"I'm going down to sleep on the bottom of the ocean
'cause I couldn't let go when the water hit the setting sun"
A gorgeous tune by one of my all-time favorite songwriters.
9.12.09
2.12.09
Missing Home.
another Thanksgiving
come and gone, winter
threatening with her
brittle crystal wonderland
Maine roots
longing to be back
on familiar soil
Via PTLDME
20.11.09
15.11.09
9.11.09
"Higgi-mea"
My friend Rob, killing it at Higgins on his SUP. Beaut of a shot. Photo stolen from Eugene Cole.
Via Huge Surf
8.11.09
21.8.09
Life and some other things.
If we're gonna call ourselves a surf-ish blog, we should probably try to post when the waves are flat, but apparently that's not how we operate. This weekend is looking like some of the best swell here in New England in a long time. Good wind, long period (15-16 secs!), and a heckuva lotta wave. Nova Scotia might get entirely swamped. The whole peninsula covered! With any luck one of us will have a story to tell after Sunday and Monday. Check back soon.
31.7.09
Sliding Pavement
This made the rounds a while back, but I still like to watch it every now and again. Now to paddle out in a powder blue suit and slide as hard as these guys shred asphalt....
Longboard Fun - Watch more Funny Videos
Longboard Fun - Watch more Funny Videos
24.7.09
Twitting.
Don't have Twitter? Congratulations! You are officially the last person in the world not to have one. We were the other lone holdout, but SURPRISE, now we've got one.
21.7.09
Mason Jennings
In partnership with Surfrider and Barefoot Wine, singer-songwriter Mason Jennings has released a new tune as both a fundraiser for the Barefoot Wine Beach Rescue Project (Mason will be donating proceeds to the Project) and as a preview for his upcoming album, due out in September. Get it at itunes, or check it out here: Sunlight
25.6.09
Southern Sun by a Northern Bum...
Fortunate enough to get a little time off from our summer jobs, my friends Bonnie, Julianna, Tyler and I decided to head south in search of adventure, warm water and of course, a little late-season wave action. The weather cooperated, and we found fun lines each day. Below is an account of our time on the road…
The words “Heading South” for a group of Northerners can mean only one thing: warm water. We traded in our 7mm winter gear for board shorts and rashguards. Pre-surf shots of olive oil gave way to sweet tea and southern hospitality, and rugged, barren coastline turned into packed beaches with overweight men watching fishing rods stuffed in the sand - hoping for a bite.
(Outerbanks - A Lazy High Tide Afternoon)
The great part about a road trip is that you get to see it all: the good, the bad and the rest. There’s no option but to breathe it in and take it for what it is.
Our first day brought us to the steep banks of Cape Cod and a still chilly Atlantic. High winds and suspect conditions gave me a strange feeling of comfort. I guess, as cold-water surfers, it’s just something we’re used to. The only difference was this time we drove a REALLY long way to get there. But that’s just it: that’s the beauty of OUR search. It’s funny how no matter what direction we try to take, the theme of "the search" is always present. It’s why we love what we do, in the water and out.
For me it’s about that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach as you approach the cliff overlooking the ocean. What will it bring today? What can I bring today? To answer the first question: (and second for that matter) not much. Enough to get in, get wet and stay stoked for our final destination, now only two days of driving away.
(It's heating up!)
New Jersey looked like it was going to live up to our expectations. And at first, it did. Jersey has the highest population density of any state in the US. For us, this was a very unsettling statistic. Houses on top of houses as far as you can see. Eight crowded lanes of traffic. No space, no yards, and no driveways. In the spirit of adventure, and with some awesome local help (thanks Albin), we were soon surfing clean, waist-high wind swell. Small wedges that peeled left and right. Even just this far south, the water was warming up. One could only think about what might soon be passing under us as we floated towards deeper water. This spot was all about knowing where to go. This was Jersey after all, and we certainly didn’t have a clue. Luckily, our hookup did. After a short paddle out, I remember looking in and seeing a fairly empty beach. I feel very fortunate that we were able to get fun and empty waves in unfamiliar territory. Fifteen minutes further south of our first surf check (where it definitely wasn’t going off) and we had seemingly left the crowded feel of the Garden State. As much as I want to rag on New Jersey, I don’t have it in me. What we experienced was great and from what I have heard and seen, our experience was a rarity.
(the infamous Hatteras Lighthouse)
The conditions weren’t all-time, but they were just what we were looking for - clean waist-high waves with a light morning offshore wind. Up early enough to score, we were alone in the Carolinas with no one else around except a line of pelicans showing us how to really catch a ride. An occasional bomb would come through, giving us a taste of what this exposed swell-magnet can really bring. Water temperature aside, this really was a unique place. Since we visited during the week and arrived just prior to tourist season, I feel like we got a taste of what this place is really like. It’s a community that schedules life around tide charts. The flow of the ocean dictates their every move. And that’s how it should be, right? This kind of synchronicity with a natural element is something that is very rare today. With this local vibe being passed around between surfers, ice cream shacks and back again, one can only hope the next swell will find its way towards Hatteras or Oregon Inlet.
