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Outer Banks Wind Surfers

Outer Banks wind surfers

Outer Banks wind surfers

Updated on 12/20/2024
Judith DyerBy Judith Dyer
Judith Dyer
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Kiteboarding and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) have miraculously flown onto the scene in the past decade. While windsurfing has been drawing enthusiasts of water sports to the coast of North Carolina for more than half a century, making it one of the Outer Banks' most popular water sports. Wind surfers has been drawing water sports enthusiasts to the coast of North Carolina for more than half a century. Windsurfing can take pride in the fact that it is both the sound-based activity that has been present on the Outer Banks for the longest time and one of the sound-based sports that is held in the highest regard on the Outer Banks. 

That allows wind surfers to enjoy the benefits of both of these characteristics. Because of this, windsurfing has become one of the most popular water activities on the Outer Banks-based sound. Everyone, from seasoned riders to those who have never tried windsurfing before, has the potential to catch a beautiful ride. Those who have never tried windsurfing before also can see a fantastic ride. Even people who have never tried windsurfing before have the potential to have a tremendous ride, even if they aren't very experienced.

Where to Go Windsurfing

Where to Go Windsurfing

The Outer Banks attract wind surfers from all over the world due to the region's steady wind and water conditions, which are excellent for windsurfing and make the area a popular destination for wind surfers. Traveling to the Outer Banks is something that many people do so that they may take advantage of the excellent windsurfing conditions there. Since there are miles of water on which wind surfers can glide, it shouldn't come as a surprise that wind surfers from all over the world travel to the Outer Banks to set their sails, relax, and enjoy the ride since there are so many opportunities for wind surfers to do so.

Where to Go Windsurfing

On the Outer Banks, you can go windsurfing if you can find a public beach on the sound front or a vacation rental house with a grassy or sandy beach where you may launch from. If you cannot discover either of these options, you will not be able to go windsurfing. You won't be able to enjoy windsurfing on the Outer Banks if you can't locate a public beach on the sound front where you can launch your board. If you cannot satisfy these prerequisites, you will not be granted permission to windsurf in the Outer Banks. 

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

There are also vacation home communities dedicated to windsurfing that can be found in notable spots such as Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Avon, and Frisco, to mention just a few of these different places. These neighborhoods are also encompassed by a complex network of sound side canals that wound their way amid holiday houses on their way to the water's edge. This network of canals is what gives these neighborhoods their distinctive appearance. The region now has one more level of complexity because of the addition of this network. Because of this, wind surfers can put up their gear and launch from their very own pier, and within a matter of minutes, they will be ready to begin sailing over the vast body of good water.

Numerous vacation rental companies, in addition to campgrounds such as the sound front Frisco Woods Campground, will mention that a location or property has unparalleled access to water activities if offered. That is true regardless of whether or not those activities are provided at the site. That is because many individuals are interested in participating in activities that include water while on vacation. It is in your best interest to look for a vacation rental property that is located on the water, whether it be the sound or a canal, and you should make sure that your reservation is made well in advance. When looking for a vacation rental property, it is in your best interest to look for one on the water. 

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

The demand for vacation homes situated on the water is typically quite strong, particularly during the off-season and shoulder seasons, which are the busiest times for activities that depend on the water and the wind. During these times, the demand for vacation homes that are situated on the water is typically quite strong. There is a more significant demand for holiday cottages on the water during these seasons.

In addition to the private rental properties that are offered, wind surfers have access to a vast number of public sound-front beaches and entrances all along the length of the Outer Banks.

The Whalehead in Historic Corolla is located near the Historic Corolla Park, which is situated in Corolla. The Historic Corolla Park features acres of public sound front land that wind surfers and kiteboarders are welcome to use as a launching location. You may find the park in the Historic Corolla neighborhood. From this spot, which is open throughout the year and is straightforward to get to, users may gain quick and easy access to the open water in the Currituck Sound. This area is also easily accessible.

