INDIAN RIVER INLET, Del. -- It was just after sunrise yesterday when Harry Wilson hit the beach here at Delaware Seashore State Park. With barely a cloud in the sky, the air temperature was a teeth-chattering 22 degrees, the ocean temperature was practically balmy at almost 50 and the incoming tide was pushing long, slow, perfectly spaced 4- to 5-foot waves.
Obviously, it was an ideal day for surfing.
Even record-breaking low temperatures didn't discourage Wilson from going ahead with the 20th annual Ho Ho Surf Off.
"This is a celebration of local surfers who surf all year 'round," said Wilson, the Delaware chief of the Eastern Surfing Association, which sanctioned the four-hour competition. "You've got to be pretty hard-core to not miss the good waves at Ocean City or Rehoboth because our best are always in the fall and winter. This is really all about the waves."
Over two decades, the locals have never hesitated to brave the elements, and weather has never canceled an event. But a few times, the waves just wouldn't cooperate. Two years ago, postponements three weeks in a row in December meant the Ho Ho was put off until May.
Competitive surfers in 12 categories can't afford to miss an event and still remain in the running for regional and East Coast awards that are based on cumulative totals. Top surfers also need to keep their rankings in order to maintain sponsorships for free boards and other equipment from manufacturers and surf shops.
For those who aren't in the top ranks, the Ho Ho and similar events still have appeal, said 49-year-old Joe Jelks, who rarely misses an opportunity to surf.
"I'm not much into competition. I do it for the exercise," says Jelks, a Lewes, Del., resident. "We're all just people who drop everything if the waves are good."
Over the years, the Ho Ho tournament has been blessed with monster surf, surprised by unseasonably warm weather, and blasted with snow, sleet and 50-mph winds. But it's waves that matter, not the weather.
Surfers are protected head to toe by wet suits as thick as 6 millimeters, including shoes, gloves and hoods. Yesterday, surfers were warmer in the water than on the beach.
Their gear has improved greatly over the years, say longtime winter surfers like Bill Helmuth, a real estate broker from Ocean Pines.