Outer Banks Enjoys a Surf Paradise After the Storm
Outer Banks, North Carolina – On September 16th, the Outer Banks was buzzing with excitement as a storm system, aptly named Potential Tropical Cyclone 8, unleashed its wild side. While Florida was enjoying a fantastic surf experience, the Cape Fear region found itself drenched under heavy rainfall, hitting historic levels of 12-20 inches in just two days. This system, which formed on September 13th along a stalled front off the Carolinas, picked up enough energy from the warm Atlantic to issue Tropical Storm Warnings along the Carolina coastline.
After a couple of days of challenging onshore winds and chaotic conditions, the storm finally moved out, bringing sunny skies and offshore winds to the Outer Banks on September 18th. Local surfers hailed it as one of the best days of the month, if not the entire hurricane season. “It was like a little mechanical wedge factory out there!” exclaimed Bo Raynor, a local shredder. “Everyone I saw was having a blast. I guess we all needed that.”
The Calm After the Storm
Rob Mitstifer from Surfline had a great insight into this pattern in September. “This time we usually romanticize on the Outer Banks has been pretty miserable with onshore winds, but that all changed on Wednesday,” he said, referring to the day when the offshore westerly winds created picture-perfect surf conditions. The quality of the waves brought back sweet memories of days gone by, much like the memorable PTC 10 in 2017 that also delivered impressive surf.
Kitty Hawk legend Jesse Hines looked forward to catching waves after weeks of murky conditions. “I checked one spot in Pea Island at daybreak and there were peaky, barreling wedges,” he said, reminiscing about the joyful experience of getting back into the water with his old friends. Many surfers let out a collective sigh of relief, not expecting the day to turn out so beautifully. “We all knew there’d be some fun wave, but we didn’t expect it to be this good,” Mike Leech shared.
The Emotional Toll of Erosion
Amidst the excitement of the waves, there were sobering reminders of the impact of storms. Nags Head photographer Mike Leech noted the toll erosion was taking on Hatteras Island. “With every passing storm, Rodanthe and Buxton are getting hit hardest. One house did, in fact, collapse into the ocean before this article was written,” he cautioned, reflecting on the fragile state of the coastline.
Waves of Joy for the Surfers
The exhilaration didn’t just stop at beautiful waves; it was also about the camaraderie shared among friends and acquaintances. “It was a classic day with peaks everywhere and offshore winds all day, much-needed,” said water photographer Cody Hammer. Some surfers, like Brett Barley and his son Masen, spent the whole day having a blast in the sun, grateful that they could enjoy the surf together after weeks of disappointing weather.
Competition Meets Camaraderie
Interestingly, the excitement was not isolated to local surfers. The ESA Easterns surf competition also resumed just as the storm brought in great waves. Although some surfers had to work instead of hitting the waves, many were thrilled to see their peers celebrating the good surf, including the talented women competing in the Open Women’s division. “The energy in the water and on the beach is electric,” photographer Dick Meseroll added, remarking on the incredible talent on display.
A Bright Future Ahead
As the offshore winds rolled through the area, promising a glorious surf day, anticipation shifted to how to capitalize on this sudden change. Surfers across the Outer Banks rejoiced, feeling thankful for the reprieve from the prolonged onshore winds that had plagued the region for weeks prior. The waves were almost like a gift from nature, a chance to reconnect with both friends and the ocean.
Looking forward, the hope is that more days like this will appear on the horizon as we continue through the peak of hurricane season. Surfers and beachgoers alike are eagerly awaiting what nature will bring next as summer transitions to fall.
