Surfing Into the Hall of Fame

On June 11, 2016, the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame (NJSHOF) gala was held at Anchor’s Bend in Asbury Park, NJ, to celebrate over 100 years of surfing the Jersey coast, as well as celebrate a mix of current milestones and lifetime commitments. Fifteen respected surfers from Sandy Hook to Cape May selected this year’s nominees and the NJSHOF Induction Board selected each winner.

The gala was held to honor individuals, businesses, and environmental organizations important to the sport of surfing.  Cindy Zipf, COA’s Executive Director, was honored to be named “Environmental Steward of the Year” for her tireless and continued dedication to the maintenance, preservation, and protection of the oceans and beaches and for her advocacy on behalf of all surfers. COA appreciates the kind words stated in Eastern Surf Magazine, “COA is at the forefront of all environmental concerns in NJ and Cindy and her team are vital caretakers of our beloved oceans and beaches. Surfers, in general, are good stewards, but it takes a special person to devote her entire life to the cause, and we owe Cindy and all the nominees a great debt.”

Cindy was presented with a beautiful, original CarvinArt award created by Monmouth County artist, Ronnie Jackson. It is proudly displayed on the wall in Cindy’s office.

Scott Thompson, an enthusiastic volunteer for COA since 1984, environmental activist, and avid surfer since age 10, presented Zipf with the award noting, “I have known Cindy for over 40 years. No one does more or cares more for the ocean than Cindy – day in, day out, year after year, battle after battle. She is the primary reason our ocean here in the NY Bight, particularly, NJ, is clean for surfing. Without her passion and commitment, each of us would be surfing with respirators on. For that ongoing care and positive direction, we should all be grateful for Cindy Zipf leading the charge in ocean environmental crusading and surfing’s sustainability. Congratulations, Cindy, and on behalf of the surfing community – thank you!”