Windsurfing » News by BillM

News by BillM

Surf Down South at Izzys!

Fetched: October 29th, 2009, 11:06pm CET by Bill

Following the warmth and southerly wind of Saturday, Sunday served up cool N to NNE winds across the islands. The south swell continued with some sizable surf hitting the southern beaches. With near straight offshore winds, the surf was quite clean for the sailors hitting it at Izzy's!

Caleb caught this shot of Charlie M from Ride Hatteras (looks like new website is in the works) on approach showcasing the new 2010 Aerotech Charge in action!

Another Wave Sesh Score at Coquina Beach, Nags Head!

Fetched: October 26th, 2009, 4:28pm CET by Bill

Well, it was not the surf/swell of Hurricane Bill, but conditions today at Coquina were quite fun! The outer bar was breaking with fun waist to head high peaks rolling in. South wind provided the juice for fairly clean side-off conditions!

Keith M, Olaf P, Caleb J, and I along with Atlantic first-time wavesailor Prescott M hit the surf at the north end of Coquina. The parking spot was not actually in the main Coquina Beach parking area, but rather about 150 yards north of the windmill. South wind combined with south swell is usually the right mix for fun at Coquina. We had it today, and for everyone out on the water, there were some tasty waves!

Oh yea, trunks along with a 1mm long sleeve top was all I wore out there!! 75 degree ocean water and air hovering in the mid 70s!! That's conditions here for late October Hatteras wavesailing!!

Some pics for the day (click images for captions):
photographer: Yana Bagdasaryan

COLD!! Is it Late Dec on the OBX?!

Fetched: October 19th, 2009, 2:37pm CEST by Bill

Well, at least it has been windy!! NW has been the norm over the past number of days with strong winds hitting across the islands. Today was exceptionally cold with upper 40 degree air and cloudy/drizzly weather. Not the most enticing for chasing it, though for northern visitors in town for windy weather, its been a major score! Today, I installed the top back on the 4runner to have some warmth in the truck, especially when removing a full wetsuit on cold days like today!

Yesterday, Lauren and I, along with the little guy, attended a wedding on the sound in Kill Devil Hills. Not quite the best weather for a sound side wedding, and the cold NW wind was harsh (great for windsurfing, bad for wedding!). Though once indoors for the reception, we all had an excellent time! Congratulations Katie and Byron!

Hopefully, this cold spell will end and we will soon see another round of warm southerly wind! Perhaps Saturday?!

Hatteras Fall Conditions are Here!!

Fetched: October 13th, 2009, 11:01am CEST by Bill

Wow, what a forecast this week in Hatteras! Cool, windy, kinda gloomy weather is on tap along with some sizable surf forecast for Friday/Saturday timeframe. Definitely true Hatteras Fall windsurfing weather!

Only downside is that Mirlo Beach (near S-Turns), at the north end of Rodanthe, may experience ocean overwash closing Rt 12 when the bigger surf strikes the east facing beaches. Best to be on the Hatteras Ferry heading to the north end of Ocracoke by that time?!

All in all though, who's going to be here (south of S-Turns)?!
PS: George at Live2Sail has a Hatteras Hall Pass (see last sentence of linked post)!
See you in a few days George!

source: WindGuru

The 2010 Legend, Fresh Out of the Tissue Paper!

Fetched: October 7th, 2009, 12:43am CEST by Bill

Many thanks to MauiSails for the quick shipment of the new 2010 Legends to Hatteras prior to the final edition of Hatteras Wave Jam a week and a half ago! The conditions were ripe for introducing the new sails to the Atlantic, and though the surf was not quite what it was when I introduced the 2009 Legends to the Atlantic, conditions during Wave Jam were quite fun!!

The 2010 Legend has some nice improvements from the 2009 line specific to durability both in the sail design as well as the mast sleeve. The tack area skid pad has been redesigned with both a change in material as well as stitching. The new 2010 padded area includes a durable cloth fabric as compared to the foil-like material in the 2009 model. The cloth will offer better resistance to wear from both sun exposure as well as folding for access to the downhaul pulley. The 2010 Legend also includes a cut away section in the pad to allow easier folding of the tack skid pad when accessing the downhaul pulley.

The 2010 sail design is similar to the 2009 with a focus on strength across the sail. The draft remains high providing that "pull forward" feel, though the sail feels loose and responsive while riding. The colored panel outline has been widened at the clew and above the logo area providing visual appeal as well as scratch resistance where needed (especially near the clew where boom adjustments tend to rub the sail if rigged "baggy" for light air wavesailing). The white high-strength cloth has been extended to the luff side of the colored panels near the logo. The clear panel window is slightly smaller than 2009; however, does not impact visibility in the wave zone. As in the 2009, the 2010 also includes the wide X-ply cloth for all panels including the clear windows on the sail.

Overall, another excellent sail from MauiSails with some fine improvements from 2009.

This year, I have all colors, so if you see me on the water, the following is my size guide:

5.3m - Red
4.7m - Blue
4.2m - Orange
3.7m - Yellow

If you are interested in taking one for a spin or simply must update your quiver, see Hatteras Island Sail Shop (252-987-2292) in Waves! Also, look for my red 4runner on the beach for a first hand look and perhaps a demo!

Some action at Hatteras Wave Jam fresh out of the tissue paper!
(photographer: Janis Markopoulos)

Hatteras Wave Jam Extended!! What a SCORE!!

Fetched: September 29th, 2009, 6:01am CEST by Bill

UPDATE: Andy has a new vid from Monday's extended Wave Jam sesh which is well worth the watch! Great stuff!

Damn, talk about a score for Monday's Hatteras Wave Jam Extended FreeForm session at Lifeguard Beach in Buxton! I missed the sesh due to work commitments and unfortunately a downed 4runner (some new fuel flow problem occurred today as I tried to head out to catch a short sesh at Coquina Beach this afternoon. Luckily, I did not even make it out of the neighborhood!). For the crew down on the southern OBX, along with those on vacation for the Hatteras Wave Jam, today's nuking SW wind, sunny skies, and fun surf simply SCORED!! Lucky dogs!! : )

Keith sent in these pics tonight which Jim M and himself shot during the session:
Great stuff!!

Hatteras Wave Jam Tropical Edition Scored!!

Fetched: September 29th, 2009, 3:23am CEST by Bill

Wave Jam 2009 scored in Hatteras with two solid days of NE and ENE wind!! Sail sizes ranged from mid 5 meter down to mid 4 ms! We has some solid side-on conditions both at Lifeguard Beach in Buxton, and at the Frisco Bath House! With a total of 20 Jammers on the water, it was quite a show! We ran all the heats for the 2nd Annual Beast of the East Wave FaceOff, and scored with both Pro/Expert and Amateur places. Rankings were as follows:

Pro/Expert Division:
1st Place: Keith McCulloch
2nd Place: Andy McKinney
3rd Place: Ian Stokes

Amateur Division:
1st Place: Ken Kellar
2nd Place: George Markopoulos
3rd Place: Donald Obst

Additionally the Jam also included the following People's Choice Awards:
- Wipeout! George Markopoulos
- Aerial Artistry Bill Bell
- Choice Wave Andy McKinney

Friday night, Sailworld and Andy McKinney hosted the Wave Jam Clinic. The gathering was a huge success with eager participants and lots of sponsor prizes! Congrats to Jess Goyanko who took home the grand prize GoPro Helmet Hero Wide camera!

Special Thanks to George's wife Janis, our honorary Jammer Photographer who shot over 2000 images during the course of the three day event!! Be sure to check George's blog Live2Sail for coverage including:
- Hatteras Wave Jam Day One
- Beast of the East Wave FaceOff

Hatteras Wave Jam Tropical Edition is Here!

Fetched: September 23rd, 2009, 8:35pm CEST by Bill

Later this week, we will be hosting Hatteras Wave Jam 2009, Tropical Edition on the OBX (Sept 25-27)! This is the final installment of the 2009 Hatteras Wave Jam series, and we hope to see excellent conditions and fun participation from local and visiting wave sailors. The Tropical Edition will include a Wave Sailing Clinic hosted by Sailworld's Andy McKinney on Friday night starting at 7:00pm. Additionally, we will be hosting FreeForm wave sessions as well as the second annual Beast of the East Wave FaceOff wavesailing competition. Locations TBD depending upon surf and wind conditions. Daily morning sailor meetings will be scheduled for participants noting locations/times during the event window. Additionally, a participant hotline will be available for text or call in location details. Weather permitting, a Hatteras-style beach cookout will wrap the event with prize giveaways and awards for the participants! Its all about FUN, surf, and wind along with camaraderie out on the beach in Hatteras! Definitely do not miss it!

For complete details, be sure to visit the Wave Jam web site! See you later this week!

Punta San Carlos, Its a Wrap!

Fetched: September 8th, 2009, 8:19pm CEST by Bill

I am back on the OBX after 8 days at PSC. The trip was my second to PSC and my first hosted at the all inclusive SoloSports Camp. Though our overall wavesailing conditions were not PSC standard, we enjoyed an excellent time at the camp and had a ton of fun mountain biking, surfing, SUPing, and windsurfing. There was even a radio controlled glider show hosted by Rodney and Neil, our camp hosts!

Another unique and memorable experience was the single engine plane flight from Brown Field near the Mexico border, to PSC. The low flying at 200 ft AGL (50ft in Mike's plane) over the Mexican coastline and dirt strip landing at PSC were experiences which really added the word "adventure" to the trip! A future post will highlight the SoloSports Fly-in Experience, including commentary, more photos and video!

All in all, an excellent experience and highly recommended! As Matteo, visiting from the Gorge, said: "At PSC, you simply 'be.'" That's likely the best way to describe the experience! It was awesome to meet new people from around the world whom I now call friends, and share the state of "being" only found at a place like PSC.

Until the next trip!

A few more pics shot by Clark Merritt, and the plane ride view by Konrad from Belgium during his flight down:

Punta San Carlos, Day Six

Fetched: September 5th, 2009, 5:29am CEST by Bill

Yesterday, the wind arrived in PSC! We experienced juiced mid-5.0m range wind with bumps out there for some loops and wave hits! Everyone had a great time blasting around off Beach Break during the late afternoon sesh! I did not quite make it to 40 loops, but if you added Martin from Australia and mine, we may have totaled 40 FWDs!

Local pro photographer and SoloSports Camp Host, Clarke Merritt also suited up and brought out the camera and water housing to shoot these pics from the surf zone yesterday!

Punta San Carlos, Day Five

Fetched: September 5th, 2009, 5:29am CEST by Bill

Finally, some planing conditions! Though, not the juiced 5.0m for fully wound up sailing; however, it was nice to feel the straps on the feet! Unfortunately, the surf was quite small yesterday so though we had some wind, the wave size only peaked around waist to occasionally chest high. All in all though, everyone had fun out there running what looked like a slalom course in front of the SoloSports camp.

The H Jimera threat has subsided and we awoke this morning to hot sunny skies again. Small surf remains out there, though the marine layer on the horizon will hopefully spark up the wind this afternoon??!!

I have kind of locked into the "beer thirty" clock where if there is no wind by 3:30pm, the first beer is opened! Though, I wait until around dinner time for one of Neil's excellent Baja margaritas!

Punta San Carlos, Day Four

Fetched: September 3rd, 2009, 7:01pm CEST by Bill

The wind in PSC continues to evade us as we had another day of non-planing conditions yesterday. Though, we did have a fun NW swell hit which provided light air wavesailing at the east end of Beach Break near the Chili Bowl point. This trip, I am definitely getting plenty of experience wavesailing a SUP. Its fun to drive the "tank" though the wave zone and hit the lip! Granted, I would much rather be on a 76ltr wave stick, but the big Quatro SUP remains fun, especially in the warm water we have here now at PSC.

Earlier, Neil and Rodney flew their WindWarrior gliders up on the ridge about a mile from camp. We hiked up to watch, and it was a nice scenic walk up to the ridge overlooking the camp area. Included are some photos from the hike:

Punta San Carlos, Day Three

Fetched: September 3rd, 2009, 7:01pm CEST by Bill

Day Three at PSC introduced us to the "Baja Fog." The heavy fog layer hovered over PSC for all of the morning and most of the afternoon (Note, I had the beer and tequila shot version of the fog the night of Day Two!). The fog burnoff occurred mid afternoon, however, the layer remained out near the Bombora until around 5:00pm. The winds clocked around to the "right" direction for PSC but we did not have the velocity. Though, we did take out some SUPs with windsurfing rigs to catch the tiny swell hitting Beach Break. All in all, we patiently continue waiting for planing conditions and fun surf. Perhaps today?!

Though with Hurricane Jimena forecast to approach our area early Friday morning, hopefully we will not be going from no wind to 3.0m storm sailing conditions?! Or worse, heavy rain, hurricane winds, and who knows what?! All in all, stayed tuned!

Some photos from camp yesterday and today:

Punta San Carlos, Day Two

Fetched: September 3rd, 2009, 7:01pm CEST by Bill

Yesterday again we had no wind, however a NW swell built into the head to a few feet overhead out near the Bombora, and solid chest high down at the east end of the Beach Break. Sunny skies, hot air temps and warm water made for a fun day of surfing and SUP. I included two surf sessions; One out at the Bombora riding some big Hatteras style top to bottom crunchers. Had some fun hold downs on the bigger wipeouts! The afternoon sesh was typical PSC style with the long crumbly lines and fun gentle rides! All an all a fun day of surfing; however after two days, we are all ready for some wind! Hopefully this afternoon after this morning fog burns off...

All eyes here in camp are on H Jimena which looks to potentially impact PSC later this week. The local crew though feels that the storm will likely turn before reaching us. Plus the colder water at PSC is not conducive for hurricane strength, so if anything we may get rain and a shorter period wave swell. We will take the swell, but hopefully the rain holds off, since this place is all dirt and rocks, and rain would make it quite muddy.

Punta San Carlos, Day One

Fetched: August 31st, 2009, 1:34pm CEST by Bill

Reporting this week from PSC, Baja, the weather is excellent though the wind was here "yesterday." Usually when sailors visit Hatteras, I often tell them "You should have been here yesterday!" We heard that line from the crew who have been here before we arrived. Hopefully the wind and swell will build over the coming hours/days. I did catch a fun long board surf sesh yesterday, and some mountain biking into the "badlands!" Today, it currently looks like another surf sesh, which I will take after this post!

Stay tuned for more, as the week progresses!

Here are a few photos shot today (Sunday, 8/30):

Well, Gotta Pass on TS Danny for Punta San Carlos, Baja!!

Fetched: August 28th, 2009, 4:56am CEST by Bill

Tomorrow, I will be traveling across country, and Saturday heading south via small single engine plane to one of the top wavesailing destinations in the world!! Punta San Carlos, Baja Mexico is calling and all fingers are crossed for a memorable wavesailing adventure with lots of sick lip hits and aerial action! I am about 50% packed, but have my trusty list which includes everything from sunblock to GoPros. 50 lbs is the limit for the small plane flight, but I think I can manage.

Here on the OBX, all eyes are on TS Danny and his approach over the next few days. Also on the eve of Danny's arrival, I hope those here on the OBX score with wind to complement the awesome surf again this week/weekend! If I was not PSC bound, I would definitely NOT be vacating the OBX with the potential action brewing over the coming days. For those of you who can make it out here, I highly recommend you leave now for Hatteras! Summer wavesailing on the OBX is the absolute closest conditions we get to tropical paradise, aka Maui, and this is the precise time of year to take full advantage of the unique island wavesailing set up we have here. Remember, side-off conditions can be found anywhere on this stretch of islands, given the orientation which make these island so unique on the US east coast!

If you are on the fence...pack up and get out here!! Bring a surfboard or standup too!!

Hurricane Bill Wave Report, OBX - Its a Wrap!

Fetched: August 24th, 2009, 2:24pm CEST by Bill

The swell from Hurricane Bill came and left offering some of the best summertime OBX surf in recent memory! What began Thursday with initial swell beginning to show on the southern beaches and key sand bar breaks in Rodanthe/Waves, lasted though today and likely into the early part of this coming week. Friday afternoon experienced some of the best surf conditions from the storm swell, especially along the bar line at Coquina Beach in south Nags Head. For me, that was the key day as I was on the water light air wavesailing from 2:30pm though 6:00pm with so many fun waves caught. Weather conditions were perfect, and it was simply the best of the best for OBX summer tropical surf.

Saturday, we experienced the brunt of the storm swell with huge outside surf and a brutal inside bar break. Simply getting out past that inner bar was the real challenge on Saturday. Winds did ramp up late in the day ahead of a front of nasty weather, though I do not think anyone attempted to wavesail it in Avon. Though, there was action caught at the Canadian Hole in the sound!

Sunday, the surf calmed and with clearing afternoon skies, again picture perfect surfing waves in Nags Head and Coquina.

I believe the real sweet spot, for catching the best which Hurricane Bill offered, was at Coquina Beach in south Nags Head. The setup simply was perfect there both Friday and late in the day Sunday. I guess the surfing community found the spot throughout the weekend as the northern lot was packed with riders hitting the surf on Sunday as compared to a relatively small crew out on Friday.

All in all, an awesome surfing experience for all disciplines including wavesailing, kite surfing, and traditional surfing. Note, also some tow-in on Saturday!

Here are some photos in relative chronological order:

Hurricane Bill Wave Report, OBX - Day Three

Fetched: August 23rd, 2009, 7:21pm CEST by Bill

Today the full fury of Hurricane Bill arrived on the OBX! There was a ton of energy in the ocean today with a surreal haze which settled over the islands as the large swell from H Bill buffeted the Outer Banks. Surprisingly, though Bill's surf was big, it did not stack up to the legendary 20+ ft surf of H Noel in 2007. Though, the outer sand bars today were firing in the 12 to 15 ft range with an inner brutal bar wave pounding solid 6 to 8 ft heaving barrels. Light and variable winds kept the surf quite clean and glassy. The inner bar was the real challenge, and if you could make it past that zone, the outside offered a large lounge area and plenty of space between the set waves. Coquina Beach again was reported as simply epic for big wave surfing. I did not make it down there, but only heard that the reports from there noted awesome conditions. Tow-in surfing was reported in Rodanthe, along with extreme conditions in Avon and Buxton.

Tomorrow (Sunday) Bill's surf remains on the menu, and with afternoon SSW winds forecast to hit the low 20mph range, I will definitely be keeping my eye on Coquina Beach for perhaps a round two from Friday's epic sesh!

stayed tuned!

here are a few more pics from Friday as well as today:

Hurricane Bill Wave Report, OBX - Day Two - SCORED!!

Fetched: August 23rd, 2009, 12:17am CEST by Bill

Damn it was awesome today!!! Coqunia Beach just north of Oregon Inlet was the call. I am leaving for Punta San Carlos, a week from today...what a primer for the upcoming trip!! Full report coming soon including photos!!

Here is a teaser for you (click to enlarge):

Hurricane Bill Wave Report, OBX - Day One

Fetched: August 21st, 2009, 8:26pm CEST by Bill

Thursday, we began to see ocean swell arrive from Hurricane Bill. The southern OBX reported perfect head high conditions from Avon to Buxton. Reports from Alter Ego, across from Kite Point, noted near 100+ surfers in the water over the quarter mile stretch of beach. Further north in Waves/Rodanthe, the cut off point for the swell was found where the surf suddenly dropped off in size from S-Turns north to Nags Head. Though, at Caleb's secret spot in the tri-village, excellent chest to head high surf was found. I ended up surfing at Caleb's spot since the wind, never really ramped up for wavesailing where there was surf. Nags Head had wind yesterday, but the surf was, at best, waist high.

Today (Friday), we expect to see bigger surf and hopefully some sailable wind. All beaches should now be hitting chest high or bigger as H Bill's swell continues to arrive throughout the day. Low tide falls around 5:00pm this evening, so if the winds ramp up, it could be interesting?! Stay tuned!

Hurricane Bill and the OBX...From This to THIS?!

Fetched: August 21st, 2009, 2:05am CEST by Bill

Ocean swell from Cat 4 Hurricane Bill is forecast to hit the OBX beginning Saturday, Aug 22, and lasting though Monday. Viewing the ocean today, you would never know a monster storm was lurking out there.

From this today (Aug 19, 2009)...

To THIS for the upcoming weekend?!

And if H Bill swings a little closer to the OBX... THIS??!!

All in all, know your limits and respect the ocean. Conditions will likely be quite pounding out there, especially Saturday and Sunday!

Here Comes Hurricane Bill!!

Fetched: August 19th, 2009, 10:26am CEST by Bill

Welcome to US East Coast Tropical Season 2009! Hurricane "OBX" Bill (couldn't resist! :) ) is on the perfect track to provide some much needed summer time surf for the OBX. The latest models take it well clear/east of the Outer Banks, but in the ideal zone for surf forecast to hit this coming weekend! We are all quite excited to see clean lines and long period set waves breaking on the outer sand bars. All this small beach break surfing has to end sometime...!
If we experience some wind along with surf, talk about an added bonus!! Anyone remember TS Hana last year?!

