I heard the skateboarders before I saw them. The gentle roar of their wheels barreling across the boardwalk rang with a strange nostalgia. Admittedly, I’ve never been a skater—I’ve picked up bits of the culture and sport from movies, MTV and a few brief acquaintances, but I’ve never been part of that community. And yet hearing that familiar sound that evening felt like a powerful, welcoming and gritty confirmation that I had indeed returned to Ocean City, Maryland.
A FISHING CAPITAL
The last time I was in Ocean City, I had come to town to fish the MidAtlantic tournament. Other than a dinner or two and an errand outside of the marina, my whole experience there centered around fishing. This is probably a familiar version of events for many anglers who travel to what’s known as the White Marlin Capital of the World. Home to colossal mega-events such as the White Marlin Open, Ocean City is known for its phenomenal marlin and tuna fisheries and its outrageously large tournament payouts.
The White Marlin Open, which celebrated its 50th year of competition in 2023, got its start in the