The Outer Banks was recently featured in StandUp Paddle Magazine, a publication that focuses on Stand Up Paddle Boarding. 

All of the conditions that make the Outer Banks a classic surf destination, friendly locals, uncrowded breaks (most of the year), consistent surf in a variety of conditions, and potential for amazing waves under perfect conditions, also apply to Stand Up Paddle Boarding (aka SUP).

From a broad perspective, SUP is pretty much longboarding while holding a large paddle, but there’s more than meets the eye.  SUP is a fantastic full body workout that focuses on “core” muscles, and you don’t need waves to enjoy a paddle and a workout….although it is much more fun (and challenging) with waves.  SUP can be fun and physically challenging on flat water as well as in hefty waves. 

SUP also allows experienced paddlers to catch waves earlier than traditional surfers, giving the advantage of a longer ride.  SUP boards are long, usually 10 foot plus, and the paddle allows you to pick up speed faster than paddling with your arms like traditional surfers, both aspects that help catch waves early. 

The OBX offers ideal SUP conditions.  There is plenty of great scenary around the Sound to enjoy an interesting paddle, which is a great way to learn the sport and gain experience.  And there is 200 miles of coast that offers the potential to enjoy great waves. 

The Outer Banks ranks high on most surf lists; Surfer even named Kill Devil Hills number six on its list of “Top Ten Surf Towns.”

It offers world-class surf conditions; ideal conditions for beefy, fast waves, and shifting sandbars that create the strong potential for heaving, chocolate colored “barrels” (i.e. the hollow area inside the wave that is created when a select few waves crash) if you are lucky enough to be in the right spot under the right conditions.  A short continental shelf, winds out of every direction,  and 200 miles of curving coastline hanging into the Atlantic Ocean come together to create quality waves in a variety conditions, and on the days when the stars align, the OBX has waves that match most spots around the world.

Two professional surfers developed and honed their skills along the OBX coast, and along the way they earned their “stripes” among a grizzled but caring local surf culture.  Noah Snyder and Jessie Hines grew up on the Outer Banks and learned their way among the waves at all of the local spots.  Both have achieved great success in the professional surfing world; Jessie was even featured on the cover of Surfer last fall displaying his proficiency in the coveted barrels.

A great demonstration of the Outer Banks’ incredible surf and surf culture can be found in Noah’s Arc, a professionally developed surf film that documents Noah’s development as a professional surfer.  Another great exhibit of Outer Banks surf is a narrated slideshow created by Surfline and narrated by Noah and Jessie.  The slideshow offers a lot of great insight’s on the local surf and culture from Noah and Jessie, and the end of the slideshow gives a great description of the elements that come together on the Outer Banks to offer such impressive surf.

John Coen, an ESPN Surf columnist, has spent the last week on the Outer Banks chasing waves, taking in the unique OBX culture, and reporting his experiences.  Coen’s expose on the Outer Banks’ surf and culture spans four articles, including an in-depth interview with Noah Snyder.

Coen’s first article touches on some of the basic elements of youthful surf trips to the Outer Banks; great waves, communing with nature, and nights spent braving the elements in rickety tents in one of the local campgrounds.  Coen moves on to focus on one of the Outer Banks’ most basic and enduring features; wind.  Some level of wind is pretty much a constant everywhere, but the wind seems more pervasive and more forceful on the Outer Banks.

Fortunately, wind is one of the critical elements of great surf.  Wind has the potential to wreak havoc on waves, but if it is blowing mildly off shore (westerly winds on the Outer Banks), the wind can create smooth glassy waves that offer the potential to carry for great distances.  Coen goes on to explain that the Northeast winds ruined the potential for surf on his first day of the trip, but all was not lost because it was a classic fall day on the Outer Banks with sunny, 80 degree weather.

Coen’s second piece focuses on the art of photography.  The Outer Banks has a tremendous amount of pristine natural environments, including multiple nature preserves, and a National Seashore.  In addition, there is opportunity for photographs of sunrise and sunsets over large bodies of water that can create dazzling natural effects.

