Tasting My First Hatteras Wave

The waves were small and there wasn’t a lot of wind, but I finally scored my first ocean session in Hatteras.    I’ve been pestering my Outer Banks blogging buddies OBX Bill and Andy of Lost in Hatteras since I arrived a few days ago, and yesterday afternoon Bill told me to come meet him at…what was the name?   They’ve got lots of exotic sounding (to me) launches down here…Ego Beach, S Turns, the Cove, Jockey’s Ridge etc.     Bill told me to look for his Jeep, and when I found him I asked for the name of the launch.

“We call it 'the first washout south of Oregon Inlet,'” Bill said.   Not the stuff of song, but I didn’t care…I was gonna get me my first OBX ocean time!

Me on a 5.5 and the big JP, Bill on a 5.3 and a skinny old-school 88 liter beauty (Bill is very efficient) planing was on-again, off-again as we poked around chasing the three foot (occasionally larger) waves while some dolphins checked us out (this was my first time sailing with dolphins, too.)   I soon learned to imitate Bill and do a chicken jibe (or marginal facsimile thereof) when a promising wave began to set up.   I’m a poor judge of forming waves, but I managed to catch three that were a lot of fun…for me to get four or five bottom turns on a wave was a joy. We were at it for a couple of hours before the wind died…a nice little sunset sesh.

Now that I’ve had my first tidbit taste of la wave OBX I want more, but I’ve got to head back to New York soon, and if that’s all I get here I’ll be happy to say I’m happy.  

Comments

[OBX Bill]

Hey Michael, glad to introduce you to the OBX Atlantic waters! I too am amazed by this place, and especially the secluded areas of shoreline where no houses are in site, and only dunes and porpoise are seen. The Washout was a great "first experience" and that little wave area we played around in last night was quite fun, even if the wind was light. Heck, tonight after work, I may run down there with my surfboard?!

[George]

congrats Michael

[the editor]

Thanks, George. And thanks Bill again (I write from back in New York.) I forgot to mention in the piece that it was also my first side-off wavesailing experience, which seemed to improve both the waves and the sailing angle vis a vis working the wave. Must pursue this on Long Island!

[Mac]

Sweet! This is the first spring I'm missing on OBX in a long time since I went to Cabarete. Will probably get there Mem Day weekend and next Fall. Hoping for similar wave experience while I'm there...nothing too knarly but fun stuff to play in based on my limited wave experience.