Kitty Hawk Kayak and Surf School has been teaching people to surf for 10 years on the Outer Banks. Our certified NSSIA Surf School has long been the leader for surf lessons and surf camps on the OBX. And when you have shared the stoke of the shred with many people, we get asked “What are the Outer Banks Surf Spots that I should shred?” Below are our Top 5 Surf Spots on the OBX.
Avalon Pier
Outer Banks Surf
There is no secret that Avalon Pier has some of the best sand in town. It also has the best surfers in the water on any given day. Underground rippers and locally known pros all shred these pits and peaks on the regs. Located in the heart of Kill Devil Hills, this has been a go to spot for great sand bars for decades. Although the crowd can be tough, and the peanut gallery even tougher, getting a good wave at Avalon Pier feels so good. Just don’t blow it or you may not get another chance. Experts only.
Coquina Beach
This off the radar stretch of magic sand is located at the northern stretch on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore north of Oregon Inlet. This place can produce some really great waves, especially on larger swells. Not quite as heavy and hollow as other spots, this wave can make up for its lack of power with the length of the ride and lack of crowds. Usually this place is surfed with no one else in sight. Just watch out for sharks and make sure to hide your car. All levels welcome.
Pea Island
Outer Banks Surf Lessons
There are so many options on Pea Island for surfing it is impossible to chronicle it here in a blog post. However, the gist is this: empty hollow beach breaks that are almost as good as Rodanthe (and sometimes better) but with way less crowds. Located south of Oregon Inlet on Route 12, just pull over on the side of the road and start checking it. You never know when you are going to strike gold on Hatteras Island, and many a drive south has been cut short because the traveling surfer found just what the were looking for on Pea Island. Intermediates and up.
Cape Hatteras Light House
This goes without saying, but the Cape Hatteras lighthouse could very well be the best wave on the entire East Coast of the United States. This wave has many moods, from long ripable left hand point break-esque walls, to dredging, hollow spitting tubes. But shredder beware: a heavy local crew who surfs way better than you will be on it, and you could snap your board real quick. Or worse yet you could get dragged over the metal, rusty jetty by a clean up set. But this is a must surf spot for any East Coast surfer. And sometimes its completely empty. Experts only.
Duck Pier
Perhaps the most under-rated (and under-surfed) spot on the entire Outer Banks is Duck Pier. Located on federally owned property by the Army Corp of Engineers in North Duck, this is the longest pier in North Carolina and this thing holds sand like nobodies business. On good days with good sand bars, this wave can be the closest thing to a point break (or Trestles) on the Outer Banks. Long, ripable walls with no one out are common, but accessing the pier is tricky. Expect a long walk in (and maybe a parking ticket), but all of this is worth the price of admission to empty, ripable, A frame walls. And make sure to check both sides of the pier!!! Sometimes you might not even be on the best peak. All levels welcome.
Kayaking is definitely one of the most exciting water activities out there. If you are looking for an activity which can relieve you from stress as well as offer you an awesome time, kayaking is a great option. If you are planning to go on a kayaking trip, here are some ways on how to make it more awesome.
Dress appropriately
If you are to go kayaking on a hot summer day, you might want to wear quick dry shorts and a cool t-shirt. Clothes made of cotton can really be comfortable. If you want, you can wear a swim suit beneath your clothes especially since some tours allow for some quick dips in the water. Wearing a swim suit is also practical if you are to go for those long kayak camping trips where using a swim suit is almost unavoidable. For footwear, you can always wear a pair of sandals. And to protect you from the sun, do not forget to wear a hat – a sunhat or a ball cap would work fine. Also do not forget to wear sunglasses that have UV protection.
Bring the right equipments
The basic thing you need to bring would be water. Bring plenty of it especially on a hot day. Bring sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun as well as an insect repellent. If you know you are going to get too sweaty, bring a towel. A change of clothes would be practical especially if there is a chance of rain. Another important thing to bring is a camera especially if you like preserving those wonderful sights nature has to bring. If your camera isn’t waterproof, make sure you store it in a waterproof case. Of course, if you are to go on a kayaking camping trip, you would have to bring the essential items for outdoor camping like tissue paper, sleeping bags, and tents.
