Kitty Hawk Water Sports- Nags Head, NC

Well, we’ve pulled the boats out of the water in Nags Head and started the winterizing process. At Nor’banks in Duck we still have boats ready if needed and we’ll milk that a little until November at the latest. The only thing we have going in Nags Head is windsurfing.

Last winter I was sweating bullets over the economy and how it would affect the summer business. We wound up being down a little but nothing hugely signficant. I read in Consumer Reports that vacations were the one thing the general population would actually spend more on now that they’ve reprioritized their finances. Hard to pinpoint the thinking behind that.

We had a very good staff this season which makes it more enjoyable for everyone. The key phrase for a business owner like myself is “no drama”. Just give me a group of people that show up to work everyday with a good attitude and give an honest effort. We’ll get them up to speed with the rest.

Back to windsurfing, over the next year I’m going to further our interest with more equipment and greater exposure. The bottom line is, we’re located in a great windsurfing spot where you don’t have to take your equipment elsewhere to rig it. We have it rigged for you. My goal is to get some of the people who regularly head south to Hatteras Island to slow down and try us.

In other news, stay tuned for a very exciting anouncement for the spring of 2010. It will bring more adventures to our site in Nags Head.

We’ve experienced some nice days recently on the Outer Banks and it’s actually been killing me to choose what to do. Should I catch up on paperwork? Nah. Should I go surfing with the pulled muscle in my back? Maybe. Should I go for a bike ride and take it easy on the back muscle? Maybe. Should I plan to go striper fishing on Friday at Mann’s Harbor Bridge because the fishing report says they’re slayin’ ‘em there? Good chance.

It’s been a long time since I’ve caught a striped bass and with my kids having Friday off from school it might be a good time to take them out there and give it a try. Besides, for every person on the boat we can keep 2 fish. But the kids have other redeeming qualities as well, just give me some more time to think of them.

I rode by Lillian St. access in Kitty Hawk on Tuesday and it was fairly packed due to the good swell. Lots of funboards catching some long rollers.

We had a big blow come through on Saturday and Sunday. When the wind stopped the ocean settled down and left behind a nice swell. It was pretty sloppy on Monday and peaked out nicely on Tuesday. By Wednesday it appeared to be mostly gone.

In other news, I was checking out http://www.kahunacreations.com/ to look at some of their products. I sell their Big Sticks, which is a tool to use your skateboard like a land paddleboard. When I went to their Facebook page I noticed they had pictures of Matthew McConaughey using one with his skateboard. Pretty cool.

Friday, the 23rd of October was a nice looking day. I was just about to start painting my house (an ongoing project) when I got a phone call. It was my friend, Steve The Dream Thomas, with a live surf report. He was at the Lillian St. beach access (aka, the Laundry Mats) and he informed me there was a nice little swell that only a couple of stand-up paddleboarders and longboarders were taking advantage of.

I was in quite the dilemma. Paint the house or go surfing? Duh, I’m going surfing.

Air temp was about 70, water temp in the low 60s. There was a very gentle, slow rolling swell with a knee high wave you could ride for quite a long ways. On top of that there was no wind and the waters were very calm.

I actually needed a day like this to build up my confidence. The waves were easy to catch and I got good practice staying on the board as I finished out and turned around. In addition, I was able to paddle along with a pod of dolphin that weren’t too far away. Always a thrill.

The swell eventually quit around high tide so headed back home to see if I could get any work done. That didn’t last long because I soon had to pick up my son from elementary school which leads me to my second beach getaway.

I decided to take him, a friend, and my 4 year-old to the beach to play. Just in case I was given the opportunity I brought my fishing rod.

The kids went immediately to building a sand fort at the base of a washed up tree. If there’s one thing I can rely on with my kids at the beach is that they’ll find some old flotsam and start creating something. That distraction is just what I needed to start fishing and it went relatively smooth for 3 hours, which might be a record for us. I even caught a speckled trout, but not a keeper.

Once again it was a good day to be alive on the Outer Banks.

