Chesa Peaks

Words & photos by John Streit.

Every once in awhile — when conditions come together just right — a hidden gem deep inside the boundaries of the Chesapeake Bay comes alive with hollow peaks and ripable faces. It takes a heck of a storm to funnel open ocean swell into the United States’ largest estuary, but when such a storm whips the Atlantic in to a frenzy — and a number of other factors lining up in the right combination — the bay will have its day when it’s victory-at-sea in the ocean. These novelties are passionately protected by a hardcore group of locals whose lips are sealed as to the exact location of the waves you will see in this gallery. That’s not the say these waves are off-limits by any means, but they just ask that the utmost respect be paid to their beach, and that once you’ve been lucky enough to experience the rarity for yourself, to not divulge the intimate details about the exact location and the exact conditions needed to turn on this wave. For those dedicated enough to put in the legwork, research and respect to find jewels like this, the rewards speak for themselves.

Shaun Devine, 15 miles away from the ocean and a world away from the ordinary. Photo: Streit.

Nope, that's not First Street Jetty. Photo: Streit.

Brian Bassett calls the rare surf break home. He put on an inspired performance on this day. Photo: Streit.

A Chesapeake peeler reels off unridden. Photo: Streit.

Billy Ficke went for a post-surf swim to capture some images from the United States' largest estuary. Photo: Ficke.

With multiple groins and jetties along the beach, there are plenty of options. Brian Bassett wraps on this windswept option, 1 of 4. Photo: Streit.

Brian Bassett, 2 of 4. Photo: Streit.

Brian Bassett, 3 of 4. Photo: Streit.

Brian Bassett, 4 of 4. Photo: Streit.

The sun peaked out toward the end of the session, giving the normally drab backdrop of this spot a refreshing dose of blue. Brian Bassett. Photo: Ficke.

Parker Reid takes the walk down the jetty to enter the lineup. Note the downtown Norfolk skyline beyond the horizon. Photo: Streit.

Parker Reid juices this bay wedge. Photo: Streit.

Surf & Adventure Co. team rider Shaun Devine has been a bay wave disciple over the past couple of years. Photo: Streit.

Shaun Devine off the top. Photo: Streit.

Brian Bassett off the bottom. Photo: Ficke.

Windswept and front-lit. Photo: Streit.

Brian Bassett knows this spot provides some gaping pits when it's firing. While that wasn't the case on this day, some tube time was to be found. Photo: Streit.