Swamped in America’s Party Capital

by Jack Lemke (United States of America)

I didn't expect to find USA

Whether on Hawaii's North Shore or Australia's Gold Coast, surfers are commonly known for kicking back with a beer after a long session. However, in New Orleans, Louisiana… the beers are the session. Growing up in Southern California, I fell into the common fallacy of taking the ocean for granted. Subsequently, when I moved to Louisiana, not once did I second guess my decision to abandon the Pacific Ocean. As a young guy, it was the New Orleans party culture and Mardi Gras spirit that pulled me into this Cajun part of America. However, as the years went by, and my hangovers became increasingly worse, I eventually sought more out of this hectic party city. To my surprise, I found some waves. Located in between Texas and Mississippi, and known as the "outdoorsman's state," Louisiana has a deep southern flavor spiced by the regions swamplands and diverse colonial history. Initially founded by the French in the 18th century, Louisiana has always been a strategic piece of land with the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico acting as the region's industry hotspots. In the southeast corner of the state lies New Orleans, a city still recovering from 2005's Hurricane Katrina that's home to about 400,000 people ranging from world-renowned Jazz Artists to Culinary Superstars. While most visit this city to drink, listen, and dine. A rag-tag group of surfers has used modern forecasting to track storms that produce fickle, but pumping waves. The essential reason why I never expected to find waves in Louisiana is that Alabama and Florida have always been the Gulf Coasts' beacons of surfing. However, it is Louisiana's own Pontcha Surf Club that has been holding down the local surf scene since 2012. While Pontcha is a relatively unknown surf company, the brand is the epitome of Louisiana Surf. Lowkey, lighthearted, and creative. With most members living in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Houma, the club has made Grand Isle, LA, their local spot. And what a vibrant spot it is. The drive to Grand Isle consists of sprawling bridges over swampland to what is eventually Louisiana's last inhabited barrier island. Composed of 1,464 residents living in brightly painted houses on raised stilts, and practically no surfers, Grand Isle is your ticket to an uncrowded lineup. In fact, some of the club members recently scored peeling right-hand barrels during Tropical Storm Nestor. With head-high waves and spots like Joe Bob's Gas and Grill for a post-surf fried chicken and beer, I felt like I had just found gold when I first surfed Grand Isle. Not to mention, the local crowd consists of extremely hospitable people who promote a culture of sharing waves, boards, and smiles. Grand Isle and other Gulf spots are currently entering their yearly period of best surf with head-high waves being relatively common from January to March. You can even check the forecast for Grand Isle and other spots on Surfline. Not to mention, New Orleans has plenty of partying to do when the swell dies down. Consequently, I highly suggest taking a look at the forecast for Cajun country next time you are in the south.