As East Coast surfers know, summer swells can be unpredictable, and Hurricane Ernesto wasn’t the biggest, but it certainly delivered some memorable moments. Depending on where you were, you might have caught a glimpse of perfection amidst the waves.
Summer on the East Coast often follows a familiar rhythm. The lingering chill of spring gives way to the warmth of June, bringing life back to both land and sea. Long daylight hours are filled with early summer swells, boating with drinks in hand, bluefish fishing, and starting that seasonal side hustle. The afternoon winds reliably blow from the south, only to calm down in the evening. This is followed by the much-anticipated annual festivals—whether they’re focused on seafood, music, or art—two weeks of non-stop fireworks around July 4th, and mornings spent surfing or fishing, culminating in a community surf event.
With our lives now captured on devices, digital memories resurface year after year at the same time. By mid-August, chances are you’ve got a few hurricane swell photos saved from previous summers. And this year, Ernesto added to that collection.
Mid-August hurricanes typically aren’t the most destructive. Ernesto, apart from causing flooding in Puerto Rico and brushing past Bermuda, stayed on its best behavior—out at sea. For surfers, it meant days of surf along the Caribbean, East Coast, and even Canada. Ernesto was closely watched for a week before being named on August 12. It fluctuated between a Category 2 hurricane and a tropical storm before settling back into a hurricane as it made its way across the Atlantic towards Europe.
While Ernesto didn’t deliver the kind of legendary surf that cements itself in hurricane lore, it did provide some fun waves. For many, the swell was accompanied by sideshore winds, backwash, and long-period closeouts—not to mention the crowded lineups as everyone tried to catch the same set waves near jetties and piers. On the bright side, the storm never made landfall on the mainland, so there was no need to help friends tear out saltwater-soaked carpets in the sweltering heat.
Four-day swells aren’t common on the East Coast, so when they do come, surfers make the most of them. Despite the challenges—southerly breezes and tricky waves—there were still those glassy windows and perfect corners to be found. For those who ventured out, Ernesto provided a solid score, reminiscent of past Augusts.
As the hurricane season progresses, with the Atlantic waters now nearly boiling, more swells are expected. Late August and September promise to bring even more photos and memories to your digital archive. Let’s hope for more “fish storms” that stay offshore—nobody needs a selfie with the Red Cross.
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