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14 www.sparkexploreocean.com A little over twenty-five years ago, if you came to the spot where Jenkinson’s Aquarium stands today, you would have found a waterslide—not an exciting, twisting, daredevil slide like those in the waterparks of today, but a much simpler version. Nowadays a simple slide would be quickly passed up for something more intense, more exciting. That is the path of our progression: we charge forward into the next newer and bigger advancement. In 1990 cell phones were big, and if yours flipped you were hot stuff. Now I see six-year-olds with nicer smart phones than mine. We have become a society of technology. We learn about the world around us through the internet, not through being in it and experiencing it. I understand that this technology is a useful tool to have, but is it time to close the apps and open our eyes. This happens for me every time I walk into the Aquarium. I say hello to our two harbor seals, Luseal and her friend Seaquin—both here since the Aquarium’s early days—and bid good morning to our newer additions, like our eastern screech owls. I go through my everchanging process of getting the building ready to welcome brighteyed children, knowing that these animals may profoundly inspire and delight our visitors today. When we opened twenty-five years ago, who could have expected the impact that this small lot of land would welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors through its doors every year? Jenkinson’s Aquarium was conceived with the hope of creating a place where children and adults could experience and learn about the amazing ocean we live next to. It was designed to be immersive, fun and inspiring, and I think it has achieved exactly that. You see, within these walls is a world just begging to be explored, a place where you can put away your phone and come face to face with a penguin or have a meet-and-greet with a stingray. Want to know why our sharks don’t eat the fish in their tank? Come watch us feed them, and discover that these animals are not as scary as they seem. Did you know we brush our seals’ teeth? You can see how, as our trainers work on behaviors with them. It’s time to step away from our busy lives for just a brief time here in our underwater sanctuary. Don’t worry, those texts and emails and calls and important papers will all be there when you leave. Right now, today, we have a bigger responsibility: to get back to our roots, our humanity and ourselves. The sun hasn’t yet broken the horizon, but there’s already a stir on the beach shortly after 5 a.m. Surfers love to hit the beach at dawn, better known as the Dawn Patrol. There is something about the peacefulness and the morning light on the waves. Surfing is an integral part of the coastal landscape in Ocean County, a dynamic scene with a rich history and culture. From the rocks adjacent to the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach to the sandbars of Holgate, the untouched shores of Island Beach State Park through the entire stretch of Long Beach Island, the quiet charm of Lavallette to the bustle of Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, it’s one of the most exciting and varied coastlines on the entire eastern seaboard. Though fall and winter bring bigger swells to the New Jersey shore, summer surfing is a time-honored tradition for families here. It’s the ideal time to check out one of the area’s great surf schools or camps. Ocean County’s beach towns are full of friendly surf shops that can help everyone find the right board and choose the best wetsuit. Each town has its own surfing regulations and designated surf beaches, so check ahead. Often the best time to surf is early morning or evening, after the lifeguards quit for the day. The winds tend to be best around sunrise and sunset, too. If you’re going to venture out at these times, however, make sure you’re a proficient swimmer, never go alone, steer clear of more experienced surfers, and don’t forget to bring extra wax. Photo courtesy of Jenkinson’s Aquarium Jenkinson’s Aquarium SURF’S UP Photo by B. Cuthbert


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