Big Waves Challenge Surfers at the Cove

-Story by Joe Pace

In what is becoming an annual occasion here in December, huge waves rolled in today. Challenging the courage, or foolishness, of daredevil surfers. When I arrived at the Cove today around 11am the waves were easily double and sometimes triple overhead. Big Wave warnings were announced on the radio. Surf forecasting websites have been tracking this swell prior to its arrival today. To truly appreciate a swell like this, you have to see it from a location that can handle the size of the swell. Places like The Cove or at Culumet park which has Hannamonds break, simmon's reef also comes to mind. Those breaks have deep water reefs that don't even allow for the waves to break until the waves get a certain size, which usually well over 6'. It's at these types of locations that you can observe and appreciate the immense power of how big these waves are. Not to be taken lightly these conditions have led to deaths in the past and most likey will in the future. But as an observer, one can't help but appreciate nature in one of its most dynamic moments.

all pictures copyrighted by Joe Pace