In windsurfing news, be sure to check out Beach Telegraph's new online wind zine, Windsurfer International Magazine, Sept 2009. Its an excellent work and awesome example of using Web-based tools such as Adobe Flash and content management providers such as ZMags to render true "print magazine" quality, online! MauiSails also utilizes this technology in their Maui Monthly online zine!

FLASH UPDATE: The Human Catapult has done it!! His first FWD loop caught on GoPro footage! What an awesome achievement for a guy who we have seen go from a relatively beginner/intermediate windsurfer, to now a FWD looper in only 1 year, 4 months!! Congratulations on achieving this windsurfing goal!!

Learned from Hatteras Wave Jam and the 2008 Fests!

Fetched: August 16th, 2009, 7:58am CEST by Bill

I had a recent conversation with Ken K noting the spread of Atlantic side wavesailing stoke since the birth of the Hatteras Windsurfing Festival Series in 2008 and the Fests/Jams over the past two years. Ken has been an active participant in every event, and he noted how his ocean side skills have vastly improved since participating. Its awesome to hear and see sailors, especially on the US East Coast, challenge the Atlantic and graduate from the calm of the sound, lake, or bay side to the "3-D" experience found in the ocean. George M's recent post on Live2Sail highlights the spread and contagious nature of the ocean-side stoke/skills he acquired in Hatteras to local sailors in his area who had their first experience in the Atlantic courtesy of their local wave ambassador, George!

The Wave Jam Summer Edition held in mid-July additionally hosted two new Atlantic side sailors, and it was great to see them out in the ocean for the first time viewing of the beach from the outside. Ralph M from Triad Windsurfing and Kayaking noted, "$20 is a bargain for the experience of sailing with pros and the other stuff!...I didn't think I was ready for the ocean but George, Ken and Andy talked me into trying it Friday. Peer pressure is a mother!
I'm glad I did. It was one of my goals for 2009."
Congrats Ralph for achieving one of 2009 windsurfing goals! Glad we could help!

Special thanks also goes out to our local Hatteras Atlantic-side Ambassadors, Andy McKinney, Keith McCulloch, Stewart Proctor, and Jim Myers along with the local supporting shops, Sailworld Hatteras, Avon Sailhouse, and OceanAir Sports! You all are awesome, and its great to have the local support to help push our visiting sailors to take their windsurfing to the next level!

As we approach the Fall Tropical Edition of the 2009 Hatteras Wave Jam, the window has been scheduled for the next event! Fingers are crossed for another successful call for wind and waves! Last year Wave Fest 2008 scored with nearly 10 days of NE action and experienced awesome fall Hatteras wavesailing conditions!

If you are interested in graduating from the sound side waters to the Atlantic, be sure to join us for the Fall Edition! Set your vacation schedule and book your off-season lodging now, tune up the gear, and get ready! I know, I am looking forward to it!!

Our Summer Bermuda High...

Fetched: August 5th, 2009, 9:25pm CEST by Bill

Well, we have wrapped up nearly 10 days of consistent SW windy weather on the OBX! Beginning July 25 and lasting though August 4, the reign of daily afternoon SW "calls to rig" was quite welcoming given our meek summer wind pattern and lack of typical strong Bermuda High setups in June and early July. We had waited all summer for the BH and finally....

As a recap, I sailed 5 out of the 9 days which is not too bad given that the same week the BH arrived, I also had one of my busiest "day job" work weeks of the year. A client deadline, due today kept me glued to the computer banging out code during the morning and evening hours while I was able to catch a few afternoon hours to ride the wind. My lack of blog posts over the past two weeks is also attributed to the busy work schedule.

All in all, I caught some killer sessions both on the sound and in the ocean. Unfortunately, the surf was mostly flat during the course of the BH with only some short period wind swell wrapping the east facing beaches for wave riding. My first day, and last day, sailing the BH stretch, provided the best wavesailing. Sunday's sesh (Aug 1) at Caleb's new "secret spot" in Waves providing the best breaking wave I have sailed since mid-June.

Now, we are into August which is typically our "windless" month of the year. Who knows though...for what we lacked in June/early July, perhaps we will see in August?! If anything, I am hoping for more sessions to be on game for the Baja trip coming up at the end of the month!

(mouse over images or click for commentary)

Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 Fall Tropical Wave Edition Scheduled!

Fetched: July 23rd, 2009, 1:20am CEST by Bill

The HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam Fall Tropical Wave Edition has been scheduled! The event window is planned for September 25-27 and includes:
- Jam Clinic - Wavesailing 101, hosted by Sailworld Cape Hatteras' Andy McKinney (Friday, Sept 25, 7:00pm)
- 2nd annual Beast of the East Wave FaceOff - competitive event, location TBD (date window: Sept 25 - 27)

Fingers are crossed for some "tropical influence" during the Jam window! Bring on the wind and waves!

Visit the HWFS Web site for details and updates!

Summertime Beach Camping!

Fetched: July 19th, 2009, 9:43pm CEST by Bill

PS: For the latest on HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam Summer Edition
The OBX Summer Beach Camp is a unique experience for local and visiting vacationers who own a 4WD vehicle and take it onto the sand. Though, there are a number of beach closures during the summer months, the areas which remain open pack with vehicles and beach campers enjoying the warm inviting sand and water. I have always enjoyed the beach camping experience as it allows the freedom to bring everything out onto the sand for an enjoyable summer day. Though with the closures, the areas which remain open do pack up, especially on the northern side of Oregon Inlet.

With all the visiting summer vacationers, many drive onto the sand for the first time. Often vehicles get stuck as unfamiliar drivers dig their wheels deep into the sand until their underside bottoms out. Also, many attempt to drive on the sand with 2WD vehicles and are often stuck soon after leaving the pavement. Its a common site during the summer months.

If you are new to beach driving, note the following:
- Do not spin the tires! If you wheels start to slip, immediately stop and try reversing. If you spin, you will dig and soon be stuck with your axles resting on the sand.

- Use 4WD Low The Low option allows for better torque from the transmission to prevent strain while running though soft sand. This is especially the case for manual transmission vehicles. Often we smell the scent of burning transmissions when drivers attempt to drive across soft sand.

- Air the Tires Down to 15 PSI Initially, all sand drivers should air down to 20 PSI, especially for standard road tires. Though if you get stuck in exceptionally soft sand, take them down to 15 PSI for added traction. Lowering tire PSI also helps avoid burning the transmission as the soft tires "float" better on the sand. Once back on the pavement, most "local" gas stations provide free air services for refilling back to recommended road pressure.

- Use the Parking Brake If you get stuck, especially while stopping to check the surf at S-Turns, a nifty trick is use of the parking brake. Set the parking break, and reverse out of the stuck position in the sand. The brake helps prevent tire spin allowing the vehicle to climb out of the stuck position. This technique works very well with automatic transmissions.

Ahhhhh, OBX Summer Time....

June Wrap and Summer Outlook

Fetched: July 4th, 2009, 8:43am CEST by Bill

June is a wrap and has been kind of a let down compared to past years for summer OBX high wind windsurfing. We have had a few days, however, over the past years that I have been tracking month to month sessions, this year is the first where we did not have a solid Bermuda High (BH) producing consecutive days of windy weather.

Some highlights from the month included the opening wind and wave offering for the Real Triple-S. Definitely a major score for the event with strong 25+ mph SW wind and head high surf! The mid-month swell which produced a week of fun surf was also key for June Atlantic fun.

All in all though, June in previous years (2007, 2008) offered much better summer high wind windsurfing, as compared to this year. Well, we are now into July, which fortunately can be a windy month if a BH sets up over the coming days/weeks, or a tropical system forms nearby?! Be sure to check out Jeff Masters July Hurricane Outlook.

The Pre-Wavesailing Diet

Fetched: June 29th, 2009, 7:32pm CEST by Bill

The fuel we feed our bodies definitely has an immediate impact on our windsurfing sessions. I used to experience stiff calf cramps, and other fatigue prior to, during, and after returning from the water. Following some trial and error, I have come up with a working diet which keeps my body powered though any wave sesh, maximizing duration on the water! This diet has been honed throughout my years of windsurfing both from experience and advice from others. I have tested it in all conditions ranging from bitter cold heavy wetsuit weather, to warm trunks only summer-time fun. Results are always the same, and if I miss the diet, I usually feel some sort of pain.

Bill's Wave Sesh Power Diet:
1) 1 Dannon Yogurt or "drinkable" version (these work best for consumption while driving south from Nags Head to Avon);
2) 2 ripe bananas;
3) 2 8oz V8 veggie juice drinks;
4) 1 king sized Snickers candy bar;
5) 1 quart of water (consumed though the course of the day);
6) 1 6 inch turkey and cheese sub (optional);
7) a few cold brews of choice ("usually" reserved until after the sesh, unless hanging with the Ride crew!);

Everything but the quart of water, and beer (depending upon sesh peers?!) should be consumed before launching into the surf.

I used to include Gatorade prior to V8s, but decided to cut out some of the high fructose corn syrup. Gatorade is also simply bad for your teeth.

Waves and Thunderstorms!

Fetched: June 28th, 2009, 5:02am CEST by Bill

We were all excited about Friday's forecast conditions. Strong SW winds, and leftover swell from a low pressure system spinning in the north Atlantic. Friday arrived, and winds ramped up into the upper teens/low 20mph range across the islands. The surf was relatively small, except for one spot where it was breaking quite nicely averaging waist with chest high set waves. Ramp 30 between Avon and Waves was the call. Ken K and I caught it for about 45 minutes. It was tough, but I had to come in snap some pics and contact the wave crew reporting conditions. Powered on the 5.3m and my "big" 88ltr board, outside sets were easily distinguishable and the tide was on our side with low passing during the early evening. Lots of fun DTL wave riding on the relatively mushy setup with some critical sections on the larger sets. Unfortunately, a huge swath of nasty weather was approaching from the west, which actually killed the wind. A few other local and visiting wave seekers joined us; however, the sweet spot time period was caught by only Ken and I. By 5:30pm lightning flashed in the skies west and south of us, and everyone packed it up. Bummer too since the wavesailing window was so short and we have not had a decent SW side-off day since June 5!

Oh well, still patiently awaiting that elusive strong Bermuda High setup?!

Its Been a While...

Fetched: June 22nd, 2009, 9:33pm CEST by Bill

First off, its my first Father's Day!!!

Since both my previous post and my last planing wave sesh! A combination of technical issues, and lack of sailable wind/wave combo kept me off the OBX Beach Life blogging wagon for a while. On the tech side, my laptop and DSL modem both died, though I now have a new desktop rocket (Velocity Micro Edge Z55 Loaded!!) and DSL modem. While on the windsurfing side, finally today, north winds ramped up in Nags Head, and I caught the sweet spot of the wind window for some side-on in town action! Following two previous slog sessions earlier this week where I was literally knee deep and near dead in the water, today's ramp up was a refreshingly juiced ocean ride, even if it was side-on. Conditions were small but building in the waist to chest high range. Water temps were in the 70s and felt great! North wind hovered in the upper 20mph range and I was wound on the 5.3m and 76 ltr combo. I sailed at the beach access across from BrewThru Jr near Jockey's Ridge, and caught some fun backside hits and a few delayed fwds! The sesh lasted about an hour as the wind began to fade. A few downwinding kiters were also out to catch it; though they sailed by after I was back on the beach. Other then the beachside vacationing spectators, I was solo out there on a windsurfing rig.

I did not shoot any photos since I was anxious to rig and get out there as the sand blew knee high. Though here is a shot from yesterday at the Washout. The surf earlier this week was quite fun; however, the wind never really hit sailable strength oceanside to ride it. I tried two sessions, but both times simply had no power in the ocean, even on my "big" kit (5.3m/88 ltr)!

Punta San Carlos, Baja Bound!!

Fetched: June 12th, 2009, 2:36pm CEST by Bill

Its been literally 10 years since my previous visit to Punta San Carlos, Baja. The trip, back in 1999 (Aug 19 - Sept 5), remains the best adventure vacation of my life. Now, in 2009 I will be returning (Aug 29 - Sept 5) with SoloSports and Alan White's group from southern NC! The airline tickets to San Diego are booked along with the SoloSports fly-in package! Everything is included so all I need to bring are my clothes, a wetsuit, and harness! Definitely cannot wait to hit the Punta San Carlos wind/surf, and enjoy the hospitality and camaraderie from SoloSports and Alan's group! Definitely will be an excellent precursor trip for the Fall Hatteras tropical season, and leadup to my 40th BDay coming in January, 2010!

Ramp 27 Wavesailing and the Triple S on Friday!!

Fetched: June 7th, 2009, 2:42am CEST by Bill

Finally, a return of summer-time excellent surf and wind conditions on the OBX! What a finale day for the Real Kiteboarding Triple S Invitational which held its wave expression session at Ramp 27 on Friday afternoon. I headed down there to check the Ramp following the last awesome wavesailing sesh we had there during the Spring Edition of the Hatteras Wave Jam. As I approached the turnoff to Ramp 27, I was surprised to see numerous kites in the air, and a ton of cars in the parking lot. Lots of spectators and photographers/videographers were on the beach to catch the action for the Triple S. The set waves looked sweet in the chest to slightly overhead range, SW winds hovered in the 4.7m range, sunny skies prevailed; thus, I decided to join the fray in the ocean! When I first launched there were around 4 kiters in the surf, but as the session continued, about 20 riders packed the zone.

The top international kiteboarders attended the Triple S, and were on the water ripping along side myself, Caleb, and Dano on windsurfing rigs. It was not too bad out there given the number of kites in the air, though one guy did crash his kite lines into my rig as I was working out through the surf zone. Nothing was damaged or tangled, and he apologized which was cool. Wave etiquette was also kind of out the door, as there was plenty of rider turns onto occupied swells, and backstalling. However, I did not mind as there was plenty of surf, and if someone got onto a swell I had, I simply kicked out or stalled for the one behind if it was clear. It was their day and all lenses were on them so I just wanted to share the surf. With so many kites confined to the small area in front of the photographers, I simply kept a keen eye on what was happening around me. It was a fun sesh with great surf, though with so many kiters out on the water, I had a few missed hits and remained relatively conservative with my wave sailing. We were sharing the waves for the Triple S, and did not want to spoil their gig. All in all, everyone had a great time, and I even called on a few riders, while packing up for the day, to help me break loose a stuck mast!

There will likely be a ton of photos/videos up from the sesh as it was quite good. Stay tuned to Real Kiteboarding's coverage of the event, along with the kite forums and other related web sites. I posted a few TwitPic shots of the sesh yesterday. See the latest OBX Beach Tweets located in the right side bar.

Its Summer... Time to Go Topless!!

Fetched: June 1st, 2009, 6:54pm CEST by Bill

Well, its June 1, and over the weekend my summer time transition for the 1988 4runner is complete. The hard top has been removed ready for the hot open air days of OBX summer! Included are a couple of pics of how I remove the top with a rigging system I hooked up in my garage. Makes it quite easy for myself to remove or replace the top!

In windsurfing report news, Friday and Sunday offered some fun late afternoon/early evening SW wind! Dano and I caught it at Ramp 27 on Friday night for a sunset sesh. Small surf, but a few fun wave hits were found along with warm water and trunks only. Sunday, SW returned and I caught it at Salvo Ramp (23). Not much in the way of surf; however, there was a swell out there but high tide was in place and kept the good stuff at bay. Both days were powered by the Quatro Wave 76 and MauiSails 5.3m Legend, with wind speed hitting low to mid 20 mph range. Fun times, and definite Hatteras Summer conditions! I posted onsite pics using the Twitter TwitPics located in the right side bar of this blog (located under the Facebook badge). Stay tuned to the Twitter feed for on-the-beach reports and photos of conditions "now!"

Regarding summer OBX windsurfing/wavesailing, all eyes will be looking for a classic June Bermuda High forecast! If one locks in place, we can expect many days of solid afternoon SW wind, and plenty of action in the 5.3m and down rig sizes! If surf is forecast as well, definite bonus material! The Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 continues, and the Summer Edition focuses on the Bermuda High. Stay tuned for the next event window which will be scheduled based upon an upcoming BH forecast! Want to come out and hit it with us?! Be sure to sign up for the event! Also, if you cannot make it, but would still like one of the killer t-shirts, be sure to see the merchandise page for online ordering!

Bring it ON!! Atlantic Tropical Action Brewing off Coast of Hatteras!

Fetched: May 28th, 2009, 8:20pm CEST by Bill

Tropical depression forms off the mid-atlantic coast, Satellite imagery indicates that the area of low pressure that passed to the east of cape hatteras yesterday has become a tropical depression, the first of the atlantic hurricane season.

See Dr. Jeff Masters' Wunder Blog report. Also as we head into tropical season, follow the latest reports per the Dr. Jeff Masters' Tropical Rpt real-time feed located about halfway down the right hand side bar of this blog.

Will we be starting early this year?! Anyone remember Hatteras summer wavesailing in 2005?!

The Wavesailing Experience, Which Would You Prefer?

Fetched: May 28th, 2009, 8:20pm CEST by Bill

Discussion arose last night at the Avon Sailhouse Spring season closure dinner party about the wavesailing experience and "convenience" vs. "the search/safari" I remember reading about a similar topic on the OffTheLip.us website (is that site still around?) last year where discussion arose about running wavesailing contests and whether its better to run events around spectator convenience or wind/wave conditions. Convenience is important for high spectator numbers, and even participant ease of "finding" the event; however, should conditions be sacrificed to satisfy convenience? Its an interesting debate, and especially relevant here on the Outer Banks given that our wave spots are not static and sandbar setups change year to year, season to season, even week to week. We do have convenience in locations such as Ego Beach (directly across from Canadian Hole) and Old Hatteras Lighthouse beach. At times these locations offer excellent conditions; however, many times they do not, and other spots around the islands offer wind and surf which satisfy the pallet of both the diehard and aspiring wavesailor. Some spots are easily accessible yet require some mileage relative to Canadian Hole, while others require 4WD capability. However, if a prime wind/wave setup is found outside the convenient locations, is it worth making the effort to hit it?!

When the Wind is Light... Though More Hatteras Wave Jam Action!

Fetched: May 27th, 2009, 11:54am CEST by Bill

Well, it has not been "windless" on the OBX, at least at Jockey's Ridge over Memorial Day weekend. Upper teens with gusts into the low 20s was found there nearly every afternoon since Friday. I stopped by JRidge during the late afternoon on Saturday to find a packed parking lot with cars lined all the way out past the entrance gate! Tons of kiteboarders and a few windsurfers along with many soundside beach goers. I guess since JRidge was the only windy spot on the islands, everyone congregated there! I did not sail as the wind was a little below my threshold; however, anyone on the islands for the long weekend who scored there with the right kit (windsurfing or kiteboarding) must have had a great time!

For me, it was a weekend of cookouts and beach camps. We had the grill fired up nearly every night along with Carolina pork barbecue the past few nights. Great eats, but according to Lauren, its back to "beans and rice" I believe?!

Along with the outdoor activities, during this light wind phase we are experiencing, I have added a new feature to OBX Beach Life. Its a Twitter feed located in the right column below the Facebook badge. I decided to try Twitter for its ease in posting quick messages and photos via mobile devices. With Twitter, I can post beach reports quickly and easily on location. The OBX Beach Life Forum remains the primary tool for session announcements. Twitter will complement the forum posts by allowing quick notes/updates before, during, and after sessions. When its blowing and there are waves breaking, I usually want to be on the water ASAP! A quick Twitter post of text and/or photo is fast, easy, and available to anyone who wants to follow the feed, or see it on this blog!

Additionally, the HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam T-shirt is now on sale online! Could/Can not make it for Jam, perhaps you simply need another shirt for a friend or loved one, or its just a rad shirt and you want one?! Check out the merchandise page on the event web site for complete details and online ordering!

Hatteras Wave Jam Action!
We have had the photos under wraps for a week, and the print mags chose their selections. What remained were some sweet pics of the sesh that will give you a feel for being there! Only thing missing in these pics was the BBQ (seen it a previous post)!
Photographers: Janis Markopoulos and Lane DuPont

For more on the HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam 2009, see the event web site!

All Good Things...

Fetched: May 22nd, 2009, 4:25pm CEST by Bill

must come to an end?! Looks like our continuous stretch of windy weather is finally coming to an end. Since the first days of April, it has been windy nearly every day/weekend! Simply a non-stop flow of SW, occasional NE, and a sprinkling of SE and W wind. I am sure it will be back, as we are heading into Bermuda High season; however it has been rare this Spring to see a WindGuru Hatteras forecast with such few stars.

I guess I can finally get some of that painting done around the house!

Hatteras Wave Jam Weekend!

