On March 17th, 2007, Sean Killarney, Ryan Carlson, Timmy Turner, and myself tried paddling out to the outer sandbars in New York. It was huge and it was freezing.
After 30 minutes of paddling in 6 mil wetsuits, we all made it out and caught a few waves before being sent back to the beach by a massive closeout set. I’ve dreamt of heading back to this spot since that day 10 years ago, next time armed with a jet ski.
That opportunity finally came on September 27th and 28th 2017.
Round 2 came with bigger waves, met by a bigger crew, more safety personnel, and much warmer conditions this time around. Led by Montauk local legend Charlie Weimer, the two-day field trip began. It was the biggest I have ever seen New York by far. In between our fair share of closeouts, a handful of 10-point Puerto Escondido-esque barrels rolled through.
It’s definitely a day that will be imprinted in my memory for life.
Below are thoughts from some of the crew after two legendary days in New York.
Cliff Skudin:
11 feet at 13 seconds packed a stronger punch than expected with some big surf. I couldn’t believe how big the swells were coming in. It didn’t feel like New York out there. When I laid eyes on the first sets I was yelling so loud out of pure happiness and disbelief. I was totally losing it out there and very fortunate to have a great team of surfers with us.
Justin Burkle (photographer):
What a crazy finale to a historic run of swell. It was my first time taking photos from the back of a ski and I learned pretty quickly how challenging that can be. The images still might not reflect the clean and powerful conditions I saw but they do offer a pretty dreamy take of it all.
Travis Beckmann:
Well, there’s not much I can’t say about what Montauk New York just experienced. Wednesday was one of those adventures where you truly have no clue what the conditions will offer up until you get into the lineup. When we got out there with three jet skis and six surfers, we quickly realized we were about to charge the biggest surf anybody’s ever tried to conquer in New York.
Right away, Charlie Weimar spotted a set with a corner on it and the game was on. My first wave was the biggest thing I have ever seen a person ride in New York. After our first step off it took us about 20 minutes to get the skis back out to the lineup. Needless to say, it was a day I will never forget.
On Thursday morning we all woke up knowing what to expect. It was honestly a blessing and a curse to see so many amazing waves that went unridden. Every single one of the New York local crew had their step up boards and started paddling into the biggest waves I’ve ever seen people attempt to catch without a jet ski.
Those days should go down in New York history as some of the biggest every towed or paddled.
Leif Engstrom:
It’s been a crazy run of swell for the last month, but this last one really topped it off. I’ve never seen swell out east like this. It’s something I wouldn’t be surprised to see for another 10 years.
Charlie Weimer:
Just glad it wasn’t freezing out.
Ryan Sealbach:
Having never been to Long Island, I didn’t know what to expect; maybe a dreamy West Oz type beach break with a tribe of ripping surfers? After being welcomed on “the day of all days,” I wondered where this “Spot” everyone was prepping for. The Skudin’s knew all along. It was generous in size and power, with Puerto quality. Each of us equally ravenous, we shared as much as we could. It made for some good story at sunset. Days like these are fleeting in the surf climate of today, so it was nice to see pure stoke is alive and well in New York.
