California surfers who come to the southern coast of North Carolina agree: The surf may be less spectacular than on the West Coast, but the water is warmer and the season is longer here. Conditions were considered good enough for the U.S. Amateur Surfing Championships Mid-Atlantic Regionals that were held at Wrightsville Beach in 1997. The East Coast Wahine Championships were held in Kure Beach in 2001 and 2002. The Championships moved to Wrightsville Beach in 2003 and have been held there every year since. Indeed, Wrightsville Beach's prominence as a surfing destination led Surfer Magazine to recently name it one of the top ten surf towns in the United States.

In recent years, many surfers from this area have been achieving awards and recognition worldwide. With surfing now part of the pantheon of Olympic events, local surfing has naturally gained further status. Surf shops throughout the region can provide information on surfing competitions.

The beaches running north to south, from Topsail Island down to Fort Fisher, experience consistently better surf than the Brunswick beaches, with their east-west orientation. However, the Brunswick beaches are fine for bodyboarding. A favored surfing spot is Masonboro Island's north end near the jetty. However, it's not an easy place to reach, since Masonboro Inlet is an active boat channel with dangerous currents. Crossing over from the soundside (the Intracoastal Waterway) and hiking to the beach is a good idea.

The northernmost point of the Wrightsville Beach, off Shell Island Resort, is the preferred long-board break because it has a consistent lined-up, sand-point–style wave. More aggressive waves are at the middle of the island, near Columbia Street, an area favored by the more progressive, younger surfers.

Wrightsville Beach has stringent rules governing surfing. Surfing within 500 feet of any commercial fishing piers or the Masonboro Inlet jetty is prohibited year-round. Leash laws are in effect all the time. Surfing is forbidden in front of lifeguard stands, extending to around 100 feet on either side of these stands from 10 AM until 5 PM. Otherwise, the beach is pretty much wide open during morning "dawn patrols" and the evening glass off. Surfing restrictions will not be in effect when red flags are posted. Call Wrightsville Beach Parks and Recreation, (910) 256-7925, for surfing regulations. The Local section of the Star-News also carries a tide schedule and surf forecast each day.

Stand-up Paddle Surfing

A relatively new surfing variation, stand-up paddle surfing entails standing on a large longboard and propelling yourself with a paddle that is similar to a canoe paddle. While it gained popularity in recent years, the sport can be traced back to the 1960s, when Waikiki surfers would stand on their longboards and paddle with outrigger paddles. Surfing legend Laird Hamilton is credited with being an early practitioner of this water sport, helping to bolster its resurgence.

Here's a basic description of how it works: throw your board in the water, get out past the shorebreak with your paddle tucked under you, and pop to your feet with your paddle in hand. Standing with your feet parallel, you can then balance on the board and begin paddling around. Once you get the feel of it, try propelling yourself into the waves.

To properly practice the sport, you can't just jump on your regular longboard and grab a canoe paddle. Stand-up paddle surfing requires a special surf board and paddle. The board is approximately 10 to 12 feet long, 27 to 31 inches wide and four to five inches thick, and the paddle should be about six inches taller than you.

Part of stand-up paddle surfing's appeal lies in its outstanding fitness benefits, including a strong core body workout, upper body strength and cross training. The sport also challenges one's balance as it requires you to use your leg muscles and core to maintain your board position.

The sport's enthusiasts are also drawn to the way the standing position allows surfers to have a clearer view of incoming waves, enabling them to catch waves earlier. Beginners usually practice the sport in flat water first before braving the ocean current. This can be done on any lake, river, sound or other waterway, similar to the waters commonly canoed or kayaked. Sometimes even more skilled surfers choose to perfect their sport in flat waters.

Many shops in our area offer a complete selection of surf gear, apparel and accessories, including wet suits and videos. You can buy a new or used board, rent one by the day or week and get yours repaired. Shops can lead you to local people who build customized boards, too. The following businesses rent surfboards by the hour, day or week. Most area shops are open seven days a week in season. Call ahead in the off-season.

