Brian Lynch / The power of one

WHO Brian Lynch

WHERE Jersey Shore chapter, Asbury Park

WHAT  A few years ago the Jersey Shore chapter had a major access victory in Asbury Park. The win was centered on not just gaining access to a local break, but making surfing legal in that town. Once that win was secured, the chapter realized an entire generation of kids in Asbury Park had never learned to surf.  So they decided to keep the momentum going and emphasize the access victory by teaching local kids to surf.  Brian Lynch stepped up to this task and in 2003 architected the first local “Surf clinic”. The purpose of the clinic is to bring people of all types, ages, races and classes together to learn about the beach, get pushed into some waves and do a beach cleanup.
Photo: Tom Spader

RESULT This past month’s clinic, now branded “Groms gone Environ-mental”, was the first of the season. A second clinic is scheduled for next month. More than 170 kids came to the clinic and at the center of the chaos was Brian Lynch. Managing a few kids can be difficult… increase that number to more than 170 and it becomes an art form. He was the conductor of the programs that started at 7:30AM and went past 2PM. He’s a master. Of course Brian isn’t alone in this; there were 20 – 30 Surfrider volunteers from the local New Jersey chapters as well as from the New York City and Washington D.C. chapters. 

Brian Lynch, the power of one.

(Brian is on the left)

Comments

[Dr. D]

As a long-time personal friend of Brians, I can assure you that "he's a master." Brian's love of life is contageous. His care and support for his friends and neighbors is inspirational. In summary, Brian Lynch is not only making the world a better place for those 170 kids, but also for everyone he encounters.