Be fit for the trip
One does not necessarily have to be so strong and physically fit for a kayaking trip. After all, even kids can easily row the paddles. But it would help if you can prepare yourself physically. Several hours of camping trip will require a strong heart and lungs. That is why doing short cardio exercises several days before kayaking can help you in a big way. Imagine finding yourself not having to catch your breath after several minutes of kayaking – that would surely help you enjoy more of the experience. Though not really necessary, it would also help you if row better if you improve your core and back muscles.
Be familiar with the basics
There are a lot of articles online that teach about the basics of kayaking. It would not hurt if you read them as they can really give you a lot of basic ideas. There are also a number of online videos that can teach you and help you be familiar with kayaking. Once you are in your kayak and holding your paddle, you would be able to apply the basic knowledge you have learned online. The basic skills which would be taught to you during the actual kayaking trip would also not be that hard to grasp once you have been familiar with the basics beforetime.
Consider the time and weather
Weather plays a great role in the outcome of your kayak trip. Usually, people prefer a warm, sunny day. You wouldn’t want to be kayaking out there at the heat of the day so it would be best to avoid kayaking at around noon. Go for an early morning trip a or pre-evening one if you want to enjoy a weather that neither extremely cold nor hot.
Take note that rain isn’t automatically an obstacle to a awesome kayaking trip. Showers during the summer can be enjoyed especially since these can cause wildlife to come out. Kayak trips are usually cancelled only for reasons such as thunderstorms or very strong winds. So do not get worried about having a miserable day just because you see dark clouds.
Go with the right people
Among the major factors that make kayaking trips fun are your companions. Be with the people whom you like to spend a lot of fun hours with. These people can be your family or your relatives. Kids can go kayaking too, but they just have to be on the same kayak with an adult. You can also consider going on a trip with your friends or even your office colleagues. It would surely be nice to enjoy nature and just relax with people whom you love to be with.
At Kitty Hawk Kayak, we can help you put together an awesome kayaking trip. We have kayaking trips covering various locations. We have overnight trips as well. Contact us now and find out more!
If you are ever thinking of a way to have fun and keep fit at the same time, you definitely have to consider kayaking. An exciting leisure activity, kayaking can benefit you in a number of ways. Here are some good examples:
Kayaking gives a good cardio workout
Cardiovascular workout is important as it keeps the heart healthy. Keeping the heart busy is vital to keep it strong. If it is not worked out, it would get weak overtime. Of course, a weak heart can be the cause of a variety of complications. Kayaking can surely give you a good cardio workout as you paddle through the waters. Cardio workouts, with their repetitive nature, can be quite boring; but this isn’t true with kayaking. It is one of those exciting cardio workouts that will surely keep you going and going. Your heart, as well as your lungs, will surely be tested in a fun and exciting way.
Kayaking can strengthen your lats
To be stronger, you must work out your muscles. The muscle group that benefits most from kayaking are definitely the lower back muscles or lats. With every stroke, your lats are heavily worked out. As one of your arms are used to row back, the other would be stretched and eventually be contracted as your with both arms alternately. In order to make your lats workout more effective, consider varying the speed of your rowing. You can row fast at a short period of time as well as do it in a slow yet hard way. After several kayaking trips, you would surely have a strong lower back.
Kayaking can give you firm abs
Go ahead and ask any fitness trainer on what muscle group is the most difficult to work out; you would most definitely get “the abs” for an answer. It is difficult to get firm and nice-looking abs especially since the stomach area is usually filled with hard-to-get-rid fats. But with kayaking, getting a six-pack in just a short amount of time is very much possible. The rotational movements you do in kayaking can be very demanding to your core muscles and thus, these would give the muscles a good workout. The demand for balance and stabilization can also contribute to the improvement of your abs.
