In light of current rumors that Seaside Heights is having casting calls for another reality TV show, I am here to drop some knowledge on you. Here are some things you would know if you grew up on the Jersey Shore and didn’t just watch the show.

1. The Sand

The sand on the Jersey Shore is perfect. Its light color and grainy, easy to brush off texture makes beach trips more enjoyable. The sand that is more fine gets stuck to every inch of you and refuses to come off. It gets in your towels and on all of your belongings. We may have the reputation for being a trashy place but I assure you that it is the exact opposite. Beach cleaners are sent out daily to ensure that our beaches and oceans stay clean and pristine.

2. Real Waves

Being in Florida has shown me that not everyone grew up body surfing, boogie boarding, and almost drowning under waves taller than our heads. When you’re sitting on the beach, surfers populate the water like ants on a crumb if the waves are good that day. The rolling waves more towards the south and the gulf are nice but the real fun is on the Jersey Shore. You don’t know what a good time is until you’ve dodged getting hit in the head by another person or board. Also, the water is almost always cold but just perfect for those hot summer days.

3. Lifeguards and Beach Badge Checkers

Speaking of almost drowning I think we have the most beautiful lifeguards around. They’re always tan and fit while they run around our beaches ya know, out there saving lives. Another group strolling the beaches and stationed at the entrances under umbrellas are the beach badge checkers. The only bad thing about the Jersey Shore is that you must either pay for a day, week, or season pass. Don’t worry though, this is just to make sure that we can maintain their amazingness.

4. Childhood Friends

Something about growing up on the Jersey Shore gives you the best memories and even better lifelong friends. Your summer friends will always be around and you know it’s okay if you don’t talk to them all the time, because during the school year you wouldn’t see them anyway. One of my favorite childhood memories was Fourth of July, themed colored snacks, bike parades down Bay Ave, and fireworks on the beach. The Fourth is honestly my favorite day to celebrate because it’s the kick off to summer and we also get to celebrate the red, white, and blue.

5. The Boardwalk Itself And The Rides

The answer to your question is yes, I have seen Snooki. And I was also there when Kim K decided to drop by to the lovely Seaside Heights. Growing up on the Jersey Shore meant fun and lots of it. You were always begging your parents to take you to the boardwalk until you were able to bike or walk there yourself, obviously. There was and is, still always something going on and always new faces to see. We all know there are some characters down the shore or DTS, as some may know it to be called. The rides that hung over the side and made your stomach turn made me the adrenaline junkie I am today.

6. Food

Boardwalk food- Kohr’s, local sub shops, Surf Taco, Italian ice carts and fudge shops. There was a reason it took a few extra years to shed my baby fat: summer foods. Not to mention family barbecues at the shore house. The long list of fried foods is overwhelming and the list of sweets list is just as long. I think we all know you don’t just leave the boardwalk without getting pizza, ice cream, something fried, and then another slice of pizza. Something unique to Jersey is Surf Taco. There are a number of locations to indulge in all your beachy taco cravings and no other place to do it. Diets don’t exist at the Jersey Shore.

7. Bike Rides, Outside Showers, and Not Wearing Clothes

I would confidently state that at least 40% of my summers are spent on a bike. You go everyday. Maybe it’s just to the beach, maybe you decided to go all the way to Island Beach State Park, or maybe it’s a late night boardwalk run to grab some fried Oreos. There are two more staples you know if you love the Jersey Shore. Outside showers are an all time favorite. To most that may sound weird but there’s nothing better than going straight into the shower from the beach and having your tan set in. A part of having a sun kissed glow is showing it off which means less clothes and freedom! The concept of “no shoes, no shirt, no service” is foreign to you and you wouldn’t want it any other way.

8. Guidos And Guidettes

Yes they are there, but they are few in numbers. The majority of the Jersey Shore scene is made up of families and fun loving young adults out to have a good time. Fist bumping may have been a thing but, don’t worry, it has since been phased out. I personally have only done it as a joke, so don’t fret or feel the secondhand embarrassment. We don’t need that. And, lastly, despite all the stereotypes we have of being trashy, I am here to tell you that sadly you are wrong and we don’t need anyone to tell us otherwise.

9. Sunrise on the Beach And Bayside Sunsets

The best way to start your day is watching the sunrise with your best friends. There's nothing like being cuddled up with blankets and then going to get breakfast sandwiches or diner breakfasts. It keeps you calm the rest of the day and the afternoon nap on the beach always hits the spot. The end of the beach day can be closed with walking to the bay to take the most beautiful time lapses, scenery pictures, or pictures with your friends. The sunshine, the salt air, and sandy feet can always make someone from the Jersey Shore feel at peace.