WIndsurfing Cape Hatteras, North Carolina April - May 2011,

Having been lucky enough to spend most of the months of April and May 2011 windsurfing around Cape Hatteras - Outer Banks area of eastern North Carolina, I thought a few photos of the area to highlight the month would be good. In addition to these check out my previous post on sailing at Canadian Hole, 11 April 2011.

Windsurfers and Kiteboarders enjoying the warm 20 knot South West winds in Rodanthe, North Carolina. (Photo by: Chuck Rhodes)

Typical Outer Banks Sound Side Rental Houses popular with windsurfers and Kiteboarders. They usually rent by the week and some can accommodate 10-15 people depending on number of bedrooms etc. (Rodanthe, North Carolina. Photo by: Chuck R)

Lone sailor ripping on the Pamlico Sound.
Rodanthe, N.C. Photo by Chuck R

Another sound side rental house complete with windsurfing trailers.
Photo by: Chuck R

Popular Outer Banks oceanside spot in SSW or SW winds offering good side off wave sailing - Ramp 30, just north of Avon, North Carolina. Photo by: Chuck R

The sand road or "ramp" leading from N.C. Highway 12 to Ramp 30. Its about 100 meters from the highway parking lot down the ramp to the beach. Photo by: Chuck R

Andy Mckinney riding his 2011 Tabou Da Curve 85 quad fin down the line at the
Cape Hatteras Light House. April 2011 . He is one of the local wavesailors and
owner of Wind N-C windsurfing shop in Avon, North Carolina and is an outstanding sailor.
Photo by: Chris Walton

Salt grass marsh and windsurfer and kiteboarders in the distance. Near Rodanthe, N.C.
Photo by: Chuck Rhodes

Looking southwest down the beach on South Hatteras Island where I often windsurf from our beach house there. Photo by: Chuck Rhodes

Nice waves breaking on our beach during three days of NE wind. Made for some great SUP surfing and an really fun side off windsurfing session the evening before while riding the Exocet Cross 117 and a 5.8.
Photo by: Chuck R

Water toy central at the Hatteras House.
Photo by: Chuck Rhodes

Another view of the lower level of the house, storage area, SUP/long board racks, windsurfing trailer and my trusty old Volvo. Photo by: Chuck R

No wind? Why not go deep sea fishing! Off shore charter fishing boats await their next journey out to the Gulf Stream off Hatteras in search of big game fish. Boats at marina on south Hatteras island.
Photo by: Chuck R

Canadian Hole, Cape Hatteras 11 April 2011

Warm, Strong SSW Winds at Canadian Hole
Photo by: Chuck Rhodes

Canadian Hole rocked today with 30-35knot SSW winds. Located just a couple miles south of Avon, North Carolina on the Pamlico Sound side of the famous Cape Hatteras Outer Banks, Canadian Hole is a popular windsurfing spot for all levels of windsurfers from beginner to expert. With the exception of a deep spot or "hole" just off the beach, the water is generally waist to chest high for several miles out into the sound. This makes for a great place for flat water ripping, bump & jump sailing, learning to windsurf, or just all around fun without deep water issues for less experienced sailors.

It is popular with Canadian windsurfers who tired of their cold, long winter, flock south to Hatteras to sail. Hence the name, "Canadian Hole". Of course sailors from all over the U.S. frequent the spot too.

On Monday 11 April 2011 I was lucky to catch a great high wind sailing day. Started out riding an Exocet Cross II 84 liter board with a 5.0 sail but quickly came back in and rigged down to a 4.5 in the ever increasing SSW winds. Soon I found myself putting max down haul into the sail and still getting overpowered. So came back in once again and rigged my 2006 Aerotech Charge 4.0 wave sail. This combo with the Cross 84 worked well for awhile and I was getting break neck speed out of the board and sail, even at 195 lbs and riding such a small board and sail. The Cross 11 84 is very fast, almost too fast when blasting through some of the rougher "psycho chop" sections in the shallower water but still never out of control.

Finally even the 4.o was getting too big. I thought about rigging down once again to 3.7 but my arms were like rubber and I was totally exhausted after 5 hours of sailing. So, I called it a day.
Despite being so physically tired I was mentally fired up from having such a great session. Lets do it again soon!
Here are some photos taken earlier in the day when it was only blowing 5.0!

Good winds,

Chuck

Unknown Sailor gets a good "chop hop" at the Hole.
Photo by: Chuck Rhodes

George Laam, Hampton Roads, Virginia area sailor, coming in happy from his first session of the day. Photo by: Chuck Rhodes

Canadian Hole parking lot. Photo by: Chuck Rhodes

Looking South along the beach at Canadian Hole Photo by: Chuck Rhodes