Altantic Beach, NY - October 19, 2015 - Fall was in the Air on Oct 18th and the Village of Atlantic Beach Fall Festival was in full swing. A Scavenger Hunt, Live Music, Pony Rides, Hay Rides, A Petting Zoo, Sand Art, Arts, Face Painting, Crafts, Vendors a Bier Garten and array of delicious foods from several mobile gourmet trucks serving Krabbie Patties to Bratwurst, kept adults and kids alike entertained and well fed.
As the community enjoyed the activities and munched on Lobster Rolls, Grilled Burgers, Brats, Hot Dogs, or other tasty eats on a very cool sunny fall day, a few several brave souls took to the water for the AB Fall Surf Classic. The Fall Surf Classic produced by Surf 2 Live Surf School and several village residents; sponsored by St John’s Hospital, with assistance of local businesses including Atlantic Beach Surf Shop, Long Beach Surf Shop, Unlaced (Long Beach’s Newest and Coolest Footwear Store) and Whitehot Digital Printing & Marketing, was set to go.
Despite tremendous efforts by the Surf 2 Live Staff and Management and several families from Atlantic Beach; An uncooperative ocean yielded a flat sea - Entry fees were returned and our Fall Surf Classic became a Fall Paddle Race - 13 participants ranging from 9 to 54 participated in our .5 mile paddle race and returned from the ocean with cold hands and lots of smiles.
Austin Rosenthal managing partner of Surf 2 Live Surf School, ensured us that the effort was well worth it. It was practice session for managing the contest and enabled to have a logistical walk through for the next Atlantic Beach Surf Contest this Spring.
John Powers, local surfer & village resident whose daughter won the girls 11 & under race stated, “A lot of effort went into this on behalf of our kids and though conditions were not the ideal, those that participated had a great time and got lots of swag.”
Scott Zelenetz, village resident who helped produce the contest stated,"The Mayor, his family and village staff are so family and community oriented. Since becoming Mayor, Atlantic Beach has become an even more amazing place to live and share the coastal experience with my family. From beach camping night to seaside movie nights to bands on the beach to the Fall Festival he has made our village a closer community in which we share more than a beach and zip code.”
Nat Etrog, a village resident, and member of the Senior Executive Management Team at St John’s Hospital (a sponsor of the surf contest and blood pressure diagnostic station at the festival) said, "Coordinating sponsorships and partnering with companies and Organizations like St. Johns, Surf 2 Live and other local businesses which are committed to the Atlantic Beach Community, ensure that events like this continue to foster a sense of community, and build bonds between residents, institutions and businesses and it does so at no cost to the village."
Robyn Kneuss, whose son participated in the paddle race, stated "Surf2Live has been fostering surfing at its surf school at the Shores Beach Club that ensures the residents of Atlantic Beach, kids and its visitors have a chance to feel and live the entire surf experience. I am already looking forward to the villages festival, surf contest and events next year.”
