The Maritimes. I love the way it rolls off the tongue. It sounds like a fictional land from an unreleased Tolkien novel. It’s not, obviously. But it sure sounds like it could be. In reality, this neverland is one of the easternmost regions of North America and has been dubbed “the drowning coast” as the loose, muddy, hills that make up the coastline erode and leave nothing behind but the cobblestones embedded deep in the earth. And it is these cobblestone remains that have created – and continue to create – a wave-rich coast. There are a few beach breaks, a few slabs, but the gems of this region are the points. Mid to short period swells dished out by the North Atlantic run down cobblestone outcroppings and create extraordinarily long waves with consistent speed and uniform shape. As a surfer in this region, you’re not going to become a professional duck-diver, but you have every opportunity to refine your rail-game to unprecedented heights. Just look at my handsome friend Nico Manos for proof. Nico was raised near these perfect points, but didn’t start surfing until he was around 15 years old. One look at Nico’s effortless approach and timeless style forces you to think of a goofy-footed Tom Curren or a cold-water Rob Machado. And it just goes to show that with a little time and commitment, this little zone has potential to produce world-class talent.
Back in January of 2019, my good friend – and my favorite surfer – Josh Mulcoy, and I left the West Coast and headed east to stay and surf with Nico, his wife Jill, their groms, Otis and Jones, and their amazing border collie, Ollie. Luckily, we dodged Winter Storm Harper and touched down in sub-zero temperatures just before the snow started accumulating at a rapid rate. At the rental car agency, we got a giant SUV, but we soon realized it didn’t have heated seats and, like the yuppies we are, went back to the desk and switched vehicles to something that would keep us warm in the frigid temps. And thank heavens we did because over the next week, the North Atlantic turned on, snow blanketed the landscape and we absolutely scored. Warm keisters ‘n’ all.
Surfers: Nico Manos, Josh Mulcoy and Logan MacLennan
