Flat Water Surf Club Brings Local Surf Film and Board Swap to Meyers Light Brewery This Weekend
Get ready for a celebration of local surf culture! The Flat Water Surf Club is hosting its annual Surf Film Premiere and Board Swap this Saturday, November 8th, at the fantastic Meyers Light Brewery & Mini Golf, Ocean View, New Jersey. This highly anticipated event begins at 1:00 pm and is free to attend. It promises a great time for surfers, artists, and the entire South Jersey community.
The idea for the Flat Water Surf Club was first sparked in 2018 when founder Lily O’Brien’s friend suggested that her art would look cool on a t-shirt. From there, the concept of a surf company began to take shape. “It’s typically ‘flat’ here on the East Coast, and as a surfer, you’ve got to make the best out of what you’ve got,” says O’Brien. In early 2020, Flat Water Surf Club began to take shape. “We began hosting our own cleanups and making every bit of merch out of my bedroom! With the support of my friends and family, Flat Water quickly became something I knew I’d have to make a reality. We were all having too much fun, not too!”
This year marks a major milestone, as the event relocates from its original location. “This is actually our first time having our annual movie night somewhere other than my mom’s backyard!” O’Brien shared with excitement. The move to Meyers Light Brewery is a welcome change. It allows the club to expand its reach and offerings. “Meyers has been so supportive, and we are beyond grateful,” says O’Brien. The brewery provides significantly more space for attendees to spread out. The new venue offers a plethora of amenities that will elevate the event, including a full brewery pouring beers all day, a mini-golf course open for play, and a variety of yard games provided by Meyers. A food truck will be on hand around 4:00 PM, ensuring attendees can grab a bite while browsing the swap and waiting for the film premiere as the sun sets.
The main event of the evening is the premiere of the club’s new film “Not So Flat Water: VOL. 4.” The film features all local surfers, including Cooper Lysinger, Joseph O’Brien, Clayton Off, Josh Davis, just to name a few. “The filmmaking process is a core part of what the Flat Water Surf Club is all about, says O’Brien. “Getting the whole crew together, traveling up and down the South Jersey shore to get content, and hanging out after a good session reviewing clips.” While much of the footage is local, this year’s film features some special, out-of-state content. The crew was lucky enough to squeeze in some filming while traveling to the Outer Banks (OBX) for Lily’s wedding, scoring “a couple overhead days” that are set to be included in this year’s cinematic feature.
“Our films have always been homemade,” says O’Brien. “Almost the whole thing is filmed and edited on an iPhone, most of the music is made locally, and every surfer is a Jersey native. Each year, we have the opportunity to bring the community together by sharing our movie. This year, we get to show off some of the bigger waves we’ve gotten to surf on some locally made surfboards. It’s something pretty special to us.”
In addition to the film, the event is a fantastic opportunity for surfers to buy, sell, or trade equipment at the Board Swap. “Think of the board swap like ‘Facebook marketplace in person’, everyone’s welcome to bring their boards to put a price tag on for sale, ask to trade with others,” says O’Brien. The event will also feature local board shapers and makers, including Brian Wynn, Nate Bellwoar, and Tony Palaia, as well as Wildlife Surfboards and many more. A few local makers, such as Jamie Kelly and Knee Patches Artwork, will also be showcasing their creations.
Flat Water Surf Club event “Not So Flat Water Volume 4 “is shaping up to be the biggest and best movie premiere yet. The event is the perfect opportunity to connect with the local surf scene, check out new and used boards, enjoy a craft beer, play some mini golf, and celebrate the local talent and community spirit that is Flat Water Surf Club. Don’t miss out on this fun, free event!