Rye, New Hampshire
Surfing in New England is great fun, and our girls love it! It turns out they are very adventurous and willing to try a variety of endeavors. Every summer we head up to Rye, New Hampshire, because the beaches have friendly surf, plenty of space to spread out, parking, and a surf shop to rent boards and wet suits, if you need.
Our girls both started with one quick lesson, then were on their way! We pack a picnic and spend the entire day in the surf and sand. (Disclaimer: the moms are on the sand under an umbrella, and the kids are in the surf.) Because we are so far north, a wet suit makes spending so much time in the water much more pleasant.
Who would have thought surfing was so popular in New England? As West Coast natives, we thought we owned the surfing thing. Boy, were we wrong. The surf shops are full of professionals who have travelled the world in search of the perfect wave, and they’re terrific teachers! You don’t have to be a talented athlete to pick up surfing. Both our girls are dancers and picked it up quite easily, although their agility, balance, and strong core were undoubtedly helpful.
There are lots of surfing shops in the area, from Surfari in Manchester-by-the-Sea http://standuppaddlesurfari.com, to Cinnamon Rainbows http://cinnamonrainbows.com and Summer Sessions http://www.newhampshiresurf.com on the New Hampshire coast. If surfing is not your thing, you can also rent paddle boards from these shops.
Meanwhile, the boys find plenty to do, playing in the sand, building sand castles, and jumping small waves. It turns out they don’t love surfing.
If you’re a New Englander, what’s your favorite surfing spot?
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