Fetched: May 19th, 2009, 6:54am CEST by Bill

What a windsurfing weekend in Hatteras AGAIN! This past weekend we celebrated the May window of the HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam! We began the weekend with LoopClinic 102 on Friday night hosted by Sailworld featuring Andy McKinney. The clinic highlighted both motivational as well as technical instruction for taking that rig for a spin.

The group who attended were eager to take some of the tips to the water, and with a promising weekend forecast, odds were in their favor to "wrap that front wrist under the boom and push up!"

Saturday, began the day with heavy rain and questionable wind. However, as the day progressed and the sun began to shine, SW winds ramped up along the islands. We did not experience the nukin looplicious wind found the previous Saturday, but powered 5.3m conditions prevailed during the late afternoon. The Jammer LoopOff was scheduled for 2:00pm at Lifeguard Beach, but due to a concentration of fishermen at the location per the closure of Cape Point, the event was relocated to Ramp 27 between Avon and Salvo. Ramp 27 featured a barreling inside wave ranging from waist to overhead in size. Perfect for late lip hits and meaty wavesailing action! Given the lighter wind, and relocation of the venue from Lifeguard, we decided to switch gears and focus on wavesailng with bonus points for aerial action. If you caught a gust and could rotate the rig, bonus!!

Keith, Andy, Olaf, George M, Andres, and myself mixed it up in the surf! George's wife Janis, and Lane D were on hand to capture the action in photos. Everyone had an excellent time on the water while the sun shined bright, and warm SW winds blew. The water was warm enough for trunks too!

To wrap the sesh, we grilled out on the beach with some dogs and burgers along with a cooler full of cold brews while the sun set another awesome Hatteras day. Following the grilling, George hosted a slideshow of the photo action out on the beach! Nothing like watching the action on screen while hearing the surf break a few feet away. Definitely an awesome experience for everyone who made it out for both water time and festivities on the beach. Exactly what the Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 is all about.

Here are some photos I shot. Note, the "good stuff" remains under wraps until print mag editorial review!

Found a New Wave Spot!

Fetched: May 19th, 2009, 6:54am CEST by Bill

Yesterday, a rare Spring-time SE wind event hit the OBX. The wind blew strongest over the southern beaches with Frisco reading mid to upper 20 mph wind most of the day. Avon also had decent wind with lots of juiced up windsurfers at the Canadian Hole, sailing on a reach towards Frisco! Points further north experienced less wind.

Oceanside, SE usually means drop everything and head to the Cove. However, access to the Cove is now restricted thus, we had no way to get there other than sailing around Cape Point. Its been done in the past, but with restricted beach area all along the Cove, you are not even allowed to come ashore, so it could be dicey sailing there given shifty winds and unpredictable conditions.

The next best option to the Cove on SE wind is anywhere north of Oregon Inlet. Unfortunately the wind just did not fill in with consistency up north so all of the southern crew remained south. I headed out around 2:00pm and checked a number of northern spots including, Jennette's Pier in Nags Head, Coquina Beach, Oregon Inlet, and The Washout.

The Washout had an excellent crumbly chest high+ wave breaking on the northern and southern bars, however the wind was light. I was tempted to go, but I decided to remain dry given the light wind. Next I drove back to Coquina Beach, engaged the 4WD and hit the sand. I drove south along the beach and eventually found an excellent outside break located about 1 mile north of the Oregon Inlet Beach access.

The break was quite far out and lining up nicely given that high tide was approaching. Around 4:40pm the wind began to pick up and sand starting blowing across the beach. I rigged 5.3m with the 76 Quatro and headed out. The SSE wind was near straight sideshore and there was plenty of wind off the beach and on approach to the wave zone. Though once past the wave zone, the wind shut down. It was a odd experience since normally its light inside and windier on the outside. The conditions yesterday were the complete opposite. With this scenario, it was difficult to stay upwind, and I was out for only a short sesh, as I had to be back home by 6:00pm.

All in all, it was a fun sesh for the jumps and few wave rides I had, though definitely have to check this spot again, given the outside breaking surf near high tide. Though since it is remote, likely I will usually be solo there, except for perhaps some surf fishermen. This place will remain the "secret spot!"

No photos, as I forgot my camera yesterday. I did shoot GoPro Wide, but have yet to check it out. I don't expect anything too exciting though since the wind was light most of the session, and though I caught a few waves, given the light outside, it was difficult to get to the best takeoff spot. Perhaps next time?!

Heavy Rain, Clouds... Nasty at the Lighthouse

Fetched: May 13th, 2009, 10:14pm CEST by Bill

However, the water was warm!

Yesterday NE wind blanketed the southern OBX and Old Lighthouse Beach was the call. Ominous rain clouds surrounded the area, and during the sesh we were dumped on a few times by heavy rain. Conditions at Old Lighthouse Beach included a building N swell. During the first half of the session, the waves were kind of small and disorganized; however, later in the afternoon, the swell began to organize with action inside as well as breaking mountains of water on the far outer bar. It was a fun time though I am suffering from a fairly bad cold. The warm ocean felt nice though to flush me out while on the water. However, I felt like crap last night and again this morning?!

There were a number of local and visiting sailors out on the water. Graham Ezzy remained in town and caught it, though conditions were definitely a complete opposite of this past Saturday's sesh. All in all though, not bad for a Hatteras extended weekend for Graham's short trip down, as well as any others who caught it!

Wavesailing at the Washout AGAIN!!

Fetched: May 10th, 2009, 6:40pm CEST by Bill

Update: photos and short video from sesh added!

Wow!!! Another day of awesome wavesailing at the Washout. The swell that rolled in yesterday held again today and produced excellent long line DTL wavesailing. My arms were burning with nearly every wave as I had more bottom/top turns that I could count! The setup was classic Washout with action firing on both the northern and soutern sandbars. I sailed the northern bar where chest + sized crumbly set waves peeled right providing deep lip hits in the critical sections and tons of turns. Definitely in the top three wavesailing days for me this year!

Conditions at the Washout are very dependent upon the tide. About 1 hour after low tide lasting for about 2 hrs has been the perfect window. Today I made a deliberate effort to be there at the right time, and it was a major score! SSW wind hovered in the mid/upper 20s providing plenty of juice on the 5.3m. Sunny skies and warm water were icing on the cake! Only down side, is that I can not show you the action.

I had the chest mount GP Wide with me; however, the batteries died during the sesh. I thought I at least captured 20 or 30 minutes of footage; however, I only captured 2 min. It was enough for the launch off the beach, heading out into the surf zone, and one big FWD. Unfortunately, no wave riding. Bummed too since I had some killer rides I was hoping to share with you!

Oh well, perhaps tomorrow?! Low tide at Oregon Inlet will be around 2:30pm. That means the Washout will be firing from about 3:00pm until 5:00pm! If winds are SSW again (as its been all week), definitely check it out! If its light wind, bring a surfboard or standup! I believe its definitely one of the best OBX spots this year given the excellent sand bars which clearly identify the takeoffs. The predominant SSW wind this Spring also makes for perfect direction at the Washout as well.

Next sesh I will definitely have fresh batteries installed!

Here are a few pics from the Washout yesterday. The wave shots definitely do not give the on the water experience justice since no one is out to give perspective. Though, those waves are definitely FUN!

The short GoPro Wide video report:

If you have trouble viewing the video, see direct link.

Light Wind, Waves and Rays at the Washout!

Fetched: May 10th, 2009, 6:40pm CEST by Bill

This afternoon the IWS meters from Salvo north were firing with readings hovering in the mid to upper 20s from the SSW. South or SSW wind is perfect for the Washout, and with a swell hitting Nags Head, as witnessed though the real time web cam, I had to head down to catch a few waves! I arrived at the Washout of find perfect long line peeling waves firing on both the northern and southern sandbars! Size ranged solid chest + in the sets. The outer bar wave was quite soft with crumbly sections though the shorepound was barreling! However, shorepound size was not too bad, and a quick throw of the rig over the barrel got you in the clear.

Wind was light as it backed down while I was out. Slogging 5.3m with the 76 Quatro. If I had a 90-something ltr board, it would have been awesome. Main issue was loss of time spent slogging out to set up for the return trip towards shore to catch the takeoff point. Unfortunately, I spent most of the session slogging into position, though the few choice waves I had were quite fun! If I would have been powered, there would have been many more waves caught! Dano joined me, to catch a few as well.

One other element of today's sesh was the abundance of "sea life" in the surf zone. There were hundreds of rays swimming around in the zone. The water was quite warm within the wave zone, but further out it was cold. Perhaps the rays enjoyed spending time in the warmer water. Fins were everywhere, and Dan and I both kicked around a few soft bodies while waterstarting on the inside. I even hit a few while heading out!

All in all, a fun mellow wave sesh with waves and rays! Hopefully tomorrow the surf sticks around as the wind forecast looks great for perhaps more wavesailing action?!

Here is the GoPro Wide video report:

If you have trouble viewing the video, see direct link.

Loopliciously Loopy at the Washout, S Oregon Inlet

Fetched: May 6th, 2009, 12:09pm CEST by Bill

What a windy SW run of days to open the month of May on the OBX! Since May 1, it has been non-stop warm sunny SW every day!! I missed the weekend OBX wind to attend my buddy's wedding in WV. It was an awesome time, and congrats Jack and Andrea!! A few of the local crew called me while I was in WV, but I patiently awaited my return as the forecast remained solid, and today I was welcomed home to more SW action! I took an "extended lunch break" sesh at the Washout about 5 miles south of Oregon Inlet Bridge. The Washout is the first semi-paved parking area oceanside after crossing the south side of the bridge. Its a fun spot this year with two solid sandbars north and south of the launch, and a wide expanse of beach providing clean wind on the inside.

Today, the surf was small, but the wind swell was looplicious on the outside! I tried the GoPro deck mount, and caught some fun footage, including my first video captured one-handed FWD! Quite fun! I was solo at the Washout today. Conditions were juiced 4.7m (definitely could have been on the 4.2m), sunny skies, warm air, and surprisingly warm water! I wore a 4.3m fullsuit, but could have been in trunks as the water was well over 70 degrees! Beginning of May, heck this is June weather/water!! Hope it lasts, though some bigger surf would be cool?!

Here is the GoPro Wide video report:

If you have trouble viewing the video, see direct link.

GoPro Deck Mount Note: Be sure to use a downhaul line to secure the camera rig to your mast foot. The sticky pad did come off late in the sesh when I got slammed by a 40 mph gust! However, the line held and kept the camera from being lost to the ocean. Luckily too, since there was some cool footage in there! : )

A Looplicious April Wrap!

Fetched: May 1st, 2009, 6:54am CEST by Bill

April is over, and what an OBX windsurfing month! We had many windy days with plenty of time spent blasting around on the small stuff! April opened with big surf and excellent wavesailing, hummed along with lots of 5.0m and a few more intense sessions, and wrapped with a summer like heat wave and a quasi-Bermuda High! I say "quasi" since the real Bermuda Highs will be here in June!

All in all, an excellent month with plenty of sailing time to work out the kinks and get back into the groove! Looking ahead to May, a windy SW weekend is forecast to launch the month, and heck there may even be some surf out there tomorrow along with the forecast 25+ mph afternoon SW winds?! We also have the HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam LoopClinic 102 and Jammer LoopOff competitive event on schedule coming mid-month! The LoopOff will be the spectator event of the Spring season with plenty of "aerial artistry!" Be there to "see" it as well as "fly" it!! : )

Here is a little GoPro Wide Report from a Looplicious Sesh last Saturday (April 25):

If you have trouble viewing the video, see direct link.

Avon Sail House Shop Party and Hatteras Extreme Slideshow

Fetched: April 26th, 2009, 7:46pm CEST by Bill

This past Friday, Avon Sail House hosted a shop party celebrating the Hatteras spring windsurfing season, and Hatteras Wave Jam 2009! The party was a packed house with lots of drink, food, and video entertainment run on Jim M's giant 50+ inch plasma TV. One of the featured videos was a new compilation title "Hatteras Extreme" which showcases some of the big stuff experienced over the past few years.

Here is an online version of Hatteras Extreme:

If you have trouble viewing the video, see direct link.

In other NC windsurfing news, we all wish to congratulate Scott Burnside from southern coastal NC (Wrightsville to Carolina and Kure beaches) for sticking his first FWD loop!! I received an email from him late last week noting that he successfully stuck the landing, and caught it on GoPro video during a recent sesh at Wrightsville Beach! Check out his video of FWD Loop success!

INTENSE Action at Jockey's Ridge!

Fetched: April 24th, 2009, 7:40am CEST by Bill

Though, where was everybody, at least those windsurfers in and around Nags Head?! JRidge served up the best high wind bump and jump conditions, arguably on the US East Coast, and I was solo out there! West to NW 35+ mph wind produces an incredible fetch which breaks in a narrow area where deep water becomes quite shallow. Some of the best bump and jump rollers found on the OBX happen just off Jockey's Ridge!

Conditions were overpowered 4.2m WNW wind gusting into the mid-40 mph range during the short window when I was out. Sunny skies generally prevailed bumping and looping in the sizable soundside swell. Very fun conditions, though pretty intense for the casual sailor. Definitely could have been on my 3.7m, but decided on the 4.2m for a little "extra strength" action!

Here's the GoPro Wide Angle video report (head strap mount)!

5.3m Action - One Hit Wonder, Jennette's Pier, S Nags Head

Fetched: April 22nd, 2009, 8:27pm CEST by Bill

More late afternoon SW action on the OBX! Yesterday, winds ramped up again into the mid/upper 20s under bright sunshine and warm air temps. Jockey's Ridge held the top spot for the windiest weather most of the day; however, during the early evening hours, the southern locales filled in, and everyone must have had a late dinner last night!

I remained local and hit a wave sesh at the old Jennette's Pier beach in south Nags Head. The pier was removed a few years ago, and now a large parking lot remains along with easy access to the water. The spot works best on SSE wind, though yesterday strong S wind produced side-off spray on the wave tops enticing me to give it a shot! Tim K joined me for the sesh, though the light inside left me solo in making it out. The surf ranged chest to head high with clean lines, though they were breaking within the wind shadow of the oceanfront buildings, so wind was squirrely in the zone. I had one solid head high wave as I caught a powerful swell which brought me into the zone with minimal wind. It was a "one hit" wonder/wipe out, and I likely crashed since I was so excited to find a big lip to hit, and lost the fin on reentry. The adventure under the froth though was fun, as I held onto the booms and took the roller coaster underwater ride for a little while!
Check it out in the GoPro Wide-Angle Report (head strap mount) which includes the wipeout!:

5.3m Action, Pea Island Just South of Oregon Inlet

Fetched: April 22nd, 2009, 11:20am CEST by Bill

Yesterday, a south swell came out of nowhere, and seemed to mainly hit the northern beaches starting around Pea Island. Avon reported flat conditions, while Pea Island, and points north saw a chest high set swell. There was a lot of energy offshore throughout the day in the form of heavy thunderstorm activity, so perhaps that is where the waves came from.

Caleb J and I caught it at the first washout about 5 miles south of Oregon Inlet. Conditions were sunny skies (for a while...), juiced 5.3m SW wind, and a chest high set wave. Early into the sesh, the surf lined up nicely with fun hits and multiple turns; however, as the clouds rolled in and the wind became spotty, the surf weakened and got weird with disorganized peaks, and kind of a jumbled mess. An odd "cold wind" mixed with the warm SW creating dead wind zones, especially on the outside. I did not sail too far out as these dead zones seemed to widen the further from shore I went. In the surf zone however, the winds remained on tap. Water was chilly in the upper 40s to low 50 degrees, though no booties or gloves were necessary. I wore my cap/vest combo, but left the cap off my head.

Shot some wide angle GoPro footage (with fresh batteries) using the chest mount. Enjoy!

Hatteras Wave Jam Jammer Fast 8 Racing!!

Fetched: April 21st, 2009, 11:02am CEST by Bill

We successfully ran a day of Jammer Fast 8 Racing last night at Island Creek behind OceanAir in Avon. Winds were touching the 20mph minimum and we ran three heats. Donald O scored top in points for the day and currently leads in the Hatteras Wave Jam rankings!

some photos from the racing yesterday:
photographer/judge/racing coordinator: Stewart Proctor

More racing is on tap tonight pending the excellent IWS forecast! As an added incentive for the Jammer Fast 8 Racing, the top points scorer from the multi-day racing will win a new GoPro Wide-Angle Helmet Hero digital video camera!! If you have not signed up for the HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam, and you are in Avon this week, definitely join the fray and be in the running to rack up some points to win the new GoPro!!

4.2m Action at Izzy's!

Fetched: April 18th, 2009, 3:15am CEST by Bill

I received the new wide-angle GoPro the other day, and welcomed it to the Hatteras Atlantic yesterday during a juiced 4.2m north wind session at Izzy's Inlet between Frisco and Hatteras Village. Unfortunately, my rechargeable batteries did not have a ton of juice so the video only shows the launch though the shorebreak. Nice view of the shorepound though from a wide-angle perspective!

Andy M, Olaf P, Keith M, and Niko I from Maryland joined in the fray. Conditions were near straight offshore with north wind at 30+ mph. Surf ranged from knee to chest high on the bigger sets. It was a wave racing session with lots of speed in the zone and a great setup for wave aerials! FWD loop ramps were also plentiful while heading out given the offshore wind. Water felt great in the mid-60 degree range while air temps hovered in the low to mid-50s. All in all, a fun oceanside session with some nice surf if you lined up the right swell.

Last night Andy M and Sailworld hosted the Hatteras Wave Jam LoopClinic 101. We had an excellent turnout for the clinic with plenty of future loopers amped to take the instruction, tips, tricks, and motivation to the water.

This weekend the Hatteras Wave Jam 2009, Jammer Fast 8 Race has been scheduled for Sunday afternoon, April 19, pending the SW afternoon forecast. If the forecast fizzles, Monday is the backup date (Monday's forecast calls for even stronger SW wind!). 3:00pm is race time with heat size/numbers dependent upon the number of registered participants available for the event. If you are interested in racing this weekend, be sure to check out the Hatteras Wave Jam web site for details and registration!

Kiteboarding Tragedy in Avon

Fetched: April 15th, 2009, 2:15pm CEST by Bill

Update: Per the Harness the Wind blog

I was out of town over the weekend; however picked up some flash news over Facebook regarding kiteboarding chaos on the waters off Island Creek in Avon. Apparently a strong weather front rolled across the islands producing gale force wind gusts and a direction shift which sent kiters out of control. One fatality was reported.

See more at:
- Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog
- Island Free Press
- Virginia Pilot Online

Our condolences go out to the family of the victim, and others traumatized by the experience.

Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 Spring Edition Poster!

Fetched: April 11th, 2009, 6:41am CEST by Bill

The HWFS Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 Spring Edition poster will be hitting the presses soon! The focus this Spring will be "Aerial Artistry" with a focus on the FWD loop. Be sure to visit the event web site for schedule details and registration. If this is your year to loop, don't miss the Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 Spring Edition!

Cold SW Wind, What's Up With That?!

Fetched: April 10th, 2009, 3:27pm CEST by Bill

Caught a juiced SW 5.3m sunset sesh at Salvo Ramp yesterday. It was a fun time, though there was minimal surf yet lots of loop ramps on the outside. Air temp/wind conditions yesterday were quite unique. Normally, strong SW wind ensures warm air temps; however, yesterday 26+ mph SW winds offered only upper 40 degree air?! I sailed in my heavy 5/4mm suit with the vest/hood combo (best purchase I made in 2009!), though I left the gloves and booties in the truck. Water temps hovered in the upper 40s, perhaps low 50s. I was comfortable, though my hands were numb most of the session unless I dipped them into the water to "warm" up.

It was great to finish work, run down to Salvo, drive out onto the beach, rig up, sail out into the ocean, and watch the sun set while on the water. The only missing piece was the warm air (warm water would be nice too!). Ah..., until June...!

World Class Wavesailing Conditions - Pea Island Near Oregon Inlet!

Fetched: April 7th, 2009, 5:44pm CEST by Bill

UPDATE: Yana's pics are up, check them out!

Well, its been a whirlwind weekend and I just fired up the computer this morning. Between Friday's windsurfing, to my quick trip to Harrisburg, PA for a "bachelor night out" (a buddy of mine getting married later this spring), and back over 3 days, its been a long ride! The weekend began Friday with an excellent OBX wavesailing forecast, and delivery with strong SW winds and phenomenal side-off conditions at the parking lot about 4 miles south of Oregon Inlet Bridge on Pea Island. Friday, the ocean served up an excellent south swell which was firing across the islands! The northern beaches had cleaner conditions, while down in Avon, it was a wilder ride (see Andy's latest video!). I scoped the entire stretch from Coquina down to Ramp 34 in Avon, as I had to get down there to pick up a new boom at Avon Sailhouse. After checking conditions in Avon, I decided to return north, as the ocean looked much cleaner up near Oregon Inlet. I stopped at a number of spots while driving north...Salvo Ramp, S-Turns, Caleb's Secret Spot, and finally settled near Oregon Inlet. With each point I checked while heading north, the ocean looked cleaner, and when I reached the spot where I rigged, it was perfect, clean long line, side-off head to overhead high sets!

