The Aporia · Surfers ignore nor’easter warnings and dangers, catch high waves off Rockaway Beach during wild storms

Surfers ignore nor’easter warnings and dangers, catch high waves off Rockaway Beach during wild storms

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Gamba-Ellis, T. (2026, September 26). Surfers ignore nor’easter warnings and dangers, catch high waves off Rockaway Beach during wild storms. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/26/us-news/surfers-ignore-noreaster-warnings-and-dangers-catch-high-waves-off-rockaway-beach-during-noreaster/

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Quick Summary

Surfers disregarded warnings from Governor Kathy Hochul about dangerous conditions due to a nor’easter and ventured into the water off Rockaway Beach for high waves reaching up to 12 feet. Traveling surfer Preston Head and local enthusiasts Ron McMaster and Ryo Kuroki described surfing these extreme waves as thrilling but risky, with Kuroki stating that "surfing is a sport about rebelling." Despite acknowledging the dangers, surfers like Bobby Gonzalez planned to return when conditions eased.

Written by AI on 2026-09-26, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Despite nor'easter warnings and dangers, surfers ignored advisories and caught high waves off Rockaway Beach during the stormy weather. Preston Head, a 35-year-old surfer from Laguna Beach, California, traveled across the country specifically for these extreme conditions but had his board snapped in half by an estimated 8-foot wave. He told The Post that he experienced "some of the best barrels" of his life.

Local surfers like Ron McMaster, a 29-year-old Queens resident and software engineer, and Ryo Kuroki, a 30-year-old from Manhattan, also braved the roughly 12-foot waves. McMaster noted that while today was ideal for experienced surfers who understand the risks, it could be fatal for those less prepared. Kuroki echoed similar sentiments, stating that surfing is about "rebelling" against warnings and describing the waves as being "twice his height." Governor Kathy Hochul has issued multiple warnings to avoid beaches due to the dangerous conditions.

Written for “Surfers Defy Storm Warnings” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Moment California surfer smashed onto rocks by hurricane-powered wave before celebrity publicist’s daring rescue Different event

New York Post

Hedges 2 of 28 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different incidents involving separate individuals at distinct locations.”

Nor’easter leaves Rockaway Beach looking like steep cliffs of Ireland: ‘Almost totally gone’ Different event

New York Post

Hedges 1 of 22 claims Outlet record 66/100

“The articles describe different aspects of the same nor'easter but focus on separate incidents: one about surfers ignoring warnings to ride waves, and another about coastal erosion and loss of sand at Rockaway Beach.”

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0 of 21 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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66/100

New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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Who wrote this

Thomas Gamba-Ellis

51 article(s) here · 0 carrying a prediction

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🔮 I wish some way, somehow, I could have done more, because I wanted to win for those guys.

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2026-10-25 · assertive framing · Texas, Arch Manning pull off gritty win after blowing 21-point lead to Ole Miss

🔮 Following a replay review, however, officials changed the ruling to an incomplete pass, and BYU was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, putting the Knights into field goal range. But Cougars (6-1, 3-1) blocked what would have been a game-winning kick for the Knights, sending the game to overtime After both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, UCF was gifted a fresh set of downs thanks to a roughing the kicker penalty while they originally were settling on field goal. With the extra life, UCF punched in the go-ahead touchdown and a two-point conversion, putting the pressure back on the Cougars, who were ultimately stopped by the Knights’ defense for the loss.

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Also by Thomas Gamba-Ellis

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2026-11-01 · New York Post

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Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 51 articles by Thomas Gamba-Ellis →

Claims (21 extracted, 0 hedged)

Despite warnings to stay away from the beaches, wave riders took to the water specifically because of the storms. asserted

riders → stay → storms

Preston Head, 35, traveled from Laguna Beach, Cali., to ride the waves, but the extreme surf snapped his board in two. “The wave broke my surf board,” he said with a laugh. asserted

he → travel → laugh

The traveling surfer told The Post that he ventured across the country for the extreme waves, boasting that he “had some of the best barrels that I’ve ever experienced in my life.” asserted

I → travel → life

Locals, including 29-year-old Ron McMaster, of Queens, and 30-year-old Ryo Kuroki, of Manhattan, also came out for the roughly 12-foot waves. asserted

Locals → include → waves

Today is a great day to go surfing if you know what you are doing,” said McMaster, who daylights as a software engineer. asserted

who → go → engineer

“It’s dangerous. asserted

It → ’ → ?

People die from surfing on days like this when the waves drift them into the rocks.” asserted

waves → die → rocks

Kuroki added that the waves were “twice as tall” as him, and that he and McMaster “know what we are doing.” asserted

we → add → what

When asked about the warnings to avoid the beaches due to the nor’easter, Kuroki laughed it off, saying that “surfing is a sport about rebelling.” asserted

surfing → ask → rebelling

Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued multiple warnings to stay away from the water due to “rip currents and high surf, making entering the ocean life-threatening.” asserted

entering → issue → ocean

“A dangerous nor’easter is already bearing down on the coastal areas of Long Island, New York City and Westchester County,” Hochul said in a statement Saturday. asserted

Hochul → bear → statement

“This storm poses a significant risk, and I urge New Yorkers to stay informed, stay prepared and stay safe this weekend.” asserted

I → pose → Yorkers

Surfer Bobby Gonzalez was among those forced to abort his plans at the beach because of the towering waves. asserted

Gonzalez → force → waves

Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. asserted

Report → start → news

“The waves are enormous,” he said. asserted

he → say → ?

“They are very difficult to even ride. asserted

They → ride → ?

You can use rip currents that pulls you out, but the waves just smash you back on the beach.” asserted

waves → use → beach

“It was exhausting just trying to get out there. asserted

It → try → ?

I just gave up,” he added. asserted

he → give → ?

But Gonzalez, a part-time school aide who lives in the area, vowed to try again this weekend. asserted

who → live → area

“If not later today, probably tomorrow when it dies down a bit,” he said. asserted

he → die → ?

Surfers ignore nor’easter warnings and dangers, catch high waves off Rockaway Beach during wild storms

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Claims (21 extracted, 0 hedged)