Thanks for reading,
Joel
The words “Heading South” for a group of Northerners can mean only one thing: warm water. We traded in our 7mm winter gear for board shorts and rashguards. Pre-surf shots of olive oil gave way to sweet tea and southern hospitality, and rugged, barren coastline turned into packed beaches with overweight men watching fishing rods stuffed in the sand - hoping for a bite.
(Outerbanks - A Lazy High Tide Afternoon)Our first day brought us to the steep banks of Cape Cod and a still chilly Atlantic. High winds and suspect conditions gave me a strange feeling of comfort. I guess, as cold-water surfers, it’s just something we’re used to. The only difference was this time we drove a REALLY long way to get there. But that’s just it: that’s the beauty of OUR search. It’s funny how no matter what direction we try to take, the theme of "the search" is always present. It’s why we love what we do, in the water and out.
For me it’s about that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach as you approach the cliff overlooking the ocean. What will it bring today? What can I bring today? To answer the first question: (and second for that matter) not much. Enough to get in, get wet and stay stoked for our final destination, now only two days of driving away.
(It's heating up!)
(the infamous Hatteras Lighthouse)Our final destination, the Outer Banks of North Carolina, definitely lived up to the hype. After arriving, I think we all felt a bit out of our element. But, unlike New Jersey, this was a cultural change that we all wanted and needed. It’s easy to adapt to a climate where trunks in June is a staple. For us, of whom none had actually surfed sans wetsuit, getting out in the water in just bathing suits was a novelty. That’s a statement that can probably only be said by less than 1% of the worldwide surfing community.
The conditions weren’t all-time, but they were just what we were looking for - clean waist-high waves with a light morning offshore wind. Up early enough to score, we were alone in the Carolinas with no one else around except a line of pelicans showing us how to really catch a ride. An occasional bomb would come through, giving us a taste of what this exposed swell-magnet can really bring. Water temperature aside, this really was a unique place. Since we visited during the week and arrived just prior to tourist season, I feel like we got a taste of what this place is really like. It’s a community that schedules life around tide charts. The flow of the ocean dictates their every move. And that’s how it should be, right? This kind of synchronicity with a natural element is something that is very rare today. With this local vibe being passed around between surfers, ice cream shacks and back again, one can only hope the next swell will find its way towards Hatteras or Oregon Inlet.
So sure Delaware sucked. But what would you expect? Siding with the most cliché of trip reports, I really do appreciate what we have here at home. Especially after sharing such an experience with three of the best surfari-ists a guy could ask for. Yeah the water is a bit chilly and access to my favorite spots isn’t great, but heck, that’s why trips like these are so special. And that’s what keeps our sessions at home so fresh each time we fight our way into wet neoprene on the side of the country road and paddle out. Only instead of swimming alongside dolphins you glance over to see a seal peering back, wondering what the heck you’re doing.
Thanks for reading,
Joel
21.6.09
20.6.09
Trippin'
As surfers, we spend a lot of time staring at the horizon: watching and waiting, and floating.
And then when it’s over we traipse back onto the sand – and despite the footprints proving the fact that our feet remain firmly grounded, the feeling of ethereal buoyancy remains. The whole world is wonderful and perfect and life is groovy.
On our horizon right now is the trip of the summer. It’s been said that planning is half the fun, but I’m sincerely hoping that we’ll also get to experience the whole fun all at once when we’re on the road and bobbing our way down the East Coast. Once things get underway this June, we’re hoping to provide full details, complete with photos and anecdotes from our adventure. Stay tuned.
17.5.09
4.5.09
G'd Up.
I don’t do cities. Which is why I go to school in rural Canada. Wolfville Nova Scotia, while endearing, is not exactly a bastion of urban culture. Honestly, the closest it gets to the big time is its affectionate nickname: Wolfvegas.
Last week, however, I made the trek down to the Big Apple for a visit. NYC is a rather arresting place no matter the context, but for me it was more than overwhelming in comparison to my school-year home in Wolfville. With only a two-day, buffer-zone of a stay in my home state of Maine, the immediate sensory assault of New York felt a bit like stepping into the Atlantic in February.
Because this blog is about more than just surfing, I thought I’d share a little about the trip. It marks the beginning of our summer, and despite the lack of surfing, captures the essence of our purpose – perspectives and places, with a sprinkling of wave riding sliding alongside.
