Virginia Beach

There's not enough beach here to even begin considering there are secret spots. On the northend it gets pretty barren this time of year, and if you do some searching there are nice bars all over right now. Then you have the boardwalk area, which I haven't surfed lately and don't really know where the bars are, but they are usually to be found there as well. Croatan has been ****ty for a few years now, just really mushy and deep. Sandbridge is a further drive, less crowded, and probably will be bigger than any of the other spots just because it's a little further south.

Looks like way down in the obx, south of nags head though, is going to be waist high this weekend. I'd be down there if I didn't have a previous engagement planned for Saturday. Really looks like it won't be worth going out here, but if you are longboarding you can probably still have fun.

 

no SECRETS HERE

There are some strrets on certain tides on the north end that are better than other but nothing really much better. My advice due to the minmal surf, i htink its going to be rideable enough to play on, and plus you can get your last session in trunks in Im sure you are in rubber already in NOrth Jersey. Go down "the strip" which is atlantic avenue. It does a big lop at the end of this loop (first street) park down there. When you walk onto the beach you will see the Jetty (first street jetty) Right at the jetty is where we see the most consitent little peaks but you can walk north toward 5th street and anywhere along hat stertch there are a few little bars to surf.

 

Your best bet is if you have access to a bike; park at 1st street as others have metioned and cruise the boardwalk which will take you all the way to 40th street.
If you cant find anything to surf on then stop at the Tap House on 12th street and pound beers all day, they have something like 40 different brews on tap and make a decent burger as well.

 

What he said. I was out yesterday and it was small but clean and totally deserted. Tomorrow should be more of the same (thigh-waist), but since it's a weekend there might be a few folks out. Plenty of room this time of year and the weather is sweet. Bring a longboard.

 

I would have to agree. 1st is usually your best bet in Va Beach, but it can get very crowded as well. There are bars that will break between the Jetty and about 3rd at times...

Croatan is a bit of a mystery sometimes. I surfed there on Sunday morning (early AM) during Danielle and it was GOING OFF... peeling on the outside but then as the tide came in at about mid tide it started holding up and closing hard on the inside. But that may have been due to the swell because it seemed like the swell went from ese to ene as the current switched from the north. Sandbridge has had its share of good and bad this year as well... Been there on some really fun days and some frustrating closeout days. There are some spots near the market near the Pier and in between... but thats about all I will say. PM if you want more details...

I am heading down to Hatteras tomorrow as it will be good down there this weekend. If you can make the trip there... I would recommend it... otherwise 1st is probably your best bet in VB.

 

I was there last weekend for a wedding. Sorry you have to take that ride. It sucks. Oh and where I was...you can't surf within 200ft of the pier. LAME!

 

at aquaholic - F**k you too

Vb is my home, and we get sick waves sometimes. Its no north shore, but 757 is what you make of it. Come down with the right attitude and you will have a good time.

 

Ive never seen any pier that your actually allowed to surf within 200 feet of it... And plus nobody listens to that rule anyways...

 

second that... the sickest waves break straight off the pilings. I think its more of a summer time / liability thing

 

True dat...though the sick waves do seem to be few and far between. Good bunch of people down here, especially at North End. I'm the one guy always trying to ride my shortboard in knee-high mush. Say hi!

All that being said, if we didn't have Hatty so close, I'd be dealing with some serious depression these days...living/surfing VA Beach is a lot like marrying a hooker. Just when you think she's settled down, you're driving down Granby St. and there she is, turnin' tricks and smokin' crack...a perennial disappointment. Were it not for the (generally) cool people here, I would have LOST MY MIND a long time ago. Cheers!

 

Darealm you paddle out?

Being your a East coast surfer your expectations couldnt have been too high. THis past Firday though a bit of gorundswell was coming in, looked like crap until around 4pm the mid incoming tide started pushing fun set waves thru. Firday evening from like 4 to 630 pm we got fun waist and a few stomach high groundwell waves pushing thru. First Street was packed but just donw the beach there was a fun litle peake left and rights and just me and my buddy on it. Satruday monring would have been the same but you would have needed to be on it at dawn to get it, the high tide killed the little groundswell coming thru.

 

hmm...

Not to bash our home, but stomach-high Va Beach sucks more than Jenna Jameson. It's so damn weak and mushy (90% of the time, anway). My standards unfortunately are higher than could ever be received here...living abroad for a while in places with good surf will do that.

 

I understand you lack of enthusiams.....

I have surfed the west coast and in hawaii and yes average days there are way better than what we get, 95% of the time but i am realistic , im a "right" coast surfer, lived in KDH for a few years and in Jacksonville Florida for a few years but I dont get "abroad style waves". yeah Waist to stomach high isnt much compared to "abroad" but you know what, water in the mid to upper 60's , air the same, I will take that on a friday afternoon every week! Im reakkt stoked that I can enjoy thigh and waist high surf, many dont or cant enjoy it. GIve me my 5-5 RNF or my 5-9 Tweaker and let the good times roll !!!!!
I guess I am lucky in a way that i havent lived somewhere with quality surf for years, cause i would be spoiled too, I will take my treks up and down highway 12 hhunting for chest high peaks with just me and my friends on it over almost anything though.

I hope you surf on days less than chest high cause if ya dont, your not getting much time in the water. We all know VB is not surf destination #1 but its all i got mond to friday after work.

Live ALoha hope you get taht one thigh high wave that one day wlill let you enjoy VB again my man, cuase there is just not enough NorEasters or Tropical activity to keep you stoked at home.

 

I've noticed that most of the spots here on VB turn really sour when the tide turns. You have to be on it immediately before/after mid-tide, or else it'll just get too mushy. You probably have that 2 hour window for decent surf on an average day. There were times when it's so mushy that you can almost surf backwards (away from the beach).

 

well said!!

Well said, Bushwood! Nothing left to be said!

 

Things within 5 hours (good weekend trips) that keep me sane in vb:

1. hatteras (and everything on the way)- great surf
2. eastern shore - empty surf
3. Blue ridge mountains- SICK mountainbiking
4. Appalacian mountains- ditto
5. Showshoe (more like 6 hours, but still) - best east coast snowboarding, IMHO
6. Richmond - belle island / sugarloaf
7. DC- grab a little culture

It takes a car and a little planning, but if you have a board, mountain bike, and sense of adventure- this a damn fine place to live.

ps if you want to find a secret spot go to the eastern shore, 1 hour from VB oceanfront

 

Thanks for the stoke man. I think my pessimism was the result of the great run finally winding down...it happens. I agree it's a great place to live, but the next muthaf@#$er who tries to run me down as I to the death ride across the Lesner on my bike...arrrrgghhhh!!! hahaha, I just don't get the impatience of some people here. It's the beach dammit, stay chill!

 

im not sure why, but shore drive = navy mecca. Most sailors are not "chill".

Disclaimer for navy guys: Thanks for your service, now chill the F out.

 

Don't forget about the fishing...world class in our own backyard.