Winter Surfing Contest Winners
Surf Writing & Photos Contest - Winter 2006

Entries were received from locations around the globe including Ireland, England, South Africa, Australia, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. The photos, essays and poems make it clear that winter surfing isn’t for the faint of heart. Only deep passion or mental instability can explain why a surfer like Minnesota’s Jon Kirkeide would drive 100 miles to surf in Lake Superior on a February morning with wind chill of -20F.

Claire Hassett won best photograph for “Nor’easter,” an image of surfer Steve Hasset doing a floater off a wave lip on a big, cold and stormy day. Roy Harrell's "Tips for Staying Warm When It's Not" rang so true with our judges, Cape Cod surfers who personally know the meaning of his words, that they gave him the nod for best written work. Ms. Hasset and Mr. Harrell will each receive $100 plus a surf DVD. A donation of $100 will also be made to their local chapters of Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots nonprofit environmental organization working to protect beaches and oceans.

Honorable mentions and a surf DVD were awarded to: Tina Spadafora for her chilling image of Chris Kelly frozen over on a frigid day at Ocean City, NJ; Peter Milton for his classic pic of a lonely winter wave off the NorCal Coast at Pacific Manor; and Jon Kirkeide for his photo of Luke Kalone in the icy waters of Lake Superior. John Strzepek for his Haiku, “Froze Toes” and Sharon Brown for her poem, “Winter Promise” received honorable mentions and free DVDs, as well.

While winter surfing means different things to different people the entries received by MoreBeach.com clearly reflect the common bond shared by all of the contestants: passion and devotion to the ephemeral experience of watching and riding waves. Frozen toes aren’t so bad if you get them from surfing empty waves on a quiet day either in solitude or with just your friends.

Spring is here and summer is soon to come. Store the warmth. MoreBeach.com plans to hold the contest again next year. Brrrr.