17th Ave. beach - Cecil D. Lear's plaque

We’re stopping at our 17th Ave Beach to point out a plaque on the jetty stone in front of the boardwalk by Ocean Avenue that we dedicated to a real Belmar legend: Cecil D. Lear. It’s hard to believe now, but there was no such thing as surfboards on the east coast when Cecil was young. He was working in 1961 when he got hold of the first issue of Surfer Magazine and surfboard brochures from the west coast. He became the first surfer on Belmar beach and within two years, he and his water-loving friends petitioned the town leaders to open the area’s first surfing-only beach in 1963. Cecil’s passion only grew and he championed the sport of surfing, not only in his hometown of Belmar, but throughout the nation. You’ll see some of his contributions on the plaque. Cecil remains beloved by countless residents and surfers around the world.