◄ Surfing and Other Board Sports On Hatteras Island ►

One thing the Outer Banks is world famous for is its dependable wind. The Wright Brothers selected Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks for one single reason. We have lots of wind. Many of the fishermen don't always appreciate having their winds in excess of 20 mph but there is a new breed of Hatteras Island visitors that really love big wind and big excitement. A long time resident of Hatteras once told me, "If you can't make your peace with the wind while you are here, you are probably never going to be happy." 

Board sports, including surfing, kiteboarding (aka kitesurfing) and sailboarding (aka windsurfing), are each different methods of enjoying the thrill and exhilaration of our inviting local combination of wind and water.

♦ Surfing ....  Most people are already familiar with the popularity of surfing on the West Coast but not everyone knows that there is still plenty of folks that enjoy surfing right here on the East Coast. No, we don't have the giant surfing waves of Costa Rica or Hawaii but Hatteras Island does offer a somewhat dependable ride able surf during many times of the year including winter.  Since the structure of our beaches changes with the storms from year to year it is very difficult to predict the best locations but a quick stop at one of the local surf shops will put you on the best location to start your search for the best waves. Check out sailflow.com  which is a great website for wind sports that posts very accurate predictions of the wind speed and direction so that board sport enthusiasts can know the best times to be at the best locations.

♦ Kiteboarding  ......  New visitors to Hatteras Island driving along Hwy. 12 will most likely get to see glimpses of kiteboarding all along the soundside usually starting around the Salvo area and extending all the way to Hatteras Village. This sport is relatively new to this area but has taken it by storm. Kiteboarders use a combination of a board similar to a surfboard and a large billowing controllable parachute (kite) which catches wind and propels them along the surface of the water. This strenuous sport can by fast and exhilarating.   Fortunately there are many days during the mid-summer that the less experienced can learn the controls and also get their equipment adjusted properly for their weight.

Kitesurfing or kiteboarding is a surface water sport that uses wind power to pull a rider through the water on a small surfboard or a kiteboard (similar to a wakeboard). Generally kiteboarding refers to a style of riding known as freestyle or wake-style, whereas kitesurfing is more "wave-riding" oriented. These two styles usually require different boards and specific performance kites.

A kitesurfer or kiteboarder uses a board with or without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel themself and the board across the water. In 2006, the number of kitesurfers has been estimated at around 150,000 to 210,000, with 114,465 inflatable kites sold that same year. The sport is becoming safer due to innovations in kite design, safety release systems, and instruction^[. Many riding styles have evolved to suit different types of riders and conditions, such as wakestyle, waveriding, freestyle, jumping, and cruising.

The Famous Canadian Hole

Although the Rodanthe/Waves/Salvo villages have been becoming ever more popular for these sports, the most popular spot by far for most of these board sports is located approximately 15 miles south called the Canadian Hole. This location got its name because for several years in the early popularity of sailboarding this area would have a large number of vehicles with Canadian license plates especially during the earliest and coldest start of the spring season. This soundside area  has now been further developed by the National Park Service with a large paved public parking area, inside restroom facilities and outdoor showers. The sand beach area here is also open to 4X4 driving which gives enthusiasts plenty of room to spread out and rig their equipment. 

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