Montauk Majesty
Fun Surf and Extravagant Food
by Zach Weisberg

Where else in the world does the local crew end a surf session at a granite-topped bar eating Alaskan King Crab Legs, Filet Mignon, and fresh oysters with a round of Patron on the house? Montauk, NY. That’s where.

Rhetorical questions aside, I must admit I’ve never been to a place like Montauk. It’s aesthetically gorgeous, groomed by an unimaginably large wallet, and offers some of New York’s best waves. Of course, getting there is half the battle; We got so lost in New York City it’s a wonder we made it here at all.

When we finally did roll into town, pumpkin patches and golden fall colors splashed the streets, and our host, Tripoli Patterson, local pro surfer and art curator (Oxymoron? Apparently not) was waiting at Montauk Point suited up with board in hand, ready to charge chest to head high rollers beside the scenic cliffs and towering lighthouse.

The rocks and deep-water warbles inferred a seriousness that most of the waves we had surfed thus far didn’t have. The unleashing of the 4/3 and 5 mil boots only reinforced the northern intimidation factor.

But Tripoli was so nonchalant as he skipped across the jagged cliffs and into the rock-spattered lineup I followed suit without thinking much about it. The wave reminded me of sloping San Clemente in much colder water, and we shared it with the local crew (most of whom had beards) until the lighthouse burped its foghorn.

We then met the majority of the lineup at a local 5-star restaurant, which I guess is normal, and indulged in far-and-away the most extravagant cuisine of the trip. Despite the formal nature of our surroundings the bar erupted with small-town familiarity, calling each other out and laughing about old surf trips. The manager’s father even shaped Tripoli his first custom board. Half of Tripoli’s food was courtesy of the house.

And tomorrow we roll onward to Rhode Island, possibly intersecting with yet another swell in another day. This trip couldn’t have gotten any better if we planned it…

- Zach Weisberg
Online Editor

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