You may travel to the water's edge of the Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve or the sound-front beaches of Jockey's Ridge State Park near Nags Head if you are a windsurfer searching for sandy beaches to launch from on the central Outer Banks. You may find these two places in the same general region of the Outer Banks known as Jockey's Ridge. These two locations are inside Jockey's Ridge State Park in their respective capacities. Both locations are accessible throughout the year; however, it is important to be aware that the entrance to the sound front areas of Jockey's Ridge State Park is shut intermittently from around 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

That is a safety measure to protect visitors and park employees. That takes place all during the warm summer months. The months of June, July, and August are the only ones in which you will impose this restriction. Kiteboarders and wind surfers have visited both of these places over the last several years, with Jockey's Ridge drawing the most interest from kiteboarders and wind surfers in both of these categories of sports. While launching may be a lot of fun, keeping a vigilant eye for individuals swimming or children who want to play in the water while you are doing it is essential. That is especially crucial if there are other people launching at the same time as you. Because of this, we will have a better chance of avoiding any mishaps.

On the other side, Hatteras Island, and more especially the internationally renowned Canadian Hole, is one of the most well-known and visited spots on the Outer Banks by wind surfers. That is because Hatteras Island is home to some of the best windsurfing conditions in the world. The fact that you can find the Canadian Hole there is the primary reason for this. That is because it offers wind surfers the most favorable circumstances in the region, which is why it is so popular among those participating in the sport.

On the Pamlico Sound, situated between the communities of Avon and Buxton, you'll find the Canadian Hole Public Beach. This beach is open to the public. This beach, open to the general public, was given its name in honor of the Canadian Hole. The Canadian Hole, which you can find at that spot, is the inspiration for the beach's name, which is Canadian Hole Beach. Just to the south of the point where the island "hooks" and continues to the west toward the mainland is where you'll find the Canadian Hole. It gives riders access to a genuine playground, which is made up of large sound seas that you can explore, and some miles are close enough to land in case a rider needs assistance while they are out on the water.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

At Canadian Hole, parking is abundant, some facilities and showers are available during certain times of the year, and you can walk straight into the water from the parking lot, which is positioned immediately across the beach from where the restrooms and showers are located. In addition, Canadian Hole provides guests with access to the toilets and showers during certain times of the year. It is of the utmost importance that visitors be informed that the restrooms and shower facilities at Canadian Hole are closed throughout the winter season, which begins around the time of Thanksgiving and continues through March. This information is essential for visitors to have.

However, the type of infrastructure that wind surfers require the most is a broad sandy beach that provides a significant amount of area for erecting windsurfing rigs and launching windsurfing boards. During the shoulder seasons, it is not uncommon to see hundreds of wind surfers and kiteboarders hunkered down at the 'Hole and skimming around the lake at breezy speeds. That happens because the Hole is one of the most popular locations for participating in various water activities.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

Those wind surfers searching for a more thrilling experience may sometimes head out into the Atlantic Ocean. To be more exact, they will lead to the region directly across from the Canadian Hole, as well as the tiny beach access that is situated just one mile to the north and is referred to as "Old Road." Because windsurfing across the ocean is not something that amateur wind surfers should try, this situation calls for extreme caution on your part. On the other side, for more experienced riders who aren't frightened of a challenge, it might be a challenging and joyful experience simultaneously.

The Salvo Day Use Area is another popular location on Hatteras Island, where people launch their boats. This location can be located to the north of Avon and roughly half a mile to the south of Salvo. In addition to the enormous number of parking spaces that are easily accessible at this site, there is also a picnic area, public toilets, and a grassy launching place. The usage of each of these luxuries is entirely free. Wind surfers who are interested in exploring the surrounding area can do so by making use of the network of sandy sound side walkways that you can find along NC Highway 12 between Avon and Salvo. 

