In subzero temperatures and wind gusts exceeding 45 miles per hour, history unfolded on the frozen Navesink River.
On Monday, Feb. 9, experienced ice boat sailors gathered in Red Bank to compete for the Van Nostrand Cup, one of the most coveted trophies in the sport of ice boating. Hosted by the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club, the rare A-Class race drew a challenger fleet from the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club in New York for a showdown entirely dependent on precise winter conditions.
The event requires a narrow window to proceed: at least nine inches of solid ice over salt water, steady winds between 15 and 20 knots, and skippers capable of performing in below-zero temperatures. Club officials say the region has waited since 2003 for the right combination. This year, nature aligned. Local legend holds that in the 1960s, the township even sent garbage trucks fitted with plows onto the ice to help clear the river when conditions allowed winter races.
Ice boats, wind-powered vessels mounted on steel runners, skimmed across the frozen river with striking speed and grace. Each vessel carries a class designation marked by a letter. DN boats are small and extremely fast, capable of reaching speeds near 75 mph in ideal conditions with no motor and no brakes. N and L classes are midsize. The Van Nostrand competition, however, is reserved for the larger and more historic A-Class yachts.
Some of the A-Class boats racing this year were more than 100 years old. Known among sailors as the “majestic ladies” of the sport, they typically run closer to 20 mph but require exceptional skill to maneuver. Pilots steer from a low, reclined position with only inches separating their bodies from the ice, where a sudden miscalculation can lead to catastrophe.
After final scoring review, the Van Nostrand Cup was awarded to the North Hudson River Ice Yacht Club. The winning vessel, Ariel, was skippered by Luke Lawrence and Max Lopez. North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club finished as runner-up.
Despite brutal wind chill, spectators gathered along the riverbanks to witness what many described as a once-in-a-generation event. The frozen Navesink transformed into a dramatic racecourse, blending heritage sport and winter spectacle.
Photographer David R. Surks documented the race across multiple days of shifting conditions. After earlier postponements because of deteriorating weather, race officials called the start at 9 a.m. when conditions stabilized.
“It was grueling,” Surks says, noting two days of subzero exposure and punishing wind while shooting on the ice, but when the weather window opened, history was made.
For a brief winter morning, Red Bank became the center of the ice boating world, proof that when wind, ice and experience come together, a century-old sport still delivers edge-of-your-seat competition.
About the Photographer
David R. Surks is a New Jersey photographer and owner of Creative Eye Photography. Surks is known for capturing the region’s landscapes, community events and unique moments across New Jersey. He brings a deep local perspective to his work, documenting the people and places that define the area.
Follow his photography on Instagram @surksphoto.