Meet Jesse
Age: 39
Surfing since: 2020
Home break: Cherry Hill, Nova Scotia
Off the board: Pickleball, trail running, jumping on the trampoline with her kids, finding other reasons to spend time at the beach.
Dream break: White Point, Nova Scotia
Growing up in Newfoundland, Jesse’s favourite season was winter. She grew up near the bottom of a fantastic ski hill where she skied all weekend, every weekend, from the time she was small. She loved playing in the snow and enjoying the crisp winter air.
It’s been a real source of sadness for her that winters have become warmer, and opportunities to skate on ponds, ski, snowshoe, sled, and build snow creations have become few and far between. After moving to Nova Scotia in 2010, she realized she no longer looked forward to winter, and it became important to her to find ways to enjoy the outdoors during winter again.
She took up trail running, then woodworking, then surfing (yes, she took it up so it could be her winter sport), and then indoor rock climbing and bouldering. She still really misses having consistent snow all winter, but she’s found the joy she was looking for by jumping into the ocean during the coldest, darkest time of year.
Her kids love it too, and she’s so glad they’ve found creative ways to thrive during Nova Scotia’s changing winters. It’s been a fun creative challenge.
