Hatteras - March 17 thru 28th ?

[mcombs71110]

Hey,

I live in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am taking some time-off at the end of March.

I am relatively new to the sport. I took my first lessons in La Ventana , Mexico in December 2018 . I did some kite boarding locally in Utah, this summer and fall. I got maybe 20-25 days of riding in. In October I went to South Padre Island, I got wind 7 out of 9 days . It was great!! I am feeling pretty confident with my progression. No problems staying up wind. I have had 3 days of 30+ mph days and I felt really solid.

Anyway, I am taking time off in March and I sort of struggling on where to go. I wanted to go somewhere warm, but unfortunately that time of the year is Spring Break for a lot of colleges and universities...So SPI and FLA are out of the question.

I was thinking Hatteras might be an option. It will be a little cool, definitely off season for tourism. But, I get the impression that the wind will be blowing.

I just want to reach out and see if anyone has any input on Hatteras in Late March.

Or if anyone has any suggestions on a good kite spot at the end of March. Money is not as much of an issue but extended travel time is.

[grigorib]

Do SPI in March. Driving to flats is good in the morning and driving back is not terrible either, even with all the partying folks. but it’ll be much warmer and more pleasant experience.

OBX in March is cold and pretty miserable unless you see solid SW winds on forecast. Also knowing that a single spring NE storm can get island access shut off for 2-4 days you’re risking cancelled accommodation and flying back home.

[mcombs71110]

I appreciate the input. Sounds like it would be better to schedule an OBX trip a little later in the season. I was looking at the logistics for SPI today. Unfortunately, accommodations are at a premium and there is not much of a selection.

Corpus cristi looks a little better as far as accommodation availability and pricing. Do you have any experience with Corpus? I reached out to a couple of kite shops for beta, waiting to hear back from them .

Thanks again.

[FLandOBX]

I appreciate the input. Sounds like it would be better to schedule an OBX trip a little later in the season.

IMHO, OBX is fine in March. You'll likely get good wind, and rental rates are very low then. It can be cold, especially if the wind is from the north, so bring your neoprene. There is always a risk of stormy weather, but that just goes with the territory. March is usually a great month for kiting here.

[Tony]

Or if anyone has any suggestions on a good kite spot at the end of March. Money is not as much of an issue but extended travel time is.

I'm in Hatteras a lot, my favorite place, but March will be cold. I'll be there but there are plenty of places in the Caribbean, easy to get to, that are warm, boardshorts vs steamer (freezing between sessions). "Money is not much of an issue" to me says go tropical, easily a one stop flight, maybe even direct.
Also, if fairly new to the sport:
- you'll be in the water more and the water is cold, not warmed up much from the winter
- typically NE winds which limits your soundside location a bit more (assume you're not in the surf yet)

[grigorib]

Losing Rodanthe to the bridge, the NE winds are still great at Frisco and Canadian Hole is also rideable in NE. The same bridge will hopefully reduce closures due to NE storms, at least for tri-villages. Avon gets flooded somewhat often, bridge or not and NE storms destroy dunes by Frisco.

NE in March will not bring warm air, even if it’s rideable

All being said, if you see a week of solid SW winds in March - do the OBX, you’ll love it!