Here’s a shot from the trip, which I liked for no reason in particular:
Note: I meant to make it into Mollusk, where they seem to be doing some really nifty things, but it never happened. Maybe next time…
Last week, however, I made the trek down to the Big Apple for a visit. NYC is a rather arresting place no matter the context, but for me it was more than overwhelming in comparison to my school-year home in Wolfville. With only a two-day, buffer-zone of a stay in my home state of Maine, the immediate sensory assault of New York felt a bit like stepping into the Atlantic in February.
Because this blog is about more than just surfing, I thought I’d share a little about the trip. It marks the beginning of our summer, and despite the lack of surfing, captures the essence of our purpose – perspectives and places, with a sprinkling of wave riding sliding alongside.
Here’s a shot from the trip, which I liked for no reason in particular:
Note: I meant to make it into Mollusk, where they seem to be doing some really nifty things, but it never happened. Maybe next time…
19.4.09
Anticipation & The Search
It’s funny how a “normal” level of stoke can jump off the charts in a matter of a few seconds. This afternoon we loaded up the car and left for the coast in search of waves. Lately I have been developing a serious itch - I seriously need to get back into my routine of getting in the water on a regular basis. Maybe it’s the pending exams, or perhaps the dangerous amounts of caffeine, but whatever the reason, we were more than ready to get out there again.
We set off with a general idea of where we might try. Conditions seemed a bit suspect; 4-7 feet @ 9 seconds… but the wind was howling. 20-30 km/hr and onshore at the usual go-to spots.
The pursuit of finding waves is one of my favorite parts of surfing. Depending on the swell, wind direction, and tides, you never know what might be around the next bend. Sure enough, we found a gem. The strong southwest winds were kept at bay thanks to a series of points and coves. If anything, the wind was offshore. A rocky right point break - just what Nova Scotia is famous for (or not). After a quick costume change on the side of the winding country road and a short walk across some rocky terrain, we were back in the Atlantic again. The slippery rocks, bits of old lobster traps and the smell were all the same.
Our now rubbery arms and the dropping tide brought a quicker than usual end to a few epic hours filled with more stoke than I’ve felt in awhile. Searching for new lines and spots along the coast is what keeps us stoked and coming back, and the anticipation of what awaits us around the next bend keeps each adventure fresh and unique.
This spot was the bomb!
We set off with a general idea of where we might try. Conditions seemed a bit suspect; 4-7 feet @ 9 seconds… but the wind was howling. 20-30 km/hr and onshore at the usual go-to spots.
The pursuit of finding waves is one of my favorite parts of surfing. Depending on the swell, wind direction, and tides, you never know what might be around the next bend. Sure enough, we found a gem. The strong southwest winds were kept at bay thanks to a series of points and coves. If anything, the wind was offshore. A rocky right point break - just what Nova Scotia is famous for (or not). After a quick costume change on the side of the winding country road and a short walk across some rocky terrain, we were back in the Atlantic again. The slippery rocks, bits of old lobster traps and the smell were all the same.Our now rubbery arms and the dropping tide brought a quicker than usual end to a few epic hours filled with more stoke than I’ve felt in awhile. Searching for new lines and spots along the coast is what keeps us stoked and coming back, and the anticipation of what awaits us around the next bend keeps each adventure fresh and unique.
This spot was the bomb!17.4.09
Right Coast Sliding Sonnet
fumbling sleepily we pack in the cold
drive east on Route Seven toward Martinique,
waking this early leaves no need to speak
steaming coffee warms fingers left exposed.
sunrise meets bleary eyes on dawn patrol
light plays with the clouds – a slow hide and seek
crunch underfoot sounds ‘midst chattering teeth,
as subzero water swallows us whole.
waves crash down heavily, three feet at eight
I stare out, waiting, for swell to appear –
a smooth curl by which I can be propelled
l’eau and behold, it’s delivered by fate,
with spray-tickled eyes and a frigid cheer
I slide, ensconced, in a watery spell.
drive east on Route Seven toward Martinique,
waking this early leaves no need to speak
steaming coffee warms fingers left exposed.
sunrise meets bleary eyes on dawn patrol
light plays with the clouds – a slow hide and seek
crunch underfoot sounds ‘midst chattering teeth,
as subzero water swallows us whole.
waves crash down heavily, three feet at eight
I stare out, waiting, for swell to appear –
a smooth curl by which I can be propelled
l’eau and behold, it’s delivered by fate,
with spray-tickled eyes and a frigid cheer
I slide, ensconced, in a watery spell.
Dawn Patrol
Where we’re coming from: rocky Nova Scotian coast, mixed with Maine beaches and backwoods. We like adventuring, flannel shirts, cold water, and thoughtful progressions. This is an adventure of sorts – sharing our discoveries and passions with anyone who stumbles across our musings. Send us at slidingborders (at) gmail.com
Joel & tyler
Joel & tyler
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