In case you haven’t realized, this winter the greater New York/New Jersey area has been absolutely full of consistent swell. From the Rockaways to Montauk, as well as in our “brothers in the south’s” state of New Jersey, we’ve had more waves than can be caught by any one man, crew or town population. But don’t worry, you don’t have to keep it a secret.
In actuality, not that many people really care. If the magic 8 ball told you that the waves down the street from your house would resemble a cold water Backdoor in the middle of February, there is not much from stopping you from booking that ticket to Puerto Rico or Costa Rica. That being said, I’m pleased to introduce you to the Cold War warriors — a hand-picked group of frostbitten nut jobs competing in a fresh, two-state surf contest going down this month.
No one charges harder in below zero temperatures than these 16 surfers. These frozen freaks are led by two dedicated jersey heavy weights who need very little of an introduction. Sam hammer and Andrew Gesler.
“The Cold War format looks to, not only be a crowd pleaser, but one of the most enjoyable events I’ve ever competed in. Rivalries in this event are spawn of years of competition in our regions and countless free surf sessions where a brotherhood of one-up-manship is king! To say the least this frigid event is gonna heat up fast and the result will be an epic battle for the ages!” – Andrew Gesler, Team Captain
Below you’ll find the best-of-the-best interrogation responses from Cold War competitors. All interviews conducted by Nick Joeckel.
Mike Gleason
Name. Town. State. Age.
Mike Gleason. West Long Branch, NJ. 31.
Favorite waves in NY and NJ? Favorite party spots?
Love surfing at home and when lido gets big and peaky it’s hard to beat. Jack’s Goal Line stand in Long Branch.
Please describe your best/ worst Montauk experience. The more details the better.
Went there with Frank Walsh and Nelly years ago and scored an undisclosed point break. Was really small in NJ but waves were pumpin’ out east, with only a handful of guys all day.
Pat Schmidt
Name. Town. State. Age.
Pat Schmidt. Manasquan, NJ. 20 years young.
Favorite waves in New York and New Jersey?
NJ: Manasquan Inlet. NY: I can’t say Charlie Weimar might beat me up.
Leif Engstrom was selected to the Cold War comp, not only as the only Montauk surfer, but as the only surfer from the East End of Long Island. What are your thoughts having him as a teammate? What will it be like having to surf against him?
Leif is one of my favorite surfers and all around favorite humans. So incredibly underrated in my book. Psyched to have him on my team.
Gloveless into December? I’ll take it ✋? @incittiinthesea
A photo posted by Pat Schmidt (@patschmidt) on
Balaram Stack
Name. Town. State. Age.
Balaram Stack. Long Beach, New York. 24 years young.
Any surfers in particular on the opposing team you wanna take down? And why?
Gesler is going down!! Hah because he is a goofy footer I’ve always looked up to and watched — learning airs and barrels in all that rubber.
Please describe your best/ worst Montauk experience. The more details the better.
My best would have to be surfing an outer sandbar when i was about 15 in what had been at the time the biggest waves of my life. St. Patrick’s day with Sean Killarney, Will Skudin, Timmy Turner and Ryan Carlson. I think I only caught one wave and I was so amped because the paddle out alone was freezing and long, so to get one of the biggest waves of my life was like a bonus to being out there. I think the worst has to be from the local Miami-influenced watering hole… putting down a few too many, involving law enforcement and lots of whiskey. Details are not needed in that one.
Water angle from @ryanmackphoto yesterday. Love you el nino
A video posted by Balaram Stack (@_balaram) on
Tommy Ihnken
Name. Town. State. Age.
Thomas Ihnken. NJ. 24.
In three words describe what it means to be selected as one of the top 16 surfers in New York n New Jersey.
Extremely f*cking honored.
Your thoughts on the importance of the NY/NJ brotherhood and/or rivalry?
I think it’s extremely important. We both feed off each other’s energy in the water and I get amped every time I get a chance to surf with those guys.
Leif Engstrom was selected to the Cold War comp, not only as the only Montauk surfer, but as the only surfer from the East End of Long Island. What are your thoughts having him as a teammate? What will it be like having to surf against him?
Guy’s surfing is next level. He’s the full package, not to mention a legend on land. I’m stoked he’s invited — he deserves it just as much as anybody!
Lil guys with @russory_ @incittiinthesea ?
A photo posted by thomas ihnken (@mister_tickle_hands) on
Zach Humphreys
Name. Town. State. Age.
Zack Humphreys. Margate, NJ. 26.
Any surfers in particular on the opposing team you wanna take down? And why?