Caleb joined me, along with Billy M on the kite rig and we had an excellent time riding fun surf! Water conditions was cold (around 48 degrees), however with 75 degree air and bright sunshine, I was out with no gloves or booties, though the cap worked well to keep the head warm if I took a spin in the rinse cycle.

The pure wavesailing was top notch OBX side-off. Perfect three to four wave sets rolled in with a distinguishable takeoff located just south of the parking lot. Ride down the line with a few turns and kick out into the "channel" for an easy run back to the outside. An excellent wave conveyor belt, and primo surf conditions!

Recommendation: If Avon looks like it did Friday with a heavy south swell and "weird inside" conditions, drive north to Pea Island, near Oregon Inlet. I was amazed at the difference, and the excellent wavesailing conditions found up there! The bars are firing there this year!

Photos were shot, and I await posting from Yana as she was shooting the session. Will let you know when she posts them up!

PS: Its blowing hard SW again today?! Will that spot just south of Oregon Inlet be firing again today?!

Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 - New Artwork!

Fetched: April 3rd, 2009, 2:11am CEST by Bill

Hatteras Wave Jam 2009, the latest installment of the Hatteras Windsurfing Festival Series (HWFS) has a new look with stylized artwork created by my wonderful wife and most excellent graphic designer!! The new artwork will be found on all media material associated with the event including web banners, posters, t-shirts, and more! Stay tuned, and check out the event web site for all the details, including registration! The first event window is approaching soon!

see you there!

SW 4.2m, Sunshine, Warmth, and Broken Booms!

Fetched: March 31st, 2009, 11:32am CEST by Bill

UPDATE: Yana just posted some shots of Caleb yesterday in the ocean 5 miles north of Rodanthe on Pea Island! Check em out!

What a welcoming weekend for the Hatteras 2009 Spring windsurfing season! Today, everything aligned for perfect late March windsurfing FUN times in Hatteras. SW winds ratcheted into the low 30 mph range all afternoon with plenty of juice for 4.2m high wind windsurfing! Bright sunshine, 70+ degree air, and a cloudless sky topped off the experience with pure enjoyment on the water! Until....my boom broke! No worries though, since I had a solid 2 hrs of juiced 4.2m power at Jockey's Ridge looping like a madman on every available ramp of opportunity! Fun times! Luckily though, it broke at JRidge and not during a big/cold day in the ocean!?!

The parking lot at JRidge was full with both the local kite crew, and a number of visiting windsurfers from the Va Beach area. Everyone had a blast out in the sound-side wind swell rollers! 60 something degree sound-side water temps felt great too!

Oceanside, the northern beaches were not seeing much of a swell. I ran down to Coquina to check conditions prior to my JRidge romp; however, the surf was small in the waist high range, and no one was out. Though, further south near Avon, reports noted sizable head to overhead conditions. Stay tuned to Andy's blog as I am sure he will have the wave report from Avon!

Yana snapped this shot a few miles north of Rodanthe where Caleb sailed today! Looked like a fun wave, and definitely a spot to keep an eye on this Spring!

Wavesailing 101 - Video Lesson: Light Air and Whitewater

Fetched: March 27th, 2009, 9:09am CET by Bill

This is my first "video lesson" post for Wavesailing 101. A few recent posts on the IWS Forum noted light wind and traversing whitewater though the surf zone. I had some GoPro footage of this experience and decided to try a narrated instructional "along for the ride" video.

Enjoy!

Meaty and "Green" at the Lighthouse!

Fetched: March 22nd, 2009, 5:04am CET by Bill

I missed a number of cold weather windsurfing days this winter to keep my leave bank up as warm springtime and summer approach! There have been some "missed its;" though most were part of cold, cloudy, and even rainy weather this month. Definitely, not the late spring-like weather we had all during the winter of 2008. Given, my relative "greenness" this winter, a wave sesh at the Lighthouse was an excellent opportunity to test both stamina as well as skill!

Conditions at the Lighthouse were quite meaty with set waves ranging well overhead. Air temps hovered around 50 degrees with water in the low to mid 40s. Full neoprene, including cap, gloves, and booties were required. Powered 5.0m N wind provided the juice, though there were some lulls out there. Andy and I were out along with a few surfers and one of the Real kite crew. The north wind provided a clean lineup, and an excellent opportunity for great wave rides; however, the only drawback was taking it too far inside and down into the current zone. It was a current conveyor out there, and most rides required a return to the beach and a hike back up to the groin for relaunch.

Getting out was not too bad, however if you were slogging into a set line, it was challenging. I was denied three times, and Andy once, though he paid a little higher price with a broken mast, while I was simply physically spent by the rinse cycles and beach gear hikes as the strong current swept south.

All in all, it was excellent Lighthouse conditions; however, my "greenness" kept my game a little below par. Hopefully April will bring on the wind and warmth, to at least shed perhaps the cap, gloves, and booties, along with the winter windsurfing "greenness!"

(click the lighthouse photo to open the report gallery)

Announcing Hatteras Wave Jam 2009!

Fetched: March 19th, 2009, 11:35am CET by Bill

The kickoff of the 2009 Hatteras windsurfing season is just around the corner, and today launched the announcement of the latest installment of the Hatteras Windsurfing Festival Series (HWFS)...Hatteras Wave Jam 2009!

Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 is an assortment of planned events include parties, demos, clinics, and competition for multiple classes. If you participated in Hatteras Wave Fest last year, there is no need to re-register for this event. Simply log into your account and choose to join up for the Jam! If you are new to the festival, register at the Hatteras Windsurfing Festival Series web site, and you will be entered into the 2009 event!

Visit the HWFS web site for all the details including dates for upcoming Spring Hatteras Jam sessions and gatherings. Its time to JAM in 2009, Hatteras style!

see you there!

PS: stay tuned for the new logo design... it will be quite awesome, especially on the new 2009 Hatteras Wave Jam event t-shirt!

Spin Loopin At JRidge!

Fetched: March 15th, 2009, 8:58am CET by Bill

Sometimes, it can be fun to chase the wind, especially if there is surf firing as well; however, yesterday I decided to remain close to home. Avon wind meters were running light, though there was some surf down there, and I did not want to go road sailing on a sunny 70 degree SW day in March. I decided to remain in Nags Head since the Jockey's Ridge meter held the top of the IWS meter list all afternoon. Juiced 5.3m SW was the call, and I had sailing partners with some of the VA beach crew down to join the fray.

Yesterday was all about the spin loop. Looping in the sound, without nukin wind and big air opportunities for plenty of maneuvering area, requires a commitment downwind. In general, soundside ramps run directly parallel with the wind requiring a slight upwind turn to jump, especially when wind speeds are not 4.7m and down. Yesterday, the powered 5.3m wind was a perfect example of this setup. Therefore, loop success came from turning downwind, nearly into a jibe, then popping the board to clear the fin, and SPIN! Landing is a big splash with feet in the straps and a clean sail away! Works like a charm, and even in the lulls it felt great to simply hang onto the booms and spin the rig, even if the board did not follow. The key being, hanging on no matter what, and going for the ride.

Fun times!

Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign...!

Fetched: March 11th, 2009, 6:17am CET by Bill

"Sign Sign everywhere a sign
Blocking out the scenery breaking my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign"

(click on image to see the full Jockey's Ridge Sign Gallery)

Kind of reminds me of that 1970s protest song titled "Signs" by Five Man Electrical Band. Jockey's Ridge is literally inundated with signs! Between spoiling the soundside view, to creating a hazard for hiking gear out to the beach, there is definitely overkill with the signs. If anyone from the State Park Service checks into this blog; here are a few recommendations from a patron of Jockey's Ridge beach from before the State began "managing" it.

1) Remove all the signs, and consolidate the messages into ONE sign!
2) Create a new walking path though the vegetation line (sand trail only) near where you want watersports enthusiasts to launch. Note, the path should be wide enough to carry gear.
3) The only "sign" that should remain holds the doggie bags for owners to collect their pet's beach craps. Hopefully, pet owners pay attention to that "sign!"

Too much signage? Let the Park Service know.

In other windsurfing reporting news, its been a warm SW 6.0m windy weekend! If you are into soundside cruising under a bright sunny sky, this past weekend was the perfect setup. I caught a late afternoon/early evening ocean-side session at Coquina on Friday. There was a swell coming in; however, the tide was high during my sesh, killing the breaking wave on the outer bar. Friday was the final day of sizable surf on the east facing beaches, and through the remainder of the weekend, the ocean was basically flat. The water temp Friday was bone chilling hovering around 43 degrees, but by the end of the weekend, we were seeing 50 degree water out there. Sound-side the water is even warmer, approaching 60s in the shallows.

Spring is nearly here, and with the additional hour of daylight courtesy of Daylight Savings, those late afternoon/early evening SW ramp ups are now sailable! Hopefully, more reporting coming soon as we sail though March!

Its Been A Cold Winter!

Fetched: March 4th, 2009, 11:05am CET by Bill

I guess I do not have to tell this to all the US east coast blog readers, but even here on the OBX, our Gulf Stream warm water influence has been all but offline this year. Yesterday, we again had a dusting of snow, and today freezing air temps have patches of ice formed on my hot tub cover! Though, its been windy, there has been a price to pay with the cold air temps!

Last night, I took a trip down OBX Beach Life's memory lane using the calendar widget in the top right hand side bar. Checking 2008, we had a complete opposite winter from this year. I sailed a number of days last year and only wore a cap once! Booties and gloves were not even part of the winter wardrobe as we had many 70 degree windy SW days! Water temps were consistent between this year and last, but what a radical difference in air. I guess its "climate change" in action?!

Well, looking forward its March and the long-term WindGuru forecast shows a string of warm mid-60s SW coming. Hopefully, our final 2009 OBX dip below freezing is today.

Breaking the Mental Barrier!

Fetched: February 24th, 2009, 1:37pm CET by Bill

October 1947, a WWII fighter ace named Chuck Yeager flew the experimental Bell X-1 "Glamorous Glennis" into history becoming the first man to beat the sound barrier. As he approached the speed of sound, vibrations caused by the extreme loads on the aircraft, buffeted the plane. Setting aside the danger, he pushed forward and with a sonic boom, found smooth sky beyond Mach 1. Yeager's story is a milestone of aviation achievement and a stepping stone to the advances we take for granted today. What's this have to do with windsurfing you ask?

Windsurfing skills such as the FWD loop instill a "mental barrier" in most sailor's psyche. As with the sound barrier many doubted it could ever be broken; however, once surpassed it became "easy." Like Yeager's ride, he pushed past the barrier to find smooth sailing beyond. Windsurfing mental barriers, once overcome, fit an ironically similar mold.

Whether it be your first time hooking into a harness, successfully making it to the outside on a big wave day, or committing to aerial maneuvers such as the FWD loop, windsurfing is filled with these "mental barriers" which push us to take up the challenge. Perhaps this challenge drives many to focus their lives around the sport. Some barriers are easier to surpass than others. The FWD Loop is arguably the top mental barrier facing average level windsurfers. Ironically, it is also likely the most attainable. Its very similar to the sound barrier in that it originally seems "impossible" for average sailors to attempt; however, once successfully committed, its like the smooth air Yeager found beyond the Mach 1 shock wave.

Sure, there are dangers which embolden the mental barrier; however, with knowledge, preparation, and some basic skill, the risks are greatly reduced. Luckily, there is plenty of knowledge out there online in video, photos, and personal experiences/lessons learned. Most average windsurfers possess the basic skills required.

Beyond windsurfing's FWD loop, the "Mental Barrier" plays a part of our everyday lives. Its simply an element of the game of life. Though, as we move forward, the "should of," "could of," or "would of" questions will come back to haunt us if we feel compelled to challenge some of these barriers, yet do not. I know that through the course of my windsurfing experience, when "retirement" comes, knowing that I challenged most aspects of this watersport is my goal. Some aspects may be missed, but others that I feel compelled to attain will be achieved.

Sure, this is another post intended to provide a little bit of that online motivation to push you, the reader this season. Whatever your windsurfing mental barrier may be this year, really make an effort to blast past the shock wave and seek the other side. The most fulfilling part is that it opens new chapters to the sport and sets up many more exciting sessions seeking new "mental barrier" challenges to overcome!

I will never forget what Keith Wood, late 80s/early 90s era Nags Head windsurfing rock star and then manager of Kitty Hawk Sports (when they carried windsurfing gear) told me during some random session years ago: "If your hair ain't wet, your not pushing yourself!" How true!

You may have seen this video, its one of the most inspiring online FWD loop videos I have seen. Regardless if you've seen it before, if you want to loop, press play again, and again, and again..., then get out there and shatter the barrier by taking your rig for a spin!

Front Loop DVD trailer from augustyna.pl on Vimeo.

For some local OBX inspiration, take a fresh look at last year's LoopFest 2008 videos!

PS: If you just cannot do it alone or at your local spot, come out to the OBX this year and Keith, Andy, Stewart, Donny, or I will hopefully be able to provide some on the water motivation!

How Many Days Until Your Arrival?!

Fetched: February 17th, 2009, 12:46pm CET by Bill

UPDATE: 1/17/2009 The Blog Headers for 2008 have been archived and new 2009 headers have been added. Stay tuned as more are added throughout the year!

April is approaching along with the start of the Spring 2009 Hatteras windsurfing season. March will see some early arrivals; however, the season kicks into full swing in April. May is also a strong month with more favorable wind and water conditions (warmer) and is often the time for the second visit from regional windsurfers. By June, its back to summer style and the hope for as many Bermuda Highs as possible!

If you are coming down, be sure to check out some of the gear I have for sale this year. There are some excellent deals on some excellent gear, the creme dela creme! Over the weekend, I set up the photo viewer software seen on many other windsurfing sites such as the Kev and Matt's blog, and the Cabo Verde event site. Its a nice little piece of open source SW that is easy to set up and makes for easier photo viewing across OBX Beach Life. The viewer has been implemented in Gear for SALE located in the right side bar. Simply click on the image to launch the viewer. For ease of navigation, use the following keyboard keys: n - next, p - previous, c - close viewer.

I implemented the viewer on the most recent blog posts along with the 101 instructional posts. All future posts will include the viewer. As a SW engineer by trade, I love open source!

A Taste of Spring Windsurfing on the OBX - minus the surf!

Fetched: February 13th, 2009, 5:45am CET by Bill

If you follow Hatteras weather forecasts, you probably saw the "yellow stars" aligned for a warm windy mid-week! The forecast was spot on; however, you had to remain north to catch it! Yesterday and today, Nags Head was blanketed with strong SW and W winds. I road sailed down to Avon yesterday chasing SW wind and waves to find an afternoon drop with the IWS Avon Ocean wind meter reading the lowest of all the OBX meters. Jockey's Ridge and Windmill Point however were at the top with SW hitting the upper 20s with gusts into the 30s. Andy was out at Ego Beach yesterday, but it was primarily a slog sesh with a few wave rides. Lane, Wendy, and Brian had the kites up and were ripping in the lighter wind. Yana caught some of the action! I raced back to Nags Head; to try and salvage a session, but my timing prevented catching it at Jockeys Ridge where 4.7m would have been the call.

Today though I remained north and caught it at Jockeys Ridge. The wind was due west and with Lake Atlantic along the east facing beaches and a mess/light wind reported from the southern side, I decided to forgo the 100+ round trip mileage to Frisco and hit the spot close to home (under 2 miles). It was quite fun with juiced 4.7m conditions, looplicious ramps on both tacks, and lots of sound water to play in. Tim K and I were solo at JRidge under a sunny cloudless sky.

Lake Atlantic as seen from Oregon Inlet. Barely a hint of surf out there!

Wavesailing 101 - Let's Dance!

Fetched: February 10th, 2009, 12:33pm CET by Bill

(mouse over images for captions)
In the previous Wavesailing 101 post, I mentioned "the dance" involved with working to the outside following a successful escape of the shorepound just off the beach. Hatteras is notorious for its "discotec" found between the shorepound and outside sand bar. This area is a cauldron of current, light wind, whitewater, cross chop, deep holes and sometimes fin scraping shallow sand. Literally, you have to have your groove on to make it though this zone.

In following the night club comparison, this area of the wave zone is comprised of a number of different sections. Surf size has a direct impact on the influence within these sections along with the sand bar makeup for the given launch spot.

- The Bar: At the club, the bar is where the drinks are served, and in the Hatteras surf, the Bar is also where you can definitely be "served...," tumbler and all, though at least not "on the rocks!" Basically, the Bar is usually found following the initial shorepound. It can also be part of the shorepound depending upon the sand setup just off the beach. The Bar is the apparent line or step where the height of the ocean appears to jump from beach level to a few feet above. It can be two feet or five depending upon the surf size. The Bar is often a spot of initial denial after successfully timing the shorepound. Often the wave may not be that big, but it simply is always there, and takes some balance, timing, and patience to clear it for freedom in the Lounge.

- The Lounge: This area is the hang out spot on a big wave day. Its found over the deep water located between the inner and outer sand bars. As the wave energy breaks across the outside bar producing large walls of whitewater, these dissipate as they cross over the Lounge. Often a six foot wall of white will shrink to a few feet or less over the Lounge. This is the perfect area to catch your breath, relax, and get your bearings especially after a heavy wipeout or denial at the main sand bar. Its an area of relative safety and relaxation; though there often exists current in this area. Therefore, if you lounge in the Lounge too long, you may end up far downwind from where you launched from.

- The Dance Floor: Ultimately, you have to hit the dance floor, right?! Well the dance floor is the main surf zone. Its where the wave riding happens; however, you have to get out onto the floor, in order to show off your moves! Similar to the Bar, another wave barrier must be breached. This one differs from the bar in that there is often space between the swells, and clean lines out; plus, you are often in some sort of groove/control as you approach the dance floor. Of course, the dance floor also has its "bouncers" to keep you off the stage. They usually manifest themselves as the actual set wave whitewater, current, light wind, or other dancers (aka wave sailors). As mentioned in the previous 101 posts, there are some key tips such as not looking at the "peak wave energy," and rather focusing on the clean sections. Avoid the bouncers and get out onto that floor with your partner.

Your dance partner at the club is also very important. Whether it be a sleek, pure wave hottie, or a more voluptuous free-wave knockout, your choice purely depends upon your personal preferences. Here in Hatteras we see both partners mixing it up with the local wave crew. Rider balance, size, and comfort level usually dictate the choice partner to dance with. Your partner also is dressed for the club; thus, the rig complements the groove on the floor. Wave sails vary depending upon draft and power placement, and skinny masts are basically a must in the surf. A solid wave boom rounds out the attire, along with a fresh tendon base. All in all, your partner can really influence your moves out there, and as at the club, the best dancers groove with the creme de la creme!

Its time to crank up the beat and get our groove on, who's ready!?!

Hatteras Windsurfing in Print!

Fetched: February 3rd, 2009, 12:06pm CET by Bill

There is something special about viewing windsurfing content in print. Perhaps its the tangible feel of the photographs mixed with a publication layout, making the "editorial cut," the unknown audience viewing the pages, or simply showcasing to your buddies..."hey, check this out!" Print publication will always hold a special place for the visual windsurfing world. Heck, I am currently searching for a frame to mount the NEWj Sept 2008 cover shot!

Over the past year we had some awesome print coverage for Hatteras windsurfing action! New England Windsurfing Journal featured the greatest amount of coverage with numerous Hatteras cover shots along with abundant feature content. Windsurfing Magazine showcased a healthy dose of content including the most recent HotShots full page photo of Keith M on the Kite Point speed slick. Windsport featured a travel guide specific to the Canadian Hole, and locally, the Island Breeze featured a number of articles.

All in all, its great to see Hatteras windsurfing in print, and I am always psyched to view this part of the world in the pages of a mailbox delivered/newstand publication!

What will 2009 have in store?! Well, if anything, we will definitely have a ton of stock photography!

PS: Hopefully, a Windsurfing HotShots photo of "warm weather" Hatteras wavesailing?!? Trunks only, blue skies, and our famously blue/green water.

Belated Birthday Gift From the Hatteras Wind Gods!

Fetched: January 31st, 2009, 4:28am CET by Bill

UPDATE: Feb 1, 2009 - Photos from the day by Yana, check them out!

