After my family moved from Western Massachusetts to Reading, MA, my mom would take me to the North Shore beaches. Usually I’d bring a friend, and frequently, we’d get other friends and families together at the beach. My dad taught me how to bodysurf, and I’ve been doing it ever since. Our favorite spot was Good Harbor, for the consistently good waves. When my family moved to Norwood, we spent most of our beach time at Nantasket on the South Shore. In Massachusetts, I’ve been to Crane, Wingaersheek, Nantasket, Horseneck, Salisbury, Good Harbor, Singing Beach, and others. In New Hampshire, I’ve been to Rhy and Hampton. And in Maine, I’ve been to Kennebunk and Wells.

In 2006, I took up skimboarding and mailordered a large, wooden board from Victoria Skimboards. So in addition to bodysurfing and throwing the frisbee, I’ve got another beach activity that leaves me with no time for relaxing on the towel. Often, during the summer, after work, I rush up to Good Harbor in Gloucester to get an hour or two of skimboarding time before dark. Then I can’t help but eat those sweet, Essex fried clams at the local spots. I’ve got to cut back on that. On the way back down Rt. 128 from the North Shore beaches is an ice cream stand that my dad used to love–Cherry Hill in Danvers. He’s since cut way back on ice cream. I rediscovered it and now it’s always tempting to pull over and “sample” one of their many delicious flavors.