Picked up Rob at 11ish AM and headed into OBX traffic. After checking the wind every 15 minutes for 3 hours we arrived in Avon around 3pm. It was SSW at around 20. We decided to check the waves at ramp 30. Not much. Almost got stuck but careful driving and 10lbs of tire pressure won out and we made it off the beach. Swung into the turnout and after making fun of the people who were there (kiters,) we rigged our 6.0's and 100 liter boards.
It was flat as hell for the first 1/2 hour or so as we stayed close, getting our timing back and making sure there really was wind. Rob tried a few vulcans, I slammed into as many laydowns as I could and then we went to the Reef. The REEF is VERY close to the turnout, like a mile straight out, in case anyone was wondering. Rob mooned me on the way out, he's got great tan lines.
For the next couple hours we hit every possible wave getting as much air as possible off the port ramps (or as much as one can with a 6.0 off a 3 or 4 foot semi steep wave.) The jibing on the outside was nice and there was even some decent wave rides on the way in.
We then took a break, drank 2 liters of water each, checked in with almost all of the Tidewater windsurfing crowd at the HOLE, left 2 or 3 messages for Contos (or so we thought) and then jammed our 7 boards and gear back onto the truck and headed out to Ramp 34 for an ocean session.
By this time it was pushing 5.0 on the sound and was solid 6.0 on the ocean SSW. There were waist high peelers coming in and we drove north of the ramp a mile or so and found a nice bar that looked like it was working. Rerigged the 6.0's and 100l boards (our idea of strapping them rigged on top of our other gear for the ride to the ocean didn't really pan out) and hit it. The sailing was fantastic. Solid 6.0 with BEAUTIFUL swells on which to jibe. Saw Rob hit many a sweet duck before picking a nice swell to ride back to the break. The wave riding was F-U-N. EASY. Classic down-the-line wave sailing, but on small waves with little or no impact zone. We each had many great rides. Just pulled into one after another.
Then the wind started getting questionable. Normally this would have been the end of the session, but thanks to Kung Fu Jack and Billy, Rob and I now own SUP's. Popped those 6.0's onto the big boards and wave sailed till dark. For those of you who have never considered getting an SUP, get one for times like this: ocean sailing when there is wind less than 18. Nothing but fun. These boards are so at home in the waves. Very relaxing to sail, easy to turn, and hard to fall off of (at least when sailing them.)
After a few cold ones on the beach we re packed the truck (this took like 45 minutes), and headed up to Nags Head to get dinner at Tortuga's. I was thinking about ordering a nice piece of grilled Mahi with a side of rice and beans and a little salad. Maybe some steamed shrimp as an appetizer. I think Rob was thinking Tuna, but whatever, Mahi's better. We passed Tortugas by mistake, so we pulled into Goombays. Kitchen closed. Lame. Ended up at what used to be Hooters eating a cruddy sandwhich after an even cruddier app of crabmeat over french fries (Rob's idea.) Rob had fish tacos which he complained about. I had a beer and a coke to drink and Rob had-get this: a diet Red Bull and vodka. He actually asked the bartender if they had the diet Red Bull. And they HAD it. Weird. Made it back to ORF without incident. Parked the car at Rob's for unloading in the AM.
Moral of this story?
Go to Hatteras whenever possible.
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