The North End - Carolina Beach

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This was taken from www.gokitesurf.com aka www.blowinginthewind.com. These sites are no longer up, but info is good.

The North End

THE NORTH END

BEST WINDS: N, NE, E
The "North End" as most refer to it, is the hot spot for wave riding in northeast winds. You ride on the downwind side of a huge sand bar created by Carolina Beach Inlet. This sandbar cleans up, and turns the big waves we get in northeast winds. Getting out through the surf is easy here, considering the wave size. You start from the beach, and head out over the corner of the sandbar. This gets you safely outside, while riding over the smaller waves broken down by the bar. It also gets you outside without enduring through the swift current typical of big wave days. Once outside, you search for the massive swell that can break 15 feet on the outside bar. It's still a safe wave, even outside, because they only break on the top third of the wave. The coolest thing about the waves here, is the size, and how easy there are to ride. On 25 knots days, 10-15 foots waves are not unusual here. When they hit the outer edges of the bar, it's just like Hawaii... well almost. Expect insane speed and a bouncing out of control board, as you careen down the face of 15 footers. This site is famous amongst windsurfers. Expect lots of them, from all over North Carolina on a good day. Well maybe not too many windsurfers, they're all kiting now.

In the summer it gets crowded with 4x4's and drunks. The police have stepped up unmarked patrols, so watch your speed while driving on the beach. This place does require a four-wheel drive vehicle. In the winter we have the place to ourselves.

Don't sleep in, this place goes off in the morning. It can be over by noon most days.

Don't leave kites laying in the path of 4x4's, it will get run over. (Just ask Trevor)

The North End is good in winds from north to east, with northeast bringing the biggest waves.

Stay out of the inlet. This inlet is very swift and will take the wind from your kite.

Directions: Enter Carolina Beach and turn left at the Citgo gas station. Turn left again at the next traffic light. Follow the road until it dead ends onto the beach.

Tip: drop your tire pressure. Anything over 30 psi will make you struggle and rut up the beach. At 25 psi you'll feel like superman on the beach. At 35 psi you'll just burn your transmission fluid.

Write up by Local Rider Dwight Fisher. Thanks Dwight