Surfing is a unique hobby that can easily become a lifelong passion, taking those it consumes worldwide while teaching individual lessons. However, the beauty of surfing is that while it's an individual activity, it is about community and relationships at its core. Get a crash course on how to surf and the local surfing world here in New Hampshire. Throughout this week, you will learn how to surf (if you already know how to surf, then you'll become a better surfer), learn about surfboard design and how boards are made, build a surfboard with a local shaper, and learn about how surfing can develop connections with our environment and local communities.
Day 1: Introduction to Surfing and Design
To kick off project week, students dived into the history and culture of surfing. The morning began with an engaging session featuring videos and a slideshow, offering a journey through different decades of surfing. Beginning with the 1960s students examined the evolution of surfing from the 1960s to the 2000s. In addition, Mr. Riffe discussed the importance of technique and fundamentals from basic waves to advanced. Throughout the week, students will have the opportunity to collaborate with Mr. Riffe's' friend, Mikey Evans, a well accomplished surfer who traveled from New Zealand to New Hampton to help share his knowledge on surfing. Shifting to the afternoon, students were able to interact with Mikey who shared great insights into the unique surfboard designs. Discussion focused on the design and shaping of a board along with the importance of fins. Following the engaging discussion, students were divided into two groups. This activity focused on creativity as groups workshopped logos and board design. The mission is for groups to take their creativity to the surfing bay and construct a surfboard!
Day 2: Introduction to Shaping and the New Hampshire Coast
Starting the day bright and early, with a quick Dunkin' Donuts run, we rolled into Hampton, New Hampshire, for a hands-on surfboard crafting session with Mikey. Everyone was split into two groups, with one crew getting into the basic fundamentals of design and shaping alongside Mikey. The other group hit the road to check out different surf spots in New Hampshire. Mikey guided them through the process, from measurements and drawing lines for cutting to the essential sanding for that smooth finish. Post-sanding, the groups were gearing up to cut out their boards, moving one step closer to seeing their own surfboards take shape.
Day 3: Shaping Surfboards and Visiting a Local Surf Shop
Today we visited a surf shop called Cinnamon Rainbows in North Hampton, NH and looked at all the different kinds of surfboards, wetsuits, clothing items, and more. We had fun skipping rocks and viewing some surfers catch waves in the freezing water. It was impressive for them to stay in the water for that long too. We also learned how to use a plainer, an electric sander, a handsaw, and more, to shape blanks into different types of surfboards that we will be using on a later day. Today was a very cool experience trying new things and learning different skills that are unique. We can't wait to get in the water soon with the boards we constructed.
Day 4: Cycling and Indoor surfing.
On Thursday, we started the day with a workout that included quick cycling and stretching session to prepare us for surfing later in the day. Once we arrived at the destination, Sky Venture Indoor Skydiving, in Nashua, NH. Once the instructor started the water, we boogie board as a group and everyone had lots of fun. After Boogie Boarding, the group had 1 hour to surf. Following an awesome time surfing, everyone enjoyed a great dinner at Chick-fil-a!
Day 5: Final Touches on Surf Board
Today, we drove down to Hampton beach to complete the two surfboards both groups had been shaping all week. In Mikey's surfing bay, we sanded and shaped the rails of the board and cut down the stringer in the middle of the board to match the height of the surface of the board. We also drove around to more surf spots along the coast and headed to a few beaches near Rye. Griffin, Jaedyn, Hayden, and JJ completed a polar plunge and dove into the freezing ocean. In the afternoon, we walked around Portsmouth. We visited surf shops and local stores in the downtown area. At the end of the day, we all met at Flatbread Pizza and had dinner as a group before driving back to campus. The Pizza was great and everyone left Portsmouth full!