Kayaking can give you strong, good-looking arms
If you go kayaking regularly, you can also have a bigger and a better-looking arm. Kayaking can surely improve the arm muscles. That is why if you would look at those who compete in kayaking events, whether local or in the Olympics, you would notice that they have bulky and firm-looking arms. Both the biceps and the triceps are worked-out as one arm rows in and another counters with a forward thrush. You do not have to worry if you are not that good at paddling. Paddling instructions are given before kayaking tours and you’ll be kayaking and working out those big guns in no time.
Kayaking can help you lose weight
Anyone who has been trying to lose weight should surely consider kayaking. An hour of kayaking happily through the waters can help anyone burn four hundred calories. To elaborate on that, three hours of kayaking can burn up to 1200 calories. It is for this reason that kayaking is one of the top exercises that burn more calories than the traditional weight loss workout which is jogging. So if you want to get that summer, bikini-ready body, then kayaking is the way to go. It definitely is a thrilling activity to lose weight. Losing weight can be quite a challenge. It is good that kayaking can help make shedding those pounds a lot easier.
Kayaking can help get rid of stress
Stress is something that most people do not treat as a stranger. It is common and it can attack anyone at any age. It is a good thing that kayaking can be a remedy for very high stress levels. Everything about kayaking is enjoyable and relaxing. For starters, you get to enjoy the feeling of floating on water. And nothing can beat the feeling of enjoying the sceneries as the cold breeze blows against your face. Of course, there is also the soothing experience of hearing your paddles splash against the water. Your workout itself can also help condition your body to get rid of stress.
Indeed, kayaking surely has a lot of health benefits. Yes, it is a leisure activity, but you can definitely get healthier by doing it. Have you heard of kayak tours before? Why not consider going kayaking with some friends and family? If you are planning for a great kayaking experience, do consider Kitty Hawk Kayak tours. We are situated at Kitty Hawk, NC and we have everything you would need for a wonderful day or more of kayaking!
A kayak camping trip combines the thrills of kayaking and the joys of camping. If you are thinking of a great way to spend the weekend with your kids, you should consider going on a kayak camping trip. Here are some convincing reasons why you should do so:
They get to see the beauty of nature
Kayak camping trips will bring your kids closer to nature. It is always nice to bring kids who grew up in an urban setting to remote natural places. They get to experience a new world that is far different from what they have become accustomed to. Kayak camping trips will let your kids see beautiful sceneries of lush trees, clear skies, and amazing landscapes. They get to paddle through the waters and feel the fresh air as they enjoy the wonderful sights around them. They get to see animals and plants in their natural environment. Some activities you can ask your kids to do include taking photos of their favourite sites as well as drawing some natural scenes once you have set up camp.
They get to enjoy unstructured play
Another good reason why kayak camping trips are great is that once you reach the campsite, kids can enjoy unstructured play. They get to play on their own, be free, and be the kids they are supposed to be. It is at remote natural places where kids can enjoy free play at its best. Kids indeed need to play on their own – away from the structured environments of home and school. Free play at campsites can really create a good environment where kids can relax and simply have fun. They also get to share an amazing bond between their playmates be it their siblings, relatives, or friends. And they also get to play while kayaking. For example, they can play “I spy” or they can even have kayak races. (If they are too young though, they would have to be with an adult in the same kayak.)
They get to be more physically active
Kids these days are very different from the kids the adults of today used to be. Kids today can actually spend more than a day indoors and not get bored. This is because there is always technology to keep them occupied. There are gaming consoles as well as the Internet to keep them very busy. Nothing is wrong with technology but if enjoyed too much, kids end up getting inactive. And once they get inactive, they end up getting physically unfit. Kayak camping trips can be great outlets for kids who have gotten too hooked up with technology. It is time to have your kids take a break from their gadgets and let them enjoy the natural world where they live.
They get to develop life-long skills
When children go camping outdoors, they get to develop too many life-long skills. The majority of these would be survival skills. They get to learn how to survive outdoors and be resourceful with what they have. They get to cook without stoves, get food from the wild, use a variety of camping tools among others. What is also interesting is that aside from skills, they also get to benefit from secondary benefits. These benefits are lessons which they can learn from their camping experience in the wild. For example, a couple of days out there in the wild can help them be more appreciative of nature and it can motivate them to promote environmentalism as well as be more conscious with the natural world around them. And in special camping trips like kayaking camping trips, of course, they get to learn how to travel in a kayak.
