Kitty Hawk Water Sports- Nags Head, NC

I took this picture around mid-May and thought it might be a bad omen.  By the way, that’s a snapping turtle looking inside the entrance of our shop.  He had to hike up the entire wheelchair ramp to get to this point.  He was still standing there when I had to leave so I lassoed his shell and pulled him out of the way so I could close the door.

Fortunately, business has been good.  My banker told me yesterday that June is a little soft with rental home reservations but July and August are slam-packed.

Next Monday night we plan to start our weekly SUP races.  Come out and watch or grab a board and tag-along.

Also, we just got our inflatable SUPs in.  Made by Sevylor these “boards” are amazingly stiff and light.  They come with a pump and a backpack which also has a place to strap on your paddle.  The $650 price should make it more affordable for people to get in to the sport.

6/16/09

I have a small confession to make; although I profess the many attributes of the SUP I had never taken one on the ocean . . . . until Sunday.  I’ve paddled quite a bit on the sound, even on windy days, and feel very comfortable, but going on the ocean definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone.  The early morning wind was light NE around 8 mph which was just enough to keep the board tippy.  After 20’ I was exhausted and bonking (should have eaten breakfast) whereupon I finally lost my balance and took an unplanned dip.  Talking to a more experienced paddler later in the day he informed me the ocean forces you to expend much more energy than paddling on the sound.  Now I can vouch for that.

There wasn’t any wave action which was fine with me because I just wanted to get a little experience, but I did see a bit more swell when I went out on Monday morning at mp 15 in Nags Head.  I discovered on Monday that I have a tendency to look at the nose of the board when I feel my balance wavering.  Note to self:  keep your eyes up.  By looking at the board you’re not anticipating the swells but reacting to the board.

With my improved confidence I tried catching a wave or two.  There wasn’t a strong shore break but the waves were definitely going all the way to the shore which made me tentative in getting close with an eleven foot board.  If I’d had the energy and the time I probably could have gotten something but it wasn’t to be, maybe next time.

So I’m in the reading room (toilet) browsing through the June issue of Outside when I spot an article on vacation escapes for less than $500.  I always like to see what the magazines say about our local activities and I spot “Kiteboard the Outer Banks”.  As I read on I notice that the “Kittyhawk (sic) Kites Kiteboarding Resort” was an all-inclusive campus in Nags Head.

Really?!  Could someone give me directions because I know this area pretty well and I haven’t seen it on the beach road or the by-pass.

According to the blurb, the student will spend day two “testing out your new skills on 395 square miles of beginner-friendly Atlantic shallows accessible from your doorstep.”

Wait a tick.  The Atlantic has 395 square miles of shallows?  So I’ve been wasting my time placing my kids in water wings?  Then why do they call it the Devil’s Triangle?

Now that I’ve gone totally sarcastic on you let me mention the article’s title was “Get Lost:  For Less Than $500”.  I’m lost alright, and the cost per person for two days, food and lodging included, is $500.  I know that last one is a bit nit-picky but I couldn’t help it.

I think the person who wrote up the synopsis made some calls, talked to the wrong person, and then phoned it in to the editor.

On the flip side they had a do-it-yourself weekend adventure for surfing on Hatteras.  They mention getting a cabin at Frisco Woods, renting surfboards at Natural Art Surf Shop, and eating at The Hatterasman.

I think this guy was actually here.

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The wind is blowing about 15-18 right now and we’re seeing a few windsurfers out between showers.

I think it’s a coincidence and not so much the economy but so far this year we’ve sold more small Hobie Cats than big Hobie Cats.  The reason I believe it’s just a coincidence is that the buyers bought the boat that fit them the best.  Small family, small boat.  Not a big family trying to squeeze everyone on to a small boat.  I guess the flip side of the coin is that the big families aren’t looking to spend money because they’re typically the ones trying to pinch pennies.

On another note I’ve had several customers tell me they want the Hobie 16 over the Getaway because that’s what they grew up on.  Although the Hobie 16 is a classic boat that can be found anywhere it’s a dog when you want to put four people on it.  The Getaway is a great family boat when you want to throw a bunch of people on it.  The argument I hear all the time is that the Hobie 16 is faster but my answer to that is when the chop starts to build in high winds the Getaway cuts through it with its big bows a lot better than the Hobie 16 thus maintaining speed better.  Therefore, in high winds the Getaway can keep up with the Hobie 16.

Message:  really think about how you plan to use your boat before making a decision.  Do you want to race?  Do you want to entertain the kids?  Take out the neighbors? 

By the way, if you want to compare the Hobie Cats stop by and we can take them out on the water for a test drive.

See you on the water.