East Coast, Gulf Coast, and Baja Peninsula

"The best things about chasing a hurricane is the adventure, you never know what to expect. It's awesome to be able to harness the energy of the hurricane by riding the waves it produces.  - Jeff Flindt, Senior Staff Photographer Surfing Magazine.
    Any number of places along the Gulf, Caribbean and East coasts are set up to harness these systems and have potential to produce some of the best wave setups. South Texas found itself with its own version of Padang Padang when Rita wreaked havoc to the north. The East coast is famous for their picturesque, sandbar, offshore setups from Maine to the North Carolina hotbed to Florida's emerald jems. All waves, though, depend on the proximity of the storm. "Hurricanes are the ultimate, unpredictable oxymoron,” Surfing Magazine Senior Staff Photographer Matt Walker said. “The ones that look epic will often skunk you. The ones that look catastrophic skip on by.”

What to Expect
    Just like movie making, you hurry up and wait. Whether you’re in a hotel on the beach, in a truck or at a campsite, the weather is unpredictable. Hurricanes and tropical deprssions (which also bring waves) can fluctuate and each is different. "The ones that look like nothing, will wreck your house,” Walker said. “I've had 70 mile per hour, cat-ones condemn an apartment. I've had near cat-fives turn north at the last second." Do learn the terrain and setups quickly. Google earth and basic maps are valuable resources.

Where to stay
   Most of the time, because you’re constantly on the move to find the best set up, you’re staying in Motel 6 type accommodations. But n matter how seedy the motel, finding a place with Internet access is critical in order to stay up to date on changing weather systems and surf forecasts.

How to Score
  Aim just north or south of the estimated landfall of the system. Too far north and she will ram right into you. Too far south and you will be doing more fishing than surfing. It’s a tricky dance, and as the storm nears, winds will be whipping around from every direction. But if you do you r homework and gauge it right, you can position yourself for a perfect, offshore day of fun. "I usually study the weather maps and the national hurricane site to get info on the hurricane’s position, speed, and direction,” Surfing Magazine Senior Staff Photographer Jeff Flindt said. “If you can get as close to the hurricane as possible, but stay out of its path, then you’re in a pretty good spot. The waves will be the biggest and you ‘ get hit by the winds and weather."

Crowds
    Crowds become a factor as seasoned surfers have a pretty good idea of when their local spots are going to go off and usually prepare by taking a sick day… or week. "I landed at four in the morning and we went all day until the sun went down,” pro surfer Josh Hoyer said. “The whole day was phone calls to locals and driving. We tried to get to as many spots as possible, but Texas has a huge coastline and the swell wasn't going to last long.”
    Hurricanes move fast, so you have to get info and you have to get it fast. Most locals are going to be stoked to have photogs and pros or visiting surfers enjoy their little niche of paradise, but beware. Give them enough room to free surf and don’t be greedy. They probably haven't seen decent surf in quite some time. A good day of surfing with locals will prove productive, whether it’s drinking beers on the beach at the end of the day or finding out where the swell will set up better the next day.
    1) Buy beers for locals. They’ll be more inclined to help if they’re a little sauced up. Loose lips sink ships and you get a local enforcer smashed and they will give up the goods, just make sure you're pacing yourself or you might oversleep the storm.
    2) Find the local ripper to work with. Every town has a grom who rips and deserves recognition. Most of the time they deserve some pub, and turn into a good friend. He’ll make sure you and your crew hit the secret spots because, above all else, he still wants his shot.

Car Rentals
    These vary between countries: Carribean, Baja and the States. I prefer a van to a car due to the fact that you might have to wait out some rain or hale in close quarters, and that can take a while. Vans have been known to make for good shooting bunkers and four-wheel-drive is always worth it, especially if you get into the business end of one these sonbitches! "Be prepared for any and every kind of conditions,” pro surfer Alex Grey said. “Bring tons of food, water, and extra gas because you’re probably chasing hurricanes where there aren't any 7 Elevens around!"

What to Know
    Worst case scenario: What if the hurricane comes at you? "There are folks here on the Outer Banks who bailed inland during Isabel, only to get stuck in Richmond or Raleigh without power for days -- while the folks who stayed were back to normal in no time," Walker said.  There’s no clear cut answer to this one, just be prepared to move, and fast. You should also familiarize yourself with the locations of  hospitals and evacuation routes.
    "The worst thing about chasing hurricanes is getting skunked. You could look at the maps and think you're going to score epic waves, but then the hurricane falls apart or doesn't have enough energy to produce big enough waves,” Flindt said. “Be prepared to move really fast and don't set your plans in stone. Mother Nature is really powerful and unpredictable, so be ready to get in and get out.”    
    Hurricane Chasing isn't for everyone, most people, the sane ones that is, are fleeing for their lives as hell on earth is being unleashed, and the surfer is heading out to play. It can get downright scary and life threatening, just remember: be safe, be smart, learn the weather and be ready to move.