Strong north winds and little to no ice make for 'remarkable' P.E.I. winter surf season

Surfers in Prince Edward Island say mild winter conditions have made for a "remarkable" season this winter.

"For there to be next to no sea ice ... that was really something unique," said Andrew MacLaine, co-owner of the Rustico Surf Club based in North Rustico, P.E.I.

MacLaine remembers months of sea ice when he was growing up. The North Shore was typically not accessible from January until the end of March.

This winter, however, was different. With a strong north wind and little to no ice in the water, conditions were perfect for a cold plunge.

"We were able to actually surf because there were few barriers," MacLaine said.

While it's been a great season, he said the surfing community on the Island still remains small.

You have to be drawn to this adverse weather experience and be up for a lot of cold, hypothermic times.— Andrew MacLaine

That's because the cold can keep people out of the water.

"P.E.I. has cold water all year around. For people to get into the surf community and take up the sport here, you have to be drawn to this adverse weather experience and be up for a lot of cold, hypothermic times."

According to an online database that tracks sea temperatures around the world, Cavendish Beach, about 11 kilometres northwest of North Rustico as the crow flies, is currently about -0.5 C. In August, the water reaches an average temperature of 18.2 C.

On the other side of the country in Tofino, a surfing destination on B.C.'s Vancouver Island, the water temperature is currently 9.2 C, but its average August temperature only reaches 12.8 C.

WATCH | 'It's amazing to be out in the water':

Rustico Surf Club chasing winter waves on P.E.I.’s North Shore

2 years ago

Duration 6:21

P.E.I. is known as a summer tourist destination, but local surfers are showing how the colder months bring on the best surf conditions. CBC reporter Mikee Mutuc joins them as they search for winter waves along the Island province’s iconic shoreline.

P.E.I's frigid conditions are part of what makes it special to surf here, MacLaine said. He also appreciates the lack of crowds.

"The warm water surfing destinations ... are too crowded," he said. "P.E.I. will never get to that point."

MacLaine recommends that people not go surfing by themselves but find a surfing buddy for safety.

The members of the Rustico Surf Club are a friendly bunch, he said.

He said Island surfers are friendly and happy to help out beginners with spare gear like wetsuits, boots or gloves.

"We usually have extra boards kickin' around if people wanna give it a shot."