So much for the massive Hurricane Lee that would cut off electricity for all of Portland for days. Most of Portland was underwhelmed and the wreckage on land was minimal, but the waves off the coast were anything but that. Surfers were stoked. Waves were projected to reach heights of twenty-five feet off Higgins Beach in Scarborough, ME. There was excitement from the surf community on the water during the days leading up to the storm. The wind was picking up, and the waves were great. It was advised that people stay out of the water on the day of the storm, because it was expected to not be surfable. 

As Saturday morning rolled around, surfers were pumped by the state of the storm and the potential for a rough, but stellar, day on the water. Tanner Long, of South Portland, paddled out to twelve foot waves at Higgins Beach. The rugged waves were only fit for experienced surfers. When asked if it ever felt too sketchy, Long said that he “knows the surf at Higgins.” Knowing the characteristics of the area is important when the conditions are more rough. Overall, the waves at Higgins during Hurricane Lee were “all time,” said Long.

In the summer/fall season there are typically a handful of great surf days; this year’s surf was notably stellar, and Hurricane Lee did not disappoint. Long confirms that “storms like these are ones we look forward to all year.” Despite the prior safety concern, there was no way Long or other locals were going to miss out on surfing Hurricane Lee.