(This is my first time surfing at 1st street jetty, and I wasn't use to surfing with a crowd. Also, I use a 6'4" shortboard) So as I'm at the line up, I notice it was pretty difficult to get a wave.. It seemed like every time a nice wave would start rolling in a Long boarder would paddle out right in front of me and catch the wave from a mile away. The thing is it was the same people over and over... So I finally told myself "next good wave I'm gonna start paddling before anyone else and go for it.) I finally see a nice swell rolling in and I started to paddle. As I do I see a someone paddle towards the wave...little did I know he was gonna turn around and catch it way before it breaks....So as I was about to drop in that guy comes out of nowhere and hits my board, leaving a pretty good size crack at the nose..After that I got yelled at like I did something horribly wrong. I'm curious to know if this is a normal thing at the lineup? Like is there really any people on shortboards able to catch waves near the rocks without someone else coming in from a ways away? (I don't mean to sound like I'm bagging on longboarders..I started off on a longboard and I enjoy riding one)
it's always like that. in all reality, it's a longboard wave. if you get there really early, like around 0530 or so, the crowd isn't bad. anytime after that the crowd is crazy and it's worth going to croatan or north end.
I've never been there, but from what I can see on the surfline camera I don't understand why anybody would subject themselves to surfing that spot.
It has been my experience that VaBch surfers have a tendency to be the biggest jerks in the water--especially when it comes to paddling around people. Doesn't matter where I am on the East Coast, Caribbean or Cent. Am, it usually turns out that way. No offense meant, just wanted to point out my anecdotal experiences over the last 20+ years of surfing.
VB is a cluster**** free for all with no manners or semblance of order. The same in generally true at 1st street but there is a bit of a pecking order thrown in with the free for all atmosphere. Do longboarders take more wave than they should? YES. But only a few are kooks ....most are OGs, or long time members of the LB community (the VFL), or in the case of small waves, dudes that rip on shortboards that are just riding LBs. There is a tight crew that runs the show (the tight pack of shortboarders on the peak). Unless you grew up there you are not in it, never will be, and they will let you know it. These, mostly kids but some older dudes as well, are most likely the culprits in most verbal or physical altercations. If its the only show in town... its hard to get a wave. I used to 1. carry a retro fish and a LB in the summer and based what I rode off of what everyone else was riding. Easiest way to score some waves do what everyone else is doing plus the retro would give me a slight advantage over the SBs. 2. Pick the worst LBer and sit directly in front and inside of him/her and take off behind closer to the peak and call them off of waves or just shred anyway. 3. If its working ride the lefts going back towards the jetty... normally no one wants those 4. Surf early am (5:30-6) or late pm (up to an hour after dark) to get waves to yourself. While its cool to dedicate your life to a certain break... I feel sorry for those that have dedicated it 1st street. Most (not all) of the older crew realize its retarded to rep a ****ty wave so hard and most of the young rippers don't know any better. I didn't move there until high school so I had my share of confrontations there when I was younger and was on both sides of the yelling match/ beach confrontation. That's what 1st street is. If your not into it surf somewhere else. I've been back a few times over the years... just not that into it anymore.... ride NE or Damneck
Thanks for the awesome response man, gave me an idea of what to expect there.. and yea Dam neck is my regular surfing spot, I love it and I'm sticking with it for now.
If ya got dam neck, that's all you need right now... by October it won't be crowded anymore. I remember many late fall early springs weekday sessions with B or B+ surf at first street with little or no crowd. Ya just gotta time it right...Summer + weekends =not it
most of the time when obx is firing or when the waves are over chest high the crowd is less too. one because a lot head south and two because a lot of the young kids can't make it out. like stranded said, you can score there on some nice ones with no crowd if you get lucky.
I have been to this spot once, and unless my car breaks down right in front of this hole, I will never go back. The problem is not the logs sitting outside, its all the damned kids sitting right in the break. So when a decent wave does actually come along, there are 100 kids with go pro cameras mounted to their board sitting there not moving when they see you making a drop. There is nothing wrong with sitting inside a little bit, but dont be too far in where you cant turn and paddle to clear the shoulder when a decent wave comes along because I guarantee you that on a crowded day somebody is making a drop on that wave and you will be in the way if your too far in. There is NO such thing as a line up at this spot. If you want to see what a line up looks like, get on 12 and go south and stop at any known peak along the way.
Happens at any summer Jetty I've surfed up and down the coast. The drop ins on Friday were out of hand. With immoveable, youngsters in full suits in 74°F water lining up directly between you and the beach.
Yeahh... it is. And no offense, but you were wrong... We've all dropped in on someone before half-by-mistake, so don't feel so bad, but if someone was already up you shouldn't have went. Try to pay attention out there and you'll start to understand how the pecking order goes. I was screamed at a lot the first year I started surfing too. It's kinda the price of admission..
skip 1st street in the summer. Duh!! Its a carnival and an accident waiting to happen! I prefer to let the tourists have it and go where the surf is uncrowded and friendly buds!
To get waves at a spot for the first time you have to show respect for the locals who have been there forever. Always size up the break and figure out who the rippers are. Let them have there waves. Show them respect. compement there rides. Wait your turn! When your the time comes make sure you dont blow it! Catch the wave dont paddle and bail because you changed your mind. If your ability does not match the break go some place else and practice. Some times you can move down the line and inch your way in. If you are a total kook and told to get out of the water you better leave and learn how to surf!!!! Surfing takes years not one summer. Surfs up!
never, ever, under any circumstances surf there. It is a sh*tshow beyond belief. Only blocks away you can surf in a much more moderate crowd. Drive south to sandbridge and surf alone. I wouldn't surf first street without a German Shepard and a shotgun.
I avoid crowds at all costs, although when there is only one wave in town because the rest of the spots aren't working due to poor conditions you sometimes are left with little choice if you want to get wet. This past weekend I was subjected to some Tom Kookery at the Inlet but I didn't let it ruin my session because I understand that weekend + summer + only wave in town = free-for-all
