After a couple of trips to OBX with windsurfer friends for OBX Wind and such with Covid this year and not wanting to fly we decided to make it a family vacation destination. Besides my younger son Dylan need driving hours! We stayed in Avon near Ocean Air Sports. Leaving Boston we had snow and my fingers were freezing strapping the boards on the roof.
Alas, we escaped for the 12 hour drive. We made it to Virginia to stay the night. The cold gave way to warmth and by the team we cross the Chesapeake it was clear sky's and 65 degrees (that felt so warm compared to 35!). My brave wife agreed to my older son bring two friends and younger son bringing one friend ending up with six dudes on her own.
But the view, warm weather and the boys not wanting their freedom led to a peaceful time for both of us and mix of wind or calm meant clear times for us a couple and me as a windsurfer and wing man (not that kind of wing man!). The sunsets were amazing changing from minute to minute and different each night!
Next day day the wind was light so I booked some windsurfing lesson with Graham at Ocean Air (there was grumbling but there were to be no Jet Skis if they didn't windsurf!)
The boys did well and my son's friend B. really got into sailing the entire next day - it was his first time evah! The wind came up the evening big time, from 12 to 35-40 mph. The family was like "you're not going out there are you? That's crazy I've never seen so much wind in my life". Luckily I had the 4.0 rigged for B., so I was one of the first on the water. This added to the impression on my boys and wife as it appears I was the only one going out at first - a cool dad moment for sure.
The next day we had butter flat water which was great for the Jet Skis and the sky faded into the water.
We hit the beach and lighthouse - the wing board makes a nice finless knee or body board.
During lighter wind moments I was able to get in some winging - my new light wind favorite. I can bring a 5 foot board that's light as a feature and two little duffle backs with wings and going in winds down to 12-16 mph. The 60cm mast was just at the limit so had to fall in the right place or it was a walk to deeper water.
The last day the wind was back but this was a costly day. I put my head through my sail and later broke my wrist. Luckily a very minor fracture (catapulted during a chop hop and land on hand while holding the boom) and only 4 week recovery.
Besides that it was a great trip and I highly recommend it!