Double Wide Surf & Skate Shop

14921 Hwy 17, Hampstead
(910) 270-3640
www.dwskatesurf.com

The southern coast is blessed with clean, relatively clear, refreshing waters and a long outdoor season. The ocean water temperature becomes comfortable usually no later than the middle of spring, generally hovering in the 75- to 85-degree range by summer. Most area beaches consist of fine, clean sand. Together with the shores of the central coast and the Outer Banks farther to the north, the southern coast gives evidence that North Carolina does indeed have the finest beaches in the east.

Except for the threat of rip currents, the surf is generally moderate. Several beach communities employ lifeguards during the summer, but the beaches are not staffed otherwise. Swimming in a few areas is hazardous, such as at the extreme east end of Ocean Isle Beach and along the Fort Fisher Historic Site, because of either strong currents or underwater debris. All hazardous areas are well-marked. See our chapter on Sun, Sand and Sea for more on beach swimming. If pool swimming is more to your liking, check the facilities listed below.

Demarest Company

6933 Running Brook Terr., Wilmington
(910) 686-4482

Write-up coming soon...

Wilmington Family YMCA

2710 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 251-9622
www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org

The YMCA boasts two indoor pools to accommodate its many members year round. Water fitness, swim lessons, swim team, triathlon clubs and life-guarding classes are among its many offerings. Membership is required to enjoy general use of these facilities, which are open seven days a week. Some classes are open to the community with discounted fees for members. Call the YMCA for current individual or family rates.

In the greater Wilmington area, the protected waters of the lower Cape Fear River, from Carolina Beach south, are the most popular for water-skiing. These waters are convenient to public boat ramps in Carolina Beach, including those at the marina at Carolina Beach State Park and at Federal Point. Throughout most of the region, the wider channels of the Intracoastal Waterway and adjoining sounds offer water-skiing opportunities, but be alert to other boat traffic. The relatively hushed surf along the Brunswick Islands is well-suited to skiing, yielding about 22 miles of shoreline from Ocean Isle Beach to Sunset Beach. Big Lake, in the community of Boiling Spring Lakes, 8 miles northwest of Southport on N.C. 87, is a long, narrow body of water that's excellent for water-skiing. There is a free public boat ramp off Alton Lennon Drive. Check with the rental services listed in the Motorboat Rentals section above if you need to rent a towing craft. Many, if not most, services and some boating supply shops also rent skis and equipment.

One of the best and most popular windsurfing and kiteboarding areas is The Basin, the partially protected body of water off Federal Point at the southern end of Pleasure Island (Carolina and Kure beaches). Accessible from a public boat ramp down the road from the ferry terminal, The Basin is enclosed by The Rocks, a 3.3-mile breakwater that extends to Zeke's Island and beyond. Motts Channel and Banks Channel on the sound side of Wrightsville Beach are popular spots, but you'll have to contend with the boat traffic. Advanced windsurfers prefer the oceanside of the jetty at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, where action is fairly guaranteed.

Around Topsail Island, the choices are the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean. The inlets north and south of the island are not well-suited to uninterrupted runs. Along Oak Island and the South Brunswick Islands, the ocean is your best bet, although limited stretches of the ICW are OK for beginners (near the Ocean Isle Beach bridge when it's not busy, for example). Shallotte Inlet and River are narrow but worth a shot.

Kiteboarding is one of the hottest, up-and-coming watersports. Similar to wakeboarding, kiteboarding uses a large kite to pull you instead of a boat. It requires less wind than windsurfing, the gear packs up much smaller than windsurfing gear, and you don't need a boat to do it. Riders can jump 10 to 40 feet in the air while performing amazing tricks. Since they need less wind to have fun, kiteboarders get more good days in the Cape Fear area than windsurfers do.

The sport uses the principles of sailing in that you tack against the wind and can travel upwind or downwind. The boards are specially designed for the sport, and the kites can re-launch you if you crash in the water. Different-sized kites are available for different wind conditions and different weight riders. You can kiteboard in flat water and waves. The most popular spots to kiteboard around here are the south end of Wrightsville Beach, the Fort Fisher Basin and the north end of Carolina Beach. Riders go where the wind conditions suit them. Kiteboarding is a thrilling sport, but like any extreme sport, it can be dangerous. Participants are strongly urged to seek expert advice or take lessons.