Well, as of yesterday I am now 39 years young! It was a day late, but my gift arrived today with strong, warm SW wind (two years ago, I had a fun sesh on my birthday!)! The call was Ego Beach, and I headed south around 1:30pm. Andy, Keith, Caleb, and Jim K were out on the windsurfing rigs while Lane, Brian, and Nadia kept the kites aloft above the surf! It was a fun sesh, but I was totally green out there since it has been nearly four weeks since my previous sesh, and booties are something I have not worn in a number of years. The water was ice cold and hovered in the mid 40s. However, the air was balmy near 65 degrees so the 100 Rule was likely met. Actually, it felt great to be out there today even if I was not riding my A game, and everyone had fun enjoying the winter-time Ego Beach surf. Waves hovered in the chest high range with a few head high sets. Inside current was really ripping in sections, but there were also some calm spots. The outer bar began to break after low tide, providing some nice sections. Wound 4.7m was the call during most of the sailing.

Lane and Yana were snapping shots, so if I come across some, I will post. In the mean time, here are a few I snapped while wrapping up for the day.

Ready to derig and pack up at the Canadian Hole parking lot soundside across from Ego beach.

"Winter Rocks!" The title of the new April 2009 Windsurfing Magazine. Definitely check out the Hotshots to find a full page shot of Keith on the Kite Point speed slick! Congrats Keith for the ride, Lane for the shot, and thx WS for the full page Hatteras photo coverage!

Wavesailing 101 - Surviving Shorepound and Whitewater!

Fetched: January 23rd, 2009, 6:14am CET by Bill

Shorepound/whitewater is one of the most challenging aspects of wavesailing depending upon your home break conditions, as well as experience in the ocean. Here in Hatteras, these two elements of ocean windsurfing, test our abilities and challenge our skills not for riding waves, but simply making it out! Shorepound and whitewater are the first things you see when looking out into the surf zone, and the first thing you have to face. Here are some tips/tricks for challenging the froth:

1) Timing: Timing is a key aspect of launching off the beach when dealing with both shorepound and whitewater. The motion of the ocean is interval-based and a timing rhythm exists. Waves are grouped into sets and these can be visualized by watching the rhythm of the ocean for a few minutes. Often in big conditions this cycle of wave sets and lulls can be very easily distinguished, especially in side-off or offshore conditions. The key, with timing related to shorepound and whitewater, is to launch off the beach at the end of the wave set. Often sets are grouped into 4 or 5 wave increments; therefore, if you launch just after the 4th or 5th set wave breaks and its energy ends with the shorepound crash, you will likely have a clear window to the outside. There may be some minor whitewater to deal with along the way out, but if you do not fall, or spend excessive time in the surf zone, a clear path out is usually found.

2) The Line Out: This refers to the path you drive on the board to make it out. The best path seeks to avoid peak wave energy where possible, shoot for a downwind angle, and "look" where you want to go. "Peak wave energy" refers to the critical point where a breaking wave has its strongest energy. This is usually found where the initial crash occurs, or if the wave is sectioned, where two sections meet. These areas are "easy" to look at, since often they are "oh sh!@#!!" spots in big surf. However, with practice you want to avoid looking at these spots, and rather look for the smooth area where the wave has not broken. Often your best avoidance approach is to shoot for a downwind angle. If the path straight out has a breaking section ahead, turn downwind and shoot for the shoulder of the wave. Sometimes a pinch upwind is necessary, especially if the waves are breaking opposite of the "down the line" sailing tack; however, always the first choice is downwind.
Bottom line is to be aware of what is happening with the waves and whitewater around you and drive your rig with an intent to avoid "peak wave energy" where possible.

3) Balance: Balance is a key factor when dealing with shorepound and whitewater. Timing and clean lines out are important; however, regardless of these tips, you will need to confront the whitewater at some point. There is simply no way to avoid it all the time. These confrontations can work in your favor though if you know what to do and keep you balance. Balance is achieved by simply windsurfing on small equipment and putting yourself into situations where you need it. Slogging a shortboard up to your knees, even in flat water will work wonders for building balance skills. It is not fun, but will payoff when its time to hit the surf. Extended arms and bent knees equates to a low center of gravity on the board. Additionally, rig handling plays into balance as I often see sailors drop their rigs due to the forward pull when traversing whitewater. There is a definite "dance" involved when traversing out though the zone, and most of the subtle intricacies are learned from experience. Equipment does play a factor as well with regard to balance.

Modern FreeWave boards are great for stability and quick planing characteristics due to their wide surface deck area. They are the preferred choice for many of the local Hatteras wave crew given our light wind inside zones and ripping current. I however, ride a pure wave board which has really boosted my forced balance skills to provide added payoff on the wave ride itself. Whichever board you choose, your personal balance characteristics do play a key factor when dealing with whitewater.

4) Cahones!: Often a product of experience, a certain level of mental discipline is necessary to successfully make it out. There are no special techniques or skills to master, but rather a willingness to make the commit and really go for it! Many times, this is the hardest hurdle to overcome, but often is also the easiest. I plan a future post on the "Mental Barrier" highlighting its aspect related to windsurfing/wavesailing. Cahones are a product of comfort in one's own abilities and the environment in which they play. From the recent big kona action on Maui, to tropical Hatteras mayhem, cahones play a major factor in simply rigging up to hit it!

That wraps this latest installment of Wavesailing 101. Stay tuned for future installments. If you have specific questions about a wavesailing topic and possible future WS 101 posts, submit a comment. Also, if you have any followup insight from your own experiences, please reply in the comments.

Until the next wave sesh...!

Heavy Snowfall on the OBX and a New President Today!

Fetched: January 21st, 2009, 4:54am CET by Bill

Today we welcome our new President, Barack Obama. Congratulations America! Washington DC, though cold welcomed the new President with sunny skies and no adverse weather. Travel south and east of DC however, and Old Man Winter's white stuff falls in blizzard-like strength!

Here on the OBX it's full on blizzard snow fall out there today. Gale force N winds are blowing snow all over the place, and I am sure there is some drifting out on the beaches. We do not have snow plows or salt trucks on the OBX, therefore, drivers on the bypass are at the mercy of the inexperienced person in the vehicle ahead, behind, or beside them. Recommendation number one...if driving from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head, take the Beach Road!

My post quantity has been lacking lately due to well, cold weather and conditions below the "100 Rule" threshold. Though Andy has been hitting it with his cold weather gear and determination! He definitely has to remain primed for his visit to Maui coming up in March! Lucky dog!! : ) I however, will be reserved to swim laps at the YMCA and catch bike rides in and around Nags Head Woods to prime me for the upcoming Spring season.

Though perhaps an upcoming post will report sledding conditions at Jockey's Ridge?!

Well, to Be Somewhere Else...

Fetched: January 13th, 2009, 9:53pm CET by Bill

Today is literally one of those really crappy days weather-wise. Its raining, fairly cold, and quite miserable outside. The WindGuru outlook does not look too promising, except for cold. Its winter time, and the OBX is definitely not a winter-time destination, though at least there is no ice/snow forming on our rigs, yet?! Days like today do not find much to do other than wish you were somewhere else. Given the blog rounds, its easy to see why it would be nice to be on Maui right now. Makani's latest GoPro video, GP's action out there, or KP's latest reports really take us there, especially this time of year. Warm weather, water, and sunshine look quite inviting. Congrats to Andy who will be heading out there during the beginning of March to hit the Tabou line!

I will be holding down the fort locally this year as I did last year. Lauren scored with her Costa Rica all women's surf trip last winter. Perhaps, winter 2010 will take me somewhere?!

As for today, its one day closer to late May/June where at that time here on the OBX, I would not want to be anywhere else.

Warm Windy Wednesday SW Gale in Hatteras!

Fetched: January 8th, 2009, 6:55pm CET by Bill

Yesterday, we experienced a warm SW gale force day on the OBX! From dawn until well after midnight, the SW winds blew extremely hard across the islands! There was one period of lull where it dropped into the mid-20 mph range, but other than that, it hung in the mid to upper 30s/40s for nearly 20 hrs! Air temps ranged in the upper 60s to near 70 degrees. Removing the wetsuit on the beach was not too bad! Heck, I did it twice!

I had two sessions yesterday in Hatteras. The first was at Canadian Hole where strong 3.7m conditions frothed the sound into lots of white choppy ramps. About 5 of us were on the water enjoying wetsuits only conditions in the warm air and patchy warm water. Lots of big air and loops over the Hole!

Soundside at Canadian Hole

On the water action. The middle explosion is Andy landing a FWD. I snapped the photo just a little too late!

As a squall approached around 1:30pm, we began the derigging process. Andy and I were the final two remaining when it hit, and luckily I was behind my truck holding my boomless rig just as it struck. Winds whipped up to tropical storm force, and rain blew horizontally. I kept my sail flat on the parking lot, though my board was bagged but precariously out in the wind line. It was well positioned to not take off, but a visiting non-windsurfing spectator pulled up and parked right in the downwind path of my gear. I had to wave at them to move the vehicle or risk my board potentially flying through their windshield! Luckily, nothing took flight, but heed that you should never park your vehicle directly downwind of windsurfing gear, especially during a storm squall. Canadian Hole is notorious for flying gear when these systems roll across the parking lot!

As the squall winds subsided to 30mph, I was able to finish derigging and load my gear. Clearing skies were seen to the west, so the day was not over. I checked the IWS radar and we had a nice window of clearing approaching. Being that I drove to Avon to sail, I had to catch a session in the Atlantic. Ego Beach did not look too enticing with river-like current on the inside, and peaky waves outside. Andy was game, so we decided to drive down to Lifeguard beach since the ocean swell would be cleaner down there for perhaps a better lineup. Sure enough, we arrived to nice peeling chest to head high set waves and surprisingly smooth side-off conditions. Minimal current and space between the sets. Skies cleared and the wind dropped into the mid 20 mph range so we rigged bigger. Andy 5.0m, me 4.7m. The surf was fun with a nice takeoff just south of the Ramp 46 marker. On the bigger waves, 4 to 5 bottom turns was the norm, though this would get you inside where the "wall" was challenging to break though. There was not much of a "lounge" yesterday, so it was a constant battle with the whitewater if you got too far inside. I was denied three times on one trip into the inside after a multi-turn wave ride, but skirted out in a break in the wall.

The wave lineup at Lifeguard beach following our session.

That's me getting ready to throw it over the shore pound at Lifeguard Beach

Andy on a nice one at Lifeguard Beach. This shot is up on his report as well, but I circled him in the photo. Nice peak!

One of the bigger waves at the "Wall." Note the spray coming off the top of that wave!

Andy and I wrapping up for the day. We had Lifeguard Beach all to ourselves!

All in all, it was a killer session with both sound side 3.7m mayhem at Canadian Hole, and smooth 4.7m wavesailing at Lifeguard Beach. Reminded me of Day Two Hanna last Sept, except we needed wetsuits yesterday, and the waves were smaller.

Upon returning to Nags Head, the wind continued to blow hard. Throughout the night, the gale force winds whipped the pine trees at my place similar to what is experienced during a tropical system. Tree branches were falling, and the sounds outside were like a freight train rolling over the tree tops! Pretty amazing!

photographers: Bill Bell, Keith McCulloch

From the Video Archive - Wavesailing TS Hanna 2008

Fetched: January 7th, 2009, 4:02pm CET by Bill

Found some unpublished video from Day One of Tropical Storm Hanna and wavesailing at the Cove! Its nothing super spectacular as compared to some of the photography from that session (see photo at left shot during this video filming. photographer: Lane Dupont); however, it gives a nice sense of the wavesailing, including one fun denial! The GoPro action is non-wide angle, however stayed tuned in 2009 for future Hatteras wide-angle action!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year - FINAL RESULTS!!

Fetched: January 1st, 2009, 4:44am CET by Bill

2008 was the year of Hatteras windsurfing photography. We had tons of awesome sessions captured on digital media in all formats including photo, video, and GoPro. The selection of photo headers this year totaled 72, and of those, 42 were chosen to be included in the voting rounds for the top pic. The heat entrants were determined by review and comment/suggestions from both local photographers and riders.

For this year, the viewer's choice 2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year is....

This year's choice header ideally summarizes likely the best wave and wind event of the year; Tropical Storm Hanna (Aug 30 - Sept 7). From the ocean swell which arrived Labor Day weekend, through to the following weekend's windsurfing extravaganza (see search result of Hanna coverage), TS Hanna provided us with the best conditions Mother Nature could serve to the Outer Banks. A full summer-time week of waves and wind which provided warm tropical-like air/water and offered trunks-only refreshing time in the ocean. The closest to Maui, we experience in Hatteras!

The header photo showcases the big surf offered by TS Hanna and a moment above the lip of the breaking wave. Thanks to Keith McCulloch for the shot using George Markopoulos's camera, and Bill Bell for charging it late in the day at Lifeguard Beach in Buxton, during Day Two of wave sailing TS Hanna.

See the Finalists as well as all Heat results below:
- FINALISTS
- Heat I
- Heat II
- Heat III
- Heat IV
- Heat V
- Heat VI
- Heat VII

Thanks to all who voted for the 2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year! Participation was strong for this event lasting over a month! Also many thanks to the photographers and riders who showcased the action this year in Hatteras. You all have really opened this awesome windsurfing destination for the world to see!

Happy New Year to all and here's to a windy and wave filled 2009!

Its windy now, I'm going sailing! : )

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year - FINALS

Fetched: December 18th, 2008, 5:07pm CET by Bill

We have reached the final round of the 2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year online contest. Seven heats totaling 42 headers were reviewed and voted on narrowing the field to the following seven finalists. These are the "best of the best" for 2008! Which one shines above all others for 2008?! YOU decide!

Please vote for your choice from the following FINALIST headers:
click any image to enlarge

Header I

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Header VII

Voting window for Heat Seven closes Tuesday, Dec 30 at 11:59pm
The winning Header and all results will be announced New Years Eve!!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat Seven

Fetched: December 13th, 2008, 8:03pm CET by Bill

The 2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year contest is underway. Seven heats will be held over the coming weeks to narrow down the finalists.

Please vote for your choice from the following Heat SEVEN) headers:
NOTE: This is the final preliminary heat. Next will be the finals along with all the preliminary results! The FINAL heat will launch Thursday, Dec 18!
click any image to enlarge

Header I

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Voting window for Heat Seven closes Wednesday, Dec 17 at 11:59pm
The final preliminary heat!!

FUN Winter Wavesailing at Coquina Beach!

Fetched: December 12th, 2008, 11:15am CET by Bill

This afternoon, warm SSE winds blew across the OBX and the Oregon Inlet meter hovered in the mid-20s mph! I was psyched to catch a "local" wave session at Coquina Beach just south of Nags Head and about 10 min from my house. As compared to the typical 45 min drive to wavesail in Avon. Interestingly, Coquina was breaking chest high on the sets and set up for perfect side shore DTL wavesailing. The outer bar was firing about 100 yards offshore and made for plenty of space to gather jump/loop speed! I threw a FWD with every run out and worked on the delayed-type given airtime from the steep ramps.

The DTL waveriding was awesome, especially following low tide around 12:30 pm. I caught some of my best waves this year with lots of big lip hits and floaters. 3 to 4 bottom turns was the norm on the bigger set waves. Tons of fun!! Water temp was surprisingly warm and hovered in the upper 50s with air hitting near 70 degrees. I started my session around 2:00 pm and sailed until dark. Dano joined me about an hour before sunset, after I came in a few times to make calls to the crew reporting conditions.

No photos since there was nothing really spectacular to shoot as I was solo on the water. Skies were gray and it looked like typical overcast Hatteras conditions. However, the surf set up was very nice with waves breaking on the far outer bar.

If you are familiar with primo Hatteras wavesailing conditions, you can likely picture what it was like. Perfect chest+ high crumbly SE swell set waves on the outer bar, peeling right with steep sections for deep hits. Very easy to see the outside swells and turn into the set. Powered 5.3m wind kept the water relatively chop free, especially in the wave zone.

All in all, a great session for December!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat Six

Fetched: December 11th, 2008, 4:11am CET by Bill

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Voting window for Heat Six closes Friday, Dec 12 at 11:59pm!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat Five REDO

Fetched: December 9th, 2008, 5:29pm CET by Bill

UPDATE: The HEAT FIVE poll has been reset to include a missing BIG Wave session hosted on South Ocracoke this Fall. Heat Five consists of BIG wave session photos, and this day was missed in the review prior to Heat Five posting. The best photo from that session has been included.
Please re-vote for Heat Five!

The 2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year contest is underway. Seven heats will be held over the coming weeks to narrow down the finalists.

Please vote for your choice from the following Heat FIVE (The BIG wave Heat!) headers:
click any image to enlarge

Header I

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Voting window for Heat Five closes Thur, Dec 11 at 11:59pm!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat Five

Fetched: December 6th, 2008, 1:11am CET by Bill

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Cast your vote!
OBX Beach Life 2008 Photo Header - Heat Five
( polls)

Voting window for Heat Four closes Wed, Dec 10 at 11:59pm!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat Four

Fetched: December 4th, 2008, 4:16am CET by Bill

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Voting window for Heat Four closes Fri, Dec 5 at 11:59pm!

SW Monday Report
Enjoyed warm SW yesterday with sunny skies and 4.2m conditions! I was initially denied at Ramp 34 due to a drop in wind and heavy current, but redeemed with a sunset offshore session at the Point! Chest to head high waves and strong winds prevailed well after sunset. Charlie, Dan and I caught it. We were a little worried about Dan as we lost him after the sun set and with offshore winds blowing over 35 knots, if he was out at sea, it would have been a long night. However, he washed ashore south of where we launched after his universal became disconnected. Luckily nothing was lost, and we all enjoyed a cold early evening brew on the beach. Fun times!

The initial outing at Ramp 34 during the mid afternoon

Early evening at the Point. Notice the blowing sand...I should have rigged 4.2m but rather had a 4.7m out there. I would have rigged down, but we simply did not have enough time before it got dark...can't wait to turn the clocks forward?!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat Three

Fetched: December 1st, 2008, 8:23am CET by Bill

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Voting window for Heat Two closes Wed, Dec 3 at 11:59pm!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat Two

Fetched: November 26th, 2008, 12:41am CET by Bill

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Cast your vote!
OBX Beach Life 2008 Photo Header - Heat Two
( surveys)

Voting window for Heat Two closes Fri, Nov 28 at 11:59pm!

If voting remains open in Heat One, please submit your vote!

Heat Three will begin Dec 1!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo of the Year - Heat One

Fetched: November 24th, 2008, 5:31pm CET by Bill

The start of the 2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year contest is now underway. Seven heats will be held over the coming weeks to narrow down the finalists.
Please vote for your choice from the following Heat One headers:
click any image to enlarge

Header I

Header II

Header III

Header IV

Header V

Header VI

Voting window for Heat One closes Wed, Nov 26 at 11:59pm!

Snow Today on the OBX!!

Fetched: November 24th, 2008, 5:31pm CET by Bill

This morning we awoke to heavy snowfall on the Outer Banks, at least north of Oregon Inlet. Andy reported sailing in the ocean this morning just north of Avon, but no snowfall down there. In Nags Head, it would have been small wave hits in the snow?! I remained dry though, since the 100 Rule was likely not close to being met.

Nice that the top is back on the 4runner. Already looking forward to June 2009!

Our deck palm is definitely not happy!

2008 OBX Beach Life Photo Header of the Year

Fetched: November 20th, 2008, 4:12am CET by Bill

2008 was an excellent year for Hatteras windsurfing photography, with likely some of the best pics ever shot by local and visiting photographers! The OBX Beach Life rotating headers contain most of the best pics from this year. The headers rotate randomly, with each page load, to provide a moment of the windsurfing action here in Hatteras.

The second annual OBX Beach Life Photo Header contest will begin soon. The online event will consist of seven "heats" consisting of 6 headers within each heat. You will vote for the top header per heat, and a finals round will run for the seven finalists. A total of 42 headers will be reviewed for the contest, resulting in the top pick for 2008!

Last year, Pete Lewando scored the photographic honor with a radical shot of Charlie Myers at the lip on Ocracoke.

Who will take the honors this year?? You decide!
Heat 1 is set to begin Nov 24!
Stay tuned!

Hatteras Speed!

Fetched: November 19th, 2008, 8:43am CET by Bill

Last week before Noah arrived, Lane Dupont submitted some photos from an east wind speed session at Kite Point just south of Canadian Hole. East wind at the Hole/Kite Point is straight offshore. Most of the sound water blows out; however, the "Hole" at the site is actually a long (800+ meters) trench which runs parallel to the shoreline about 20 yards offshore. The Hole held the water creating a perfect speed strip for those who like to go FAST!! Not sure if any records were broken during the Speed sesh, but the photos look great! Thanks Lane!

See Andy's report from that day!

Andy M with an up close run along the drag strip!

Keith M locked into high gear along the edge of the Hole!

Donny B one handed on the butter smooth water!

I'm a Dad!!!

Fetched: November 15th, 2008, 5:12am CET by Bill

Noah Ryder Bell was born Thursday, Nov 13 at 8:15am!! What an experience, and one for life. The little guy came to us with no problems and Mom and he are doing great. Though Mom still has some pain in her abdomen from the c-section delivery. I have been spending the past 24+ hours in the hospital, and came home today for a few hours to check in at home, and get some photos out to family and friends. Of course a blog post too!