They get to spend more quality time with you
Most importantly, it is ideal to take your kids on a kayak camping trip because that would be one of the few chances where you can enjoy time with your kids while they are still kids. They will not stay as kids for a long time. In no time, they would be grown adults and sadly, they would start to get busy with their own lives. Thus, while they are young, you should really make sure you get to spend time with them; and one of the best activities to spend with your kids is surely camping. While kayaking and camping, you get to spend time with them. You get to play with them. You get to impart to them various skills. You get to be a good parent to them. Kayak camping trips can develop a good bond between you and your kids. These trips can help create good memories that they will surely bring into their adulthood.
So what are you waiting for? Do consider planning a camping trip. You might want to go kayak camping with Kitty Hawk Kayak, one of the most reputable kayak tour operators on the Outer Banks. Consider Corolla, NC kayak rentals and contact us as soon as possible.
Every type of sport is great and it can help you get rid of stress, but you must take the required safety precautions when practicing various sports, to make sure you don’t get injured or have a bad experience. For example, if you go running, you might want to buy a lightweight pair of shoes to perform at your peak. Similarly, when you practice water sports, you might want to follow the next safety tips and tricks.
Make sure that you are aware of the weather conditions
It is important to keep an eye on the weather forecast when you want to practice various water sports. For example, if a storm is announced then you might not want to start your first surfing lesson on such a bad weather. Similarly, if you practice stand up paddleboarding, you might want to wear a wet suit which will help you feel more comfortable in the case you fall in the water. Also, check the water temperature before engaging in any type of water sports. Lastly, you might want to wear a long-sleeved shirt during hot summer days to protect you from UV rays.
Pay attention to off-shore winds
This is another important safety tip you must remember. Certain locations in the world feature off-shore winds at various moments of the day or week. If you practice water sports when the off-shore winds are powerful, you might find it very difficult to get back to the shore. Try to pick a day when the sea is calm and not windy to enjoy the best water sport experience.
Follow the boating rules in that particular area
All locations or exotic destinations in the world feature certain boating rules. It is important to familiarize yourself with these rules, particularly if you are going boating unguided. If you rent a jet ski, make sure that you know where you are allowed to travel and what types of rules and regulations you have to meet.
Alcohol and water sports shouldn’t mix
It is strongly recommended that you only practice water sports when you are sober. Keep in mind that a person who has consumed alcoholic beverages has problems maintaining his balance on a kayak, stand up paddleboard or surf board and as a result, he is more likely to get injured or even drown in the most unfortunate cases. Practice water sports first and then meet up with your friends for a beer to tell them what an amazing adventure you had.
Wear the lifejacket if you are a beginner at water sports
Even if you know how to swim, you still are in danger if you accidentally fall from your stand up paddleboard or surf board during your first lessons in water sports. Therefore, make sure that you wear a lifejacket to have more peace of mind. Additionally, not only that the lifejacket can keep your head above the water, but it will also provide a small amount of insulation which can be very useful if you practice water sports in cold water.
Remember to hydrate yourself
Especially if you are trying various types of water sports in places with a warm weather, chances are that you will sweat more than often which can lead to dehydration. It is important to note here that dehydration can be your worst enemy, especially in warm weather. Make sure that you drink enough beverages (not alcoholic ones) to remain hydrates such as water, tea, natural juice, and so on. This will also ensure that your body performs at its peak and your concentration levels are as high as possible.
Tell someone all the details of your paddling plan
Especially if you are inexperienced, it is a good idea to communicate your paddling plan to a professional before departing from the shore. For example, you can tell him where you are going, for how long you plan to stay, and when you are expected to come back. This is a good idea because in the case of emergency or unfortunate events, a professional knows of your whereabouts and can initiate a rescue mission if necessary.
Always follow the instructions given by the instructor
Although you might be very excited and impatient to hop on a surf board and ride the ocean waves, make sure that you remain calm and listen to the pieces of advice given by your instructor. Try to learn the basics of surfing, paddleboarding or kayaking, ask questions if you have and seek his help if necessary. If you pay attention to your first lessons in water sports, you will learn much quicker and have a great experience.
