In these anxious times of geopolitical, environmental, and social uncertainty one thing remains constant: dudes need their bro-time! So it was on a mid-October weekend at the height of New England’s annual leafy art show, that we headed down to the coast for our annual Big House Surf Trip. After loading the WND&WVS trailer with enough gear to cover all possible conditions, I took off with Bob and Todd, two of our very best "Ambassadors of Stoke". After a long drive, and a quick pit stop to buy out a New Hampshire Hannafords’ supply of proper ginger beer (Goya Jamaican Style), the first wave of hungry watermen, Al, Ben, Rich, and TJ, met for a rewarding fresh seafood gnosh at The Back Eddy in Westport Mass, where there were plenty of big screens to see the Red Sox dismantle the Astros. Finally, it was back to The Big House (the major shareholders of the property hate that name, which is why we constantly use it!) where my daughter’s LL Bean Camp Bag helped me survive the sub-50° night in the rustic and un-winterized vacation home.
Friday morning brought higher seasonable temperatures and the welcome sign of treetops swaying vigorously in the 20 mile-an-hour-plus winds. This was gonna be good. After coffee and johnny cakes at The Commons and a quick surf check at the closest break (there was none), a couple of my fellow wind-warriors and I got after it while the rest of the crew battled in beer-bocce while they waited for John, Dan, Matt, Jeremy and Ron, the last of our ocean-starved crew, to arrive. After a short shlog out past a sheltered point, the wind rocketed us out into the open ocean and we were rewarded with a steady blow and shoulder-high swell, perfect for launching into space and banking jibes off the rising water’s push. The day ended with more surf checks (still none), sore muscles, and plenty of post-session stoke. For dinner, Ben served up his famous deep-fried turkey and fries with nary a vegetable in sight all washed down with some of Vermont’s best from Lawsons, The Alchemist, and Citizen Cider, to name a few.
Saturday was the kind of day our shop was named after—plenty more “WND” and the addition of late afternoon incoming “WVS”. With the sun out and still warmer temps, Todd, Bob and I goaded the “Big Boss”, Dan, to brush off his considerable windsurfing skills. Luckily, I had some equipment stored at my nearby Mother-in-law’s, so he was set up and ready to fly in no time. As Dan and Bob played in and out of the increasing shore break on the inside, Todd (on his Cabrinha kite setup) and I (on my trusty Starboard Kode FSW and Severne Gator 6.0) spent the better part of the day overpowered and drag racing out in deeper waters and now overhead bumps. After a hearty breakfast sandwich, it was time to breakout the surfboards. Though still a bit messy from the cross-on wind, a swell was definitely filling in our break with ridable waves. I rode my Sodium 9’6” longboard for a while, then switched to a Starboard Widepoint 8’10” as the surf got bigger but the wind kept up, necessitating a more stable but still maneuverable SUP. That night, we were treated to fish tacos from Al, Jeremy, Ron and Matt followed by another year’s washout (for me) of Texas Hold ‘Em. Todd cleaned up, so Bob and I decided there was no need to fill up his pickup on the trip back (the bastard!). Before the trip this year, Rich had called me about doing something creative for the trip as it was getting close to the 20 year milestone when the founding members started surfing together somewhere in Southern California. It was such an honor for me to be part of surprising the crew that night with some sweet Big House Surf Trip t-shirts designed by me. Thanks, Rich! The forecast for Sunday morning, our last chance to score waves, was much cooler temps, but offshore wind that promised to cleanup Saturday’s mushy and disorganized surf. Time for bed and an early start.
We awoke to find clean, beautiful lines rolling in from the south by southwest swell, but it was hard to tell the size from the second-story window. Time to grab a cuppa and walk down to the bluff for a closer view. It took no time for us put on the rubber and get after it—super clean and at least a head to a foot or two over. I choose the O’Neill 4/3 Mutant, perfect for fall surfing in New England and zipped in the optional hood to help with cold and pelting rain. Todd, Bob and I grabbed our performance SUP surf boards representing the three brands that we sell in the shop: Bob with his Laird Surf Hybrid, Todd riding an 8’5" Starboard Pro and me on my 8’5” Naish Hokua. We were joined by Al, TJ, and Ben for a bit and also had to share some waves with some very styling longboarders from the Cape. Though the lineup was a bit crowded at times, there were plenty of waves and lots of smiles for all to last for the few hours before the tide came up and it was time to pack up and head back to the Green Mountains and our families.
I am so very honored and fortunate to become close with this group of like-minded watermen and look forward to this trip as one of the very best each year. Thanks to Al, Kate and family and Kate’s parents Holly and Jerry for being such gracious hosts and generous with their beautiful spot on the Atlantic. So remember, in these crazy days, get your bro-time when you can, and please, go vote!
Ride on!
Jeff
