You Missed IT!!, Weekend Wavesailing Score at Coquina Beach AGAIN!!

Wow, this place simply is the best long line DTL wavesailing found in Hatteras right now! Who knows though, it could be gone tomorrow based upon our shifting sand conditions here on the islands. Though for now, it simply rocks at Coquina! The closest I could compare would be the north end of Ocracoke a few years ago just outside the mouth of the inlet where long large lines marched in providing excellent DTL wavesailing. However, that area only worked when it was relatively big and often was bumpy due to the currents funneling in/out of the inlet. I am not sure if it is even happening there now since I have not been out there in a while.

Whereas at Coquina, I guess it must simply be the land orientation and the combo of SE ocean swell and SSW or S wind direction, along with the awesome outer sand bars found there since mid-summer.

Today, it was ugly from the beach with spitting rain, a messy Lounge with a fair amount of white water, and moderate shorepound. However, once outside, the outer bar (well over 100+ yards offshore on the set wave takeoff) was pure magic! I sailed for three hours straight and it reminded me of the wave conveyor belt in Maui, minus the sunny skies and board trunks! The sets were solid head+ high lines which marched in with 3 to 5 count regularity. I always picked up number 3 or 4 and remained relatively high on the swell face for the upwind ride. Once at the takeoff, it was simply long, smooth, big wave faces, with crumbly sections for the hit! If you were conservative, you could ride the big ones effortlessly, with a minimum of 4 to 5 turns before the kickout on butter smooth faces. If you got a little more aggressive, you could go deep into the bottom turn, and approach the steep lip, but the giants were gentle, and re-entry was no problem. I did not go down on any of the big ones, but I could definitely feel some power under the 92 Tempo as I re-entered down the crumbly section after a hit, and dropped back out ahead of the section ready for another bottom turn. Simply awesome out there!!

Again, I was SOLO!! There were a few wave kiters who arrived when I did, but they were doing a downwinder, so by the time I launched, they were near the Nags Head southern town limits. The remainder of the session, I was solo, but kept looking for someone to arrive, as the report was out on the conditions. The kit today consisted of the 4.7m Legend and the 92 Tempo. The first half of the session was well powered on the 4.7m, and the second half lightened up, but I remained on the 4.7m and the light air wavesailing was great. Actually, the best wave riding was found once the wind calmed down, and I was marginally powered. However, on the wave, I had plenty of juice, and the surf was super clean, and long!! I actually did have to walk about a mile back to my truck on the beach, but it was due to all the 6+ turn rides I was getting. The waves were simply sooooo long, often I kept going even though I knew I should kick out to remain in position for upwind capability, but heck the surf was too good...

All in all, for the pure wavesailing aficionado Coquina Beach is the spot in Hatteras right now for SE ocean swell, and SSW/S wind combo. Seems this setup has been occurring frequently this year, so hopefully it continues. Definitely saves airfare to Maui!?! : )

Here are a few shots from today that do it no justice (definitely needed to be out there to experience it):