OBX in October

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I just returned from 10 days in the Outer Banks.
Pretty memorable adventure over there.
Butter flat water for downwinders, the slicks were, well, slick, night kiting, wakeboarding on the ocean shore with an SUV, skimming, wright bros, houses falling over, flooded roadways, missed flights, etc...
what I'm trying to say is it was a good time.
Want proof? I put up a image album slideshow on my site. most of travelers came from the seattle area, but I know most of you know little joe from hood river.

OBX

enjoy,
stringy

solkiter · Since 07 Jan 2008 251 Posts ROGUE VALLEY Obsessed

nice shots!!!
did u know the pep w/ the house!
that went down?? Question

peace!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

That looked like an awesome trip!

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

nice jim. thx for the photos.

Bettyboarder · Wed Oct 29, 08 6:18 am

Sick Stringy....looks like a great trip.

toddjb · Since 16 Oct 2007 271 Posts MD Obsessed

stringy,

what is the kite launch like at the new KHK center down there? looks like a nice lawn rigging area and a bulk head with air compressors, but I didn't notice a beach in your photos? just curious what their setup is. they were always super friendly at their old nags head location (nice little launch, well stocked small shop).

the Real shop is quite a site, but they don't let you kite from there (...they do that for insurance reasons), but they'd get a lot more people chilling out on the back deck with beers after a session if people didn't have to drive to do it.

both great additions for kiters though.

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

They don't call it the ' graveyard of the Atlantic ' for nothing. Wink

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

I didn't know the people from the sinking house, but ran into the property manager that day.
he told me they were now renting the house by the hour!

The area where the house had fallen was just north of Waves in an area called chicamacomico.

here's some more pictures and stories from the trip courtesy pskite thread...

http://pskite.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2206

as for the shops, both real and kitty hawk kites are impressive with the new facilities. real is a well run machine thinking of everything at their compound. problem is they prefer if you didn't use their grass for rigging. I heard this second hand so not quite sure what the rules are.
KHK on the other hand, encourages riders to rig and even have air hoses for pumping kites. There is a grassy area to rig, but you must use caution when entering the water because there is a seawall next to the shore and you need to negotiate down a ramp to the water.

we were there for 10 days, had one true non wind day where no one pumped up, and most of the time I was on 11m Rev. I actually used the whole quiver on this trip. We stayed in Buxton which is south of kite point. Kite point is the most popular beach in that area. Our house was right next to the water tower in Buxton. Kite point downwinders were easy to navigate because we could just ride to the water tower.

Hatteras is a great area to ride for all levels. easy to progress on the flat stuff. waves on the other side if you prefer.
I'll be heading back this spring.

Bill C · Since 15 Sep 2005 203 Posts Portland Stoked

I spent a week at Hatteras at the end of September and would echo everything Stringy said. The sound is the biggest kiddy pool I've ever seen. I swear you could ride off shore a half mile or more and still stand up.

I had never been before so when I showed up at the Kitty Hawk Kite rigging area thumbing my nuts and looking like I just got off the jet (first stop), one of the instructors walked over and took a few minutes explaining the setup and launched my kite for me. The launch area is actually a "public park", but Kitty Hawk Kites installed air hoses and someone installed turf. They accommodate lessons or will deploy a watercraft to follow if you wish. I thought their staff was genuinely friendly and it was a good place to hang out.

Real Kiteboarding is a slick operation and again, not knowing the program, I went there to check it out. No launching from their facilities for "insurance reasons" unless you want to take a lesson...yeah sure. Very nice shop with all of the latest equipment including stand up paddle boards, clothes, etc. My sense was their target clientele were people with money (nothing wrong with that).

The shop that gave me the most info where to ride was a little shop behind the Dairy Queen. I think it was one of the original windsurf shops back in the day and now has been outclassed by Real and Kitty Hawk. The owner and his kids also kite and offer all the same services as the other shops. Good advice where to put in and get out if you are doing downwinders and what to avoid. I felt compelled to buy a couple t-shirts.

The Atlantic has tiny surf (unless there is a hurricane) so if the wind has any on-shore direction, its a good place to ride. If the wind comes from any direction from the west, ride the sound. The wind can blow one direction one day and completely the oposite direction the next day.

Is the quality of riding any better than what we have in the summer between the Gorge and Coast - not really. But if you are looking for a place to go early spring or late fall, its a good alternative. I would go again.

H2oRockett · Since 12 Aug 2007 1 Posts New Member

Glad to hear you had a great time. The OBX offers some amazing year round flat water and ocean kiting. NW kiters are always welcome in the OBX.

The Kitty Hawk Kites shop in Waves is open to the public for rigging and launching. Proof of IKO or PASA membership is required for liability reasons. There is a large grass area for rigging, plenty of kite bags, air compressors, bathrooms, and showers onsite. Water access is being improved for ease of launching and recovering. This spring/summer the shop will also have a full service repair and demo facility, along with a restaurant upstairs. Lessons start again March 1st.

Anyone looking for general riding info can always call the shop at 1-877-FLY-THIS. The staff is extremely friendly and always willing to help out.

We're set for another good week of wind out here.

Aloha and see you on the water!

Jeff

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

here's some video from the trip!

Link

Higher resolution is

HERE

enjoy!
stringy

superstyles · Since 18 Jul 2008 111 Posts Stoked

Stringy good work on the photos and video. You have a great eye for capturing the the moment. keep up the good work..

btw are you going to La Ventana soon?