Monthly Archives: April 2010

ESPN Surfing Gives a Shout Out to Outer Banks Spring Surf

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ESPN Surfing focused an article on the great south swell the OBX received from Mother Nature last week. 

Surfing requires a wide range of conditions to come together in order to setup the right conditions for great waves, and the Outer Banks definitely has it share of great waves, but the necessary conditions are constantly shifting and very difficult predict.  Experience is the best teacher, and even experience has it’s limitations on the OBX.    Seasons are changing, and so are the OBX surf conditions. 

The article highlights some great points about the reckless Outer Banks surf conditions and gives some good points of comparison between the Right and Left Coasts…

“[W]ith the change of the seasons, low pressure systems are taking a different track across the country now. That means south swells instead of the constant barrage of beefy nor’easters (for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast at least) that lasted all winter.” 

“While everyone gets to boost Trestles [California] in a nice stretchy 3/2, the boots and gloves are still pretty mandatory on the Right Coast. Surfers on the West Coast have a pretty good idea which reefs will be breaking, while East Coasters have to scout out which sandbars are hot week to week.”

The article also highlights some of the great work of local Outer Banks surf photographer Matt Lusk.

 

 

Paddleboarding on the Outer Banks Featured in Outside Magazine

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Outside Magazine

Outside Magazine

Paddleboarding is a relatively new sport (it’s actually an old Polynesian art, but it’s having a huge resurgence) that is soaring in popularity, and the Outer Banks is a world-class paddleboarding destination.  The OBX offers world-class surf on the Atlantic side and calm, tranquil waters on the Sound side; both offering great paddleboarding for different skill levels and different experiences.

Outside Magazine recently ran a five page story highlighting OBX paddleboarding and the abundance of natural beauty along the thin spit of land dangling into the Atlantic.  The article focuses on the journey of “Masochistic surf kook bent on taming very large stand-up paddleboard seek(ing) Graveyard of the Atlantic for island-linking expedition entirely at whim of wind and waves.” In essence, the article follows a paddleboarding beginner as he takes a marathon tour of the waters along the Outer Banks on his board.  It’s a great read!

Paddleboard with Seaside Vacations

Paddleboard with Seaside Vacations

At Seaside Vacations we believe your Outer Banks vacation should be so much more than just a house at the beach.  Seaside Vacations’ guests have the opportunity to participate in a complimentary paddleboarding lesson during their OBX vacation.   Starting in May, a free paddleboard clinic will be taught on Wednesday’s for Seaside guests.  Beautiful vacation rental homes still available!

New Outer Banks Bridge Continues to Move Forward

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Progress on the Mid-Currituck bridge continues to move forward.

Draft environmental statements were recently made available to the public.  The draft concludes that the project would not require the substantial expansion of Route 12 and Highway 158.

Traffic congestion would ease with the construction of the bridge and hurricane evacuation times would be shortened as a result of the project.  According to the schedule, the bridge will be opened to traffic by late 2014, which is a year later than earlier proposed.  The project will gain funding through bonds and loans that will later be piad back through tool revenue.

Public hearings will soon be held so that the public can voice their concerns and have questions addressed about the project.

Below is an image of the cover of the “Mid-Currituck Bridge Study” and here is a link to review the study online.

Mid-Currituck Bridge Study

Mid-Currituck Bridge Study

Earth Day Celebration on the Outer Banks

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Earth Day Party on the Outer Banks

Earth Day Party on the Outer Banks

Celebrate Earth Day everyday, but especially on Saturday, April 17th  from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the North Carolina Aquarium on the Outer Banks.

Discover endangered species success stories as we honor the 40th anniversary of the original Earth Day. Come Party for the Planet !

Come face-to-face with the largest bat in the world, the Gigantic Flying Fox Bat from Malaysia. Learn about bats from around the world up-close and personal.  Meet Rob Mies,  conservation biologist, bat expert, Director of the Organization for Bat Conservation , author, and  TV personality.  He  has appeared on many television shows including The Tonight Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Today Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Martha Stewart.  Rob is the co-author of the book, “Stokes Beginners Guide to Bats.”

Live Bat Encounters at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. are free with paid admission.

Outer Banks Named in CNN Travel’s “9 Coastal Wonders to See”

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CNN

CNN

 CNN’s travel section recently picked up Coastal Living’s article about the “9 Coastal Wonders to See,” and the Outer Banks is one of the nine esteemed locations. 

The article also links to Coastal Living’s “Top 10 Road Trips” that highlights Outer Banks’ Rt. 12.   

