A surfer rides the crest of a wave on Wednesday at Higgins Beach. Staff photo by Ben McCanna

High school buddies from Cape Elizabeth prepare to enter the water at Higgins Beach on Wednesday afternoon. The group said they were taking advantage of waves stirred up by Tropical Storm Jose. "We're hoping to catch some dreamers," said Duncan Geikie. From left: Andrew Carroll, Duncan Geikie, Devon Lathrop, Nicky Martin and Matt Concannon. Staff photo by Ben McCanna

A surfer catches air after riding over the crest of a wave on Wednesday at Higgins Beach. Staff photo by Ben McCanna

Cameron Dillon of Portland stands on a rock to keep his shoes dry while he makes pictures surfers with a film camera. Dillon said he would rather have been in the waves, but a neck injury kept him temporarily sidelined. Staff photo by Ben McCanna

A surfer rides the crest of a wave on Wednesday at Higgins Beach. Tropical Storm Jose was stirring up big waves in Southern Maine as the storm system closed in on New England. Staff photo by Ben McCanna