Ramp 34 Closed to ORV Permanently?!

As locals and visitors line up to purchase ORV driving permits for Cape Hatteras National Seashore, ultimately, the next question to ask is "What will the permit offer me?"  Between plover and turtle nesting closures, and other closures simply due to "in season" visitor traffic, ultimately there may not be much available to drive on anyway?!  Most concerning has been a recent experience by Keith M who, upon purchasing a 2012 ORV permit, was notified that Ramp 34 will be closed to ORV traffic permanently!  Not due to nestings, not due to seasonal visitation, but simply permanent closure to ORV starting in mid-April!  A reevaluation was noted, but not for 5 years, and though mention of new ramps being opened, budget constraints and other issues will certainly stall any efforts.  Ultimately, one of our prime wavesailing access ramps with a wide expanse of beach for clean SSW wind will be closed to ORV.  Though pedestrian access remains open and will be the new intended focus of the Ramp, the hike is long to the waters edge.  For wavesailing, we require a lot of equipment to haul out onto the beach.  Varying winds require multiple sail and board sizes, and having it available from your truck on the beach is key.  Now that will no longer be an option at one of our prime wavesailing launches.  The positive..., a good workout even before hitting the water by hiking all the gear out!?!

 Beyond exercise though, I guess as the noose is tightened on ORV access, its simply inevitable.  The Outer Banks is located firmly within reach of US mid-Atlantic metropolitan hubs and given recent medical, infrastructure, and housing booms over the past 15 years, it all boils down to regional access and population growth.  Today's 2012 OBX is nothing like the OBX I first visited back in the early 1990s purely when looking at population numbers.  Its not the same OBX as was here in 2000.  Today's OBX is simply an extension of the mid-Atlantic metropolitan boom stemming from points west in Raleigh/Durham NC, to our northern neighbors from Chesapeake, VA to NYC, NY.  There are simply a lot more people on the OBX today, and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is no longer simply treated as BLM "all access" land anymore.  As is consistent with the US East Coast, if you want free range to do as you please in open space land managed by the US Government, move west to where BLM land remains available.  Here on the US East Coast, its simply no longer an option.  The "environmental" and nesting bird concerns were avenues and now function as "fronts" for the true issue, which is population growth and managing/policing Federally administered land.  No worries, its completely understandable, but unfortunately, its a losing battle for the ORV proponents.  Population growth and access to the OBX is not going to diminish, and if anything, it will continue to expand.

Keith's experience:

I just paid for my new yearly Cape Hatteras beach permit ($120 which expires Dec 31 12. not exactly a year) so i can have the privilege of never driving on ramp 34 ever again. Yep that's right .... the government closed the beach north of 34 permanently. thanks a bunch. That is our home beach ramp here in Avon, no more driving out to surf, fish, windsurf, or BBQ. I just hate having some bureaucrat making these kind of decisions. In a way this is a microcosm of whats going on in the entire US, bigger and bigger government, government for the sake of government. All the funds from the beach permit fees are being used for the administration of the permit! Not for park or visitor experience improvements. The NPS is actually bragging about this, hinting that the new permit administration isn't using any tax payer dollars, like that is some kind of huge achievement. What this is...is just another layer of bureaucracy and another incremental power grab. Pleading my case about how the Ramp 34 decision was a poor one, i was told that in 5 years there will be a review of the closures. How comforting. Legislation is the only way to correct this insanity. Please sign the change.org petition i posted earlier if you care about beach access here on Cape Hatteras.

Jones introduces bill to overturn both ORV final rule and consent decree

PETITION: The U.S. Senate: Remove The "ORV Rule And Provide Free And Open Access"

Get Yourself One of These, SeaLion 2012!

The 2012 Hatteras windsurfing season is about to kick off!  Actually, given the mild winter, for some it really never ended between 2011 and 2012.  Though, as northern locations in New England and Canada remain frozen, the trek will begin soon to find warm weather and water here on the OBX.

