Belmar Pro 2026 Celebrates 25 Years Of Surfing At The Jersey Shore
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Everyone's getting stoked for the the Jersey Shore’s biggest surf weekend! The 2026 Pacifico Belmar Pro celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, bringing three incredible days of competition, community, and classic Belmar energy to the beach directly across from Eastern Lines Surf Shop. Whether you’re a long-time fan or planning your first visit, this year’s pro surfing event, September 11-13, promises to be one of the most exciting yet.
Don Tarrant, owner of Eastern Lines and organizer of the legendary local surfing competition, has been involved with the Belmar Pro since its beginning in 2001. He and his partner, Scott Goodwin, "have worked very hard to improve the event through the years, both the infrastructure and attracting some of the best professional surfers in the world," he says. "Some of the countries generally represented are Brazil, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Barbados, and Australia, as well as the U.S. East and West Coasts and Hawaii."
Belmar Pro 2026 Competition Divisions
A New Division: Hoagitos Grom Open
A standout update for 2026 is the launch of the Hoagitos Grom Open, a brand‑new category created for surfers age 14 and younger. This youth division gives the next generation of Jersey Shore surfers a chance to compete, gain experience, and showcase their skills on a real competition stage. It’s a meaningful addition that highlights Belmar’s commitment to growing and supporting its surf community.
Registration for the 2026 Belmar Pro opens July 1, and the Grom Open is expected to fill quickly.
Participants in the Belmar Pro surfing competition will vie for top honors in eight divisions throughout the three-day event. The competition categories are:
Fins Men's Open
Playa Bowls Women's Open
Creatures Master's Open
Pacifico Longboard Open
Joe’s Surf Shack Senior Men (45-54 as of January 1, 2026)
Cecil Lear Legends (age 55+ as of January 1, 2023)
Eastern Lines Legends Longboard (age 55+ as of January 1, 2026)
Hoagitos Grom Open (age 14 and younger)
Belmar Pro 2026 Dates & Location
📅 September 11–13, 2026
📍 Belmar Beach, across from Eastern Lines Surf Shop between 16th and 18th Avenues
In addition to plenty of wave action, the Belmar Pro will include an outdoor marketplace on the sand with food, clothing, artists, and surf industry merchandise. Vendors representing several volunteer groups such as the Surfrider Foundation are also expected to participate.
"The Belmar Pro gives us the greatest opportunity to present world-class surfers with quality surf conditions," says Tarrant, who was inducted into the New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame in May 2019. "I have heard over and over again: 'I didn't know the surf was this good in New Jersey.' Hopefully, these competitors will go home with great memories and stories of their time at the Jersey Shore. I also think it's the perfect time for locals to attend an event during local summer."
For more information, contact Darby at Eastern Lines Surf Shop, 732-681-6405.
Belmar Pro: Where To Stay
Belmar Pro weekend draws surfers, families, and spectators from all over, and accommodations near the beach fill up fast. If you want to stay close to the action — near the competition site and downtown restaurants — you’ll want to book early.
Rent The Blue Hydrangea Beach Cottage
For anyone planning to arrive early, stay through the weekend, or extend their visit into the fall season, the Blue Hydrangea Beach Cottage rental offers a comfortable, fully furnished home base right in Belmar. It’s quiet, modern, and ideally located for surfing families, featuring easy access to:
Belmar Beach and boardwalk
Eastern Lines and the competition site
Belmar Marina
Downtown coffee shops and restaurants, such as F Street Social (pizza and Italian food), Ellie’s Indian Curry Corner, Cielito Lindo Mexican restaurant, Comfi (breakfast and lunch), Robin's Nest (breakfast, lunch, and dinner and Emilio's Kitchen (upscale dining, breakfast and lunch).
If you’d like details on availability and pricing for the Belmar Pro weekend, contact the owner directly.
Belmar Pro 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Belmar Pro?
The 2026 Pacifico Belmar Pro takes place September 11–13 on the 16th–18th Avenue beaches in Belmar, New Jersey, directly across from Eastern Lines Surf Shop.
What categories are included this year?
The 2026 competition features eight divisions:
Fins Men’s Open
Playa Bowls Women’s Open
Creatures Master’s Open
Pacifico Longboard Open
Joe’s Surf Shack Senior Men (ages 45–54 as of January 1, 2026)
Cecil Lear Legends (age 55+ as of January 1, 2023)
Eastern Lines Legends Longboard (age 55+ as of January 1, 2026)
Hoagitos Grom Open (age 14 and younger)
Where is the Belmar Pro located?
The event takes place on the 16th–18th Avenue beaches, right across from Eastern Lines. Spectators can watch from the sand or the boardwalk.
Where can I stay for the Belmar Pro?
Belmar accommodations sell out quickly during the surfing competition weekend. For a comfortable, fully furnished stay close to the beach, boardwalk, and competition site, the Blue Hydrangea Beach Cottage rental on 15th Avenue offers an ideal home base for surfers, families, and fall visitors.
When does registration open?
Registration for the 2026 Belmar Pro opened on July 1.
Is the Belmar Pro free to attend?
Yes — the Belmar Pro is free and open to the public.
Is the event family‑friendly?
Absolutely. The new Hoagitos Grom Open makes this year especially fun for young surfers and their families.
Are there vendors or activities besides surfing?
Yes. Expect food vendors, local business tents, and live music throughout the Belmar Pro weekend. Check out the Belmar Beachcomber Blog for helpful information to plan your visit.
Where can I park?
Street parking is available throughout Belmar, with additional paid lots near the marina. Arrive early, especially on Saturday and Sunday. You can read more about parking in Belmar in the linked blog post.
Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House
Day trips down the shore are fun, but the best way to experience the area is to unpack your bags and stay for a week or two. If you are looking for a clean, quiet getaway for a couple, solo stay, or small family trip, our updated two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect place to relax in serene surroundings at the Jersey Shore.
The house sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars by our guests for its fantastic location, spotless upkeep, and all the thoughtful details that make for an easy beach stay. You can see photos and check open dates on our Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental page.
RELATED: Explore our local Belmar NJ Travel Guide to plan your beach days, dining, and local events.
Story and images © Christine Cardellino, Belmar Beachcomber Blog, and www.VacationInBelmar.com, 2017 to present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material, including photography, without express and written permission from this site’s author/owner is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use a photograph from this site, full and clear credit must be given to Belmar Beachcomber Blog with appropriate and specific links to the original content.
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