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Riding the Icy Waves of Nova Scotia
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Surfing, it seems, is no longer tied down to warm weather climates.
Long the sport of the South Pacific and other tropical locations, surfing is popping up in the strangest of places. In the last year here at Gadling, we've posted about surfing in Ireland, England, Germany, Cleveland, New Jersey, and Alaska. And today, I run across an article in The Toronto Star about a group of die-hard surf fanatics who ride the waves in the frosty waters off Halifax, Nova Scotia. Brrr.....
Are these people crazy? Well, apparently the waves are world-class and the breaks are yours to own--there's usually not another surfer for miles. Of course, according to journalist Kelly Toughill, this is all impossible without the advent of super wet suits which keep surfers alive in water temperatures which can dip below freezing. And then, there is the post-surfing dash through the snow back to your car--something which needs to be done quickly or you may just freeze up like a statue and die.
So what's it like? Toughill points us to two resources to see for ourselves: Magicseaweed.com and the Red Bull Ice Break Surf Competition. Check it out.
Filed under: Surfing, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick Aug 14th 2008 5:37PM
Hahahaha. Nova Scotia Surfing is actually not that bad. As long as you do it in the summer months Particularly July, august and September.Nova Scotia's water is warmer than most people think, definatley warmer than England, Ireland, germany,and Alaska. The bay of Fundy is cold but no body surfs there. The ocean is actually so warm right now that wearing a wet suit makes it too hot. I find it so funny that people assume that just because its in canada that means it is freezing. Yes most of the year it is chilly but very few people participate in the winter months. On another note Lawrencetown Beach has the best surfing on the east coast of the Us and Canada (the best in Canada) much warmer than Vancouver Island during the summer.
So it really is not that bad it makes complete sense for surfers to flock there.
Adrian Zaragoza Oct 7th 2009 6:38PM
I am from San Diego California and started surfing Nova Scotia back in the 70's when I attended bible collage in New Brunswick. I go back there every year. The atmosphere is so refreshing.
ldennisonbwr Apr 8th 2007 11:51PM
OMG OMG!! Ok, I grew up in N.S. right on the water. On the Bay of Fundy, but still, same temp. Let me just say ewwwww... I've swam in that water and it doesn't matter when you go, July, or November, it's ABSOLUTELY freezing, and NOT enjoyable. To each their own. But for me, wet suit or not, NO THANKS!!
Nancie Apr 8th 2007 4:56PM
I remember watching the surfers here when I was a kid. This is beautiful Lawrencetown Beach on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. It's a beautiful spot!
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