The whole Team Hammer. Haha. Team Gesler all the way. It’s gonna be rad to be on teams in an event because then it makes it really fun as a group.
What have you boys been up to prior to the waiting period? Traveling? Raging? Training? Surfing Jaws lefts?
I spent a bunch of time this winter in Canada. So many good waves. Then been home the last couple swells surfing with the boys and working for my pops when there been no waves. This winter seems to be non-stop waves, so everyone in the Cold War is going to be ready because of how good a winter it’s been.
Coming soon the #coldwarsurf contest. Gonna be a rad event. @coldwarsurf
A video posted by Zack Humphreys (@hurricane_humphreys) on
Rob Kelly
Name. Town. State. Age.
Rob Kelly. Ocean City, NJ. 26 years old.
Any good stories you’d like to share about team captains, Hammer or Gesler? Maybe something to get them fired up before the contest?
Gesler probably won’t admit it but I think he’s still got some fire inside from the last Grudge Match when he lost to Sam in the quarters. The Grudge Match meant so much to the NJ guys back in the day and I’m sure this contest will just continue from there. Knowing the type of guy Gesler is, he’s probably salivating at the mouth to get redemption and take Hammer down now that’s he’s got another opportunity. And I think he will!
Please describe your best/ worst Montauk experience. The more details the better.
Wow, a lot of good Montauk memories from the day’s going there for ESA regionals as a grom to more recent times on promo tours with Billabong. Whenever we cruise through town, the whole Montauk crew always makes sure to show us a good time. Most of the time, too good of a time.
A video posted by Rob Kelly (@robkellysurf) on
Will Skudin
Name. Town. State. Age.
Will Skudin. Long Beach, NY. 30.
Your thoughts on the importance of the NY/NJ brotherhood and/or rivalry?
Whichever way the wind blows determines where we surf, so keeping your friends close in different areas of the north east is important to maximizing your surf sessions. Us east coasters got to stick together, I’ve always looked at it as a brotherhood.
Haha, yeah, surfing Jaws left and chasing El Niño. It’s been one heck of a year — stoked to be alive.
Please describe your best/ worst Montauk experience. The more details the better.
Best experience was St. Patty’s day swell about 10 years ago the biggest, coldest & heaviest NY I have ever been a part of. I didn’t know that Montauk’s outer sandbars could look like an outer reef in Hawaii. Mind blown. Still waiting on another day like that!
A photo posted by Will Skudin (@whitewaterwilly) on
Leif Engstrom
Name. Town. State. Age.
Leif Engstrom. Montauk, NY. 27.
You stoked to be invited to this contest?
I’m pretty excited that I got picked for this. I definitely think there should be a handful of other guys from my area that should be in it, but all-in-all I think it’s a really cool idea. I think the only other contest somewhat like this was the Red Bull cold water event 8 years ago or so. Hopefully this will encourage other companies to do events like this more often.
Favorite surfer at home?
Charlie Weimar because… have you ever seen that man brink a beer? Pretty impressive, plus the guy charges and gets huge barrels all winter. And Chris Harman, another guy who’s knows how to ride the tube, plus the guy got a cover on Surfer Magazine. That’s pretty mind blowing if you ask me. He’s a real humble guy.
Your thoughts on the importance of the NY/NJ brotherhood and/or rivalry?
My thoughts on the NY vs NJ rivalry… hm, I would say there is none really — those guys have always been real cool to me. I would say there’s more of a rivalry amongst Northern Jersey and Southern Jersey, I’m just caught up in the middle of it :).
Favorite waves in NJ?
My favorite wave in Jersey… God, I feel like the guys over there will kill me for it. But if you really want to know check out those videos that Alex DePhillipo has been putting out. I think you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’ve been seeing some funny snapchats from the kids in Jersey. I can’t tell if they have just been partying all winter or getting really barreled. I think up until last year, every time I went to Jersey, I broke a board surfing some closeout or got stuck in traffic for 10hrs coming home. But that’s what’s surfing the east coast is all about ;).
What have you been doing prior to the waiting period for the Cold War event? Surfing? Partying? Dancing? Yoga?
I’ve been in Puerto Rico since November. I can’t recall the last time we had such a consistent winter. So I guess you could say I’ve been training, but not having to wear suit all season might be a big downfall in surfing this contest ?.
You were selected for the Cold War contest not only as the only Montauk surfer, but as the only surfer from the East End of Long Island. Thoughts on it?
It’s pretty cool being the only surfer from the East End, but like I said before, there’s definitely a bunch of kids that deserve a shot at this contest. Maybe next year there will be a couple more spots so there’s no controversy.
A video posted by Leif Engstrom (@leifnotleaf) on