Surfers gathered in the waters off Brant Beach on Saturday for the 18th annual Alliance for a Living Ocean Longboard Classic.
What makes it a classic?
According to the Long Beach Township-based alliance, “the contest stays true to traditional surf roots,” with pre-1967 surfboards that must be at least three feet taller than the surfer.
1 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Kevin Dewald of Cape May Courthouse competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
1 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Kevin Dewald of Cape May Courthouse competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
2 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Lizzie Randel competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
3 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
A huge crowd Lins the beach to watch the 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press)
4 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Jake Torre of Waretown competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
5 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
A band entertains the crowd as they watch the surging at 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press)
6 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
The four finalists in the men’s division pose with their boards. Turke McGrath, James Carr, Paul Boardman, and Kevin Dewald. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman/Asbury Park Press)
7 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Kevin Dewald of Cape May Courthouse competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
8 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
John Randel of Surf City competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
9 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Reilly Ducker of Long Beach Township competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
10 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Kevin Dewald of Cape May Courthouse competes in 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
11 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Cempetitors high five after finishing their heat. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
12 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Eva Simek of Surf City competes in the 15 and under heats. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
13 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Dana Rose Brown of Ocean Grove competes in a morning heat. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
14 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
15 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
A young girl follows her dad up to their beach spot after he competed in his heat. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
16 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Brittany Gomulka of Manahawkin competes in a morning heat. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
17 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
A surf photographer uses a long lens on a tripod to shoot the competitors during the 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
18 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Judges sit high to watch the action as they score the heats. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
19 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Younger competitors head up the beach so they can warm up just outside the the contest zone. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
20 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
21 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Eva Simek of Surf City competes in the 15 year old and under at the 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
22 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
The Longboard Classic is a family affair. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
23 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
24 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Lizzie Randel of Surf City competes in 15 and under morning heats. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
25 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Families come to watch and compete in the 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
26 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
Surfing fans and competitors sit near the water to watch the action.18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
27 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
28 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
29 / 29
Alliance for a Living Ocean’s annual Longboard Classic on LBI (photos)
A very young competitor heads out to warm up just outside of the competition area. 18th Annual Alliance for a Living Ocean’s Longboard Classic in Long Beach Township, NJ on August 8, 2026.
(Peter Ackerman, Asbury Park Press)
Four categories of surfers participated — men, women, 15 and younger, and tandem — in the event, which raises funds for the alliance’s conservation efforts.
For more information about the nonprofit, visit alolbi.org.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Alliance for a Living Ocean Longboard Classic hits Long Beach Island