The Outer Banks of North Carolina...a barrier island in the Mid-Atlantic fueled by blue collar fishing and summer tourism. If you're from VA or NC, it's your go to beach destination for family vacation. For the rest, it's a mysterious stretch of the US that many visit to enjoy a relaxed beach experience with a mixed bag of activities to indulge in. The vibe is chill, sunsets are amazing, and the waves can make surfers across the world salivate.
During hurricane season, surfers up and down the East Coast keep an eye on the Outer Banks...waiting for that perfect window when conditions are just right to produce world class waves. When the wind switches West and the groundswell pulses; surfers flock like the great migration. The mechanics are simple...this island is furthest point closest to the continental shelf on the Eastern seaboard and is in the shape of a bow. It's a magnet for any type of swell: low pressure systems, wind swells, hurricane swells, groundswells.
The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season has produced an average to above normal number of named storms. Unfortunately, the Outer Banks has been the epicenter for significant damage in the Mid-Atlantic from all these hurricanes; more recent Hurricane Matthew which was a week prior to Nicole. As always, the community rallies together and the pieces quickly get placed back together...but the aftermath always remains in the heart.
With these storms one thing is certain...there will be swell. Whether the wind cooperates is another story; which hasn't been the case much of this Fall. But, from October 17-20; Hurricane Nicole stayed offshore as she came up the East Coast. Just enough to keep the winds light & offshore, but close enough to send damn near perfect surf to a community eagerly waiting for some positivity to swing in their favor. The surf was pumping, the temps were warm, and the sun was out. Naturally, we couldn't miss this opportunity. Below is our research...
surfer: Kyle Cochran @beach_dog
surfer: Kyle Cochran @beach_dog
surfer: Kyle Cochran @beach_dog
surfer: Tommy Fink @t_fink
All photos taken by Blaine Teets @blaineteets.