Meet the Outer Banks Professional Surfers

Posted on September 21, 2010

OBX Hurricane Earl Surf

The Outer Banks is a well-known surf destination, arguably the best surf local on the East Coast, and on great days it can rival most spots worldwide.

As a result of the consistent great surf, many locals grow up with surf in their blood, and a small group of natives have developed their craft into a “Professional” status.

This small group of pros recently zipped off on a surf trip together and Eastern Surf Magazine tagged along to snap some great photos and get the guys to gossip about each other.

Here are links to ESM’s five-part photo series titled “The Professionals.” Included with each photo is audio from the other surfers in the group dishing on the pictured pro.

1. Noah Snyder

2. Jesse Hines

3. Billy Hume

4. Matt Beacham

5. Brett Barley

An Outer Banks Legend Crafted into a Children’s Book

Posted on September 20, 2010

The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy

Have you heard of Betsy Dowdy?

Move over Paul Revere, you have some competition.

If you’re a lover of all things OBX, than Betsy is right up your alley.

Betsy Dowdy is an Outer Banks legend. Was she a real person? Is it just a fable handed down throughout the years? At this point, there’s not much proof either way, but it’s a darn good tale.

Betsy Dowdy was thought to be the daughter of a Currituck Outer Banks salvager and fisherman. And also a Revolutionary War hero with similar courage to the likes of the famous Mr. Revere.

When Betsy heard of the looming battle of Great Bridge in Virginia, legend has it that she mounted her black Banker pony Black Bess and made a monumental, (ok, nearly impossible and highly improbable for a young girl) 51 mile ride from Corolla to Perquimans County, through treacherous swamp land, at night. The purpose of the ride was to alert North Carolina militia General William Skinner that British troops were amassing for a fight in nearby Virginia.

The Elizabeth City Daily Advance recently announced that this great story is now being turned into a children’s book by author Kitty Griffin. Griffin’s colorfully illustrated book faithfully captures Dowdy’s legend, telling the story of a female American Revolution hero.

The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy can be found on Amazon.com.

Music & Wine Fest on the Outer Banks

Posted on September 20, 2010

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Noon – 7:00 PM

Sample wines from Sanctuary Vineyards and more!
Live music from Mercy Creek and 9:58
Amazing dishes from local restaurants
Fun for the whole family – including The Great Currituck Grape Stomp and Barrel Roll Contest Free hayride tours of the vineyard and winery

$15.00 advance ($25.00 day of event)

Music & Wine Fest on the Outer Banks

Charity Art Show & Auction on the Outer Banks

Posted on September 20, 2010

2010 Artrageous

The first full weekend in October offers a Saturday festival held at Dare County Family Recreational Park in Kill Devil Hills and features Artist Live Demonstrations, kids hands-on activity booths, Professional Artist Show and Sell, Artist Quick Draws, music, children’s auction, delicious food and fun for the whole family.

The following evening is Dare County Arts Council’s premiere fundraising event, the Artrageous Art Auction. Proceeds go to the Dare County Arts Council to benefit arts in education programming in Dare County Schools, Youth Scholarships to graduating seniors and cultural arts programs in Dare County.

Please call 252-473-5558 for more information or check out this link to see what you missed last year! www.artrageousobx.com

You can also find Artrageous on Facebook!

Outer Banks Beach Report 9.20.10 & Hurricane Igor Surf 9.17.10

Posted on September 20, 2010

Good morning. Here’s your Outer Banks beach report for 9.20.10.

This video was shot at 9 AM just south of the Kitty Hawk Pier. Gorgeous day. High 70′s – low 80′s all week with mostly sun.

The ocean is very active from Hurricane Igor off the coast. Unfortunately, the winds don’t match up with the surf, but as a bonus I included some pictures and video from the great OBX surf Igor sent on Friday.

Enjoy.

Record Year for Sea Turtles on the Outer Banks

Posted on September 17, 2010

Outer Banks Sea Turtle Boil

The Virginia Pilot recently reported that 2010 has been a record year for sea turtles on the Outer Banks.

With 153 nests, this is a record year for turtles at Cape Hatteras National Seashore – 68 miles of federally owned, public ocean shoreline managed by the National Park Service.