If you want to go on a kayak tour or try surfing then you are welcomed at our surf school in North Carolina. We offer professional water sports lessons and tours for our clients and we also have a large collection of equipments and gears available for rental at affordable prices.
Kayaking has become one of the favorite water sports of thousands of people worldwide. Not only that it is exhilarating and fun to travel across water in a very light vessel, but this also improves your stamina and overall health. Kayaking became very popular in the recent years and there are numerous worldwide destinations where you can try this water sport. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look to the history of kayaks and kayaking.
The first kayaks were created by an ancient civilization
The Inuit people were the first ones to create a rudimentary form of kayaks. Also, the Aleut tribes were known for building kayaks and using them to travel across water. These tribes were located in the Arctic North America. They used whatever construction materials they found around them to build kayaks such as animal skins, bones, and wood.
2 main types of kayaks were built back in the days
The Inuit and Aleut tribes were ingenious and they built 2 types of light kayaks. One of them was made from driftwood and the other one was made from whalebones. Basically, they would build light frames from whalebones and then cover them with animal skins. These vessels were very light, but not very durable. To make the kayaks waterproof, the Inuit and Aleut tribes used whale fat. This fat was placed in strategic points in the kayak to ensure it stays above water.
The buoyancy of the first kayaks was improved using seal bladders
The first kayaks weren’t very stable on water and to solve this problem, the antic tribes came up with an ingenious solution: they filled seal bladders with air and attach them to specific sections of the kayak to improve buoyancy. This also made the kayaks much more controllable and resistant to wear and tear.
Umiaqs could transport large families at once
Today you are familiar with small kayaks which are capable of transporting a single person safely and comfortably. This type of kayaks was also very popular back in the days. However, the ancient tribes also built kayaks called “umiaqs” which were capable of transporting entire families as well as their possessions. Obviously, these kayaks were larger and longer, some of them measuring up to 60 feet in length.
Kayaks were first used for hunting
Hunting was the primary source of food for ancient tribes and to simplify this process, they built different types of small kayaks. In fact, the word kayak literally translates as the “hunter’s boat”. The ancient tribes preferred to hunt using kayaks because these vessels were small, agile, very easy to control, and fast. Additionally, ancient kayaks also had a “ninja factor”, meaning that they could be used to sneak up around animals in the water or on the shoreline.
The kayaks become popular in Europe in the mid 1800s
This type of vessel arrived in Europe as a soft-sided frame boat and the Germans and French where the first ones who gave it a try. After a short while, kayaking became a type of sport and it was enjoyed by an increasing number of people. However, in icy waters, the kayak still maintained its practical purposes and it was heavily used by explorers of the North and South Poles.
Kayak races were included in the Olympic Games in 1936
At the Berlin games in 1936, kayak races were much expected and appreciated by the public. Later on around 1950s, kayaks were made from fiberglass which was a more rigid, durable, and light material. 30 years later in 1980, kayaks were made from polyethylene plastics. Today, Olympic Games feature a plethora of water sports which involve kayaks and kayaking. For example, the 1,000 meter race as well as the 10,000 meter race are very popular and enjoyed kayaking competitions.
Today’s kayaks are very durable, modern, and versatile
Nowadays you can rent kayaks for an affordable price if you want to try this amazing water sport. You might also be happy to know that today’s kayaks are much safer and durable and they are not “enhanced” or waterproofed using whale fat. These days kayaks come in various shapes, sizes, and they can also feature a plethora of colors. Today’s kayaks can also be used in different types of waters and some of them can easily accommodate 2 persons. These kayaks are perfect if you want to travel across water with your son and enjoy the spectacular natural landscapes around you.
There are many places where you can go kayaking these days, but it is important to pick a location where you will also get proper instructions and tips related to this water sport. We run a surf school in North Carolina and we also specialize in kayak tours. If you want to try kayaking, visit us and we will make your experience an enjoyable and sublime one. Check out our website for more details!
