NJ surfer, vlogger completes feat of surfing in all 50 states

A New Jersey surfer known for his popular YouTube blog achieved something this summer believed to never have been done -- surfing in all 50 states.

News 12 Staff

Aug 26, 2019, 10:48 PM

Updated 1,704 days ago

Share:

A New Jersey surfer known for his popular YouTube blog achieved something this summer believed to never have been done -- surfing in all 50 states.
Longport's Ben Gravy visited standing river waves in Wyoming and Arkansas, lake waves in Wisconsin and Nevada, a Texas wave pool and a Tennessee waterfall to help complete his incredible feat. He also shredded some traditional ocean waves in Hawaii and South Carolina. Now he's back home, celebrating his triumph.
"I can't believe I did it. We live in a world where stuff that hasn't been done before doesn't exist," says Gravy. "I remember turning around and I only had Missouri, Nebraska and Alaska left, and I was like, this is real. I'm about to do this!"
It was a conquest for a professional surfer who has become the master of what he calls "novelty waves." His obsession really took off the days he surfed the wake of the Cape May ferry.
"And it just became my thing ... it just got attached to me, like the novelty guy," says Gravy.
Now, his thousands of fans are glued to his YouTube channel, watching Gravy find rideable waves and often a coveted barrel on days and in places most surfers see nothing worth paddling out for.
"If I'm not looking for the positive in small areas, I'm never going to be able to find the positive in the whole perspective in my life," says Gravy.
The tour took Gravy three years to complete.


More from News 12
Tractor-trailer crashes into 100-year-old Cedar Grove pharmacy

Tractor-trailer crashes into 100-year-old Cedar Grove pharmacy

0:29
MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

MTA outlines new details on congestion pricing, including start date

1:23
Beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey; scattered showers expected this weekend

Beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey; scattered showers expected this weekend

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:31
Police: Former Giants lineman Korey Cunningham, 28, found dead in Clifton home

Police: Former Giants lineman Korey Cunningham, 28, found dead in Clifton home

1:21
SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

0:23
North Wildwood approved for emergency beach replenishment

North Wildwood approved for emergency beach replenishment

0:52
Clothesline Project raises awareness of sexual assault survivors

Clothesline Project raises awareness of sexual assault survivors

0:42
Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

2:17
South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

2:28
Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

0:28
Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

0:42
Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

0:33
Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

2:09
Paws & Pals: Bogey now up for adoption with JerseyGirls Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Bogey now up for adoption with JerseyGirls Animal Rescue

1:37
Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

0:23
New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

0:17
Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

2:34
KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?

KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?