About Rhode Island Surf Travel
Rhode Island, with its hidden coves and rocky outcrops, receives the lion’s share of Southern New England surf. It’s divided into two, roughly equal-size surf zones, Newport and Narragansett. They are separated by Narragansett Bay, one of the sailing centers of the world, and connected by a toll bridge. With all the hurricane season hoopla, Newport has become the most famous surf area north of Cape Hatteras. But the photo coverage of epic sessions is misleading, as the Atlantic Ocean simply does not generate swell with the consistency needed to produce huge days in bulk numbers. Still, on rare occasions, large, perfect surf can happen during the 10-week window when water temperatures are comfortable. Because of the endurance and dedication required to cope with the flatness and frigidity of the rest of the year, locals are protective of their short time in the sun. After staring at the Tropical Update throughout the long, hot summer, willing tropical waves to circulate and grow, the last thing they want to see is their favorite peak overrun by hoards of strangers. Being the smallest state in the Union, there isn’t much room for interlopers.
Rhode Island Surf Crowds:
No generalizations can be made about New England crowds due to extreme variations from day to day and place to place. You could meet up with a friendly group of fellows and be invited over for a Sam Adams, or you could be sent packing by Larry the Loud-Mouthed Local after stumbling upon his secret spot. After enduring a cold, brutal winter and a flat, hot summer, don’t pull up during prime hurricane season and expect a warm greeting. These folks live for this stuff, so proceed with caution. Even winter isn’t only for the truly hardcore these days with all the innovations in wetsuit technology. Where there is surf, there are crowds.
Rhode Island Surf Hazards:
Crowds are a main hazard and getting hit by a board is a possibility in the overcrowded breaks in Rhode Island. Hypothermia is a danger most of the year, especially if your wetsuits are too light for the conditions. Frostbite is possible on freezing and minus wind chill days. Rock bottom breaks equal broken fins, broken boards and occasionally broken bones.
There’s a sunken barge in the surf zone in the center of Narragansett Town Beach that causes dangerous currents during heavy surf. The barge, which is rusting away with many sharp, jagged metal edges, is totally submerged except on the lowest tides. Many of the surf spots in the Narragansett area are rock bottom breaks without sand beach entry points. Many of the rocks are extremely slippery from natural marine growth, and extra caution should be taken when walking on the black moss covered rocks.
Best Surf Seasons in Rhode Island:
1) Fall
Fall is the best time to be in New England. The nor’easter is a friendly beast. Sometimes born in the Great Lakes, other times forming off the Carolinas, it usually blows right by the southern states only to intensify off the mid-Atlantic, sometimes forming a secondary low for a one-two combination. For a solid day or two, the wind will gust out of the northeast as hard as 30 to 50 mph and stronger. Usually a 3/2 in early fall will do the trick, followed by a 4/3 in short time. By October’s end, you’ll need everything you’ve got. But fall is worth every chill. With late season hurricanes (not unusual) and the ever-popular nor’easter, it’s filled with great visuals and good vibes. Everyone’s excited that summer’s over.
2) Winter
Cold like you’ve never experienced. Ice forming on any exposed facial hair, ice forming on eyebrows, ice on your brain. Water temperature below 32 degrees. Air temps way below zero (add the wind chill factor and you’re looking at 20 to 30 below). Ice and snow chunks floating by you. Water like cement. You think this is B.S.? You have no idea. But there’s a silver lining: the surf. Oh, yes, it can get downright big and nasty. Thick, winter swells forming off the coast from snow-driven nor’easters. Harsh, cold winds blowing hard against the faces of those winter lines.
3) Spring
Spring can bring with it some fine lines to shake off the winter blahs. The sun in your face on a nice spring swell can warm the soul of the coldest heart in town. And by the time May rolls around, the 4/3 you wore last fall will feel like you’re surfing in baggies. Slowly but surely, the rubber peels away: first the hood, then the gloves and finally the booties. But by the time all that rubber disappears, the swells disappear, too.
4) Summer
June, July and August constitute a traditional New England summer. By September, fall is in swing. Show up at The Wall on a typical June day and you’ll be disgusted. If you’re lucky, a Midwestern front has pushed through overnight, leaving a dribbling waist-high windswell. Be patient enough, and wallow through a sweltering July (yes, I said sweltering, for as cold as the winters get, the summers are equally unforgiving) and you might be lucky enough to sample your first New Hampshire groundswell.
Typically, the southern tropical swells hit Rhode Island first and many a surf-starved rider will head south two hours to pick up the first rumblings. Once the swell wraps around Cape Cod, the window is wide open for business. Hurricane swells in New Hampshire bring big, powerful lines, swept clean by light offshore winds and water temperatures up to 70 degrees. If it’s overhead, the points awaken, and you can call this trip all-time.