Coen focuses on the art of surf photography, and highlights two local talents; Mickey “2M” McCarthy and Matt Lusk.  Coen interviews Mickey, who has been a part of the Outer Banks’ surf culture for 29 years.  Mickey goes on to say, “”What attracted me as a surfer and photographer to the Outer Banks some 29 years ago, was the power and consistency of the surf — the natural beauty, the no man’s land of Pea Island, the wildlife and the sunsets.”

Matt Lusk

An interview with Noah Snyder encompasses Coen’s third article.  The interview starts by discussing some of the great OBX swell from October, and Coen then steers the discussion towards the local culture; construction, tourism, changes Noah has seen over the years, before circling back to surfing and touching on Noah’s surf film, Noah’s Arc, and Noah’s desire to be remain part of the Outer Banks.

Coen wraps up his four-part coverage of the Outer Banks surf and culture with a piece that finishes where he started; wind.  The wind was less than ideal for Coen’s surf trip to the Outer Banks, but as Coen points out, “There was something to ride all week here, and true to the legend, this place really does pick up swell from every direction (thanks to its positioning and that narrow continental shelf).”

The “Battle of the Banks” did not go off this past weekend, but the Outer Banks waves sure did.

High tide was around 7 a.m. and rough seas washed over the dunes at S Turns shutting the road down for a couple hours.  Unfortunately, most of the contestants were not able to make it down south for the beginning of the contest.

However, the good news is that left a full day for the OBX and VB teams along with every other surfer in the area to hit some amazing OBX barrels.  The beach was packed with fishermen, spectators, cameramen, and about 50 – 100 surfers.  The current was intense, making it very difficult to get in position, but for the lucky few that did, there were some amazing rides to be had; 8 – 10 foot tubes with some rides lasting up to 30 seconds and covering more than 100 yards. 

I stood in awe next to Mickey “2M” McCarthy as he snapped the above picture.  Here’s a great compilation that was posted on SurfKDH.com showing some of best rides of the day, and here’s some props from ESPN. 

We missed out on a great contest, but we definitely didn’t miss out on great waves or great surfing.  Enjoy the videos below. 

Virginia Beach is a short 1-2 hour ride from the Outer Banks; that close proximity tends to breed a fierce rivalry between the surf cultures.

The Outer Banks tends to get the notoriety as a world-class surf zone/culture (Surfer even named Kill Devil Hills in the Top 10 Surf Towns), but VB has its share of waves and great surfers, and the VB surfers definitely hit the waves with something to prove.

One of the best East Coast surf competitions is taking place this week, and it pits these fierce rivals against each other.  The WRV Battle of the Banks is taking place this Saturday on Pea Island.  The official site will be determined by the contest directors based on the best possible conditions.

The Battle of the Banks captures the soul of Right Coast surf, gorgeous fall weather on the Outer Banks, water cooling off as autumn drags on, potential for strong off shore winds, fast, heaving barrels that only the Outer Banks sandbars can produce, and fierce rivals.

It is a grudge match with bragging rights on the line.  VB vs. OBX.  David vs. Goliath as far as overall East Coast surf is perceived.  But don’t count David out.  VB is the reigning champ and aims to hold their crown.

This is only the second year of the contest, but 2008 was epic.  Some of the best East Coast surfers navigating some of the gnarliest 8 foot barrels of the year.  Here is a great video from Surfline that highlights last year’s Battle of the Banks.

Since everyone is relatively local to the Outer Banks, the contest is setup with a wide window of opportunity to take advantage of the best possible OBX conditions, and it seems this weekend is going to provide those conditions.  If it is anything like last year, we are in for one heck of a battle.

A new format to the contest was added late this week due to the change in the number of surfers from originally 20 down to only a team of 15 surfers from each county(VB and OBX). Contest directors have decided to have an additional qualifier or “surf off” for the remaining 3 spots on the team. The 8 qualifiers and alternates from the Outer Banks Pro Contest will surf a heat in the morning and the 3 highest placers in that heat are added to the 12 invitees for the team of 15 in the “Main Event”.

A joint art show opened on October 3 at Roanoke island’s Festival Park and will run through October 28. The show features Hatteras Island artist Daniel Pullen and Stephanie Kiker. 

The exhibit will have an Outer Banks appeal that will attract folks that enjoy all aspects of our barrier islands; waves, wildlife, and the OBX vibe.  Mediums vary from photography, to drawings, and paintings. 

