Like I've mentioned before, this is the first winter I have spent in New Hampshire and the first REAL winter of my life thus far. There were a couple of concerns.
Firstly, I knew I was going to freeze my balls off either way I looked at it. I couldn't prepare for that, I just had to except it for what it was.
Secondly, I had to learn how to snowboard in a hurry to maintain my place as the Alfa male. Two other individuals wouldn't agree but they will just have to except that for what it is.
Finally, In order to satisfy my addiction and get my fix, I would have to man-the-fuck-up and suit up!
Tyrese ready to rock 'n roll
Yip, not kooky at all!
So I borrowed Tyler's 5/4mm (well ventilated) wetsuit, got myself a pair 5mm boots and gloves and was ready to take on the freeze.
I had often read articles in mags and seen clips from surf videos of these crazy sons of bitches who surfed while there was still snow on the ground, "idiots". Easy to say when you sitting on a warm and sunny beach in your home town of Durbs. Whats not so easy....duck diving the third wave knowing there three more behind it and not being able to breathe due to the shock and brain freeze of the first.
Pics courtesy of Ned Bulmer
Rich
Ryman
Ty.
With that being said, every session had this winter was well worth the effort and cold. The problem with New England is not its ability to produce great waves, but the time lapse between decent swells. But when a little ground swell is slowly swept in then dusted by an offshore breeze, the results are worth the lack in breathe.......breathe taking..?? Now that makes sense.
The Seacoast
Rich
Duck-dive dodging
Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the really good days but those you can peep on MSW or whattherschnell.com.
I suppose the facts that you never expect perfection and always just pray for something surfable, contributes to the excitement when finding an empty, 4 foot beach break.....or point break, or wedge, whichever you leaning towards. The Joel index might play a part in your final decision too.
Joel
Rich
Ty
Rich
Yip, Winter surfing is sweet! Don't know why anyone would leave during winter. Boardies are over rated.
If you were to think back on all the birthdays you have had over the years, a couple will jump to mind. My 27th birthday is definitely going to be one of those.
Stowe, Vermont - The Barn and the beginning of...well, an average day.
The McGill's homestead
The Window
The untouched winter wonderland outside the window
We had heard from Ty & Ryman's dad, Jim, that Stowe had just been dumped with 36 inches of snow the day before my birthday. With Winter coming to an end and the new shop renovations coming along, it was probably the last chance we would get to snowboard in good conditions and I hadn't yet seen the much talked about McGill house in Vermont. With that, the decision was made to make the 3 hour drive up North and take advantage of the powder covered slopes of Stowe.
Stowe Mountain
Ry & Ty preparing an airshow clinic for me
A day on Stowe wouldn't be complete without a customary beverage at the Matterhorn
A standard snow cannonball
I never realized how remote Stowe really was. The old McGill house was built in the late 1800s and beside the ski resort, not much has changed since then. The slopes were fairly empty due to it being a Wednesday and the snow was fresh. After a solid day snowboarding in the best conditions I have ever been exposed to, we stopped by the local bar & grill, The Matterhorn. As far as bars go it was pretty standard but the activities which followed were a little out of the ordinary for me.
Just Hanging
Coors Light Bru!
After stopping by the barn for some refreshments and gear we headed to Staley's which is a smallish hill just up the road from the house, for some snurfing. Snurfing is basically surfing in the snow. The big board you see me with was one of the first snow board styles. A snurfer is smaller than your typical snowboard with a rope attached to the nose which when pulled, prevents the nose digging into the snow. We didn't realize the snow was waist deep so it took us a little time to get across the field.
Introduction to SNURFING
This is how its done!
Notice the skill and concentration...
...and frozen stash!
We had a few appointments we couldn't miss back in Rye so by 5pm we had to leave. Another 3 hour drive back home got us back just in time for the Summer Sessions indoor soccer match. The support was there in full force and it was a great start to the night. BG and Matty came up from NYC and the rest of our crew all came out for an epic evening on the town then back to Christine's Crossing for the finale and the rest is history! All and all, it was a birthday I would never forget! Missed all my family and friends back home in ol SA, don't worry, you weren't forgotten! Thanks guys for the best March 9 2011 I could ever have wished for!
We've been trying to keep the new Summer Sessions Surf Shop location on the DL but being the small town Rye is, the "secret" didn't really last long.
Watch this space
We've been documenting the whole revamp process so everything that is and has happened behind these walls will be edited into a a pretty wild video, well the concept is awsome.
Anyways, during the initial steps of clearing out the old convenience store that was the Sandpiper, we had to relocate some hotwheels.
1966 Ford Mustang = GANGSTA
Mr Leary looking swank in his red rocket
We found out that old man Leary is a small fan of vintage vehicles, he has collected a few over the years. I think he said he had about 50...give or take. My old man and I have always had a soft spot for old cars and often talked of overhauling Jags and Cobras, but the one car I've always dreamed of having, the car that you would have pinned up on the wall next to a half naked picture of Cindy Crawford, was the 1965 Ford Mustang GT 350!
So what you packing man?
What am I packing....? Just 100% American muscle bitch! Now get the F&%@ outta my way!
GOD DAMN! The things I would do to get my hands on that wheel! Really.....no task too great, bring it! Unfortunately Leary's Mustang was a real lady bug with a small 4 cylinder engine. All looks and no action. Either way, shes a beaut!
New England and I have had a very extreme relationship ever since I stepped foot here 2 or so years ago. My first summer experience happened to be, in FACT, the worst summer recorded in New Hampshire's history. I believe this is true because I was told by numerous locals triple my age. It rained for the best part of May, June and July. I've just witnessed my first winter so trust me, this is a BIG deal!
Portsmouth
Summer 2010 just so happened to be the BEST summer ever. It might not have gone down in the history books but as far as I was concerned, it was the best damn summer I had ever had in New England. Hot sweltering days, waves, great new people, terrific! Finally Christine could say, with pride, "this is what we mean by summer".
Like I mentioned above, I'm busy experiencing my first New England winter, and in true tradition, its a record breaker, of course! While I was in New York I believe they reached the all time snow fall record. I'm not sure of how much snow was needed to break it but the city was brought to a stand still at one stage. Pretty awsome! The New England winter has been a real experience. Nothing quite gives you more appreciation of the warmth of summer than a couple months of a real northern hemisphere winter. June, July couldn't come quicker and I reckon this summer is going to be another for the record books in more ways then one!
