2012 Surf Week on a ‘whole other level’

After he swooped down a four-foot half-pipe skateboard ramp on National Boulevard beach — while a DJ played beats that reverberated through the night and throngs of spectators gathered to catch some of the moves performed by 25 well-known skateboarders — 19-year-old Matt Nesemann took in what he described as a “great vibe” last Friday.

“It was a really fun event — it gave everyone who’s from around here an opportunity to compete,” said Nesemann, a Long Beach High School graduate. “I have a feeling that they’re going to be doing that again during the summer. It was a good thing to watch.”

The NY Sea Invite Skate Jam contest was part of the third annual Surf Week July 11-15, hosted by the Allegria Hotel and presented by NY Sea Productions. The week featured an array of events that included an art show, concerts and surfing and skateboard contests.

It was a week in which the Long Beach surfing community’s prodigal son, professional surfer Balaram Stack, returned home to outshine 50 competitors vying for a $3,000 prize purse. A week in which a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, Masta Killa, rocked out on the Allegria roof during a party last Friday, and a week in which artists and photographers displayed their work.

Surf Week also featured a Family Night at the hotel that included raffles, games and movie premieres, a surfing contest for kids and a beach concert on Saturday with performances by DJ Mike Ceeza, Jahstix, Groundswell and Masta Killa.

There was a surfing benefit on July 11, in which pro surfers, lifeguards and volunteers taught students with visual impairments how to surf, as well as a memorial paddle-out in honor of the late George “Geeza” Geiser, a local surfing legend who inspired Surf Week.

“I think we’re the first people to pioneer a skate contest on the beach,” said Surf Week founder Will Skudin, adding that setting up for the week’s events was a major undertaking. “We’re proud to have done that. Everyone skated their hearts out — it was epic. The Allegria Hotel really came through and was more than accommodating and helped the event go smoothly.”