Full Circle Surf

Last week I made my way back to the beaches of my childhood. The place I first flew a kite, first felt glide under foot, and the place I first dreamt of being a surfer. The barrier islands of Lower Slower Delaware and OCMD are not necessarily known the world over for their quality of waves. Yet the stoke and dreams of a beachie life are as thriving and rooted here as anywhere. The summer people and boardwalk culture obscure the beauty and potential this place has to offer. But, under the surface there are the people that live and breathe the ocean life, a core of dedicated fishermen and wave sliders that are on it anytime it's good and even when it's not.

As the swell season is winding down, I was grateful for the three days of 60 deg. weather, well groomed bars and the chest to head high conditions. The water was still plenty cold, and the murky run off left me with a sore throat. But a few fresh pints of Dogfish Head and the Maryland Crab soup made it all alright.

Photos from the St. Patrick's day swell 2010 courtesy of Nick Denny.