A hot ticket phenomenon last year was wavesailing SUPs to take advantage of light air surf conditions.  A leader in that arena is the AHD Sealion for its aggressive shape and agility on a wave when winds are below 10 knots.  I had a TON of fun last summer riding the Lion in everything from knee high outside nuggets, to logo high bombs kicked up by tropical action.  In the scope of all of 2011, I actually spent more time on the SeaLion than any other board in my inventory, including my trusty Quatro 92 Wave Twin (Tempo)!  

For 2012, AHD has expanded the SeaLion line to include the new SeaLion Pro.  This board offers the same outline and length dimensions as the Classic; however, volume has been shaved off in board thickness.  Thus, the Pro offers 115 ltrs of light air wave magic and intended for riding in bigger surf conditions.  I am especially looking forward to trying this ride out, as last year during tropical season in bigger surf, more control would have been nice in the top turns.  The reduced volume should help improve control of the board throughout the ride on a larger wave.

All in all, stay tuned and of course, if you are interested in this board, the Classic, or even the XL, send me an email (See SeaLion Rep box in upper left corner of this blog)!  Demo and rental opportunities available!

Spring is Here, Or Has Winter Never Arrived?!

We may be in the "winter" months; however the weather and air/water temps have remained "mid-March"-like since December 2011!  What a contrast to the winter of 2011 where we were locked in a deep freeze starting Dec 1, 2010 and thawing around late March 2011.  This year however, has been a complete opposite, and for the windsurfing opportunities, it has been fantastic!

Andy down at Wind-NC has been catching most of it, keeping his game on par for the upcoming regular season.  Weekend warriors have been here to hit it, while some of the local crew have been off the water due to injuries as well as "little dudes" maintenance.  Now that March is here though, we begin the true "Spring" Hatteras windsurfing season and the influx of New England and Canadian plates is soon to arrive!  Welcome!!

Fortunately, those coming down will be greeted to warmth and wind!  The sound water is surprisingly mild due to the warm winter and the ocean, though cold on the east facing beaches, has its Gulf Stream pockets of warmth touching key wave spots.  All in all, its looking to be a very good Spring season!

Additionally, we have windsurfing events happening in 2012 that will rock the islands like no other year!  Of course the BIG Event is the 2012 American Windsurfing Tour and its Hatteras stop, Hatteras Wave Jam!  The Jam is set for Sept 12 - 15, and will feature top international wavesailing pros mixing it up in the Hatteras Atlantic at peak wave season!  Additionally, there will be the full gambit of competition, as well as parties, clinics, cookouts, movies, and all sorts of FUN!  Definitely a week not to miss in Avon!


This Spring we have the Makani Fins OBX Clinics in April.  The clinics will feature world class freestyle and celebrity pros Tyson Poor and Wyatt Miller.

Windfest will also be here in late April, held down at Frisco Woods Campground!  Windfest is the longest running annual Hatteras event and will feature all sorts of soundside fun!

All in all, 2012 is shaping up to be an excellent windsurfing year in Hatteras!  Lets hope for a wavy summer season with decent SSW wind.  A repeat of conditions similar to 2005 would be excellent to prep us all for Wave Jam in Sept!

PS:  this weekend is going to FIRE!  Who is going to be here?!

Time to Pay to Play!

2012 will mark the first year where we will be required to buy permits to drive on the sand. The new requirement takes affect in a few days (Feb 15) and permits may be purchased at various stations located at or near access ramps throughout the NPS Cape Hatteras National Seashore.  For local/regular Hatteras wavesailors it will mean $120 for the annual pass.  Those here short term will require a $50/week pass.

There has been a lot of debate on the issue with those both in favor as well as the majority who are against the new requirement.  I for one, am semi-neutral.  I see the validity given the explosion of SUV popularity over the past 20 years and the vast increase of visitor ORV traffic on the OBX.  This new requirement, in my opinion, simply serves as an enforcement measure to better manage Cape Hatteras National Seashore given increased visitor/traffic numbers against static NPS personnel coverage. 