Three species of sea turtles – the loggerhead, green and leatherback – nest within the park, but only two are common. Leatherback turtles are considered federally endangered and rarely nest on the Outer Banks, the northernmost tip of their range.

Party Set for 2011 to Celebrate Wright Brothers Flight on the Outer Banks

Posted on September 17, 2010

Wright Brothers 1911 Outer Banks Flight

The Wright brothers first flight took place in 1903, but the bros weren’t done setting records after one flight. And we’re not done celebrating them.

Along the same lines as the 2003 centennial event, but on a smaller scale, a new party is being planned to honor Orville Wright in 2011.

The “Soaring 100” event set for October 21 – 24, 2011 will commemorate the 100^th anniversary of Wright’s record setting 9 minute, 45 second flight in 1911, which also took place in Kill Devil Hills.

The event is being organized by the First Flight Foundation and a coalition of soaring groups. It will be held at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills and Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head.

At Jockey’s Ridge, three teams of aviation enthusiasts will try to launch replicas of the 1911 glider.

Haunted House on the Outer Banks

Posted on September 17, 2010

I know, it’s hard to believe we’re already talking about Halloween, but we’re getting pretty close to the costume and candy fest, and this OBX haunted house looks pretty cool…and it’s for a good cause.

Haunted House on the Outer Banks

For advance tickets or information call 252-473-2127 x223 or visit http://thelostcolony.org/index.htm .

EMERGENCY UPDATE – EMERGENCY UPDATE – EMERGENCY UPDATE

Uh oh, here’s an Emergency Update about the haunted house…well, not really, but it does build the suspense.

QUARANTINE OF FISHING VILLAGE TO BE TEMPORARILY LIFTED

(Roanoke Island, NC, September, 2010) – A team of super-scientists, mathematicians, and adventurers is now being assembled to investigate the unusual rumors surrounding “Quarantine Island”.

The U.S. Government and the Department of Unexplained Phenomena have lifted the ban on Quarantine Island for groups of adventurers for three nights—and three nights only—Thursday-Saturday, October 28-30 from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Groups will leave under military escort from a staging area that has been set up in Fort Raleigh’s Waterside Theatre in Manteo, NC. If you believe you have what it takes to unlock the mysteries of Quarantine Island, visit www.thelostcolony.org and sign up today.

Exactly why this small island off the coast of North Carolina was cut off from civilization a year ago is still the cause of much debate but there seem to be a few facts:

1) The island’s once overflowing cemeteries are suddenly empty. But why?

2) The local population appears to have vanished…or at least they haven’t called for help in a long, long time.

What really happened on Quarantine Island? Help us answer these questions. Join our daring expedition today! And as they say, what’s a little fun without a little risk?

CONFIDENTIAL FILES – U.S. DEPARTMENT OF UNEXPLAINED PHENOMENA

CODENAME: QUARANTINE ISLAND

News reports will be posted at the website below and will provide participants in the October 28-30 Reconnaissance Mission with an overview of the final days of Quarantine Island.

Read at your own risk.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Quarantine-Island/101311379930706?ref=ts

Outer Banks Vacation Experience – Feelin’ Groovy

Posted on September 17, 2010

We recently gave a Flipcam to a group of guests, and this is their Outer Banks Vacation Experience.

They did a great job of capturing a full vacation; enjoying the beach, the waves, and surfcasting, some free activites at the national park, a train ride, dolphin tours, and time at Nags Head Pier.

We are looking forward to welcoming them back to the OBX soon!

Outer Banks Beach Report 9/17/10 – Hurricane Igor Swell Arrives

Posted on September 17, 2010

Good morning. Here’s the Outer Banks beach report for 9/17/10.

This video was shot in Kitty Hawk at about 6:30 AM just before the sun popped over the horizon. The clouds were a bit overcast, but clearing off. The beach was empty. The swell from Hurricane Igor is arriving, with light southwest winds, and the OBX surf is looking good.

After shooting the first part I enjoyed a great surf session, and had to show a second portion of the report to give a view of the surf.

It’s a pretty great morning when you get to watch the sunrise from your surfboard!

Enjoy.