This highway connects Avon and Salvo, and this motorway connects the two communities of Avon and Salvo, bringing them closer together. The vast majority of these sound entrances lead out to desolate sound beaches that are fantastic for exploration because they have not been explored up to this point and are hence unoccupied. It is very vital for you to bring your four-wheel-drive vehicle, as you will not be able to travel the extensive sand roads in a car that does not have this capability. You will be forced to turn around if you do not bring your four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The Frisco Woods Campground is located in Frisco. In addition to being the site of a wide range of activities appropriate for the respective seasons, it also gives convenient access to sound. This camping spot has been dubbed "Frisco," after the city of San Francisco. Most of these events are not designed for competitive windsurfing or Kiteboarding; instead, they are celebrations and demonstrations of "Come as you are" windsurfing and Kiteboarding. In other words, participants are free to dress whatever they like and use whatever equipment they choose. Most of these competitions are not designed for windsurfing or kiteboarding competitions. The individuals participating in these competitions can socialize and connect with others who share their enthusiasm for water sports.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

However, most wind surfers congregate at the sound front parts that are direct to the north of the harbor on Ocracoke Island, even though there are various access sites to the sound on this island. More specifically, you could come across a gathering of them in the area near Springer's Point Nature Preserve. Here, wind surfers can enjoy fantastic access to the Pamlico Sound while simultaneously seeing all of the boats and ferries pass by while staying out of the way of their path. 

This location is ideal for those who want to combine these two experiences. Those individuals who are interested in both pursuits will find this location to be quite convenient. Because this is a well-known site for a wide variety of watersports, such as Kiteboarding, kayaking, and even jet skiing, you need to exercise the utmost caution before heading out into these waters. If you don't, you might end up in serious trouble. Because of this, there is a possibility that there will be a lot of other individuals on the seas.

Windsurfing Equipment Rentals And Sales

Wind surfers have a broad selection of options available to them to choose and choose from when it comes to the gear that they use to participate in their sport. It's possible that these alternatives may include everything from rash guards to complete rigs, harnesses to wetsuits, and anything in between.

REAL Kiteboarding and Kitty Hawk Kites are two significant companies that have made a name for themselves as industry leaders in water sports and have chosen the Outer Banks as their primary base of operations. In particular, REAL Kiteboarding is known to consider the Outer Banks to be their primary location for doing their business. These businesses have opened up shops in nearly every town along the Outer Banks, beginning in Corolla and continuing up to Ocracoke. These shops, which offer windsurfing gear and other equipment for various water sports and activities, can be found starting from the southernmost point of the Outer Banks and going all the way up to the northernmost point.

Smaller businesses include Ride Hatteras, Ocean Air Sports, and Sail-World. All of which is located on Hatteras Island, also have a wide selection of equipment that can be purchased or rented. as well as local experts who are ready to assist customers in selecting the appropriate equipment to meet their specific requirements.

When it comes to windsurfing, those operating on a limited financial plan will often wait until the conclusion of the season to make any purchases considered to be "important." That is because whole rigs might have a higher price tag than individual components. That is because complete rigs, which include all required details, may be rather pricey. By the time Thanksgiving gets around, most companies producing and selling water sports equipment have already started providing significant price discounts on gear from the previous year. 

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

The majority of the time, the values will be good through the whole month of November. In addition, businesses that teach water sports or rent out water sports equipment may also sell their lightly used equipment at prices that are even more competitive than those given by other retailers. That is because these businesses are already in the business of providing customers with access to the equipment. If they have a large enough consumer base, some firms may choose to operate in this manner.

A trip to the shopping center at the end of October or the beginning of November is an excellent way to acquire the best prices, but you shouldn't wait too long before making the trip to maximize the amount of money you save. In other words, the best time to go shopping is around the end of October or the beginning of November. After Thanksgiving, most smaller businesses close their entrances for the remainder of the year and do not return until the following spring. This practice continues till the next year. After the festival known as Thanksgiving, this custom is observed for the first time.

Where To Get Windsurfing Lessons

Beginners have access to a wide variety of local tuition alternatives, which gives them a lot of freedom when it comes to acquiring the necessary skills for windsurfing. When gaining the abilities essential to windsurfing, beginners can access these alternatives. 

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

Customers have access to a broad selection of options for participating in this water activity because the Outer Banks is home to many enterprises that offer windsurfing lessons, training, and equipment rental services. There is a wide range of sizes for these teachers and companies, from those managed by a single person operating out of a single site to those run by more influential, well-known organizations that operate in multiple locations.