Noah was born on a SE windy day, and though I missed it (waiting to read the Cove report?!), along with likely the SW forecast for tomorrow..., his arrival makes the windsurfing "Missed It" in the calendar totally worth it! In his calendar, it was a total epic session for me!!

All in all, a quick post that all is well and Lauren and I look forward to the coming days, weeks, months, and years ahead! Thanks again to all the support from everyone. Its a magical moment!

Mom and Dad patiently waiting for the little one!

Hey Noah, nice diaper! Dad will become an expert changing those!?!

A family photo!

Son and Dad!

What I Missed!!

Fetched: November 10th, 2008, 12:15am CET by Bill

Well, if you live on the OBX or were here visiting this week, you likely have had enough rain brought by the recent coastal storm to last for quite a while. Pouring showers Tuesday, Wednesday, and half of today flooded much of Avon and brought Rt 12 to a crawl. It has been quite windy though with 3.7m conditions over the past two days (Andy's got some nice reports from Avon), and 5.5m wind today near Oregon Inlet! Unfortunately for me, I missed it all! I was out searching/road sailing over the past few days; however, lack of enthusiasm to go solo in Nags Head with pouring rain and 35+ mph wind (Tues and Wed), along with enticing wind/decent side to offshore wave conditions, yet gray skies, spitting rain, and solo on a battered beach south of Oregon Inlet (today) kept my gear dry.

All in all, if only the weather would have been inviting?! Though, Fall miserable weather is much better than Spring. At least this time of year, the ocean water remains relatively warm!

Oh well, SW is forecast to return this weekend. Whether windsurfing or surfing, I am definitely getting wet!

PS: I only have one week left! Lauren and I will be joining the ranks of joyful parents very soon!! I may be missing a few upcoming windsurfing sessions?! : )

Mid-loop during a recent 3.7m sound-side session at Windmill Pt in Nags Head. Definitely not the past few days though...there is blue sky in this photo!

Congratulations America!

Fetched: November 6th, 2008, 5:09am CET by Bill

Yesterday was a historic moment in America. The landslide election of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th President of the United States marks a unique point in America's direction. Its a moment of immense joy, wonder, and hope for the future of this great country as we have overcome many long standing obstacles to reach this point in history. Whichever side of the fence you follow, the election of a new American president is a defining aspect of our democracy, and we should all be proud of the achievement of this great nation of ours.

Thank you America for your voice, vote, and choice.

Go Vote!... Then Go Windsurfing?!

Fetched: November 6th, 2008, 5:09am CET by Bill

Today is the big day in US politics. I shy away from the debate here on the blog and focus on wave and wind condition rather than political debates. However, get out to your local polling place and cast your vote for this important election!

Then, if here on the OBX, go windsurfing! It is blowing ENE in the upper 20s, 30s right now!

If interested, See Election Results Dare County

This IS Hatteras - Welcome to the islands...

Fetched: October 28th, 2008, 6:24am CET by Bill

Missed the Avon Sail House party this past Friday night, or perhaps you were there and would like to see the slideshow video again?! Well, here it is...an excellent compilation of photos which provide a glimpse of windsurfing life out here on these barrier islands off North Carolina.
Special thanks to our tour guide Keith McCulloch.

Come on out and join us!

Tropical-Like SE Wavesailing Saturday!

Fetched: October 26th, 2008, 7:25pm CET by Bill

UPDATE (10/27/2008): Excellent video of the Cove Action Saturday at LIH!

Yesterday we had a rare SE wind event on the OBX! The forecast came true with strong SE to SSE wind all day. Anytime there is SE wind in the forecast, the Cove is the call! I arrived at the Cove around noon and as I rounded Cape Point on the sand, the skies around the Cove were filled with kites! It was a kiteboarders extravaganza with everyone hitting the conditions out there. On the windsurfing side, there were only a few of us who sailed it, but it was fun given the unique conditions offered at the Cove. Yesterday, the strong south element of the wind provided a side-onshore wavesailing session. However, side-on at the Cove is very different as compared to the other beaches around the island. The Cove wave is always a big long wall with very distinguishable lines and spacing between the whitewater. Its the closest we get to a Hookipa wave in Hatteras, and perhaps on the East Coast! Yesterday, the surf was BIG with easily 8 to 10 foot outside lines. Diamond Shoals swell meter was reading 10 to 17ft! Even though the surf was big, it was easy to navigate around the critical sections once out past the heavy whitewatered inside.

Following the Cove session, I trekked north to search for side-off conditions as the wind turned more southerly. I found a big clean wave on the North end of Oregon Inlet. The weather was horrible when I launched with spitting rain and low visibility. The shorepound was huge and it was pure timing to make it out. Luckily, I timed right and shot out with no problems. I sailed solo in the big outside surf for about 6 runs before getting tagged a little inside, downwind, and in a weird current zone. No power in the sail, so I brought it back to the beach. Keith, Caleb, and Jim were there, and later Dan arrived. Jim and Dan gave it a go and after being denied a few times, both made it out. All in all, the Oregon Inlet session would have been fun if there were clear skies and sunshine, but the ominous weather made the water look that much more uninviting.

For me though, it was great to catch side-on big surf at the Cove in the morning, and side-off big surf at Oregon Inlet during the afternoon. Two completely different sessions on the same day! The beauty of wavesailing on the Outer Banks!

Some Cove photos submitted by Roland Zueger:

Keith M in the foreground coming in with Bill B in the background launching a back side wave aerial in the big stuff!

Keith M dropping in frontside on the inside!

Bill B challenging the whitewater! Made it out too!

One of the kite crew catching a wave!

Bill B floating over a lot of whitewater on the way to the outside.

Keith M with a nice floater!

Here is some video of the day's Atlantic Ocean action:

Hatteras Wave Fest Beast of the East Wave FaceOff Results

Fetched: October 25th, 2008, 10:01am CEST by Bill

The poll results have been tabulated! Thanks to all participants and online site voters for choosing this years winners!

1st Place: Caleb Jacobs
2nd Place: Bill Bell
3rd Place: Andy McKinney

Tonight's party at Avon Sail House will crown the victors! Hope you can make it! If not, stay tuned for the party report!

Party shots from Avon Sail House! It was a packed venue with lots of visiting windsurfing mingling with the local crew! Keith M prepared an excellent slide show presentation of Hatteras windsurfing along with additional photos and video from Pete Lewando and Andy McKinney. Pete's photography was pure beauty, while Andy had action as recent as yesterday evening at the Lighthouse shot by Ace! Lots of thanks go out to Jim Myers who donated his 50in plasma TV for our viewing pleasure! Happy Birthday to Olaf too!! We also awarded the top three finishes for the Hatteras Wave Fest Beast of the East Wave FaceOff! Caleb Jacobs took home the first place finish which included a new 2008 Simmer X-Flex donated by event sponsor, Avon Sail House!

All in all, an excellent party in Avon, and nice primer for tomorrow's strong south wind forecast. The party did wrap fairly early as everyone was game for an early start tomorrow!

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 FreeForm Video!

Fetched: October 25th, 2008, 10:01am CEST by Bill

UPDATE (10/24/2008): Hatteras Windsurfing 2008 Slide Show on the BIG Screen Party hosted at Avon Sail House TONIGHT! Festivities start at 7:00pm. Its Olaf's birthday too!

Featuring the "official Hatteras Wave Fest 2008" FreeForm video:

Mirlo Inlet, and South Ocracoke Wavesailing!

Fetched: October 21st, 2008, 7:29am CEST by Bill

We basically have a new Inlet which has formed at the north end of Rodanthe. Unfortunately, a housing sub-division located there has blocked the natural formation of this inlet to transpire and run its course to the sound. Soon however, decisions will need to be made in how to "connect" Hatteras Island villages to the northern OBX. Beyond the Oregon Inlet Bridge issues, ocean overwash and new inlet formation is on our doorsteps.

Mirlo Beach this afternoon around 3:30pm. Good luck to all those attempting to vacate Hatteras Island including Emmanuel and Dimitri! Grab a Cutch Tuna Burger at Hot Tuna! I don't think you will be going anywhere for a while...
photo: Dare County Web Cam

A victim of the housing collapse of a different sort...the wrath of the Atlantic Ocean this weekend!
photograhper: Edas Zemaitis

On the windsurfing side, some shots from the Southside of Ocracoke yesterday. The only place that seemed to be working oceanside during the gale N wind! Looked like quite an adventure for all who made it down there.
photograhper: Donald Olbst

The Beast of the East Wave FaceOff - You Vote!

Fetched: October 14th, 2008, 8:37am CEST by Bill

UPDATE: 10/15/2008 In order to choose the top three places, we will need three polls to place the slots. Please cast your votes for all three places including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd! Voting will end Oct 21.

Well, lack of solid wind kept the contest from its intended glory this past weekend; however we had 5 participants to battle it out on the beach near the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum at the Hatteras ferry docks. Winds were light in the mid-upper teens/low twenties from the NE. A decent swell produced some fun set waves, though the tide was not on our side. No matter though, we had sailors ready to hit it and photographers shooting!

The judging is up to you the visitor. Below are slide shots of the top picks from the five competitors. Each competitor chose his favorite 10 shots from a collection of over 800 photos shot during the session! Thanks to Dale B and Jim M for capturing the action! Vote for the your top rider choice using Bill's OBX Poll (left column) from the galleries below to name the 2008 Beast of the East Wave FaceOff champ. The voting window will last for one week and results will be posted online following the voting window. Good luck to the participants!

Competitor 1: Caleb Jacobs
Waves, NC

Competitor 2: Andy McKinney
Avon, NC

Competitor 3: George Markopoulos
Savage, MD

Competitor 4: Bill Bell
Nags Head, NC

Competitor 5: Keith McCulloch
Avon, NC

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 - Wave Challenge Begins Tomorrow!

Fetched: October 11th, 2008, 7:57am CEST by Bill

UPDATE: 10/12/2008
We had a contest! The Beast of the East Wave FaceOff was held just west of Hatteras Village on the beach near the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. We had 20 mph wind, chest high surf, and 5 participants. The action is well documented in over 500 photos, thanks to our event photographer Dale Bendula! You will be the judge for this event as an online presentation will be prepared with polling to choose the top rider. Stay tuned here for the presentation coming soon!

UPDATE: 10/11/2008 5:00pm EST
The southern Outer Banks today was awash in rain and no wind. No contest due to poor wind and rainy conditions, though hopefully tomorrow's forecast remains ripe for strong NE wind?! The good news is that there is a decent ESE swell on the south side.
There was 25+ mph wind on the OBX; however, it remained around Oregon Inlet and was straight onshore! Bummer!

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 Wave Challenge begins tomorrow. We have two solid NE wind forecasts both Saturday and Sunday!

The event schedule is as follows:
Day One: Saturday, Oct 11, 10:00am - 12:00pm.
Day Two: Sunday, Oct 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Remain tuned to the OBX Beach Life Forum for the latest info including final location announcements. The venue will take place along the southern beaches of the Outer Banks at spots ranging from Lighthouse Beach to Hatteras Inlet (see sites along the southern facing section of the OBX). Site announcements will be made at least one hour before the start of heats on either the forum or by calling the event Hotline!

We are starting early tomorrow, so if you are participating, get a good night's sleep!

PS: Robby Naish is in town this weekend as well!

Stay tuned for the action wrap up following the event!

Nights In Rodanthe - The Sequel Movie

Fetched: October 10th, 2008, 9:17am CEST by Bill

Here is an interesting video found by Charles L showcasing the Nights in Rodanthe house and Mirlo Beach during the recent tropical type storm which hit the Outer Banks hard during Hatteras Wave Fest - Middle of Crazy! As noted in the Middle of Crazy post, this house may be in the ocean by the time the movie goes to DVD?!

September Wrap, and On to October in Hatteras

Fetched: October 7th, 2008, 11:31am CEST by Bill

September 2008 was an awesome month for windsurfing, and in my opinion, the best month of the year so far. We were welcomed with the swell from TS Hanna over Labor Day weekend. There was not much wind, however, the surf was phenomenal on the southern beaches from the Spit/Cove down to Ocracoke. We enjoyed may long fun rides, including some light wind action on the windsurfing wave gear! As TS Hanna approached the OBX, wind and waves increased, offering world class wavesailing at the Cove and Lifeguard Beach during the weekend following Labor Day.

Following TS Hanna, we enjoyed Hatteras Wave Fest during the second half of the month. NE winds filled in during the festival and offered 10 straight days of 5.0m and down wind! Along with the strong wind, we had fun surf on the southern beaches! Perfect conditions for the FreeForm sessions during the festival! I found this recent forum post interesting on iWindsurf given the timing since the festival! Definitely should have come down for the event!

See near complete coverage of September on George's Live2Sail blog for great photo and commentary during his visits and experience of the Hatteras action last month!

We are now on to October, and look forward to the days ahead. September will be hard to beat, but who knows...its Fall in Hatteras!

PS: Party at Avon Sailhouse this coming weekend!

PPS: Hanna Coverage in the October issue of New England Windsurfing Journal! I have not see it yet, but have heard reports of some great photos and story written by Live2Sail George. Check your mail if you have a subscription, or visit your local shop to grab a copy!

Nights in Rodanthe - A Local Review

Fetched: October 2nd, 2008, 4:45am CEST by Bill

Well, I saw the movie Nights in Rodanthe! I was primarily interested in the scenery since the movie was shot on location from various parts of the Outer Banks. For one scene where the house was shot from an aerial perspective, I was actually windsurfing in the ocean off S-turns and saw the helicopter make a few passes. I looked for the reflective glint of a windsurfing sail in the background of the scene; however, none was found.

The movie itself was fairly lame. The dialog was kind of cheesy, and some of the characters were either too E! channel, or so melodramatic that is was hard to sit though the scene with a straight face. The hurricane scene and the storm's impact on the house was more like a scene from Amityville Horror with wildly fluttering shutters, dramatic light flashes, and odd moans and groans from the wind and rage outside. I guess there is dramatic/creative license there, but...hey we had the fictional "Rodanthe Radio" too which played at the Inn.

The only saving grace for the movie were the scenes of sand and dunes shot at various locations on the OBX. The shot where Gere is driving the car along what looked like RT 12 on the north end of Ocracoke was pretty cool as the helicopter zoomed down over the car with the dune line and ocean in the scene. Also, there were some scenes where the characters were walking among the dunes which looked like Pea Island near Oregon Inlet. Also, it was nice to see some of the local Ocracoke musicians at the clam bake scene, though other local extras were hard to pick out in the background.

All in all, it was a pretty sappy movie, but if you looked beyond the characters to the scenery especially near the beginning of the film, it was cool to see familiar sights, though the "Dirty Dicks" billboard shot was questionable?!

One to Five star rating: 2

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 - Wave Challenge?!

Fetched: September 29th, 2008, 3:53pm CEST by Bill

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 has wrapped for September with an assortment of successful FreeForm Sessions: (Sept 18, Sept 19, Sept 20, Sept 21, Sept 22, Sept 23), Wave Clinic, and Awards Party. However, the event is not over yet! We had awesome wind for the majority of the festival and an exciting forecast leading into the Wave Challenge contest weekend, but...the storm which brought huge surf and crazy wind mid-week, killed our promising conditions as it passed. We were left with great surf, but no wind to drive our wave rigs! The rest of the weekend has been all but windless with spotty mid to upper teens, amounting to a "no go" for the contest weekend. Though, we are heading into October and must keep the Hatteras Wave Fest fire alive!

Therefore, The Wave Challenge has been rescheduled, and is currently planned for the October 11 - 13, Columbus Day weekend. If wind is forecast, we will have a contest! If you will be here, be sure to register to participate in the upcoming event.

UPDATE: Avon Sail House is planning a killer party during the event weekend on Saturday night, 7:00pm, October 11 the celebrate the Fall Hatteras windsurfing season! Be there!

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008, The "Sub-Tropical Storm" Aftermath

Fetched: September 26th, 2008, 2:27pm CEST by Bill

Well, it appears that the crazy is over, though the aftermath equates to closed roads where heavy ocean overwash has the islands closed off. Reports of a number of spots where sand and ocean water cover the roads from Pea Island to Buxton. Check the Dare County EM Bulletins for the latest info on road closures. The winds are currently light in a lull between the interaction of the weather systems surrounding the OBX; however, the forecast is for a return of easterly winds this afternoon and Friday. The bigger question is though, will we be able to get to the Cove to sail it??

Mirlo Beach at the northern end of Rodanthe. Plenty of sand on a closed road. If you are going to travel today north or south across the OBX, likely you will not be able to get much further than Oregon Inlet. source: Date County Web cams

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008, Middle of Crazy!

Fetched: September 25th, 2008, 10:19am CEST by Bill

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 continues, and currently we are in the middle of crazy!! A strong tropical-type storm is raging offshore, and with the gradient compression between a high pressure to our north and this system to our southeast, the OBX is getting battered!

Latest reports are that there is no action on the southern beaches, and a few of the crew are on Ocracoke. Though soundside, the smallest sails are flying! Everyone is in "wait and see" mode for Thursday and Friday, as the forecast calls for BIG surf and E to SE winds! This sets up classic epic Cove conditions, so stay tuned?!

Though, based on this Mirlo Beach cam shot at around 3:15pm today, hopefully I as well as others coming from north of Rodanthe can get down there tomorrow?!

Mirlo Beach ocean overwash at the northern end of Rodanthe a few hours BEFORE high tide! Just out of left side camera frame is the house featured in the movie Nights in Rodanthe. That house may be a victim of the ocean before this movie goes to DVD?! photo source: Dare County webcams

Mirlo Beach ocean overwash at the northern end of Rodanthe close to high tide! Or should we call it Mirlo Inlet?! If driving though that ocean water, be sure to rinse the underside of your vehicle very well!! photo source: Dare County webcams

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008, What an Event!!

Fetched: September 22nd, 2008, 5:12pm CEST by Bill

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 is underway, and we are halfway through the festival! I am beat after 5+ straight days of wavesailing from Nags Head to Ocracoke! Our first Official FreeForm session at East Point on Thursday was the start with visiting participants, and we have been in the Atlantic every day since! Its been an awesome experience for those who have participated in the FreeForm sessions served up at some of Hatteras best wavesailing locales! Last night Andy McKinney and Sailworld hosted the Hatteras Wave Fest Wave Clinic! We had lots of participation and Andy did an excellent job highlighting the concepts of wavesailing along with some of the attending local wave pros. Everyone had an excellent time and left the event psyched to hit the surf, especially to test out the "schlog lesson" today!

Attendees at the Hatteras Wave Fest Wave Clinic hosted at Sailworld! source: Live2Sail

Fun Opening FreeForm Expression Session!

Fetched: September 19th, 2008, 2:43pm CEST by Bill

We had excellent wind and fun waves for the Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 opening FreeForm Expression Session! The sesh was at East Point in Buxton. The wind and waves were rolling in side to side-onshore producing "looplicious" ramps both back and FWD! Backside wave riding was the call with some open sail down the line hits possible! Waves ranged in the chest high range and were crumbly and well spaced. Excellent conditions for some of the ocean beginners participating in the festival. 5.0m range sails were the call in the 25+ mph NE wind.

Tomorrow, we again have a strong wind forecast! Likely the waves will build. No call yet on tomorrow's FreeForm session, but it may be back at East Point?! Stay tuned to the OBX Beach Life forum for where the action will happen tomorrow!

No photos today, but have some video! Be sure to check out Live2Sail as George will be blogging from here in Hatteras and will have some excellent photos, video, and commentary!

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 Kicking into High Gear!

Fetched: September 19th, 2008, 2:43pm CEST by Bill

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 kicks into high gear with an excellent wind and surf forecast! Tomorrow starts our first announced FreeForm Expression session, and conditions should be excellent! NE wind and surf forecasts continue to build into the weekend! We may have a nice wrapping swell by Friday/Saturday?! Stay tuned!!

Sloppy NE in Nags Head Today!

Fetched: September 17th, 2008, 1:16am CEST by Bill

I remained in town and caught a quick afternoon session at Whalebone Junction in Nags Head. Marginal 5.3m side-to-straight onshore NE wind, sloppy onshore waves, and weather which included bands of intense rain along with dark cloudy skies was the norm. The only saving grace was the water temperature which felt balmy (around 80 degrees) as compared to the air. No photos or GoPro video today, but if you viewed the live Nags Head Pier cam feed, that is basically what it was like.

All in all, it felt nice to get wet in town, but conditions were poor. Building NE wind and swell tonight will likely create a complete mess of the Nags Head shoreline tomorrow; therefore, the 4runner is fueled, loaded, and ready to head south! Perhaps Old Lighthouse Beach?! The Avon wave crew likely caught it down there today!

