The Stoke Zone has been firing...

The last thirty days have been a bit strange here. Kind of like a hurricane evacuation, except without the hurricane, the cleanup, the repairs and the hot weather.

The sessions have been ON though, and it’s tough writing about them. Do we publicize how good it’s been or hold it tight for the cause? Last week we posted a picture of Luke Johnson boosting over the REAL flags in the backyard and the answer was crystal clear.

People love this place. Their spring trip to Cape Hatteras is as much a part of their stoke schedule as that first cup of coffee every day. Some guests have told us this is their first spring not in Cape Hatteras for over twenty years. Others we know are well beyond that number. Cape Hatteras sessions kick off everyone’s spring in a big way, and with no kick off party, it has everyone really cherishing how much they value their time in the water off the Outer Banks.

REAL Watersports & Watermen’s Retreat | 📷 Jeffrey O’Neil

This spring followed one of the mildest winters we can remember. The prolonged warmer temps launched us into spring with water that was noticeably warmer than normal, and an active wind and wave pattern. We’ve always said the Pamlico Sound temp is a three day average of the air. It’s so shallow it just heats up, or cools down, that quickly. Air temps regularly in the 70’s meant we were shedding rubber and exposing skin before the first of April. Can you remember the feel of warm SW wind and the sound of sea grass blowing? The SW wind machine has been in full effect, syncing with all this warm weather. In fact, it’s been ALL SW until a recent front switched it back to NNE.

On the surf front, we’ve had quite a few good swells in the last month. With Dare County closed to visitors, it’s been like a time machine buzzing us back to before surf forecasting. Yes, there’s still 10-20 surfers (socially distancing) on “the best” spot, but every other break is completely empty for private sessions. The water temps are seasonally warmer than average with northside sessions now in 4/3mms and southside sessions even milder.

On the foil front, the backyard has been busy with flyers enjoying the recently named “Watermen’s Foil Garden”. Whether it be behind a kite, a wing, or a ski, there’s not a day that goes by that someone isn’t out there enjoying some sort of flight. Whether it be someone’s first time on foil, or first time time kiting or “winging” with one, the thrill of learning and progressing is keeping everyone in The Stoke Zone.

Where does all this put us now? For one, we can’t wait to have everyone back here. We’re ready to re-open as soon as the time is right, and have so many new improvements in our facilities for you to enjoy. But it’s not just our facilities that make this such a great vacation, it’s our staff as well. Each and every one of them misses you and the excitement you bring. Your smile, your stoke, your laugh, your shaka. The further we head into spring the more we miss it all, but the more it motivates us the be ready when it turns back around.

For now, remember what Cape Hatteras means to you. National Parks Week is April 18-26 and we’ll be posting some of our favorite Cape Hatteras National Seashore memories on our social media. Follow us there and get ready to come back. We’re counting down the days...

The last thirty days have been a bit strange here. Kind of like a hurricane evacuation, except without the hurricane, the cleanup, the repairs and the hot weather.

WATERMEN’S RETREAT