When I look back on my fifty-state surfing adventure, the thing that sticks out the most isn’t the waves or the places—it’s the surprises. The moments I never saw coming, the ones that flipped my expectations completely upside down. And trust me, there were a lot of those.
For starters, let’s talk about North Dakota. I know what you’re thinking: North Dakota and surfing don’t exactly belong in the same sentence. Honestly, I thought the same thing. But when I found myself standing on the banks of the Missouri River, watching a tiny wave peel over a shallow sandbar, I realized I’d been underestimating this whole state. The wave was small, sure, but rideable. And the real surprise? The locals. A couple of fishermen pulled up while I was suiting up, and instead of laughing at me, they were genuinely curious. They even offered tips on the best spots to paddle out.
Then there was Oklahoma, which completely blindsided me. I’d planned to surf a lake near Tulsa that sometimes gets decent wind swells, but when I got there, the water was flat—like glass-flat. I was ready to call it a bust when a storm rolled in out of nowhere. Within minutes, the wind kicked up, and the lake transformed into this chaotic mess of chop and whitecaps. It wasn’t ideal, but it was surfable. I paddled out, and for the next hour, I had this weirdly incredible session in the middle of a thunderstorm. It was one of those moments where you realize that nature doesn’t care about your schedule—it just does its thing, and you have to roll with it.
Utah was another big surprise, but not for the reasons you might think. I’d heard about wave pools there, so I figured that’s where I’d end up surfing. But as I was driving through the state, I stumbled across this stretch of the Green River that looked like something out of a postcard. It wasn’t on my list, and I had no idea if it was surfable, but I decided to check it out anyway. Turns out, it had this tiny standing wave tucked away in a bend. It wasn’t big or perfect, but it was quiet and beautiful, and for a few hours, it felt like the entire world had paused.
One of the most heartwarming surprises came in Arkansas. I was at a small lake, trying to surf a wake created by a passing boat. I wasn’t having much luck, and to be honest, I felt pretty ridiculous. But then this family on a pontoon boat came by, and they offered to drive circles around me so I could catch a proper wave. For the next hour, we laughed and cheered each other on, and by the end, they invited me to join them for dinner at their cabin. It was one of those reminders that this journey wasn’t just about surfing—it was about connection, too.
And I can’t talk about surprises without mentioning Florida. You’d think the Sunshine State would be predictable—warm water, good waves, easy vibes. But I happened to be there during the peak of manatee season. Imagine this: you’re paddling out in crystal-clear water, and suddenly, this massive, gentle creature glides underneath your board. At first, I was terrified—I thought it was a shark! But then I saw its sweet, goofy face, and I just sat there, completely mesmerized. It’s one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had in the water.
Not all the surprises were good, though. In Nevada, I was trying to surf at Lake Tahoe, and the water was so cold it felt like knives on my skin. My wetsuit wasn’t thick enough, and within minutes, I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes. I had to bail before I even caught a wave. It was a harsh reminder that not every attempt is going to work out, and sometimes, you just have to cut your losses and move on.
But even the tough moments taught me something. They reminded me to stay flexible, to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all, and to appreciate the little wins. Like, yeah, maybe I didn’t catch a wave in Nevada, but I still got to paddle out on one of the most stunning lakes in the country. That’s a win in my book.
Looking back, the surprises were what made this whole journey so memorable. They were the moments that forced me out of my comfort zone, the ones that made me see things differently. And honestly, that’s what adventure is all about, right? It’s about stepping into the unknown, embracing the unexpected, and coming out the other side with stories you never thought you’d tell.
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