2008 MauiSails Legends for Sale

Fetched: September 14th, 2008, 2:51pm CEST by Bill

I have two sails from my MauiSails quiver for sale.
2008 MauiSails Legend
4.7m, 5.3m
Both sails are in excellent condition!

Prices for the sails:
4.7m: $300.00
5.3m: $300.00
Take both sails for $550

If you are planning a trip to the OBX this Fall, these sails will provide fun times on the water, including excellent FWD loop carma! : )
I also have a MauiSails quiver shipping box and can ship if necessary.
contact me

Additional photos of the 5.3m (click photos to enlarge):

Additional photos of the 4.7m (click photos to enlarge):

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 T-Shirt!

Fetched: September 11th, 2008, 11:47pm CEST by Bill

The Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 t-shirt has arrived! The festival officially kicks off Sept 15 with Freeform Wave Expression sessions pending conditions throughout the festival. The first fixed date event is the Wave Clinic, Sept 20 hosted by Sailworld, in Avon. Don't miss this gathering for some excellent wave sailng instruction/tips, "meet and greet" with festival participants, along with prize giveaways, and a raffle to win a new 2008 wave sail! It will be the place to be in Avon Saturday night! The weekend following the Clinic, be here for the Wave Challenge, Sept 26-28! The Awards Party will wrap up the festival and feature raw video of the Wave Challenge and Freeform action, awards for event competitors, prize giveaways, and additional windsurfing fun times to wrap up the experience!

Not registered yet?! Sign up today!

Hanna Offers Fun Surf to Wrap Up Her Visit

Fetched: September 8th, 2008, 9:16pm CEST by Bill

UPDATE: 9/8 Island Free Press had a great write up and slide show of photos from TS Hanna windsurfing/kiteboarding. Check it out!

Today, surf remained courtesy of TS Hanna. Large overhead crumbly set waves were breaking well out past the end of the Nags Head Pier. I had one of the longest wave rides I have ever experienced with a takeoff about 50 yards out past the end of Pier, riding all the way to the sand! Well over 250 yards! Perhaps you witnessed it on the pier cam video feed, or someone else with a similar ride?! It was my final wave of the day, and the ride felt like it lasted forever...what a cool feeling!

TS Hanna has been a real ocean watersports blessing here on the Outer Banks. Beginning Labor Day weekend with fun surf at the Point/Spit and Ocracoke through to today, we have been enjoying excellent swell from Hanna. When she skirted nearby over the weekend, we had two days of some of the best wavesailing offered this year. I really love the warm water, and trunks only experienced during Hanna. It makes it easier to be more aggressive on the wave since going down actually feels pretty nice in the refreshing ocean water. I had plenty of rinses in the spin cycle, but with every one I came up smiling.

I like this shot which showcases the size of the surf I was hitting at Old Lifeguard Beach on Saturday! Gotta be aggressive this time of year! photo: Keith M/George M

This is a nice shot too showcasing the wave setup! photo: Keith M/George M

Sad to see you go Hanna!

For all the coverage on TS Hanna, scroll down though the previous posts on this page. Additionally, see George's Live2Sail blog for some awesome photo coverage from TS Hanna's wavesailing offerings!

I also captured three 2gb discs of GoPro footage from the Cove sesh and 3.5m mayhem at Canadian Hole yesterday. Will post soon!

Hanna Windsurfing, Day Two

Fetched: September 7th, 2008, 4:04pm CEST by Bill

Again today, TS Hanna offered up more windsurfing fuel for our fires out in Hatteras waters! The morning started similar to yesterday with rain; however, the sun broke out mid-day and lasted though sunset. HARD SSW/SW wind raged in the upper 30s with gusts well into the mid 40s! The action was at Canadian Hole where mid 3.0m range sails were the call, and plenty of overpowered gusts were available to contend with. We experienced many "unhook and sheet out" moments ripping around in the sound. By 5:00pm the winds began to subside, and it was time to check the ocean for some wavesailing. Ego Beach looked a little harsh with mast high outside waves, ripping current, and pounding shorebreak.

We decided to check LifeGuard Beach in Buxton, and there found excellent conditions! The set waves were breaking well over head high, but the shore break was tame. The only obstacle was the "wall" at the main sand bar where 8+ ft barrels were breaking hard top to bottom. It was a timing/balance game to make it though to the outside. Once out, there were some exciting wave rides! Congratulations to George M who made it out in the challenging conditions! After a few denials, he finally caught a clearing and made it past the wall. It was a great first for him to take on some challenging Hatteras surf, and an excellent primer for Hatteras Wave Fest.

Check out George's latest post on Live2Sail for some excellent photos from today's action, including some shots of my inaugural ride on the 2009 MauiSails Legend. The quiver arrived this week, which was perfect timing for Hanna, though I should have picked them up yesterday for the epic Cove wavesailing we experienced! Its September though, and there will be more waves to come!!

Hanna Wavesailing, Day One

Fetched: September 6th, 2008, 7:05pm CEST by Bill

The Cove was the call today with most of the local crew (minus Andy!) along with a few visiting sailors. Conditions were quite fun with a sizable yet "easy" outside wave shared by both windsurfers and kiteboarders. The forecast for strong E wind never materialized, and we spent the session in moderately powered 5.3m conditions. However, the sun shined most of the day with only some intense rain in the morning. All in all, not "epic" Cove (in restrospect, actually it was pretty epic Cove!!), but not too shabby either! For more including photos from today at the Cove, check out George's Live 2 Sail post. He drove down last night to catch it!

Tomorrow, the forecast calls for some intense conditions! IWS forecast is "purple" which means some really strong winds?! Right now at 11:00pm in Nags Head, all is calm, but we shall see later tonight/tomorrow morning?!

Stay tuned!

On the Eve of TS Hanna's Arrival

Fetched: September 6th, 2008, 1:08am CEST by Bill

TS Hanna is set to visit the OBX over the coming weekend. Beginning tomorrow, we will see wind and surf increasing as the storm approaches. The Cove is the call, likely providing some of the best wavesailing conditions found on the OBX! Perhaps a setup similar to last year's TS Gabrielle with more easterly wind this time. The storm also will arrive to our west after nightfall, providing hopefully a full day of epic sunny Cove conditions! Saturday may be squally with intense rain/wind and clouds as the storm passes; however, as it moves off and conditions stabilize the east beaches may offer up a side-off juiced SW/NW playground! All in all, stay tuned for the after action report which will include photos and GoPro/beachside video! All camera batteries are charging now!

In other news, I am psyched to make the cover of the Sept issue of New England Windsurfing Journal! Its my first cover shot in print format, and the exposure is very cool! Thanks NEWJ! Also, check out the latest issue of Windsurfing Magazine for June LoopFest coverage! Over at Live2Sail, George's wife Janis sent me a "Memories" photo book from the June LoopFest! Absolutely an amazing gift, with some excellent photography to provide many years of memories from my experience on the water during the inaugural Hatteras Loop Fest! Thanks Janis!!

Oh and one last piece of news...my 2009 MauiSails Legends have arrived just in time for Hanna!! Time for bed...goodnight!

Labor Day Weekend and the Hatteras Surf Arrives!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

August is over, and with it an end to Lake Atlantic. The late summer tropical induced surf of September is here, and Labor Day weekend offered up plenty of super clean, fun lines to ride on the southern facing beaches. From Cape Point to Ocracoke, world class super clean long lines generated by TS Hanna were found! Surfboards and windsurfing gear was packed together this past weekend!

Beyond words, check out the GoPro video report:

Wavesailng Labor Day playground on Ocracoke. photo: Keith M

Surfing playground at the Point/Spit in Buxton. photo: Keith M

Hatteras Loop Fest 2008 Videos!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Featuring the "official Loop Fest 2008" video:

Also from Loop Fest participants Mateo Vargas, Tim Murphy, and Chris Gardiner

From successful Commit Fest Looper, Ken Kellar:

One Month to the Start of Hatteras Wave Fest 2008!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 is approaching with one month to go until the start of the wavesailing festival! The Wave Clinic kicks off the event on Sept 20, with the Wave Challenge contest window running Sept 26-28, 2008. The Wave Challenge will feature various divisions and we have some awesome prizes to award for the top competitors! Everything from cash prizes for the "Beast of the East Wave Face-Off" pro/expert division, to new sails and other windsurfing gear for the intermediate/advanced divisions. Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 is for everyone from the beginner wavesailor to the competitive pro. If you have been waiting for a wave event in Hatteras, this is it! Tons of photographic and video exposure showcasing the best of Hatteras wavesailing action!

Register online today to participate in this event!

Part of the Hatteras Windsurfing Festival Series, hosted by windsurfers for windsurfers.

RipCurl's Right Coast Raid Tour Stops in Nags Head

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Today, we had the best of the best from the surfing world hit the water just north of the Nags Head Fishing Pier. RipCurl's Right Coast Raid Tour is in Nags Head today, and featured some world class surfing in some surprising surf generated by the afternoon NE wind. Conditions were messy onshore, but these guys ripped it up for the crowd of judges and onlookers for the contest/event! Tonight, the festivities continue at the Outer Banks Boarding Company (OBBC). See some photos from the BBQ party which included great food, music, autographs, and videos!

Some photos from the beach:

The event site north of Nags Head Fishing Pier

Competitors at the event tent

Tom Curren at the lip

Tom Curren coming in after finishing his heat

Action on the beach and in the water!

Mick Fanning with a nice cutback!

ASP World champ, Mick Fanning finishing a heat

Nice floater over the whitewater!

Cutback spray for the photographers

Some serious spray!

Evening BBQ Party:

Plenty of BBQ, slaw, collards, etc...for the party attendees!

Autographs signed by surfing's top pros!

The awards recipients from the earlier surf contest. The event was a team based competition between the local surfing shops with each team including one of the legendary pros. The first place team was WRV.

Tom Curren on the guitar with some fine acoustical indie style sound.

Windsurfing Skill Level, a Macro View

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Recently, I ran a poll to gauge windsurfing skill level from visitors to the blog. Choices were based upon a Windsurfing Magazine Skills Chart highlighting various levels within broad discipline areas. Given that the majority of OBX Beach Life windsurfing readership comes from the north/central/south east quadrant of the US and Canada, an interesting sampling was gathered. Over 50% of respondents marked their skills as "Advanced." Per the skills chart, the breakdown for Advanced is as follows:

Longboard Crusing: Sails in limited local conditions. Uses harness 75% of the time; uses the footstraps occasionally. Can complete 50% of tacks and jibes.
Shortboard Giant Slalom/Slalom: Sails in limited local conditions. Uses harness 75%. Uses front footstraps. Jibes for transitions. Waterstarts easily.
Shortboard Waves/Bump and Jump: Sails in limited local conditions. Uses harness 75%. Uses front footstraps. Jumps and surfs faces of small surf 50% of the time.

Of course, this is not a "scientific survey," and may have about as much credibility as a current US Gallop political poll; however, it does shed some light into what today's average "US East Coast" windsurfer's experience level is. An interesting continuation of this poll would be to sample regionally. For example, how would West Coast USA skill level compare to East Coast? Or how would European or Australian skill level compare against US (east or west coast).

Bottom line being, how does windsurfing skill level break across various macro regions of the world?

I believe there are many factors which play into where current windsurfing skill levels reside including but not limited to:
- average "local" conditions;
- commute times/distances to both local and prime windsurfing destinations;
- lifestyle blend with career/family requirements;
- commitment to windsurfing as a pastime/hobby, or a way of life;
- age;
- motivational drive from fellow windsurfers;

100% Beach Weekend!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Lauren in the kayak out near the Huron wreck

This past weekend, summertime beach weather was at its prime. Small surf, clear/warm 80 degree water, balmy air temps, and packed beach access parking lots was the norm throughout Nags Head. We had family in town from northern Virginia, and it was perfect conditions for them to have fun at the beach. Yesterday, we set up beach camp at the Huron wreck site at mile post 11 1/4 in Nags Head. I hauled out the two person ocean kayak, a foam beginner surf board, snorkeling gear, and assorted beach necessities.

One section of the ship remains above the sand

The clear water provided great snorkeling conditions, and Lauren and I made another trek out to the wreck, this time with my camera. There is one small section of the ship which remains above the sand. Too bad it is basically covered, since we have had great visibility recently to snorkel the wreck. The ship sits in about 10 ft of water on the outer sand bar. During the paddle out to the wreck, there were swarms of balloon jellyfish! I was unsure about swimming amongst the jellies, but a local spear fisherman noted that they are basically harmless.

In addition to the snorkeling, I was also the instructor for Lauren's two nieces and nephew for their first surfing lessons. Her youngest niece was a natural, and who knows, perhaps a future birthday or Christmas gift may be a new surfboard?!

All in all, another perfect summer time beach weekend on the OBX! There was some leftover swell from last week's low pressure, but I believe it was better caught on the southern beaches, as compared to Nags Head.

All eyes are now on TS Fay, and where she will end up late this week. Hopefully, the windsurfing gear will be wet by Friday?!

I am simply enjoying time floating around in the early evening warm ocean water...

Finally... A Little Action!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

It was not much, but yesterday afternoon an unusual predominant E wind blanketed the OBX and provided plenty of 5.3m power at the Spit last night! The weather was the worst of the entire summer with spitting rain and cool air temps, but the Cove water felt like a warm bath. Conditions included small point break surf where the waves were wrapping from Cape Point into the Cove. Outside, large clean swell rollers provided plenty of bump and jump. Keith, Dan, and I caught it, and I remained to close the session. All in all, not too bad, though if there were a south swell, it would have been really exciting! Though, we will take it for mid-August since there has been nothing in the way of wind or waves for a while.
Frisco Pier meter Aug 13. source: iWindsurf

Frisco Pier meter Aug 13. source: iWindsurf

Today, and through the remainder of the week, we are expecting decent surf from the departing low pressure system which produced the wind yesterday. The beach cams and surf reports are all looking great! Time to break out the surf board!

No photos or video from yesterday. Weather was nasty, and there was nothing too exciting to capture. Stay tuned though, with this surf in town, perhaps I will capture some GP surfing footage.

Updated Hurricane Forecast, Aug 5

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

One of the most valuable widgets in the OBX Beach Life blog, especially this time of year, is Dr. Jeff Masters Tropical Report. His reports provide detailed analysis and information about tropical weather facing the east coast, USA. His latest entry mentions an update to the 2008 Hurricane Season Forecast posted August 5. Its an interesting read, and although the OBX coastline and weather seem furthest from any hint of tropical influence today; one month from now can and likely will be a completely different story. As windsurfers, and specifcally those of us eying the next wind and wave combo, the latest forecast is "good news" for us. Additionally, with the approaching Hatteras Wave Fest 2008 (Sept 15 - 29), the festival window falls nearly right at the peak of the tropical season. Of course we do not want a Cat 2 or 3 making landfall on the OBX during the main event week; however, something spinning offshore, or rolling by near us is completely welcome!

A Flat Ocean and No Wind...Perfect for Summer Vacationers!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Its August on the OBX, and the month is notorious for offering the least amount of wind over the course of the year. I currently have two 5.3m SW marks in the calendar for the first two days of the month, however since then we have been locked in a windless hot, and humid weather pattern. The ocean has been quite flat as well with hardly a wave to be found. For "regular" Outer Banks summer visitors, these conditions are near perfect for a day of hanging out and enjoying the beach.

One saving grace, given our poor surf/sail action conditions, has been the unusually clear water. The visibility has been excellent, and I have been snorkeling at the USS Huron shipwreck over the past weekend. The wreck is located about 200 yards offshore and about the same distance north of the Nags Head Fishing Pier. With a two seat ocean kayak, its a paddle out to the wreck, anchoring to the wreck marker buoy, suiting up with the snorkeling gear, and jumping in! The wreck is located in about 12 feet of water, though this summer it is mostly covered with sand. There are a few elements of the wreck which remain above the sand and host an assortment of sea urchins, barnacles, and small fish. Last time I was out, I forgot my camera, but if I go again this weekend, I will be sure to snap some under water shots to complement this post. Its not coral reef diving, but for the OBX, its a tiny hint of it. Too bad so much of the ship is buried this summer.

There are many ship wrecks along the coast of the Outer Banks, and if you are into diving or snorkeling, August so far has offered perfect conditions for viewing the the underwater scene. Stay tuned for some pics, if the clear visibility holds?!

July Wrap Up and Upcoming Hatteras Wave Fest 2008!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

July is a wrap on the OBX, and we had a number of windy days! I missed many of them due to a vacant engine in the 4runner. However, now my 1988 4runner has new life and is back on the road with a new engine for many future trips to catch sessions in Hatteras!

Likely the biggest "Missed it!" of the month was the Cristobal Cove session on July 20. Awesome that Keith and Caleb caught it, since it would have been waste if those waves were not ridden! Unfortunately, access was closed at that time; however, now access is open so we can at least park nearby and walk our gear to the Cove if a SE tropical session returns. Additionally we had the second Bermuda High of the summer during the first weekend of July. Many windy SW days!

Ready for a Hatteras Wave Festival?!
The 2008 Hatteras Wave Fest web site has launched! The event is scheduled for Sept 15 - 29, 2008! The new web site similarly models the Hatteras Loop Fest site; however, includes new features such as registrant profile management and an online forum including real-time chat! Once registered, you can update your profile to include photos, flash video, and rich text content. Additionally, once registered, future events will be easy to choose for participation as new modules are added to the site. This will be the site build by windsurfers for windsurfers to promote bi-annual windsurfing festivals in Hatteras! Visit the site today, and if you are into wavesailing, or want to learn, register today!

Waiting for the Next Big Day

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Its been a while since my previous post. The delay has been a combination of work on the Hatteras Wave Fest project, "regular day job," as well as lack of anything exciting to report from the OBX wavesailing scene. We have had a number of windy days in July, but I have missed many of them, which I will highlight in the July wrap up post coming soon. Overall, we are in the heat of summer, and without an active tropical Atlantic, the excitement level is subdued. Of course it is still fun to get out there for an afternoon of powered 5.3m conditions to simply blast around in the ocean, but a lack of whitewater just feels like something is missing from the equation.

Until the next swell arrives...
Here is a classic from 2005 featuring what hopefully will be arriving sometime soon?!

No Access at the Cove...The Price to Catch It!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

UPDATE: 7/22/2008 Keith M, guest blogging on Lost in Hatteras, recounts his Cristobal Cove session. Great read!

I just read Andy's post on Lost in Hatteras regarding Cristobal's visit yesterday, its offering of an epic Cove session, and the price to get there now that we do not have access to that beach. Keith and Caleb caught it, and that is awesome; however, the risks to get there could have been high, if the unpredictable nature of tropical weather turned foul for them. As Andy mentioned, there is no shelter out there if conditions deteriorate. With no legal access to the sand/beach, you are on your own with regard to what happens on the water. True, the risk does fall on the sailor, and really if they go for it and something dire happens, they are on their own. Yet it does seem fairly ridiculous that we do not even have walking access along that stretch of coastline. If life and limb depended upon it, would you come into the beach or stay off shore and attempt to come in on an open stretch of beach which could be a few miles away?

All in all, some silver lining in this issue is that movement may be happening at the Federal level to open up our access. I found this recent article noting NC Congress(wo)men introducing legislation to reinstate the "Interim Management Strategy" governing off-road vehicle use on Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Perhaps, we will be able to drive out to catch a future Cove session..., or if not drive, can we at least walk?!

4runner is Back on the Road/Sand!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

After 4 long weekends, my new engine is complete and the 4runner is back in action to haul my sandy windsurfing, surfing, and other beach gear around the OBX! The odometer currently reads 368,226 miles, and with the new engine the truck will have plenty of trips to Avon/south beaches back under its hood!

The engine swap was one of those "once in a lifetime" events for me. I jumped out of a airplane, surfed some big waves in Hatteras, windsurfed extreme conditions...(well you all are familiar with the windsurf part), and now did a complete automotive engine swap.

The engine swap was a learning experience, and it is now nice to know almost the full workings of the 22RE engine. Thanks a million to Keith M who guided me though many of the processes (he is a 22RE expert!), and physically helped me pull the old motor, and install the new. Definitely a two person job! Also thanks to Pete L, who came up and cut me some new threads on my intake manifold after a bolt broke.

CRISTOBAL UPDATE: Got the report from Keith M, that he and Caleb experienced classic Cove yesterday. Only drawback was the "price of admission" since there is no driving or even walking at the Cove due to the beach closures. They launched at LifeGuard Beach and sailed around Cape Point, to enter the Cove. Keith reported head to overhead high perfect and easy long lines peeling for over 100 yards! Definitely classic Cove! He also reported that the return to LifeGuard from the Cove was dicey given a wind shift and drop, along with the crazy current. Definitely, if you wish to sail the Cove these days, the challenge just to get there is the main price to pay. Glad those guys caught it!

