Surfers go to Nova Scotia’s coast as Hurricane Erin stirs up waves

Nova Scotians take advantage of big swells caused by Hurricane Erin.

Hurricane Erin churned offshore, sending powerful swells rolling into Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast and drawing crowds of surfers, photographers and spectators to the beaches.

While signs warned against swimming and lifeguards kept a close watch, surfers were eager to take advantage of the storm-driven waves.

“This is part of our life,” said surfer Kate Lightstone. “Everyone’s come out to watch the surf today, but we’re always tracking, and we’re always sort of keeping our eye on when the surf’s going to be good or bad. Most people here have been surfing for the past couple days, and we’ll probably keep surfing. Today’s just the day it looks the biggest.”

Lightstone said conditions demand both energy and caution.

“Know your limit. That’s like the best tip I can give you,” she said. “We have a lot of people who visit this time of year, or a lot of people that only surf like ten times a year and like the days that it’s really big storm waves is probably not the day you want to take your surfboard out of the garage and give it a shot.”

Others were on the water at first light.

Surfer, Austin O’Donnell said he was in by 7 a.m. and spent four hours riding waves before a short break. “This is what we live for,” he said.

“Everybody on their radar was looking at Erin being like, all right, start making excuses on their old plans and trying to make time for surfing.”

Photographers and wave-watchers lined the coast as well.

Rolend Hackert drove two hours to reach Lawrencetown beach and said it was worth every kilometre. “Love the waves. Love the height. Love the fact that there are so many, and they’re just coming and coming and coming,” he said. “You don’t get opportunities like every day.”

Surfer David Wilson, who arrived later in the afternoon, said it was the first real swell in months.

“It’s the time of year when we start to see swell, but the water’s still warm, so I’ve got to take advantage of it,” he said. “It’s looking pretty big. It’s looking like head and a half at least, maybe some double overhead sets. So that’s big for here, for sure.”

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