The Jetties on North Beach
Known for its lighthouse station, artsy boutiques, and lowcountry boils, much of Tybee Island, Georgia is regarded as a tourist destination for East Coast beach trips and families driving through. However, a little bit off the island's north shore, local surf community members gather to spend mornings, evenings, and weekends together catching waves. After observing this community on and off for the last three years, I’ve begun to recognize the familial nature they embrace regardless of age, gender, or physical ability amongst the waves. From middle schoolers to doctors, anyone is welcome and embraced into the community because no matter who they are on the shore, they’re equally surfers when they hit the water.
Gary Worst paddles at the beginning of a wave during a morning surf session on November 7, 2023. Living in Richmond Hill, Georgia, Worst tries to commit at least “half of a day” to surfing when he decides to make the drive to Tybee Island.
Surf stickers, seashells, and a hook are found on the backside of the wooden jetties warning sign on North Beach Tybee Island, Georgia on November 7, 2023. Surfers often hang wetsuits and other personal belongings from the hooks while they’re out in the water; theft is not a concern in this community.
A young local surfer catches a wave off the shore of North Beach Tybee Island, Georgia on September 13, 2023.
A local surfer catches a wave parallel to a passing cargo ship off the shore of North Beach Tybee Island, Georgia on September 11, 2023. Because of Tybee Island’s unique location, cargo ships are often seen in the near distance traveling to and from Savannah’s port.
During a break in the waves, Gary Worst’s board sits atop the water close to the North Beach shore on November 7, 2023.
Three local friends head out into the water in the evening before a night storm off the shore of North Beach Tybee Island, Georgia on September 13, 2023. Storms bring bigger waves which most surfers look forward to on Tybee.
During a break in the waves on November 7, 2023, Victor Jarvis’s hand rests on the center of his surfboard. Jarvis wears a dive watch while out on the water to keep track of the water temperature and the time to know when he should pay for extended time on the “TYB” parking app.
Local Tybee resident, Ben Petit stands for a portrait after surfing on the shore of North Beach Tybee Island, Georgia on November 5, 2023.
On October 30, 2023, a single surfer wades into the water during a less crowded session in the evening at Tybee Island.
No project. No place. Just photo.
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