The show is open from 10/3 – 10/28, and the gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It is free and open to the public. 

For more information about this event call (252) 475-1506 or visit www.roanokeisland.com.

Pullen has lived on Hatteras Island for more than 30 years. He is a well-versed, and eclectic artist that is able to bring a very creative style to his photography and painting. His surf photography captures the essesence of the Outer Banks surf experience from the beach and the water, and he uses a variety of unique surfaces for his bold surf paintings.

Kiker graduated from the School of Design at North Carolina State University focusing on graphic and fine arts.  She works in pastel to create realistic images of the flora and fauna on Hatteras Island where she has been living for more than two decades. Kiker has developed what she calls an aboriginal style using colored pencils to express stylized nature.

The Volcom Cooterfish surf contest was on the Outer Banks last Sunday, and it just so happens that last Sunday ended up being one of the top OBX surf days of the year.  Sure Hurricane Bill and Tropical Storm Danny passed the Outer Banks in late August to throw some giant surf at the barrier islands, but it’s usually the unexpected surf sessions that turn out just right.

Luckily for the Cooterfish contestants, last Sunday was one of those low profile days where all of the conditions line up just right…the only thing missing was sunny skies, but who needs sun with head high barrels rolling in?  The skies were overcast with occasional showers passing through, but the water was in the low 70’s, the beaches were empty, and there were plenty of 6 – 8 foot, clean sets rolling in for all the surfers lining the OBX breaks.

Cooterfish Highlights:

Ladies Division:
Maria Kuzmovich of Daytona Beach, Fl took the title, but Chelsea Grisham was a close second.

Groms Division:
Since the Eastern Surf Association Championships ended a day before in poor conditions at the Hatteras lighthouse, most of the finalists from the Easterns made up the Cooterfish. Taking wins in both the Easterns Boys division as well as the Cooterfish was Cam Richards. Following close behind Cam was Florida’s Daniel Glenn. Taking third and almost taking home the Electric Move of the Day was Pat Schmidt.

Juniors Division:
It’s been a great couple weeks for Nick Rupp — over the last two weeks Rupp won two Volcom events and backed up his 2008 Easterns victory with a repeat this year in the Juniors. Taking second place behind Rupp was Chris Tucker while Evan Barton secured his spot in the VQS champs by taking the third spot.

Pro-Am:
Noah Snyder nailed down a solid tube to tailslide combo while Spencer Reagan was flying high off of just about every section he found. It took Michael Powell’s combination of two waves, an 8.5 on his first and then in the last three minutes of the final a double pit for 10s across the board from the judges. The beach erupted and Michael got a proper beer bath from the rest of the finalist and whoever else was nearby with a cold one in hand. Noah ended up with a runner up finish as well as winning Electric’s Volt Thrower Award. Sitting oh so close behind Noah was California’s own Spencer Reagan.

Thanks to Surfline for a great summary of the action.

(Surf.Transworld.net)

Strong Northeast wind made for messy surf at the 2009 Eastern Surf Association (ESA) Championships on the Outer Banks, but Nick Rupp and Keenan Lineback made the most of the chop to repeat wins in the two biggest divisions, and most coveted titles: Junior Mens and Junior Womens (respectively).  Congrats to Nick and Keenan on 2008 and 2009 wins.   

Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to all of the volunteers and participants that make the such a great surfing event possible on the OBX.

Winners:

Menehunes
Ages: M/F, 11 and Under
1. Luke Gordon NSC-1
2. Luke Marks CFL-1
3. Stevie Pitman NSC-2
4. Jesse Gregory NFL-3

Boys
Ages: 12-14
1. Cam Richards NSC-1+AS
2. Corey Howell CFL-1+AS
3. Nathan Behl TCFL-1
4. Jake McGuire NFL-1

Junior Mens
Ages: 15-17
1. Nick Rupp SNC+AS
2. Christian Miller PBFL-2+AS
3. Hector Santamaria PRC-2
4. Dylan Kowalski SNC-3+AS

Mens
Ages: 18-24
1. David Holloway NFL
2. Juan Carlos Gerena PRC-
3. Jeffrey Barden TCFL-4
4. Bryce Humphrey VA-1

