Surfers Brave Stormy Waves at Rockaway Beach
On Monday, surfers made their way to Rockaway Beach to experience the powerful waves brought on by a nor’easter hitting New York City, encountering some of the largest swells they had ever faced.
“I’d rate today’s waves about an 8 out of 10 globally,” shared Bill McGarry, 28. He boasts surfing experience worldwide and has even competed in several contests. “I won a few, too,” he added, perhaps with a hint of pride.
McGarry, along with friends from Virginia Beach, drove through the night toward Rockaway, motivated by online updates about wave conditions. Somehow, they decided that despite the storm, this spot would provide the best waves.
“We took off at 2 a.m. and got here at 10 a.m., jumping straight into stunning 10-foot waves,” McGarry exclaimed. “Honestly, this has surpassed what we expected.”
Waves reaching 15 feet were reported from Sunday into Monday along the East Coast, with the Jersey Shore and Long Island experiencing some of the heaviest swells as northeast winds whipped up to 60 mph.
The storm’s effects are likely to lead to coastal flooding, prompting both New Jersey and New York to declare states of emergency. Yet for many surfers, this didn’t put a damper on their enthusiasm; they waded in despite the risks.
“I want to ride the wave of life. I’ve never faced anything this big!” exclaimed 24-year-old Gabe Neves as he ventured into the water. “I’m planning to be out for about 30 to 45 minutes.” But not long after, he found himself back on the beach.
“The pressure of the undertow! It’s too intense!” he said, visibly shaken. “Waves 8 to 10 feet high? The Rockaways are never like this!”
Dakin Platt, 29, admitted he felt “a little scared” but paddled out anyway. “It’s a thrill, no doubt, but it’s tough. I could’ve used a bigger board. It feels like floating through mountains today,” he mentioned, laughing nervously.
The nor’easter is expected to head out to sea by Monday night, although coastal winds might linger at about 25 mph into Tuesday. Rain has been consistent in the area, but thankfully, so far, the city has avoided the heavy downpours that have previously overwhelmed the subway system.
In an unfortunate side note, one fatality was reported in the Tokyo metropolitan area when a solar panel was blown off a roof and struck an elderly woman on the street. Additionally, due to the emergency situation, the annual Fifth Avenue Columbus Day Parade has been canceled, with no current plans for rescheduling.
