East Coast Shred & CT History: Surf Week Highlights
Hey stoke-seekers! What a wild ride in the lineup lately. From East Coast beasts breaking barriers to a 14-year-old rewriting record books, this week packed serious energy. Let's paddle into the action.
First up, NYC surfers were living the dream (or nightmare?) at Rockaway Beach as a nor'easter hammered the coast with 10-foot waves. Bill McGarry drove overnight from Virginia Beach declaring, 'This is about an eight out of ten, worldwide.' But not everyone could handle the pressure—Gabe Neves bailed after five minutes in the washing machine of waves. 'The power is too much!' he admitted. Meanwhile in Marblehead, Spencer Liu was grinning through 43mph winds, calling his local spot 'the best for Nor'easters in the area.' You can catch the full NYC swell saga right here.
While storm chasers were charging, history was being made on the pro tour. Tya Zebrowski just became the youngest surfer ever to qualify for the Championship Tour! At 14, she capped an insane 2025 series—winning the EDP Ericeira Pro and podiuming at the US Open—to earn her CT spot. 'Qualifying is a dream come true,' she said. 'I’m so happy to learn alongside the best.' This France-Tahiti phenom with Rip Curl backing already has her eyes on the 2028 Olympics. Rip Curl's Yann Martin nailed it: 'Her qualification feels completely natural.' Get her full story at Carve Magazine.
But surfing's not all glory. In California, Hurricane Narda's swell gave Scott Muir a life-changing lesson. The 41-year-old was paralyzed when a wave 'crunched' his spine—quick-thinking surfers Judah Ely and Thomas Alspaugh saved him. Muir's fighting back now: 'I have arm mobility. I can move my left leg.' The community rallied with a GoFundMe, and this Air Force vet expressed deep gratitude. 'Thank you so much for the outpouring of support.' It's a raw reminder that the ocean demands respect. You can read his harrowing tale over at 94.9 The Bull.
From East Coast charge sessions to CT history and a powerful comeback story, this week reminds us why we surf—joy, challenge, and those rare moments where it all clicks. Stay tuned, stay safe, and keep chasing that perfect ride!