Masters
Ages: 25-34
1. Jeff Anthony NY-1
2. Shawn Clark NSC
3. Jesse McCrery SNC-1
4. David Mansor SNJ-1

Senior Mens
Ages: 35-44
1. Jason Motes NFL-1+AS
2. Pat Emery CNJ-1
3. Daniel Sacchi SNC-1
4. Rodrigo Miranda SAFL

Grandmasters
Ages: 45-54
1. Jesse Fernandez OBNC-4
2. Mitch Kaufmann NFL-2
3. Bill Whatley NCFL-6
4. Joe Grottola SNJ-1

Legends
Ages: 55-64
1. Bill Willem CNJ-1
2. David Sledge CNC-2+SA
3. Bobby Holland VA-1+AS
4. Tom Leonik SNJ-1

Grand Legends
Ages: M/F, 65 and Over
1. Paul Eaton CFL-1
2. Bryant Hungerford DMV-1
3. Tom McClaren SNJ-1
4. Kitty Pechet SNE-1
5. Chum McCranels PBFL-1

Girls
Ages: 14 and Under
1. Nikki Viesins CFL-1+AS
2. Darsha Pigford SNC-1
3. Emily Ruppert CFL-2
4. Ciera Cunningham NFL-1

Junior Womens
Ages: 15-17
1. Keenan Lineback NSC
2. Jasset Umbel TCFL-3
3. Savannah Bradley CFL-1+AS
4. Kayla Durden NFL-3

Womens
Ages: 18-29
1. Mallory Turner NFL
2. Maria Kuzmovich NCFL-2
3. Jessie Carnes NFL-3+AS
4. Teale Bechenbach NFL-4

Ladies
Ages: 30 and Over
1. Mindy Fitzpatrick CNC-1+AS
2. Ana Barend SNE-1+AS
3. Kate Whatley NCFL-1
4. Terry Green NSC-1

Menehune Longboard
Ages: M/F, 14 and Under
1. Patrick Nichols PBFL-1
2. Daniel Glenn CNC-1
3. Sam Duggan CFL-2
4. Steven McLean CFL-1

Junior Longboard
Ages: 15-17
1. Tommy Evans CFL-1
2. Bradley Rose SNC-1
3. Michael Agnew VA-1
4. Zach Tomlinson SNJ-2

Mens Longboard
Ages: 18-29
1. Ty Miller NFL-1
2. Chris Makibbin DMV-1
3. Kevin DeWald SNJ-5
4. Thomas Capps CNC-3

Masters Longboard
Ages: 30-49
1. Kai Dilling SSC-1
2. Jason Motes NFL-2
3. Scott Holmes NFL-4
4. Mitch Kaufmann NFL-3

Legends Longboard
Ages: 50 and Over
1. Jesse Fernandez OBNC-4
2. Bill Whatley NCFL-3
3. Rick Anson SSC-2
4. David Sledge CNC-2

Womens Longboard
Ages: 29 and Under
1. Kate Easton VA-2
2. Mallory Turner NFL-1
3. Chelsea Gresham NFL+AS
4. Chandler VonCannon SNC-1

Ladies Longboard
Ages: 30 and Over
1. Jo Pickett SNC-2
2. Ana Barend SNE-1
3. Beth Schub CNC-2
4. Nathalie Glenn CNC-3

Menehune Bodyboard
Ages: M/F, 14 and Under
1. Zach Greaser SNJ-1
2. Morgan Taylor Leavel OBNC-2
3. Cyrus Lewis OBNC-3

Open Bodyboard
Ages: M/F, All Ages
1. Jorge Colomer PRC
2. John Heyman NY-1
3. Matt Landon DMV-1
4. Morgan Taylor Leavel OBNC-3

Open Shortboard
Ages: M/F, All Ages
1. Owen Moffett SNC-1
2. Alex Fawess NY-5
3. Jose Tavares PRC-5
4. Evan Barton SNC-3

ESA All-Star Tag Team
Ages: M/F, All Ages
1. SNC
2. TCFL
3. SNJ
4. NCFL
5. CFL

Fall has arrived on the Outer Banks.  Gorgeouse weather, warm water, uncrowded beaches, and surf.  Tis the season for surf, and surf contests on the Outer Banks;  the OBX Pro, the ESA Championships, the upcoming Battle of the Banks, and this Sunday is the Volcom Cooterfish contest being held in Kill Devil Hills, NC at 5th St.  $500 in prize money, and the surf report looks favorable for Sunday. 

