90 miles of wide-open beach break…Easy access…Friendly people…A bad sunburn is your biggest hazard. This stretch of beach picks up southerly swell on beaches south of Cape Hatteras and northerly swells on the beaches north of Cape Hatteras. So within 20 minutes of Buxton you can catch a pretty wide swell window. Is this starting to sound like a surfer’s paradise? Let’s mix in average water temps in the summer, from 75º in Rodanthe to 82º in Ocracoke. Still not perfect? How about some well-known surf spots like “S turns” in Rodanthe and the “the old lighthouse” in Buxton? You know, the kind of place you might find some of the pros that hang out on the Outer Banks.
If you’re used to surfing a very crowded lineup during times restricted by the local authorities, you’ll find the unrestricted surfing of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands a welcome change. As you drive down Hwy. 12, you’ll see numerous turnouts and parking areas wide-open for surfing. If you have 4WD, there’s plenty of sandy beach to explore.
Now that you’re sold on Hatteras and Ocracoke as your destination, here are a few tips: First off, boards – what type and size do you need? In June and July, waves are typically the smallest. You’ll need your beefy longboard, or a nice fat fish. Winter and spring storms will bring nice swell, particularly north of Cape Hatteras – time to break out the performance boards. Of course, if you’ve spent much time on the Outer Banks, you know our surfers live for hurricane season. A nice, juicy, low-pressure system moving offshore and up the coast will produce some nice, clean, and on occasion, double overhead swell. So pick your board accordingly.
I’ve heard some real horror stories, and experienced a few, when it comes to finding quality rentals while abroad. You won’t have that problem here! The Outer Banks is blessed with an abundance of quality surf shops that offer rentals. Rodanthe, Avon, Buxton, and Ocracoke Village all have at least one place you can rent boards. Typically you’ll find soft boards for beginners and hard epoxy boards for all types of surfers. I’d suggest you call ahead and reserve a board because during the summer, when there’s good swell, boards may be limited.
Lastly, I’d like to touch on the one characteristic of surfing the Outer Banks that to me makes it the most special. For the most part, our breaks have relatively little surf pressure. That normally means there are plenty of waves to go around. If one peak is a little crowded, you can move up or down the beach a little and still catch waves. One of the perks of living at the beach is my local break. You’re welcome to surf it with me and I hope you do. Out in the lineup, remember to respect your fellow surfers, locals and visitors. We’ll see you in the water!
Hatteras Internet Surfer Board
Internet Surf Report:
www.surfocracoke.com
Morning Surf Reports:
Monday through Friday on 99.1, The Sound.
Wave Research: www.frf.usace.army.mil
Information about the Outer Banks
District of the ESA: www.obxesa.org |
