Part One: Surf
By Rachel Sutton
We’re a lucky bunch here on the coast of North Carolina. Whether you live on one of the local islands, or the mainland, we are all just a short walk or drive to one of the most incredible features our beautiful planet has to offer—the ocean.
I remember family vacations to the beach where we sat in traffic for hours just trying to get over the bridge. And then, finally, there was the marsh, beautiful below, signaling that we were almost there and it was time to roll down the windows and start breathing in the salty air. I looked forward to those weeks more than Christmas and birthdays. The beach was, and always will be, my jam. As a kid I was a landlocked beach bum and I had quite the library of VHS surf films to keep me connected to the water during the school year.
Fast forward to current day, and now as a mother to two tiny humans, I’m happy to just lay down on the warm sand and snooze my day away. But if you happen to be a lucky soul who sleeps at night, there are a ton of activities to enjoy on the water. Take your pick from fishing (on the coast or deep sea), paddle boarding, kayaking, birdwatching, shelling, or, of course…surfing.
Our stretch of coast is by no means known for its epic waves, though there are a few consistent spots if you want to befriend a local and get the scoop. I’m not going to give anything away, just know that the same rules apply here as anywhere else: pay attention to wind direction, swells, coves and inlets, tides, etc. What I am going to highlight is our local surf culture—all the folks that can help you get your sea legs; the surf shop owners, the board shapers, and the surf school instructors. So whether you are new to the area or a townie who’s decided that 2018 is the year you’re going to learn to surf, this will be a good place to start!
Step One: Find a good surf instructor.
I sat down with Sean Griffin of Sean’s Private Surf Instruction in Wrightsville Beach to learn a little bit about his approach. He’s a super chill dude who’s all about community and making people feel comfortable in the water. His one-on-one instruction allows time and focus for you to get up and riding waves right away. And as of right now, he’s the only guy in town that is open year round. He has wet suits and boards, so all you need to bring is your stoke.
If you are in the Carolina Beach/Kure Beach area, Odysea Surf School is an awesome group of experienced instructors, most of which are local certified school teachers, who can help you achieve your surfing or paddle boarding goals. Ocean Cure is Odysea’s non-profit organization which helps “medically fragile and at-risk youths” to overcome any fears they may have about the sport of surfing and benefit from the connection to the ocean, the healing powers of the water, and achieving their goals.
Just North of Wilmington you can book a one-time group lesson or private instruction with Surf City Surf School. This is a great spot for folks traveling to the area too, as they provide the boards and have equipment rental for however long your stay may be.
Step Two: Join the Annex Surf Club.
Perhaps you just moved here and are still trying to figure out the right board for this area’s waves. Or maybe you are a long time local who is just stoked on playing around with different boards. Mike Barden, owner of both Surf City Surf Shop and the Annex, created the Annex Surf Club to provide the opportunity to try out all different shapes, sizes, and thicknesses of boards without having to commit. He rotates the inventory and focuses on locally shaped boards, vintage boards, and some out of the ordinary boards to shake up your routine. The Surf Club is an awesome way to figure out what shape you feel most comfortable on, learn about local board companies, and chat with other surfers in the community.
Step Three: Get in the ocean often.
You’ll find your groove on the board and feed your soul while you’re at it.
Have fun y’all, and be on the lookout for Part Two where I will dive into the talents of local board shapers.
Rachel Sutton is a Broker with Nest Realty Wilmington. She brings a passion for local history and natural treasures. Rachel enjoys working with clients to create new memories while preserving what already exists.