You Can Surf in New Hamsphire?
"You can surf in New Hampshire? Seriously, I didn't even know you guys had a seacoast." These are some of the many misconceptions New Hampshire surfers face when they venture out of the isolated and frigid waters of the Northeast. Two such surfers, Ryan and Tyler McGill, are brothers and co-owners of Summer Sessions Surf Shop in Rye.
"To be honest, these preconceptions of New Hampshire surf are a mixed blessing. As a shop owner ideally you want as many new people coming to the seacoast and getting involved in the sport, but as a surfer it is hard because you don't want ‘out of staters' crowding the local spots" remarks Tyler.
The brothers have proactively addressed this paradox by making surf lessons and surf camps a cornerstone of their shop. "The reality is," remarks Ryan, "there are plenty of waves for everyone as long as people are respectful and adhere to basic surf etiquette, which are two principles we stress in all of our lessons."
Summer Sessions, located one mile south of Wallis Sands state beach, is an ideal place to learn to surf. The brothers, who still personally teach surf lessons, regard it as the biggest perk of their job. "Not only do I get to go to the beach and hit the water," recounts Ryan, "but I get to share the excitement of someone's first wave, which is such an unbelievable experience."
The brothers, who spend the off season chasing surf anywhere from Indonesia to Chile, are proud to call New Hampshire home. "In south America, when a local sees a gringo with a surfboard they just figure you are from California, so there is definitely a sense of pride in being able to tell them you are actually from New Hampshire" says Tyler who spent the winter months traveling from Nicaragua down to Peru. Ryan, who spent the off-season in Indonesia, Panama, and Puerto Rico jokingly added, "Then there next question is ‘New Hampshire, Where's that?"
Summer Sessions is what brings the brothers back to the seacoast each year. Started 4 years ago, the shop has steadily evolved into a more hardcore shop with an entire room being purely devoted to hard-goods. Although Ryan and Tyler admit their travel is primarily for surf, they feel it has been the catalyst for many of the changes at the shop. "When I travel, I am always paying attention to what the guys from Australia or South Africa are riding and wearing, because often times they are into different styles" says Ryan.
Despite the new emphasis on boards and suits, the shop is still firmly committed to finding new and progressive clothing companies. Although they do carry bigger names like Rusty, Rip Curl, and Ezekiel, they pride themselves on having "funky" and "original" clothing that can't be found anywhere else on the seacoast. Companies like Obey, Mada, and Jedidiah give the shop an edgier feel that distinguishes it from other shops.
Ryan and Tyler admit the waves in Rye may not be the best, but both agree paired with the charm and culture of Portsmouth the New Hampshire seacoast is hard to beat during the summer months. And although they are always keen to talk about surf or the shop, when asked about the best surf spots in the area or abroad the room fell quiet. Ryan confessed, "We'll teach you to surf, but we can't give away all the secrets." When pressed further they joked, "Maybe if you come by the shop this summer."
"To be honest, these preconceptions of New Hampshire surf are a mixed blessing. As a shop owner ideally you want as many new people coming to the seacoast and getting involved in the sport, but as a surfer it is hard because you don't want ‘out of staters' crowding the local spots" remarks Tyler.
The brothers have proactively addressed this paradox by making surf lessons and surf camps a cornerstone of their shop. "The reality is," remarks Ryan, "there are plenty of waves for everyone as long as people are respectful and adhere to basic surf etiquette, which are two principles we stress in all of our lessons."
Summer Sessions, located one mile south of Wallis Sands state beach, is an ideal place to learn to surf. The brothers, who still personally teach surf lessons, regard it as the biggest perk of their job. "Not only do I get to go to the beach and hit the water," recounts Ryan, "but I get to share the excitement of someone's first wave, which is such an unbelievable experience."
The brothers, who spend the off season chasing surf anywhere from Indonesia to Chile, are proud to call New Hampshire home. "In south America, when a local sees a gringo with a surfboard they just figure you are from California, so there is definitely a sense of pride in being able to tell them you are actually from New Hampshire" says Tyler who spent the winter months traveling from Nicaragua down to Peru. Ryan, who spent the off-season in Indonesia, Panama, and Puerto Rico jokingly added, "Then there next question is ‘New Hampshire, Where's that?"
Summer Sessions is what brings the brothers back to the seacoast each year. Started 4 years ago, the shop has steadily evolved into a more hardcore shop with an entire room being purely devoted to hard-goods. Although Ryan and Tyler admit their travel is primarily for surf, they feel it has been the catalyst for many of the changes at the shop. "When I travel, I am always paying attention to what the guys from Australia or South Africa are riding and wearing, because often times they are into different styles" says Ryan.
Despite the new emphasis on boards and suits, the shop is still firmly committed to finding new and progressive clothing companies. Although they do carry bigger names like Rusty, Rip Curl, and Ezekiel, they pride themselves on having "funky" and "original" clothing that can't be found anywhere else on the seacoast. Companies like Obey, Mada, and Jedidiah give the shop an edgier feel that distinguishes it from other shops.
Ryan and Tyler admit the waves in Rye may not be the best, but both agree paired with the charm and culture of Portsmouth the New Hampshire seacoast is hard to beat during the summer months. And although they are always keen to talk about surf or the shop, when asked about the best surf spots in the area or abroad the room fell quiet. Ryan confessed, "We'll teach you to surf, but we can't give away all the secrets." When pressed further they joked, "Maybe if you come by the shop this summer."
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