Lessons can be offered one-on-one or in small groups and typically include every gear required for a windsurfer to get started. You can do tasks in person or over the phone. You have the option of taking your classes in a more private setting or a more public one. You have the option of attending classes in person or conducting them over the phone. It is up to the individual to decide whether to take their lessons in a public or private establishment. While engaging in aquatic activities, students are highly encouraged to wear clothing that is comfortable for them both when they are in the water and when they are not. 

That includes both their swimwear and their dry clothes. They should think about bringing a rash guard or wetsuit with them to the lesson if it is going to be held in weather that is going to be on the cooler side unless the instructor will provide one for them. The class will be held if the weather is on the cooler side. They ought to also consider bringing a towel with them, significantly if the weather forecast for the time of the study predicts it will be on the chilly side. (It is a good idea to enquire about what other items will be necessary to prepare for the event before it even takes place.)

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

The on-land training section of a regular session typically lasts for close to sixty minutes and is comprised of the first portion of the lesson. During this stage, the student must learn various processes, have many dialogues about safety issues, and become accustomed to the first challenging piece of equipment. During the first week of school, most teachers plan to have their brand-new kids participate in an " out-of-the-water activity " designed mainly for them. Consequently, kids can develop a sense of the needed motions, and they don't have to worry about the unpredictability of the wind and water.

After that, you will make your way over to the sound, where you will spend the following couple of hours putting everything you've learned about rigging, launching, and navigating into practice. After that, you will return to the marina where you started. Many students find that after only a few hours of instruction, they are able to accomplish fundamental maneuvers such as launching and turning, which enables them to glide through the water and participate in the sport. 

This discovery comes as a pleasant surprise to the students. As a direct result of this, a single windsurfing class can be an exceptionally fulfilling experience for several students. That is because the sport is so adaptable. That is because they discover, after only a few hours of training, that they can do these vital acts. Wind surfers only a few additional days of tuition before they can uphaul, sail away, pivot turn, power tack, and sail with confidence both upwind and downwind. All these abilities can help wind surfers improve their level of competence and take their riding to the next level.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

Check that you have completed all of the necessary preparations for whatever you wish to participate in by completing the requisite amount of studying. You should select a teacher or a source of classes near where you presently are. You should first assess your level of talent before choosing a style that is acceptable for you. Once you have this information, you may select an instructor or source of courses appropriate for the degree of competence you now possess.

You can take a broad range of lessons, from ones oriented at beginner students to others focusing on more advanced maneuvering methods. Some programs can be taken online, while you may do others at traditional brick-and-mortar locations. A variety of settings are available for students to attend their classes. Because of this, it is essential to make sure that the style you are interested in is not just tricky but also appropriate for the amount of windsurfing knowledge and experience you already possess.

Since lessons are often held over the more significant part of the year, typically from March through November, reservations are strongly recommended for them to be made in advance. Because of the ever-increasing demand for water activities in the Outer Banks, which are located in North Carolina, it is in your best interest to arrange reservations in advance. You can get more information about this here.

Ocean Air Sports, located on Hatteras Island, offers free seasonal clinics for wind surfers looking for a quick opportunity to improve their abilities. In addition to providing visitors with classes appropriate for all skill levels and different age groups, Ocean Air Sports welcomes those interested in learning how to windsurf but who do not have the funds to pay for lessons. These medical facilities are open for business during particular times of the year.

A Shortboard Jibe clinic, a Rigging clinic, and an Open Forum clinic are provided during the weekly sessions that take place throughout the months of April, May, and October at the Ocean Air Academy. The windsurfing questions and concerns that participants bring to these workshops are answered in their entirety. The academy also provides access to various additional clinics, such as the Open Forum clinic and the Rigging clinic. In Avon, the clinics are held in a retail location owned and operated by Ocean Air. They begin at exactly 9:30 in the morning and continue for intervals of time that are very nearly equivalent to a quarter of an hour each.

