Hey, I Live in Nova Scotia, Canada. Been surfing here for a while now and recently my family informed me that we are going down to outbanks in early july. My question to all you Outer banks locals is, Is it even worth bringing my board? I hear that the summers are pretty flat there.. and also are there any "locals only" spots, because respect is the name of the game and i know what it feels like when out of towners come in to your home break. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks
absolutely bring your board. The summer times are generally small, but consistently rideable - lots of knee to waist high days with some bigger days here and there. When lots of east coast spots are totoally flat, Hatteras will generally have something to ride with the proper tides. As far as it being locals only - no way. There's not that many people that actually live on the island, and lots of people travel there to surf. There are some distinct spots that people go to, however you could discover a good sand bar just about anywhere along the Outer Banks.
I echo what Mr. Info says. Although July is probably the worst month to surf in the Outer Banks (or anywhere else on the East Coast), there is a very real possibility that you will get a rideable day or two. July is likely to get a decent swell or two and who knows, you're likely to score something. cliche of the day "Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it." Go CAPS!
wow, to think of never surfing in board shorts! You are going to love the water temps... Should be in the middle 70s Fahrenheit. 4/3 haha... You might want a spring suit, if you have ever even heard of them in nova scotia? Sometimes, on a south current the water temps can drop pretty significantly. But, most likely you'll be fine with just the trunks.
omg dude, you are in for the treat of a lifetime surfing obx in boardshorts for the first time!! Comming from Nova Scotia the water is gonna feel like a bathtub in July. have fun dude.
Don't have much info for you since i've only been down there 4 weeks in total my family for two years straight rented beach house in *July* the same month you are going surf is pretty small but funn too ride I lucky enough too get a sandbar right in my back yard. Only problem with that bar was everyday I would see some sorta fins come outta the water around 3m everyday so I just never paddled back out there. Ended up going towards like Nags head fishing pier was fun. I hope you have funn when you go down there.
Lucky Dog! NS, Def bring a board! A couple summers ago we had like 30 some days straight of shortboardable waves. It was great!! We've also had ~50 degree water during the summer, so if you have a top or spring, bring that too. Plenty of spots to surf summer swells, but your best luck will be on pea island or rodanthe. You're lucky to live up there! I can't wait to get back to NS again. ESM is doing a spread on NS in the next issue. Matt
ahah, yeah i love living here, its empty everywhere you go, i dont own a spring suit so i'm probably just going to bring my 4/3, my best guess is that the outer banks definition of cold is far off from the nova scotian definition. But i'll bring it anyways aha. thanks for all the input guys, i'm stokedd!
ya the summer isn't the best season but there is always the rare possibility of a tropical system or even a low profile hurricane spewing up....remember bertha showed up on us in july last year with nice sized surf for a good span of days have fun man
You'll be sweating in a 4/3 if you wear that in OBX!!! Seriously, you'll prob be fine with boardshorts with 60deg water and 70 degree air..If anything just get a 3/2 wetsuit. But coming from NS I think your vision of cold is like hot for our vision of cold down here. Have fun. Going to the NS of Oahu this spring...cant f-ing wait!!!
look at the trailer for patience. that has a lot of the outer banks. you will get something when you are there. ks
You can usually start trunking it during the 3rd or 4th week of May in Buxton (the Lighthouse) and south - the northern Outer Banks, e.g., Rodanthe through Nags Head-Kitty Hawk will be spring suit or 3/2 temps during late May. My early July, if you are wearing a 4/3 you will need medical attention for sun stroke and dehydration. Unless... there is some serious upwelling like we had this summer in the DelMarVa, in which case, take the 4/3 as a back-up measure.
NS, I wouldn't bring your 4/3, you won't need it. Like everyone else said, possibly a spring suit or top but you probably won't need those either. Maybe a rash guard or something to keep the sun off.
alright aha no 4/3 then... but i'm not blowing money on a 3/2 when i only need it for a week aha.. i think i'll just bear it out in the boardshorts...i wonder what its like to surf without all that rubber... aha
You won't need rubber man, especially with what you're accustomed to. I have been in cold water in OBX in July, when lows have moved in, and was fine in a rash guard. If I can take it, you won't have any problems whatsoever. However, I don't surf north of Avon, so things may be different in Pea Island, Nags Head, etc.
july is extremely no-wetsuit warm in buxton/frisco for me from new jersey. if you go there,and i recommend it,as there's virtually always some surf there compared to home in july,don't bring a freakin' wetsuit,you're from nova scotia. bring a fish,mini-mal or a longboard,though,'cause there's a lot of fun small days in july.