Volcom’s Totally Crustaceous Tour will kick off in July of 2009 and conclude in May of 2010 with the VQS World Champs in Newport Beach, CA. The VQS consists of separate qualifiers in regional areas from Hawaii, California, Texas, the East Coast, Puerto Rico, Canada and select international locations. Each event will have four separate divisions: Groms (14 & Under), Juniors (15-17), Girls (25 & Under) and the Pro-Am. All contests will be totally free to enter and have tons of prizes and giveaways from Volcom and other supporting companies including surfboards, snowboards, skateboards, bicycles, motorcycles, jet skies, video games and a winner-takes-all cash purse in the Pro-Am division. All events will be point rated and the top 5 finishers (top 3 girls) from each area will then be invited to compete in Volcom’s Totally Crustaceous VQS World Championships at 54th Street in Newport Beach, May 7th-9th, 2010.

Regional Events for 2009/2010 include: The Greatwhite Surf Series in Santa Cruz, the Goldfish in Central Cal, the Butterfish in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, the Seaslug Surf Series for L.A. County, the Starfish in Orange County, the Blowfish in San Diego County, the Bushfish in Texas, the Seacow in Florida, the Cooterfish in the Mid Atlantic, the Jellyfish in the North East, the Catfish in Puerto Rico, the Pufferfish in the Hawaiian Islands, the Beaverfish in Canada and select International locations around the world.

Thank you for supporting Volcom Stones Totally Crustaceous Tour and remember LET THE KIDS RIDE FREE…

(Surf KDH/Kingsbury)

The WRV OBX Pro surf contest, sponsored by Hurley, took place this weekend in Nags Head, NC.  The weather was great, the water was warm, and there was decent swell, but the winds howling out of the Northeast most of the weekend didn’t make for ideal conditions.  However, it’s amazing what great surfers can do with merely adequate waves. 

Results (Curtsey of SurfKDH.com):

• Ben Bourgeois from Wrightsville Beach took first place. 
• Fellow Wrightsville Beach local Michael Powell took 2nd place.
• The Florida duo of Asher Nolan and Jeremy Johnston took 3rd and 4th.

Here’s a bio of Ben Bourgeois from Reef.com:
Age: 28
From: Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Stance: Regular
Local Spot: Wrightsville Beach, NC

At the age of 28, Benny B has circled the globe more times than most people would in 3 life times. Always on the go, this North Carolina native who now resides in Carlsbad California with Reef Team Manager Heath Walker made a huge impact on the WQS tour in 2005 but just missed out on making the 2006 WCT by the smallest margin. Regardless, Benny stuck to his game plan and three quarters of the way through the 2007 WQS season had clinched a position on the 2008 ASP World Tour. In the mean while he fills his time shooting photos for the mags and his sponsors, searching the globe for the best surf, and looking for the next Miss Reef.

ESPN Surfing wrote an article about the great surf this past weekend, and noted that there was very little fanfare because the Nor’Easter wasn’t named and it fell after Labor Day, but the wave quality surpassed Hurricane Bill and Tropical Storm Danny in most spots on the East Coast…especially the Outer Banks.

The article also included some great surf photography from great OBX photographers.  The above picture is an aerial taken by Matt Lusk, and it captures two surfers in two separate barrels in the same shot!…unreal.  The below photo from Mickey “2M” McCarthy shows a perfect OBX barrel.   

Here’s what ESPN had to say:  “[R]eal helpings were served on the Outer Banks, where the solid lines roped down the beach better than anything from the much-talked about Hurricane Bill and Tropical Storm Danny.

The high profile spots were unloading and there were barrels to be found at those random stretches off Highway 12.

The boys down there are gearing up for the WRV Outer Banks Pro presented by Hurley this weekend and the Eastern Surfing Association’s Eastern Championships next week. Looks like more surf for the weekend, but some wind.”