June 29, 2014 - Long Sands Beach, York, ME

I've been out more times this year already than all of last year.  We stopped at the beach on the way back from camping up north.  This was my first time surfing in Maine and first time swimming in the ocean in Maine.  York is probably the most southern beach in ME.  This beach is similar to the Wall, but nicer.  Metered parking is right along the side of the road, so we were not farther than 50 feet from our car.  Parking is cut-throat and we lucked out finding a parking spot on only our second pass.  There is not much beach at high tide though.  The water was really warm.  Waves were about knee-thigh high and I had good luck using my WRV, even though the McTavish would have been better.  Caught lots of fun little waves, but only one or two that were on the face.   I got Melissa on the board paddeling around and she liked it.  She took a couple of rides lying down.  We got soft serve at a place right across the street.  Considering how cheap parking is, with easy access to the beach, I'd come back here.

June 7, 2014 - Jeness Beach, Rye Beach, NH

After 15 years surfing, I finally got a longboard!  It's a 9' foot Mctavish that I bought from someone in RI. Its rather thin and narrow, but for me, it is fine.  After a hectic day, went to catch some surf before a show at the Casino Ballroom.  Around 5:30 PM the tide was too high at the Wall, so went the extra 8 minutes north to Jeness.  Luckily found a parking spot.  Weather was in the upper 70s and water felt pretty warm, so booties only and no gloves.  Waves were pretty small about knee to thigh and came in relatively mushy sets.  Surfed for about and hour and a quarter.  There was plenty of room to surf with only a couple of people around me. So, to review my new ride...definitely a bigger, heavier boat that is harder to set up for a wave.  You have to be prepared to turn that thing around when a wave is coming.  Although you still have to paddle hard into waves, now catching waves is much easier and the rides are much longer than my fun board.  There is more momentum with this barge.  I could actually walk up and down the board and turn it in the direction that I wanted to go.  One thing I noticed is that you really have to keep the tip up while paddling into waves or you may nose dive.  Probably caught twice as many waves with less effort than my other board.  Snapped a quick photo with my phone.  Really glad to have a long board for the smaller days.