From the Hatteras wavesailing perspective, I see it as a way to open the beaches and new found surf breaks, especially along the east Cape Point area where traffic can become quite tight during popular weeks/weekends with fishing lines every few yards along the beach.  Additionally, perhaps we will less likely see passenger and light SUV vehicles stuck in the sand blocking access ramps and delaying the trek out to the surf zone.  Of course, the decreased numbers of monster trucks racing between south Coquina beach and Oregon Inlet will also be welcome relief.

On the down side, there will be an economic impact.  A definite part of the Hatteras experience is the opportunity to drive onto the sand and set up a beach camp for the day.  A new fiscal cost to that activity along with time and effort to obtain a permit will turn visitors off of the OBX experience.  If there are decreased visitor numbers, this will directly impact local business.  Annual surf fishing contests in the Fall are huge and this requirement will likely turn off some who frequent these events.

Though who knows..., people will still come.  The permit may be a "pain in the a$$" for some, especially if here visiting for a week, but all in all, for those who truly need to drive onto the beach or truly want to, they can.  It will simply cost some extra time and money.

Goodbye 2011, Welcome 2012!

2011 is a wrap and with the end of the year we now can both look back on what we experienced "last year" and also look forward to expectations for the new year. 2011 was likely my "least" active windsurfing year, and I basically come to this conclusion per a single factor (or make that two) "little dudes!"

As a relatively new dad, once we expanded the family to two children, those half day treks to Hatteras wave spots became much less frequent. This due to a combination of both family commitment to remain home along with sheer afternoon exhaustion due to extremely early wake up calls (often 5:30am) and trying to maintain the "pre-children" late evening bedtimes. All in all, there were quite a few windy afternoons when I simply was too tired to go (one fond memory this Fall was actually going south for a wave sesh, but as the wind diminished and the waves slacked, I actually fell asleep for a "board bag" nap on the beach next to my truck! One of the best "beach naps" I ever had!).

Along with a "busy" childhood rearing year, my windsurfing experience was also cut by the impact of H Irene to Hatteras Island.  The timing of the storm's impact and the shut down of Hatteras throughout the prime wave month of Sept/early Oct left those locked north of Oregon Inlet on the "sidelines" especially during some of the strong NE days we had where the south side is the call.  Though fortunately, we did experience a few sessions at Coquina Beach following Irene with Labor Day likely my best wave sesh of the year.  Though I was primarily solo for the session (the local (Nags Head) kite crew did join me but no other windsurfers were there), I had the best wave rides of the year powered on the new Quatro Twin 92, and 5.3m MS Legend.  Sunshine, perfect air and water temps, and a perfect long period wave summed that day.

As for other days, 2011 was marked by spending a ton of time light air wave riding on the AHD Sealion.  Actually, I spent more time on the SeaLion in 2011 enjoying light air wave days then any other past year (really did not have a light air option in the past!).  The SeaLion also worked well for catching sessions close to home in the ocean directly off Nags Head town proper.  The sand bars were quite nice this year due to "beach nourishment" and I caught many fun sessions riding waves in light wind on the Lion.  The SeaLion was my "saving grace" for 2011 since if I did not have the board, I would have experienced much less time with a sail in hand.  

Likely, the biggest let down for 2011 was cancellation of Hatteras Wave Jam, Stop 4 for the 2011 American Windsurfing Tour. High hopes and expectations were there for the Hatteras Tour visit, and we were quite excited to host many of the world's best wavesailors. Unfortunately, Irene spoiled the party in 2011; however, with 2012 the stage is reset for the Jam to return.

For 2012, the American Windsurfing Tour is ON, and Hatteras is again Stop 4 for the Tour. September 12 - 15, 2012 are the dates for Hatteras Wave Jam 2012. For 2012, the Tour will be even bigger, offer more for participants and spectators, and really spotlight high action adrenaline pumping windsurfing in US coastal surf/wind conditions. Prize money, live web casts, killer gatherings/parties, and elite world class participation will all be here that week coming up in Sept! I definitely plan to bump up my 2012 windsurfing game in preparation for the Tour stop, and hopefully with a wishful "finger cross" will be able to perhaps make an additional Tour stop..., Baja?!

Onward 2012 and looking forward to see you on the water catching a killer wave here on the OBX!