The 50 Best Photos of an East Coast December

Gearing up to be the first one out during an early morning daw patrol. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

From the last big swell of the year in Monmouth County. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

This is beginning of a good time. Photo: Pat Nolan

Made the drop, now to get in the right spot. Photo: Pat Nolan

Just about there… Photo: Pat Nolan

Made it! Photo: Pat Nolan

Traveling. Photo: Pat Nolan

Time to celebrate. Photo: Pat Nolan

Alex Brooks going for a switch stance barrel in Monmouth County. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Austin Deppe on a little nugget. Photo: Nick Denny

Shooting through the foam with Alton Lutz. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Lineup. Photo: RyanStruck

An empty slab gets highlighted by spots of sun in Monmouth County. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

The only thing missing in this shot is you, missing out. Photo: Pat Nolan

Mike Gleason, full wrap. Photo: Pat Nolan

This is what it looks like to surf above the clouds. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Travis Beckmann in a thick one. Photo: Pat Nolan

Travis Beckmann, dark and stormy. Photo: Pat Nolan

Shawn Zappo doing his best zombie impression while longboarding. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Rob Kelly, racing. Photo: Pat Nolan

Wouldn't you like to be here? Photo: Pat Nolan

No takers on a dumping one. Photo: Pat Nolan

Shawn Zappo lining up the wave of the day in Monmouth County. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Empty perfection. Photo: Pat Nolan

Brian Bednarek clocking in his tube time for the day. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Chris Kelly, dumping speed. Photo: Pat Nolan

The last time we had waves we went to a spot up north that was super crowded so we wanted to find a uncrowded sandbar this time. We were literally the only ones out the whole time. Photo: Nick Denny

December 15th somewhere in Maryland. Photo: Nick Denny

Waldon Remington gets more stoked on surfing than anyone I know. Photo: Nick Denny

Watching a storm brew from inside the tube in Bradley Beach. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Shawn Zappo doing some logging in the snow. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Seth Conboy is always trying to get work done. He called me up a few days before and was amping on the fact that we were going to have some waves while he was home on winter break. Currently living in Florida, he's been missing the power of the Mid-Atlantic. Photo: Nick Denny

Shane Hueth on by far the biggest wave of the day. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Vince Boulanger was killing it. Even with a bum ankle, he was getting more waves and deeper than anyone else. Photo: Nick Denny

Tom Petriken finding some shade. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

The forecast was calling for clean, waist/chest-high surf with some bigger sets. Which ended up being chest to head with some overhead sets. Photo: Nick Denny

Seth on his backside. Photo: Nick Denny

Aviad Sasi paddled out by himself right when we all decided to take a break and get some food. Photo: Nick Denny

Unknown surfer making his way out for one last ride. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

Hunter Adams. Photo: RyanStruck

Here he is again on his backside. Photo: Nick Denny

What's left of my favorite surf spot after this year's beach replenishment in Monmouth County. Photo: Christor Lukasiewicz

The size dropped for the afternoon session but still some drainers. Photo: Nick Denny

Everyone was getting barreled...and everyone ate shit. Photo: Nick Denny

The swell was out of the southeast which was producing some really long, open rights. But every once in a while, a left like this would come in. Austin Gerachis, taking advantage. Photo: Nick Denny

Waldon, again, on his backhand. Photo: Nick Denny

Vince B pulling in. Photo: Nick Denny

The morning was cloudy and it rained on and off so I decided to paddle out. After getting a few waves and breaking my board in half, I decided it was time to get some pics. Photo: Nick Denny

Lots of empties. Photo: Nick Denny

Seth Conboy ended up tweaking his back on this one after hitting the bottom. Welcome home Seth. Photo: Nick Denny