Here’s what the article has to say about the OBX:

OUTER BANKS, North Carolina

Why go? The Outer Banks includes vast beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests of loblolly pines and live oaks. Waves sculpt the shoreline, and huge dunes migrate in the wind. Over time, says East Carolina University geologist Stan Riggs, the Outer Banks land has formed and collapsed and formed again. Humans try to preserve the roads, bridges, homes, and businesses from the unstable environment, but “protecting” the barrier islands with sandbags and jetties has worsened erosion and starved the shores of sediment.

Outer Banks Surf Update – 4.5.10

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Winter is melting into spring, but the thaw is a slow progression; especially after a long and cold winter along the East Coast.  The air temperatures are on the rise, the water temps are following suit, and the days are getting longer.  The smell of spring seems to be in the air, but the outside threat of a cold snap still lingers, and the chilly waters off the Outer Banks are a reminder of the harsh winter.

ESPN Surfing recently covered the slow transition from winter to spring surf along  East Coast, including a great photo gallery with some stellar OBX shots.

Luckily for the Outer Banks, spring seems to be getting a pretty firm grip.  The temps have made their way to the low 70’s and the sun is shining.  The water temps are still in the 40’s, but they will jump pretty quickly as the days stay warm and as the warm gulf stream pushes water inland.

This past week has seen some great OBX spring swell with a three day period of consistent waves in town.  Here’s some of the action:

In addition to the ESPN Surfing coverage, local Outer Banks surf photographer Matt Lusk was recently interviewed by FuelTV for a portfolio/interview piece on their website titled ‘Point of View with Matt Lusk’.  It’s a great piece that gives insight on the Outer Banks surf culture, surf photography, and Matt, and the piece also displays some of Matt’s rad portfolio of OBX surf photos.  Here’s a great quote from the article:

Where are you based? What excites you about shooting at home?

I am based in Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks of NC. I have been fortunate enough to do a bit of traveling and still feel the Outer Banks is my favorite place to shoot. The dynamics of each season, the isolation, exposure to weather events, world-class waves, the unique culture and population distribution, and the beautiful landscapes and wildlife offer countless opportunities for a plethora of images on a daily basis. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Outer Banks Off-shore Drilling? Surfrider’s Stance…

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No Drilling NC

No Drilling NC

From the Surfrider newsletter/blog:

As you probably heard, The Obama administration opened vast expanses of water along the Atlantic coastline, the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the north coast of Alaska to oil and natural gas drilling, much of it for the first time.

By opening up the coast to new offshore oil drilling and exploration, the Minerals Management Service not only places our environment at risk, it threatens the livelihoods of millions of Americans who rely on clean, healthy, oil-free oceans and beaches to support fishing, tourism and other industries.

We know this is a controversial and polarizing issue. But, it’s our mission, our passion and our duty to fight for the oceans, waves and beaches we all love. As a member of the Surfrider Foundation, I think you expect this from Surfrider – that we will fight for the safety and health of our oceans and the people who rely on the oceans.

Our coast comes first. Surfrider will be at the forefront of this fight. And here’s how you can stand with us:

There is power in numbers. The more Surfrider Foundation members there are, the louder our collective voice will be to stop drilling on our beloved coasts.

Join the Surfrider Foundation TODAY!

Your support today will send the message that offshore drilling is not the answer and it will never be worth the risk to our coasts.

For our oceans, waves, and beaches,

Jane Kelly
Director of Membership

Outer Banks Shipwreck on the Move?

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Outer Banks Shipwreck 2010

Outer Banks Shipwreck 2010

The recent shipwreck found on the Outer Banks could be getting a new home as early as next week. 

What is expected to be the oldest shipwreck ever recovered from the Graveyard of the Atlantic is expected to be moved next week to a lot that is located behind the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.  This property is owned by the Outer Banks Conversationists and used by the Whalehead Club and Currituck County as the site of a collection of shad boats.

“We are tentatively planning to try to move the wreck next week,” said Nathan Henry, conservator at Office of State Archaeology Underwater Archaeology Branch located in Kure Beach, in a recent Outer Banks Sentinel article.  “This could be the oldest ship found in North Carolina,” said Henry. “The associated artifacts suggest the 17th or 18th century – probably late 17th.”

State archaeologists have a few possibilities in mind as to the identity of the vessel. “A number of small pins have been found around it,” said Henry. “They date to 17th and 18th century so that gives a tight period to look at. The closer we get [to the date of construction], the easier it will be to identify. We’ve got a couple of candidates that it could possibly be.”

Thus far, the oldest ship found in the state is Queen Anne’s Revenge, which is from 1718. “This ship in Corolla is probably older than that,” said Henry. “The wooden pegged ship is typical of English construction in that time period which had the keel attached. It probably was built of live oak – maybe white oak. It might have been built here in the colonies since we were English then.”