Cocoa Beach Pier:
Known previously as Canaveral Pier and now as Cocoa Beach Pier, this cradle of East Coast professional surfing made its name in the ’60s as the stomping grounds of Gary Propper and a number of longboarding contests. Despite the inevitable infiltration of shorter blades, the pier remains a longboard haven supported by the regular crew of log aficionados drawn to its long, crumbly lines. Each year a couple of contests honor our sport’s heritage of cross-stepping and grace, the most noted of which is the Cocoa Beach Easter Surfing Festival, which draws thousands of spectators annually.
To get there, just take 528 east from I-95 and continue south on A1A. Once driving on A1A in either direction, you will see a sign for Cocoa Beach Pier. Immediately take one of the roads connecting A1A with the short stretch of coastal road called Ocean Beach Boulevard, then zip north or south to the pier and park for free. The pier features restaurants and tourist trappings to boot. In fact, you can even get your picture taken in one of those fake fiberglass stand-up tubes if the real ocean isn’t cooperating. Chances are you won’t get truly barreled since it’s typically top-to-middle at best. However, like most of Cocoa Beach, the pier remains a great place to score high tide, which is when South Brevard’s more critical breaks can doze for several hours. More importantly, the pier offers surfers the only wind shelter between Sebastian Inlet and Jetty Park.
Lori Wilson Park:
Kelly Slater is surely the biggest name to come out of Cocoa Beach ever. His hometown has underscored — some would say, understated — the eleven-time champ’s stature by erecting a pair of picnic table shelters in honor of their legendary neighbor. The open-walled structures are hidden amongst a haven of beach tourism known as Lori Wilson Park, which sits just south of the Hilton hotel, almost at the center of Cocoa Beach. The park isn’t known as a surf spot, but it has two huge parking areas, volleyball courts, a bathhouse and, of course, Kelly Slater Pavilion East and Kelly Slater Pavilion West, each fitted with a handsome plaque. Lori Wilson Park’s wide beach, ample parking and tourist facilities make it more of a family fun center than a surf spot, but the sandbars are as sufficient as anywhere else in town. So, come enjoy one of Cocoa Beach’s largest parks and bathe in the everlasting aura of Kelly’s monuments, even if they are a tad shy of the accomplishments they glorify.