Every now and then it’s good to be the stay at home dad. Yesterday was shaping up to be a good day. Weather was warming up, ocean temp was still decent (65), and there was still a small swell. Trying to stay active (read: keeping the winter fat at bay) and not having anything too pressing to do while my 4 year-old was at preschool I decided to go for a quick paddleboard. I drove down route 12 in Kitty Hawk looking for a gentle, outside break. I finally settled on an access at the Sea Kove motel. After paddling around for 15′ I finally caught a wave and for the first time was able to stay on the board, turn it around, and head back out without falling off.

I scored one more wave before I had to hop in the car and go get the preschooler. The funniest part is changing out of the wetsuit at the beach access next to Black Pelican and going to school smelling like the ocean.

I tried to go fishing with a friend Sunday so we headed the boat out of the Southern Shores canals and on to Guingite Creek. It was about 48 degrees and blowing 15-20 out of the northwest. Total crap.

We never made it out of the creek it was blowing so hard and we were probably only on the boat for about an hour. Whoever said fish like it when it’s rough is full of it. I’ve never caught a fish in a good blow.

Needless to say, I spent the rest of the day trying to warm up and wondering why winter came so soon to the Outer Banks.

Alas, winter doesn’t have too tight a grip on us yet. I went for a bike ride yesterday, riding past the Laundry Mats (Kitty Hawk’s not-so-secret surf spot) and there were a bunch of surfers taking advantage of a nice swell. Full wetsuits were the standard attire. Did not see any gloves or booties.

Forcast is for warmer weather for the next couple of days (70-80) so if the swell continues it should be a good time to get out.

Last weekend was our first ever regatta at Kitty Hawk Water Sports and although the turnout was small everybody had good fun. The racers were mostly locals except for the Marines who came in to pick up a new purchase and what better way to give it a shake down cruise than at our regatta.

On Saturday the weather held off and we got in 6 races on the triangular course. Afterwards, we had a great social at Pamlico Jack’s just a block away. If you get the chance to go there they have a great deck bar overlooking the sound.

Sunday morning we woke up to clouds and cool weather. After much debating we decided on a mid-distance race across the sound. The winds were great, around 12 mph, and we were zipping across the water.

Chip Forbes won the regatta on a Hobie 16 with Chris Matthews coming in second on a Getaway. It should be noted that anyone scared to race should take a lesson from Wikey. Who, at 70 years old, capsized both days and each time got back on the boat and kept racing.

During the regatta I ran in to some BABA members who were on their way to Hatteras Island for a week of windsurfing. After talking with them I decided to hold a windsurfing regatta next year on Columbus Weekend. It should be a great time to attract racers from BABA and WET since they are in the neighborhood. Plus, it’s a good time for wind. In addition, I’ll switch the sailing regatta to a weekend in September where there will be more people to participate.

As an aside, we are shutting down the operation for the season except for windsurfing. We are going to try to attract the windsurfers who normally head down to Hatteras Island this time of year so I want to make ourselves more available.

Chris and Wikey bringing up the rear.

This is my favorite time of the year on the Outer Banks. Ocean temps are still great, the stress of the season is no longer there, fishing is heating up, and there are plenty of family activities.

A week ago I visited the Hobie Wave regatta at Nor’banks Sailing and Duck and helped out on the committee boat. Of the three day event I was lucky enough to show up on the one “good” day. Friday had high winds and rain which led to boats dismasting and Sunday had high winds and rain, as well. Saturday was cool and cloudy but the winds were such to have good races at a crisp pace. No slogging around the course.

Racers came from Ohio, Raleigh, and South Carolina. I had a chance to talk to a few and they were incredibly nice.

Speaking of regattas, we’ll be hosting our first ever in Nags Head on Oct. 10 and 11. We’ve seen a lot of local interest and hopefully we’ll have a good turnout. For more information go to our web site.

Last night before the sun disappeared I went down to the ocean with a fishing rod. I was there only about 1/2 an hour and I caught one 10″ speckled trout. Not a keeper but still fun. That’s what I love about the Outer Banks, I fishing hack like me can have success while fishing.

Monday was another story. My remaining staff and I went fishing on one of our skiffs as a little get together. After fishing all day the only thing we had to show for it was a bunch of empty beer cans. Still a fun time to be with friends.

Hope to see you out on the water.