Windsurfing Events And Competitions

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

Throughout the year, the Outer Banks play home to various windsurfing events and contests, attracting surfers from all over the world. These events are ideal not only for novice wind surfers who are interested in making new friends who also have a passion for water sports but also for more experienced wind surfers who wish to put their abilities to the test against the very best in the sport. Not only are these events ideal for novice wind surfers who are interested in making new friends who have a passion for water sports, but they are also ideal for more experienced wind surfers. Consider signing up for at least one of these competitions if you are new to windsurfing and want to meet new people who share your love of being on the water and engaging in water sports.

Every year in April, the Frisco Woods WindFest attracts many wind surfers, making it one of the region's most popular events of its kind. This nearly 30-year-old annual event is a celebration of the sport that lasts for three days and begins at the Frisco Woods Campground with a lot of friendship, food, music, and other people. It is a celebration of the sport that lasts for three days and begins at the Frisco Woods Campground. The event is a three-day-long celebration of the sport that kicks out in the Frisco Woods Campground and moves across the surrounding area. The event is a three-day-long celebration of the sport in the Frisco Woods Campground and goes around the surrounding region. 

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

The festival is a celebration that aims to promote windsurfing, Kiteboarding, and Stand Up Paddle Boarding through a series of workshops on wind and water sports, as well as a variety of cuisines and live music performances. The workshops will be held at the festival, featuring several other activities. The festival, which will also feature a variety of different events, will serve as the location for the workshops to be placed. Everyone who windsurfs or kiteboards is welcome to participate in this event, regardless of their experience in any of those activities. 

Everyone, even those who aren't typically interested in water sports, will undoubtedly have a fantastic time at the event because there will be many exciting activities and interesting things going on. The reason for this is that there will be a lot of exciting activities and interesting things going on. The fact that the event is accessible to members of the general public makes it assured that everybody will have a fantastic time at the gathering.

The Hatteras Island Windfest is an annual event on the island in North Carolina. It begins in the fall and continues until the following spring. The event in question is a festival that takes place on the seaside and lasts for a total of three days in duration. It is designed for wind surfers who are more advanced beginners or intermediates, and it offers them the chance to enhance their skills by requiring them to sail out into the ocean and put their talents to the test. This activity is intended for wind surfers who are more advanced beginners. In addition, Wavefest served as the impetus for skilled wind surfers to show off their abilities.


Consequently, the atmosphere is both highly entertaining and a bit competitive. As part of the celebrations, there will be a wave sailing competition, a wave clinic, and a wave challenge. During the festival, each will get their moment in the spotlight. Wavefest unmistakably blends the elements of freestyle and competition windsurfing that are universally acknowledged as the most fun.

One of the festivities that has just recently begun to take place in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina is the Annual Loop Fest. The tournament is organized to commemorate the difficult effort of accomplishing a forward loop, also known as a controlled somersault or a catapult. Other names for this maneuver are catapult and forward loop. The competition was created as a means of paying homage to the challenging nature of the assignment at hand. The Annual Loop Fest is not for rookie wind surfers because it presents both a challenge to acquire this technique and an opportunity to showcase local and regional wind surfers who are already skilled in it. For these reasons, the Annual Loop Fest is not for novice wind surfers. Put another way. It offers the possibility of drawing attention to wind surfers from the surrounding area and the region who are already skilled in it.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

The annual Wave Jam, which takes place on Hatteras Island, is an additional grassroots competition that has been going on for a relatively short period. The National American Windsurfing Tour stops at the annual Wave Jam, a competition that takes place in the fall and is held every year. This celebration takes place during the height of the season for tropical waves. Participants in this windsurfing sport are from a variety of countries across the globe. The thrilling contests and other activities that take place each day throughout the event on the water, there are also gatherings and other celebrations that take place each night. 

These activities take place in the evening, once the water activities for the day have been completed. Wind surfers in the Outer Banks who take their sport seriously and want the chance to compete against some of the most proficient wave riders in the Atlantic Ocean are required to participate in the Wave Jam. Wind surfers who do not participate in the Wave Jam will not have the opportunity to compete. People who do not want to miss out on this opportunity should refrain from signing up for the event.

