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Healing for Ham

Nico here! About a month ago I sprained my ankle while surfing. It’s such a bummer to have began my summer that way but when I do get back out on the Hamboards I know that the Huntington Hop will probably be my go to. This board is amazing for cruising and still super responsive for easy cutting and turning. It’s no fun to be healing through my favorite season and it is quite a challenge to stay off my Hamboard. Although I'm not back out Hamming yet, I am able to (sort of) surf. Lucky for me, I'm a longboarder and it’s a bit more forgiving when you have a sprained ankle and slow popup.

I recently had an amazing morning at Rockaway with photographer, Jorge Quinteros. I'm not used to being in front of the camera and thankfully, Jorge appreciated that. He was there to capture the "usual" surf routine. He met me at my car and the photos began from the moment  I was getting my board off the roof.

When Jorge shared the photos with me it was so interesting to see those moments that are usually missed. Something as simple as crossing the street with the sun still rising and carrying a surfboard makes you realize surfing isn't just about catching a wave; it's everything from waking up with stoke in the morning to lying in bed, with sand engrained in your scalp at the end of the day.

-Nico

Photos by Jorge Quinteros, http://jorgeq.com

Always Board, Never Bored.

My name is Nico and I’m writing to you as a Hambassador. Hamming became part of my life about a year ago, fitting with my life motto beautifully- always board, never bored. After college I moved from the New Jersey home I grew up in to Brooklyn and it was a bit of a culture shock. I grew up in a lake town where my summers were spent wakeboarding and water skiing and my winters were spent snowboarding at our closest hill, Mountain Creek. Being outside and taking advantage of each season and the sport it has to offer has always kept me sane. When I relocated to Brooklyn my board culture took a bit of a turn.

The city is an incredible place, but you need to find your vibe. There is so much diversity, culture and hustle and it’s easy to get a bit lost. It’s like being pushed under a wave; you get tossed and turned and tugged around, but eventually, you find your way to the surface and everything makes sense again.

I realized after being pushed and shoved around by the city that what I needed to do was get into the board sports that were available to me. Rockaway Beach is a quick 30 minute drive away so I started surfing more than I ever had. Every weekend (and even some mornings before work) I would make my escape- but it wasn’t enough. 

I needed a way to take advantage of all the pavement that surrounded me. That’s when I came across a YouTube video of a guy gliding and surfing across pavement in a way that I hadn’t seen before on a skateboard. I didn't know too much about Hamboards, but I did know that I needed to get one.

After chatting with a Rep at Hamboards we both decided the Fish would be the best model for me to start with. When it arrived and I pulled the board out of the massive delivery box I was in awe of its’ size. At 4’ 5” it is only a foot shorter than I am and wider than my shoulder span. The wheels are larger than my fists and the trucks are incredibly lose. I was intimidated and fascinated. My Hamboard experience had begun.

 -Nico

Photo Credit: Chelsey Estridge, IG @lifeofchelsey

Hamboard Number 0009