The creeks and harbors on the North Fork can be likened to hiking trails. Unrestricted by season, they connect explorers to the bays and Long Island Sound, offering a different perspective of the natural world by way of water. While for some paddle boarding may be reserved for the fair-weather days of summer, the active paddler feels a pull to the water of winter’s sometimes bleak days in search of an experience only this season can offer. Considering the utmost importance of safety, paddler Chris Dowling finds peace and serenity on his board even on the most frigid days.

Read the full story printed in The Express magazine XO issue 2019 online here.