Keep in mind when clicking through the somewhat contradictory photos that follow: the East Coast certainly saw good days this winter...just not a bunch of 'em. After all, this is the time when most states typically get their best conditions. One and done in New England. Photo: Luke Simpson

"Surf has been pretty meager all winter long in Florida," says Surfline Forecaster Mike Watson, "only stray days of waves, just enough to whet the appetite." Nathan Behl, down to the last morsel at Sebastian Inlet. Photo: Mark Hill

"Fair tradeoff. I'll take nice weather if the surf is going to suck," says Hatteras photographer Daniel Pullen. South Florida surfers might disagree, though, because their weather's always nice. Tanner Strohmenger, praying for some precipitation. Photo: Ben Hicks

When you're as on it as Oliver Kurtz, the whole damn thing's a blur anyway: fall, winter, offshore, onshore, big, small, trip, home...whatev's, let's shred. Photo: Chris Wilson

"This was a mild season, but it had unexpectedly good moments," says New Jersey shooter Mike Incitti. "The key was to stay optimistic and keep a constant eye on each swell. We were all just squirrels trying to get our nut." March 3rd. Photo: Mike Incitti

Straight off the plane back home from Hawaii, Mike Gleason raved about an ACOE dredging project in North Jersey that turned this hometown haunt (we'll call it "Meatballs" for now) into Sandspit for a midwinter swell. Gleason raved even harder about this freakin' guy, Gerard Faccone, a standout on the best days. January 25th. Photo: Mike Incitti

Is it us or does Luke Ditella always look like he's surfing alone? Four days after Christmas, not a bad gift. Photo: Mike Incitti

"We mostly got northeast wind chop," reports South Florida lensman Nicola Lugo. "Not the best for taking photos or getting tubed, but here in South Florida we look forward to that because it's just fun, wedgy little chunks that are good for turns and airs." Jensen Callaway, maximizing potential in Jupiter. Photo: Nicola Lugo

"Dead as," says Clay Pollioni about the season. "But this year I've seen some spots in New Jersey break their best in 10 years." Video: Joe G

Sharks, jellyfish and the occasional tropical-colored barrel right off the beach make Delray Beach a spot where options are weighed as frequently as swell charts are checked. Photo: Ben Hicks

"When there was surf," reports Lighthouse local Daniel Pullen, "it was in the three- to five-foot range for the most part -- not too heavy, but some heavy hold-downs." Photo: Daniel Pullen

"I haven't really been that on it so maybe it's just me," says Florida photographer and new daddy Ryan Gamma, who split his time between changing diapers on the Gulf Coast and changing angles of Blake Jones at Sebastian Inlet. "But it seems just in the last couple weeks have we had any surf." Photo: Ryan Gamma

When you grew up learning these tricks in summertime dribble at Ocean Avenue like Eddie Guilbeau, every wintertime cross-chop at Sebastian Inlet is a step up. Sequence: Chris Wilson

Remember, it's quality not quantity, right? We'd have to ask Patrick Dowd in South Florida -- was November 4th just enough, or the ultimate tease? Photo: Mark Hill

Florida pro Oliver Kurtz and Outer Banks photographer Matt Lusk are like East Coast surfing's new Odd Couple. That's a pretty obscure television reference, but then again, this is a pretty obscure spot. Here's a hint: there's no TV reception here. Photo: Matt Lusk

After such a busy, landmark year for local surfing business and culture, Unsound co-owner/ BalStack mentor/ Long Beach miracle man Mike Nelson was finally able to take a breath and go back to being a photographer this winter. Getting all moody in New York. Photo: Mike Nelson

Of course early March has actually been OK in New York. Here's somewhere out near Montauk on March 8th. Photo: Justin Burkle

"This was definitely the year to travel," says New Hampshire's Casey Lockwood. "I think everyone that owned a board shorter than 7'0" went to Puerto Rico this winter, including myself." And including Fisher Heverly, a frequent flyer around these parts. Photo: Rachel Tanner

Sam Hammer got out of Dodge in early March, heading to Iceland for a photo trip with Alek Parker and Peter Mendia, but not before putting in the necessary face time at his beloved Bay Head. Photo: Mike Incitti

When the weather systems aren't cooperating it helps to have a buddy who works for the ACOE and loves surfing so much he convinces his bosses to dredge up a Sandspit-like right for a few weeks. Donald Cresitello didn't make this wave here, though; he just has an eye for sand and structure. Photo: Donald Cresitello

"Even the Caribbean felt the pinch," reports Mike Watson. "Sure, there has been solid swell but also a lot of wind to contend with, limiting options in the region." Brian Toth. Photo: Rachel Tanner

"A winter wrap-up would really start with our fall season," says Nicola Lugo, "which was a really good one. And here in South Florida it's very rare to get back-to-back seasons that pump out good swell." Giorgio Gomez, Jupiter. Photo: Nicola Lugo

"We saw 10 days to two weeks actually worthy of being called 'winter,'" says Brett Barley. "Don't get me wrong -- we've had lots of surf here in Buxton, but only a few days that stand up to what we expect during wintertime." Barley and Matt Munden wait for the pitch before sliding into First. Photo: Matt Lusk

"But hey," continues Barley, "March has proven to be our best month of surf the past two years, so it isn't over yet." Photo: Matt Lusk

Meanwhile, up north of the Northeast, like Canada north, a few fine days were had over the last few months by the few in the know. Here was February 11th. Photo: Scott Sherin

"I snaked Travis Beckmann at Inlet and didn't even get a lousy T-Shirt." Photo: Chris Wilson

For New Jersey rats like Tom Petriken, three seconds in the barrel is better than three months at the ski resort. "I'm glad to say that I spent the majority of my day trading off barrels with my friend Luke Ditella," he said of this early March tubefest. "Hopefully this is a good start to a better swell pattern for the spring." Video: Andrew Schreefer

Some people, and some companies, actually crave crap surf. ...Lost has been throwing Tupat and Gorkin bucks for years to make magic together and relay the photos/ videos back for blog content. Because how many clips of perfect Lowers can we all stomach? Photo: Pat "Tupat" Eichstaedt

On the East Coast, winter is when we see those stiff, spray-off-the-back offshores. They're so pretty if you're a photographer. But for a surfer...gosh, if it were only a little bit bigger out there, y'know? Photo: Ryan Struck

Gloveless. In winter. In New England. Ryan Garcia embraces the warm weirdness. After all, who wants to go snowboarding anyway? Too much gear involved. Photo: Luke Simpson

Restricted ORV access aggravating an already crippled economy post-Irene; New bridge bypassing several miles of prime Pea Island peaks; Lower speed limits. Life just seems to keep getting harder for Hatteras surfers. But Brett Barley evolves as easily as he revolves. Photo: Daniel Pullen

"The biggest and best swell we had down in Puerto Rico during my stay was February 22nd-23rd," says Surfline's Kurt Korte, "which lit up some of the more tucked-away spots on the western side of the island." Photo: Rachel Tanner

"The winner in all of this has been Europe," says Mike Watson. "With solid North Atlantic low-pressure systems sending heaps of swell with extended periods." Once in a while, that energy didn't have to go that far. Josie Graves. The Caribbean. Photo: Rachel Tanner

You know what they say about guys who do big airs on little waves, don't you? They're overcompensating. But not for lack of equipment, mind you. Cory Lopez. Photo: Tupat