One of the most appealing parts of windsurfing on the Outer Banks is the accessibility of the activity; nearly anybody can participate in the exciting circumstances there. That is one of the most appealing aspects of the pastime. Anyone can ride the water on a windsurf board, whether they are looking for a competitive or leisure experience, whether they are an expert or starting. That is because windsurfing is a sport you can adapt to fit the rider's skill level. 

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

That is because windsurfing is one of those sports that virtually anyone can learn. The fact that windsurfing is still one of the most popular forms of water recreation in the Outer Banks more than four decades after it was first introduced should not come as a surprise to anybody. The Outer Banks not only provide a large quantity of water that is not difficult to get to for windsurfing but also a wide variety of schools that teach how to participate in this activity, in addition to shops that rent out the necessary equipment.

The Fundamentals Behind Wind surfing

Windsurfing is one of the many water sports you can do on the Outer Banks, but it stands out from the others because participants can adjust the difficulty level to meet their own requirements. That makes it one of the most popular water sports on the Outer Banks. Because of this, it has become one of the most popular forms of aquatic recreation on the Outer Banks. Riders are allowed to select the difficulty level they desire for their ride when they step aboard the vehicle. That allows riders to customize their experience to meet their needs exactly. That could be as simple as gliding across the Pamlico, Currituck, or Roanoke Sounds, or it could involve performing aerial flips, loops, and stunts in conditions where the wind is mighty. They step aboard the vehicle. Riders can select the degree of challenge they are looking forward to confronting during their ride.

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Standard windsurfing equipment includes a sail that has the potential to reach a height of up to approximately 18 feet in height. A board with a length of between 6 and 15 feet is slightly wider and thicker than a typical surfboard and typically has foot holds or straps to keep the rider buckled in.  a sail that can reach a height of up to approximately 18 feet in height. A harness connects the "boom," which is a handle that the rider holds to, to the sail and the rest of the windsurfing equipment. A luff, a cable that runs around the edge of the sail, is also a component of the sail and is attached to it. Because of the way the board is rigged, a rider windsurfing may track in the same direction that the wind is blowing over the sea.

The Outer Banks provide two of the essential requirements for windsurfing—ample quantities of wind and water—which is why it has become such a popular destination for wind surfers worldwide. This is one of the many reasons windsurfing is such a popular sport on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Other reasons include:

Wind speeds of 15 to 25 miles per hour are ideal for windsurfing, and wind speeds of this size are typical on the Outer Banks during the spring and fall seasons. Wind speeds of this size are considered to be ideal for windsurfing.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

Five sounds encircle the western margins of the barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks. These sounds include the Pamlico Sound, the Croatan Sound, the Albemarle Sound, and the Roanoke Sound. The Outer Banks is now bounded on the western side by five sounds, one more than before this latest addition. Out of these five noises, the Currituck Sound is the one that is regarded as being the one with the least amount of significance. Each of these bodies of saltwater has a breadth that you can measure in miles and miles and has depths that are just about acceptable for wind surfers. These different bodies of water are perfect for windsurfing for their unique reasons.

Additionally, you can measure the length of each of these bodies of water in terms of miles and miles, which is a helpful way to compare the sizes of different bodies of water. The average depth of the Pamlico Sound is around 5 feet close to the coast, but it rapidly increases as it moves westward towards the mainland of North Carolina at a distance of more than 25 miles. You can find the Pamlico Sound between the islands of Ocracoke and Hatteras in North Carolina.

Wind surfing

Wind surfing

Wind surfers swarm to the Outer Banks like bees to honey during the spring and fall seasons. They crowd the sound beaches and launch their boards from the back yards of vacation rental houses located on the sound front or canal front. Because of the factors discussed above, wind surfers frequent the Outer Banks throughout the year, making it one of the most popular places to windsurf. It is strongly encouraged that people of all ages, including younger participants, participate in the activity because it is something that people of all ages, including more experienced competitors, may enjoy because of the action that people of all ages, including younger participants, may enjoy.