Welcomed Waves From Hurricane Florence

It was a late trip today for Lauren and I as we headed down to Hatteras Inlet for some ocean action. As the NE winds continued to increase though the afternoon, and as I received numerous calls from Caleb and Charlie noting the building conditions, we decided to load the 4runner for the drive south. From Nags Head to Hatteras Inlet is about a 1.5 hr drive. We hit the road around 2:45pm, and I was rigging my 5.3m by about 4:45pm after driving 3 miles on the beach where the road ends.

At the wavesailing spot, there were a number of kiteboarders out in the side-off conditions. It looked like a photo shoot as there were about 4 photographers on the beach and some 15 kiterboarders ripping in the overhead conditions. Keith M, Caleb, and I shared the surf wavesailing, and had a fun time in light 5.3m conditions (about 22-25 mph NE winds). Wave conditions where slightly overhead on the bigger sets, but averaged solid chest to head high. The inside was light, and balance was the key to making it though the inside whitewater and out to the wind line. The wavesailing was quite fun with clean down-the-line rides and usually a minimum of 4 bottom-turns per wave. Big jumps and back loops were found on the outside as the swell lines marched in. All in all, a fun prequel to what is expected tomorrow as we get the full onslaught of wind and waves from Florence. Looks like I will be taking the afternoon off from work for an Ocracoke session?!

Stay tuned!

Here are some photos from today:

The kiteboarding crew which included a number of trucks and photographers!


Lots of kites flying out there beyond the waves!


One of the kiters walking it upwind


Lots of kites and one windsurfer on the water, plus a few rigs on the beach!


A perfect sunset at Hatteras Inlet