Surfing Contest Opens Thursday, Locals Among Pro Competitors

The Foster's Belmar Pro surfing competition kicks off Thursday, Sept. 13, at 16th Avenue beach in Belmar. 

The event, which lasts through Sunday, features several heats including Jr. Pro, Womens Pro and Masters Pro, and will also include parties and live musical performances each night from local and regional favorites at area bars. 

Competiting in the Womens Pro are two Toms River women.

Dana Palmieri, a regular in the Belmar Pro who took fourth in the Unsound Pro in 2009; and Brittany Gomulka, who for the last 11 years has served as a lifeguard for Seaside Park Beach Patrol which won first place in the paddle relays lifeguard tourney this year are each taking to the waves.

Check out Palmieri and Gomulka along with surfers from Jackson, Manasquan, Avon and elsewhere on the Jersey Shore, plus visitors from Hawaii and the Carolinas.

Musical acts scheduled to perform live on the beach during the competition and at various after-parties include Barry & The Penetrators, P-Dub Assassins and Paul Cilinski, according to the event's website. 

Surfing begins 8 a.m. Thursday and concludes Sunday with an awards ceremony scheduled for 3:15 p.m. 

Last weekend, the Belmar Pro . 

Here is the official schedule of events of this week's contest:

Thursday, Sept. 13: 
(Tides: Low: 11:45 a.m. / High: 6 p.m.)

• 8:00 a.m. -- Mens Round of 80
• 10:00 a.m. -- Mens Round of 64
• 12:40 p.m. -- Men’s Round of 48
• 3:20 p.m. -- Mens Round of 32
• 4:45 p.m. -- End of Day
• 9:00pm --  Party at PK Shamrocks, 18th Avenue in Lake Como; Music by DJ Lance-O

Friday, Sept. 14: 
(Tides: Low: 12:30 p.m. / High: 6:45 p.m.)

• 8:00 a.m. -- Jr. Men Round of 64
• 1:20 a.m. -- Jr. Men Round of 32
• 4:00 p.m. -- End of Day
• 6:00 p.m. -- Party at Connolly Station, Main Street in Belmar; Happy Hour by Paul Cilinski
• 9:00 p.m. -- Karmic Juggernaut, Fast Claire

Saturday, Sept. 15:
(Tides: Low: 1:30pm / High: 7:18pm)

• 8:00 a.m. -- Mens Round of 32
• 9:20 a.m. -- Pro Jr Quarterfinals
• 10:00 a.m. --  Live Music begins; scheduled performers are Barry & The Penetrators, Bastard Suns, Fiction 20 Down, P-Dub Assassins
• 10:40 a.m. -- Longboard Round of 24
• 12:00 p.m. -- Longboard Quarterfinals
• 1:20 p.m. --  Womens Quarterfinals
• 2:20 p.m. -- Masters Round of 24
• 3:20 p.m. -- Masters Quarterfinals
• 9:00 p.m. -- Official Belmar Pro Party Sponsored by Fosters at 10th Ave Burrito, Belmar Plaza; Music by Bastard Suns, Barry & The Penetrators

Sunday,  Sept. 16:
(Tides: Low: 2:15pm / High: 8:00pm)

• 8:00 a.m. -- Mens Quarterfinals
• 9:20 a.m. -- Mens/Womens Semi-Finals
• 10:00 a.m. -- Live Music begins; scheduled performers are Fast Claire, Karmic Juggernaut, Paul Cilinski & *Holme
• 10:00 a.m. -- Masters Semi-Finals
• 10:40 a.m. -- Longboard Semi-Finals
• 11:20 a.m. -- Pro Jr./Mens Semi-Finals
• 12:00 p.m. -- Mens Semi-Finals
• 1:00 p.m. -- Masters Finals
• 1:20 p.m. -- Longboard Finals
• 1:45 p.m. -- Pro Jr. Finals
• 2:10 p.m. -- Mens Finals
• 3:15 p.m. -- Awards Presentation