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Accomplished women surfers, legendary characters, noted media, tireless organizers among those to be inducted in Long Branch at much-anticipated June 1 ceremony.
Long Branch, NJ, April 16, 2025 – The New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame will induct the 2025 induction class, a group of individuals who have advanced New Jersey’s surfing culture over the past 60 years at at its biennial ceremony. This year, New Jersey’s surf and lifestyle brand, Jetty will be the title sponsor of the event which will be held June 1’st
Jersey Juice. Any wonder why this years inductees became good surfers and accomplished individuals growing up surfing waves like this? Photo: Dick Mez” Meseroll
The honoree’s this year are impressive as usual and include Jon Coen, Seth Stafford, Jamie De Witt, Bruce Beach, Joe “Simo” Simonielli, Bob “Dude” Mc Laughlin, Dan Pileggi Senior, Jerry “ Mango” Mangeneillo, Carol Piscopo, John “Bildy” Bilderback, Dean Schoonover, and Andrew Gesler.
Jon and Archie Coen photo courtesy NJSHOF.
This year’s ceremony will take place at Whitechapel Projects, 15 2nd Ave., Long Branch, New Jersey. The New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame was launched a decade ago by surfers who aimed to not only document the past but support the health of New Jersey’s rich surfing culture. While American surfing has often focused on California, Hawaii and beyond, New Jersey has long has a rich history of waveriding.
Seth Stafford photo courtesy NJSHOF.
From the tip of Cape May to the outskirts of the New York Metropolitan area in Sandy Hook, New Jersey gets substantial surf and has produced more than its share of influential figures. This will be the 6th class inducted.
Andrew Gesler photo Rich Mc Mullen
“We are really happy with a New Jersey based company Jetty as our sponsor and the 2025 induction class” said New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame Board President and longtime owner of Heritage Surf Shops, Brian Heritage.
Dan Pilelggi with then grom and now NJSHOF inductee and organization president, Brain Heritage photo courtesy of NJSHOF.
“It’s really a fantastic representation of the people who helped to shape our scene” Brian said. “You have several women and all these different generations … not only surfers who have made their mark around the world but really progresses surfing here at different times, and also people who have documented it all.”
Jamie De Witt photo courtesy NJSHOF.
The 2025 title sponsor, Jetty is the most prominent surf apparel brand on the East Coast. With more than two decades under its belt, Jetty has a flagship store in Manahawkin, is a Certified B Corporation with over 700 retail partners throughout North America and a thriving 501(c)(3) nonprofit division, the Jetty Rock Foundation.
Jerry “Mango” Manganiello photo by Ray Hallgreen.
The brand opens its newest retail location this May in Long Branch, New Jersey in May, a core surf shop will be centrally located in Pier Village.
Bruce Beach photo by Jason Murray.
“It’s really important for us to support the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame. Our entire brand is based on authenticity and “Draw Your Own Line.” It’s not just a tag line. We believe it and we live it. My partners and our staff are surfers and adventurers for life and we fly that New Jersey flag. If an organization is going to celebrate the contributions and history of surfers from New Jersey, we’re going to do what we can to support that,” said co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Cory Higgins.
Joe “Simo” Simonelli photo courtesy NJSHOF
“When we agreed to this, we didn’t know that one of our longtime ambassadors and one of our employees being inducted this year. But that just makes the event that much more meaningful.”
Carol Piscopo photo courtesy NJSHOF.
Jetty Ambassador Randy Townsend of Surf City was inducted in 2023 and also serves as an advisor to the Hall of Fame. Ambassadors Rob Kelly and Ben Gravy will be part of this year’s induction ceremony production.
Dean Schoonover photo by Tom Dugan / ESM .
Tickets for the event are available at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/njshof-events/2025-njshof-induction-celebration-1788361216
New Jersey bombing at Bayhead. Next to Florida, The Garden State has produced more East Coast Hall Of Famers and industry movers and shakers than any other state on the Atlantic Seaboard. Photo: Dick “Mez” Meseroll @mezapixels
