA’s auction and raffles were filled with unique, ocean-friendly gifts and services with a focus on New York and New Jersey shops and restaurants.  

COA Showcases Seaside Sunset and Local NJ Surfer

We have received many comments about the photo featured on the cover of this year’s Seaside Sunset invitation asking who has taken such a beautiful picture of the ocean we all love. 

New Jersey’s own Ryan Struck often allows Clean Ocean Action to use his photographs.  Ryan, a long-time friend to Clean Ocean Action, features the New Jersey Coastline in his work as well as local surfers. A surfer himself, Ryan has been a professional photographer for about four years.  First featured in a Hurricane Bill story for Eastern Surf Magazine, his photos can be seen in magazines from all over the world.

During his frequent travels, Ryan often photographs the local landscapes.  On a recent trip to Belize, he captured both the beautiful waters and friendly people who live there.  In Tahiti, he took incredible photos of waves caused by the Teahupoo reef.

Ryan’s award winning photos have been featured in Surfing Magazine, Surfer Magazine, The Surfers Journal, Carve, Surf Girl, Surfline, and Australia’s Surfing Life.  He was also part of the “Within Sight” group photo show in Brooklyn to benefit Waves For Water and those affected by Superstorm Sandy. 

Perhaps Ryan summed up his journey best when he said, “Much like a wave, photography presents me with something different continuously. I've met new people, seen different things and felt new ways about the world around me with a camera in my hand. Time for reflection away from the pixels is probably just as important in my journey as well. Life after photography opened my eyes to difference, details and has really captured my attention. Even more than a passion and means of employment, photography gives me a sense of fulfillment.”

Please join Clean Ocean Action for Seaside Sunset, Thursday, October 10^th 2013 from 6:00-10:00pm at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch.  

Supporting environmental education programs, the Seaside Sunset will feature a raw bar by Lusty Lobster, tasty treats from Sickles Market, and other local favorites.  

Enjoy dinner and dancing overlooking the ocean with music by Thom White and the Rogues.  

Ryan’s engaging photos can be seen at ryanstruck.com.  

To purchase tickets for Seaside Sunset, click here.

Tell the Truth about LNG!

Do you think there are two sides to the Port Ambrose story? We don't think so!

• Check out the NJ.com article: Christie signals Port Ambrose Jersey Shore LNG project could be vetoed and voice your opinion in the comments section at the bottom. Tell the truth about LNG!

Governor Christie and Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider (in his COA sea level rise t-shirt!)
 in Long Branch on Wednesday, August 28. Photo Credit: Christopher Robbins/NJ.com

• Governor Chris Christie’s end-of-summer Shore tour wraps up with walks on the boardwalk in Bradley Beach at 11 a.m. today and Seaside Heights at 3 p.m. -- Remind him to stand Jersey Strong and oppose Port Ambrose!