Frozen sea spray to the face, bare feet standing in fresh snow, big laughs and smiles between gritted teeth and the defroster running on high in rusty old trucks…just to name a few things that make surfing in the New England winter so unique, and so painfully rewarding.

Arguably, every surfer in New England knows there are perfect, tropical waves to be had anywhere in the world at any given time - and often in an inexpensive, secluded paradise… yet we all find ourselves chasing the all too often unpredictable, smaller-than-forecasted, and frigid sessions that come with winter in Maine. However, occasionally a storm will roll through that makes all the frostbite worthwhile - and everyone will remember those waves for years. It’s a community that displays patience, resilience, and gratitude for what we’ve got. In a community like that, you’re bound to have a collection of amazing men and women in the lineup.

One of those amazing human beings you might encounter in the lineup is Andy Benckart, the “Steel City Surfer.” I met Andy through a friend and we shared a frozen surf session in Old Orchard Beach a few years ago. Andy’s story with addiction, recovery, and love of the ocean is nothing short of inspirational - so I decided to share a short interview with him. -Max Ablicki

MA: Tell me a bit about yourself, and the name “Steel city surfer”

AB: My name is Andy Benckart. I grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. Most of my formative life was spent in that area. However, every summer I would travel to Long Island, New york. Now well known for Lido Beach and Long beach which is where I grew up swimming, boogie boarding and surfing. I learned to swim in the ocean. It was the first thing I connected to. Steel city surfer is a homage to my hometown and recognizing my weird roots as an avid surfer. I was enamored and considered unlike my peers for my deep need to be in the water and in the ocean. I created the username as a way to try to come to terms with two extremes. A landlocked avid surfer.

MA: What does the ocean mean for you?

AB: The ocean has always felt like a part of me that was missing. My first true connection and addiction was the ocean. I would spend 6 to 8 hours a day as a kid. When I wasn't around it I felt like a part of me was missing. Everything in my life has had a connection to the ocean, good and bad. When it was bad it was the thing that made me feel hope and meaning. When my life is good it has always found a way to humble me. Most of the times in the water and when surfing I say “The ocean will give me what I need”

“The ocean has always felt like a part of me that was missing. My first true connection and addiction was the ocean. ”

— Andy Benckart

MA: What can you say about your struggle with addiction and journey to sobriety?

AB: I was an anxious and uncomfortable kid. I found solace and addictively was in the ocean and video games. The latter was more accessible to me than the other. However when I turned 17 I had my first drink. I lead a downward spiral till 22. This included multiple major events. Getting kicked out of school, slowly cutting off from my family and friends and many relationships I'll never be able to fully mend and people hurt. My journey ended as many of ours do with rock bottom mentally and emotionally. I couldn't go forward and I had no cards left to play. The dice had rolled for their last time. I chose the 3rd path. From there it was a year of treatment including a wilderness program then a relapse before I truly found my feet in this world.

MA: In what ways does surfing help support your sobriety and bring fulfillment, and do you have any advice or words for people looking for the same support in their own life or their own sobriety?

AB: Surfing is a great sport for life and for sobriety. It gives me everything. As well to surf at a high level you need to be spiritually, mentally and physically all aligned. This requires me to work on my own sobriety before I even step into the water. I work on myself in meetings, therapy and the gym to be ready for the ocean. If one of those aren't aligned I am reminded of which. I either surf poorly, or I'm in my head, or I'm not in it for the right reasons. True sobriety and true surfing is being present in the now. The unalignment of all these things in the ocean helps my own sobriety by showing me which I need to work on that week or that year. The ocean and surfing is much like using. It has high highs and low lows. You can have the wave of the day one second and be taking 7 waves on the head in 38 degree water the next. It not only has helped me put my intense mind to good use it also feeds that need for chaos but it is safe.

My main advice for people in sobriety and or contemplating it, is like surfing. Pick your wave. You will learn through trial and error what wave is right for your life and style. We can spend years being cleaned up and closed out before we catch whatever wave is supposed to take us to shore.

Even the best surfer is at the will of the ocean