Hatteras Nukin Reef RUN!

Ever been out to the Hatteras Reef in 40+ mph winds?!

Ken K and I ventured out there, Friday, April 6 from the "Power Station" beach launch just north of Avon (note requires a permit to drive out there).  Skies were gloomy with spitting rain, limited visibility and lots of N wind on the water.  I rigged 3.7m with the 75lt LS Quad for the venture out.

The Reef is located about 4 miles out in the Pamilico Sound off Avon.  It is a very noticeable sand bar which produces sizable "onshore" breaking surf created by the long clean fetch flowing down the sound.  From micro chop flat water on the ride out, to rolling swell and breaking white water lines at the Reef itself, it kind of reminds me of a mini Cove setup where at the Reef, there are spaced white water lines, and as you approach the outside, larger steeper wave faces/swells foster perfect ramps for big jumps and loops.

One key point about a Reef Run though is confidence in your equipment, especially when it is blowing side/side offshore at 40 mph!  A breakdown over 4 miles off Avon, even in the sound can be a harrowing experience, especially with winds blowing the fetch SSW towards the mainland.  With a 40 mile expanse of water, it could be an experience similar to being lost in the Atlantic!  No worries though, as Ken and I made it out super lit on the small gear, caught some fun jumps, backside wave rides, and a few loops, and safely made it back to dry beach.

All in all, definitely recommend a "Hatteras Reef Run" for those days when its literally Nukin (40+ mph winds) and your gear is top notch for a wild Hatteras B&J ride!

Sorry, no pics as the weather was quite gloomy and we did not have a GoPro with us.  If you have been out there before though in 3.5m weather, you can probably visualize the experience!

Here's Ken's perspective as reported by George at L2S.