In TS CRISTOBAL news, we had strong SE winds most of the day on the southern OBX yesterday. I have not heard any "after action" reports yet, but preliminary reports note Ocracoke and the southern beaches as the spots where the local crew set up shop to hit the water. I missed the action yesterday since I had no wheels to haul the gear down south, but now that the 4runner is back, I am ready for the next sesh!

Wave Etiquette - A Follow Up to Beginning Wavesailing

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Wave etiquette is an important aspect of sharing the surf with fellow riders. Courtesy, respect, as well as safety comprise the concept of "wave etiquette." Additionally, etiquette varies depending upon location. Here in Hatteras, since our primary wave source is shifting sandbars, and we have numerous breaks found across the islands, wave sailors find less "agro" attitudes amongst fellow riders. Whereas in places where static reef breaks provide the action, the level of attitude in the water is noticeably more apparent. Numbers/concentration is also important to factor, since in Hatteras there are considerably less local/visiting wave sailors on the water as compared to a place like the north shore of Maui. Attitude is not necessarily a "bad" thing, but rather simple understanding amongst riders so everyone out on the water has a fun time.

As for the concept of etiquette in the waves, here are some of the basic water rules:

Outgoing sailors have right of way
Wave sailors working their way out though the impact zone have right of way. They are in a more vulnerable position as compared to a rider on a swell or wave face setting up for a ride. This is especially true in Hatteras where we suffer from the "windless" inside, and usually find outgoing sailors slogging though the impact zone trying to get outside. Their options are much more limited as compared to the rider who is powered and on the swell/wave face setting up for a ride. For the powered wave rider, your best option is to set up to bottom turn around the outgoing sailor, and avoid crossing their line out.

Be Aware of What's Down in the Zone
Often there are downed sailors, riderless rigs, surfers, bodyboarders, even swimmers frolicking in the surf zone. While approaching the zone, make mental notes of where people and gear are both in front, but more importantly downwind of where you will be riding while on the wave. It can be an obstacle course out there and often you may miss the perfect hit because a surfer is paddling out at the section you are eying, or a rider is down in your wave aerial landing zone.

Upwind Sailor Has Wave Rights
Usually the upwind sailor has wave rights. If two riders are sharing the same swell, whoever has upwind position is in control. For the down wind sailor, this usually means, you kickout and find another swell, or create some spacing and keep a keen eye on the upwind rider. When he turns downwind to begin his wave ride, you follow immediately. This will prevent you from being in his way while going down the line.

One Rider to a Swell
Similar to the "upwind etiquette" bullet, when outside looking for that perfect swell, if someone else is on it, look for the next. Do not jibe onto the same swell that another rider has, unless you are good friends!

No Stalling for a Wave
This bullet is debatable, and some purists believe "no stalling period;" however, if there is a better swell behind you, and no one is on it, then stall to take it. However, of course, if someone is on it, never stall to "snake" their wave. This bullet is similar to "one rider per swell."

No Over the Back Wave Riding
Basically, this bullet refers to the rider who blasts in downwind and approaches over the back of a wave to drop in. Usually, when a wave pitches up, the line-of-sight is hidden and the rider has no view of the wave zone. There may be riders down, slogging out, or perhaps working the wave. Last thing anyone wants to see is someone blasting in over the top and finding another rider with right-of-way in their path.

No Wave Racing
Wave racing refers to sailors dropping in and screaming down the face with no noticeable working of the wave itself. This is usually seen by beginner wave sailors, and the main risk here is getting out of control. With other riders working out, and perhaps others down in the zone, a "speed sailing" wavesailor could easily find someone in their path and risk a collision. I have seen classic examples of this occurring here in Hatteras.

All in all, these etiquette rules/tips help keep everyone happy and safe while working in the waves. There are likely other rules/tips, and if you have some, post in the comments. Bottom line is to have fun, not get in other sailor's way, and be aware of what is going on around you other than the breaking surf.

Additionally, all these etiquette tips/rules are completely dependent upon the number of people out in the water with you. If you are solo, or only with a few others, then most of the rules are not necessary. Over-the-back wave FWD loops are fun, but I would never try them if there were a bunch of sailors on the water in concentrated places such as Maui. All in all, its your own judgment call how you adhere to wave etiquette, but if you hear someone yelling at you or threatening you with physical harm odds are you "broke a rule."

Note, this is a follow up post to Beginner Wavesailing on the OBX.

Looplicious!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Sometimes, while on the beach hanging around after a fun session, new words or phrases are added to the windsurfing vocabulary. Following the LoopOff on Saturday, June 28, we had a killer session at Lifeguard Beach near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Conditions were juiced 5.0m with so many looplicious ramps it was near perfection! One handed, two handed, one foot, etc... all sorts of forwards were thrown during that romp in the Atlantic off Cape Hatteras.

While on the beach during a break in the action, I was talking with George M and Ken K, and mentioned how "looplicious" it was out there! It kind of stuck, and hey why not a new addition to the windsurfing vocabulary?!

For more on that particular session, see George's complete report with lots of pics, if you have not seen it already!

4th of July Weekend!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Its been a windy 4th so far on the OBX with regular afternoon SW in the low to mid 20 mph range! I missed Friday afternoon, which had winds gusting into the low 30s! The Bermuda High is back and hot windy afternoons are here, and set to last though the foreseeable future!! Hopefully, I will soon be back on the road with a new engine in the 4runner. The past few days I have been in "auto mechanic" mode. The engine swap is going well, especially with the invaluable help/advice from Keith M.
Thanks a million Tony for use of your Toyota Tacoma (if anyone has seen me driving a new truck, it is not mine) to both haul windsurfing gear to/from Avon, and to pick up the engine hoist!

In Hatteras LoopFest news, again thanks everybody who participated including all the photographers/videographers! We have a ton of great content! I still am working though the GoPro and beach-side video to make a killer presentation. Lots of GoPro perspectives and different riders.

Hopefully you will be seeing some of the LoopFest action upcoming in print format as well!

Hatteras Loop Fest 2008 - A Great Success!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Tomorrow finishes Hatteras Loop Fest 2008. The month long event ended with a phenomenal span of SW windy days! Beginning Thursday (6/26) and lasting though tomorrow (all red SW 25+mph IWS forecast), we have been blasted by perfect looping winds! Nothing like a summer time Bermuda High, especially for a Hatteras windsurfing contest!

Keith McCulloch displaying why he was crowned Loop King! source - live2sail

Saturday, we successfully ran the Hatteras LoopFest LoopOff! Ego Beach was filled with windsurfers, photographers, videographers, and spectators! It was a real windsurfing event! We had excellent wind, sunny skies, a waist to chest high inside wave, and decent loop ramps on the outside. If the outer bar would have been breaking, the event would have been perfect. We ran one "extended" free-form heat which lasted nearly an hour! All participants had an excellent time chucking tons of loops while the competition was underway.

We wrapped up the event at the awards party hosted by Ocean Air. Trophies and prizes were awarded to the LoopOff and Commit Fest participants. It was a killer time to reminisce about the past days of strong SW wind, highlight some of the LoopOff contest moments, watch videos shot of the action, and anticipate the upcoming windy days. A great time and gathering!
See excellent LoopOff and Awards Party photo/commentary at Live to Sail.

I want to thank all the participants who signed up for Hatteras LoopFest 2008! Whether you successfully made the commit or not, being here participating really stoked the windsurfing community. For those few who successfully made the commit, your level of stoke is waaay up there, and we who helped you break the barrier are very honored and proud of your accomplishment. It definitely takes your windsurfing game to a new level of achievement and FUN!!

I have a bunch of video and photos to work though highlighting the event. Upcoming posts will focus on some of those highlights!

Also, be sure to check excellent Hatteras Loop Fest coverage at:
Live to Sail (lots of excellent photos and commentary. A must see!! Thx George and Janis!!)
Lost in Hatteras (Andy, could not have pulled this off with out you bro! Thx a million!!)

Stay tuned for more on the Hatteras LoopFest wrap up!

LoopOff Saturday 5:00pm, Epic Conditions Forecast!!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

The LoopOff is on schedule for tomorrow starting at 5:00pm! The forecast looks near epic for the event! The LoopOff will run two 30 min free form heats. A 15 min "breather" between heats will also be part of the event. "Loopers Meeting" (no skippers for this event) is scheduled for 4:45pm on the beach at Ego across from Canadian Hole.

Two trucks will mark the boundaries for the competition area and a flag (Hatteras Loop Fest t-shirt) will be used to mark the start and end of each heat. Sailing will be free form and open to all LoopOff participants. Judging will be a 1 - 5 ranking per various aerial and wave spinning maneuvers. The moves noted for judging include:
- FWD Loop
- Back Loop
- Push Loop
- Wave 360
- Other (noted for any other spin-type attempted)

See the trophy post for the various award categories.

A post event awards party will be hosted by Ocean Air Saturday night starting at 9:00pm. Since it gets dark so late this time of year, we may not be off the water until 8:30pm?!

All in all, the forecast looks near EPIC for the LoopOff!! We are going to score, and should capture some awesome conditions out there!

See you in a spin!

PS: GoPros will be available for LoopOff participants to capture the rig ride action!

Just Plain FUN!!!

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

UPDATE: new video clip, see below. More to come...

Today is what FUN windsurfing is all about! We experienced the perfect setup of wind, water, air, sun, and even WAVE! SW wind hovered in the juiced 5.0m to 4.5m range all afternoon. Sunny skies, 90 degree air temps, and 80 deg ocean water made for perfect summertime ocean sailing conditions. The water was crystal clear and felt absolutely PERFECT. We even had a fun wave ranging chest to head high on the sets! Today was just one of those days where you were smiling the entire time, feeling blessed to be here experiencing some of the best Mother Nature (OBX) has to offer. We have similar conditions during the Spring and Fall, but the warmth of the wind and water, along with the refreshing feel of the ocean just made me smile the entire time!

I shot some video with the GoPro Helmet Hero, however, the angle was off and most of the footage captures mainly water, except for when I was spinning in the air. Too bad since there were some killer top to bottom wave hits, especially at Ego beach where the inside set wave was breaking overhead high! The photographers were loving it since the action was inside and perfect for the camera. Early reports are that some of the shots are SWEET, so likely the photos will remain under wraps until print mag editorial review. Perhaps you will see summer-time Hatteras in the next "Hots Shots?!"

Best news of this entire post though is...WE WILL HAVE SIMILAR CONDITIONS TOMORROW AND THOUGH MONDAY!!!! The ocean swell will be increasing in size too! Ahhh, summertime Hatteras and the Bermuda High. All I can say is that if you can be here this weekend, its worth the gas!!!

The Hatteras Loopfest LoopOff is going to rock on Saturday too!!

GoPro Video Report:

Bermuda High, Finally...Perfect Timing for LoopOff

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

The rescheduled Hatteras Loop Fest LoopOff looks to score this coming weekend (June 27-29)! The forecast is calling for a "classic" Bermuda High setup beginning Thursday with plenty of WindGuru stars lasting though the weekend and into next week! We have waited all month for a Bermuda High, and finally...!!

Bring on the SW winds, and lets rotate!!

Skunked This Weekend for the LoopOff

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Well, after a promising forecast all week, the wind just did not materialize for the LoopOff. Today, there were breezy pulses here and there around volatile weather across the OBX, but nothing consistent for ideal LoopOff conditions. The forecast tomorrow looks fairly lame as well, therefore we will likely postpone the LoopOff until next weekend (June 27 - 29).

The Commit Fest continues through the end of the month. Congratulations again to George Markopoulos, who was the first to successfully commit during the 2008 Commit Fest. We are very happy that George will be heading back to MD with a newly discovered passion and challenge in our sport of windsurfing! Additionally, he scored a new red 5.6m Simmer X-Flex donated by Avon Sail House!! Good luck George!...you will be landing and sailing away in the straps soon!

There is still time for more commits to be spun, as long as we get some windy days. Who will be next?!

BREAKING NEWS: Early Reports of a Successful FWD Commit Today!! Day 4

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

UPDATE: June 19, 11:00am EST
George posted an excellent reflection of his new FWD loop experience on his blog Live to Sail. Check it out!

UPDATE: 5:00pm EST
George has posted his commit video! Check it out!

An early report came into Loop Central today that George Markopoulos has successfully made the commit!!

Congratulations George!!

The session was an early morning romp at Old Lighthouse Beach in Buxton with low 20mph NE wind. Andy M called in with the report and noted that George hucked at least 3 successful FWD loops and was completely ecstatic at his success! A GoPro Hero 3 was mounted, and we await download and posting of the footage!

Be sure to read George's account of his first loop experience!

Andy and George celebrating George's success of his first FWD Loop commit at Old Lighthouse Beach!! Great job George!! source: Live to Sail

Hatteras Loop Fest Day 3

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Last night we had another Commit Fest session..., this time, at Canadian Hole. The SW wind filled in with moderately powered 5.3m conditions. A number of sailors were on the water including many Hatteras Loop Fest participants. There were a number of FWD loop attempts; however, no solid commits with splashdown in a water start position. It is more difficult to break the commit hurdle in the small sound-side wind chop. The key though is to hang on to the boom and stay in the straps until splashdown. Ken K and Chris G were two participants who were close to hitting the splashdown, but the mental blocks of looking at the water or letting go of the boom kept them from spinning. Great though to see them jump and set the rig!

Andy M, Keith M, and I threw a number of flat water loops, with Keith showcasing top form with his clean rotation and sail away. All in all, a fun summer session at the Canadian Hole. Too bad the wind was not a few knots stronger to provide solid power on the ocean where the wind swell generates larger ramps. Perhaps we will have another session later this week?!

For more on yesterday's Loop Fest coverage:
Live to Sail blog (great photos and video!)

Chris G with a nice pitch forward, though a few FWD loop no-no's include: 1) Looking at the water in front of the board, 2) not pulling in back arm. A wider grip would help with pulling in. Feet position looks great, and only the "no-no's" prevented a successful commit. Great job though Chris for "going for it," and half the mental commit of pitching forward. However, the other half of pulling in and looking back are the biggest commit hurdles, and with some more practice/motivation, he will be there! photo source: Live to Sail

The Hatteras Loop Fest Loop Clinic

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Andy detailing technique during the Loop Clinic

Tonight, Sailworld hosted the Hatteras Loop Fest Loop Clinic. Andy McKinney provided participants with valuable knowledge and tips regarding making the initial commit and executing a successful first forward loop. We had an excellent turnout for the event, and everyone is pumped and "Ready to Rotate!" There were also a number of sponsor prizes for registered participants including t-shirts, rash guards, and other cool stuff. George Markopoulos from Maryland took home the Loop Clinic grand prize which was a new Dakine T3 waist harness!

The latest iWindsurf forecast looks promising for the first part of the upcoming week. Hopefully, the past week and a half of windless weather is about to end, and for Hatteras Loop Fest, we will have perfect conditions to go for a spin this coming week! Stay tuned!

Loop Clinic participants display their winnings!

Hatteras Loop Fest LoopOff Trophies

Fetched: September 4th, 2008, 8:43am CEST by Bill

The 2008 Hatteras Loop Fest LoopOff trophies arrived today! We have five categories to award for the event which begins one week from today (June 20-22). The LoopOff will feature accomplished loopers competing for the various titles, along with exposure in video and photography. The action will be documented both on/in-the-water and beach side. It will be an aerial spinning windsurfing extravaganza! Forward, back, push, wave360, etc...if the rig and rider goes for a spin, its game for the LoopOff! Following the event, an awards celebration will be hosted by OceanAir.

If you can spin around in the air or on the wave, and have not registered yet, sign up today! Receive a FREE t-shirt too!

This is Cape Hatteras, NC

Posted: May 27th, 2008, 5:37pm CEST by obxBill

Lane DuPont Cape Hatteras, NC is the premier US mainland east coast wavesailing destination. We experience excellent wavesailing conditions most of the year with our prime season during the Fall when hurricane and tropical storm swell can produce sizable surf.

Hatteras has a strong windsurfing presence but the level of professional stops to the barrier islands is few. We have our own contingent of local pros, but rarely see any of the big guns visit this place. Likely, this is due to the lack of professional tour stop support/interest. Though from the kiteboarding world, Hatteras does draw top international pros for the Annual Triple S Invitational wave event sponsored by Real Kiteboarding.

Billy Epp All in all, it would be great to see more professional interest in Hatteras as a destination for the professional world tour circuit. Of course, Hatteras does "miss," and there is risk of conditions not happening; however, if timed correctly during our prime seasons, the odds of a miss can be significantly reduced, while the opportunities can be quite rewarding.

For more on the Hatteras wavesailing scene:

www.obxbeachlife.com

http://lostinhatteras.blogspot.com/

Tushingham encourage youngsters to use the F-word……

Posted: September 1st, 2007, 2:07pm CEST by BillM

Freestyle! - Kids Freestyle Festival. Rutland Water - Sat 27th & Sun 28th October 2007 will offer youngsters the opportunity to develop their skills in the sport’s most creative and expressive discipline.

Keith Atkinson - Promotes Windsurfing on SKY

Posted: August 15th, 2007, 5:31pm CEST by BillM

Keith Atkinson will be on UK Boating TV, showing on Information TV (Sky channel 167 and a live stream) on Weds 15th August at 6:30pm, and then for another 7 showings over the following fortnight (Mon/Wed/Fri at 6:30pm + Sun lunchtime), with repeated clips following on uk-boating.tv.

Windsurfing » News by BillM

Feeds

News by BillM

Fetched: October 29th, 2009, 11:06pm CET by Bill

Fetched: October 26th, 2009, 4:28pm CET by Bill

Fetched: October 19th, 2009, 2:37pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: October 13th, 2009, 11:01am CEST by Bill

Fetched: October 7th, 2009, 12:43am CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 29th, 2009, 6:01am CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 29th, 2009, 3:23am CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 23rd, 2009, 8:35pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 8th, 2009, 8:19pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 5th, 2009, 5:29am CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 5th, 2009, 5:29am CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 3rd, 2009, 7:01pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 3rd, 2009, 7:01pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: September 3rd, 2009, 7:01pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 31st, 2009, 1:34pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 28th, 2009, 4:56am CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 24th, 2009, 2:24pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 23rd, 2009, 7:21pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 23rd, 2009, 12:17am CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 21st, 2009, 8:26pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 21st, 2009, 2:05am CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 19th, 2009, 10:26am CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 16th, 2009, 7:58am CEST by Bill

Fetched: August 5th, 2009, 9:25pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: July 23rd, 2009, 1:20am CEST by Bill

Fetched: July 19th, 2009, 9:43pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: July 4th, 2009, 8:43am CEST by Bill

Fetched: June 29th, 2009, 7:32pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: June 28th, 2009, 5:02am CEST by Bill

Fetched: June 22nd, 2009, 9:33pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: June 12th, 2009, 2:36pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: June 7th, 2009, 2:42am CEST by Bill

Fetched: June 1st, 2009, 6:54pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 28th, 2009, 8:20pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 28th, 2009, 8:20pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 27th, 2009, 11:54am CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 22nd, 2009, 4:25pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 19th, 2009, 6:54am CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 19th, 2009, 6:54am CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 13th, 2009, 10:14pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 10th, 2009, 6:40pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 10th, 2009, 6:40pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 6th, 2009, 12:09pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: May 1st, 2009, 6:54am CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 26th, 2009, 7:46pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 24th, 2009, 7:40am CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 22nd, 2009, 8:27pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 22nd, 2009, 11:20am CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 21st, 2009, 11:02am CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 18th, 2009, 3:15am CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 15th, 2009, 2:15pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 11th, 2009, 6:41am CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 10th, 2009, 3:27pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 7th, 2009, 5:44pm CEST by Bill

Fetched: April 3rd, 2009, 2:11am CEST by Bill

Fetched: March 31st, 2009, 11:32am CEST by Bill

Fetched: March 27th, 2009, 9:09am CET by Bill

Fetched: March 22nd, 2009, 5:04am CET by Bill

Fetched: March 19th, 2009, 11:35am CET by Bill

Fetched: March 15th, 2009, 8:58am CET by Bill

Fetched: March 11th, 2009, 6:17am CET by Bill

Fetched: March 4th, 2009, 11:05am CET by Bill

Fetched: February 24th, 2009, 1:37pm CET by Bill

Fetched: February 17th, 2009, 12:46pm CET by Bill

Fetched: February 13th, 2009, 5:45am CET by Bill

Fetched: February 10th, 2009, 12:33pm CET by Bill

Fetched: February 3rd, 2009, 12:06pm CET by Bill

Fetched: January 31st, 2009, 4:28am CET by Bill

Fetched: January 23rd, 2009, 6:14am CET by Bill

Fetched: January 21st, 2009, 4:54am CET by Bill

Fetched: January 13th, 2009, 9:53pm CET by Bill

Fetched: January 8th, 2009, 6:55pm CET by Bill

Fetched: January 7th, 2009, 4:02pm CET by Bill