Sandcastles Galore!

2009 Outer Banks Sandsculpture Festival

The public is invited to the 2009 Outer Banks Sandsculpture Festival at Kitty Hawk Sports located in Nags Head, NC at Jockey's Ridge Crossing. Highlights include a free "how-to" clinic hosted by sand sculpture professionals, and a kids contest. The event begins July 1 and runs through July 3, 2009.

The Second Annual Outer Banks Sandsculpture Festival will be held July 1st through 3rd in front of Kitty Hawk Sports. Kitty Hawk Sports is located in the Jockey’s Ridge Crossing Shopping Center at Milepost 12 ½ in Nags Head. Team Sandtastic, a professional sand sculpturing company with a Guinness World Record in its portfolio, will be sculpting a 50 ton sand masterpiece. The sculpture will have a “Woodstock” theme and feature the Peace Frog character.

At a time of year when many families flock to the beach for their first rays of the summer, this event will help educate them on the importance of sun protection. The Outer Banks Hospital will be on hand to provide free skin cancer screenings and public education. Peace Frogs has also designed a limited edition sandsculpture t-shirt which will be sold at Kitty Hawk Sports. A portion of t-shirt sales will be contributed to The Outer Banks Hospital’s Cancer Resource Center in support of its services and programs.

There will be a free Sand Clinic on Thursday, July 2nd at 2:00 pm, conducted by Team Sandtastic. They will offer the public a chance to learn Tips, Tricks, Tools, and Techniques of the pros. On Friday, July 3rd from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, there will be a free Sandsculpture Contest sponsored by Gateway Bank for kids 6 to 12 years of age.

Sandsculpting is both an art and a science, and how long a design lasts is dependent on the weather. It could be days or weeks. Last year’s sculpture lasted over a month and attracted thousands of viewers.Professional sculpting begins Wednesday, July 1st at 9:00 am and the public is invited to observe free of charge.

For more information please visit: http://www.outerbanksfreepress.com/sandcastle.html

An Active Outer Banks

If you are looking for adventure, athletics or a new hobby, the Outer Banks may be the perfect fit for your next vacation. With many sporting events and activities in the area, year-round, there is no excuse to stay indoors and watch TV.

The 2009 Outer Banks Marathon
The Outer Banks Marathon brings over 4,000 runners annually to our beautiful beaches to run a course that is truly one of a kind. Running over bridges overlooking the sounds and breathing the fresh Outer Banks air makes you forget the pain and focus on the simple beauty of this area. Runners are encouraged throughout the course by mile marker sponsors that offer hydration and support for athletes partaking. You finish your enduring run in the heart of Manteo, NC., where your family and friends are waiting to congratulate you with open arms. The party doesn’t stop there, in fact, it has just begun. The Outer Banks Marathon committee has arranged for live music, food, beverages, photo ops, and an award ceremony that you won’t want to miss. The 2009 Outer Banks Marathon will be held on Sunday, November 8th, 2009. You can view more information or register to run at http://www.obxmarathon.org/.

Outer Banks Surf Pro 2009
The Outer Banks has always been a surfing hotspot. With consistent waves and warm waters it is a no brainer why surfers flock to our beaches. This year the Outer Banks hosts the 2009 Outer Banks Surf Pro on September 18th – 20th at the Comfort Inn South, Nags Head. The event will host 96 of the coasts finest surfers. This event will also play host to the annual Battle of the Banks where 12 prominent surfers from Virginia Beach take on 12 of best surfers of the OBX. For more information regarding this event and to register please visit http://www.waveridingvehicles.com/.

Kiteboarding
If running or surfing is not your style, why not try the new craze sweeping the nation - Kiteboarding. Now this is a sport that I suggest taking a few lessons for before you launch. From what I hear, it’s not easy, but once you get the hang of it, you will experience a thrill that very few of us have ever felt before. Have you ever dreamt you could fly? It’s very possible to literally fly over waves and soar many feet before touching down again. If there was a Mecca for Kiteboarding it would have to be the Outer Banks. Our consistent wind and calm sounds are great for learning and practicing the sport.

If you are not the athletic type, - don’t be discouraged. Being a spectator of these activities is unbelievable! I personally don’t run long-distance, surf, skim or kiteboard, but I take the most pleasure from observing these activities and snapping a panoramic photo from time to time. The Outer Banks continues to promote an active lifestyle and I recommend you to make a trip to the OBX should any of the above sound fascinating to you!

Shipwrecks!

For us living in the modern age, shipwrecks are a fascinating part of Outer Banks History.
While devastating to the people back then, modern technology has all but solved that problem for us today.

Often called the “Ghost Fleet” the remnants and legends of the ships live on, and I’ll discuss some of their stories now.

The Lighthouses:
By far the most poplar aspect of shipwreck history, the treacherous shoals of the Outer Banks created a need for light houses. These Beacons of Hope were built about every 40 miles or so, and would alert Sailors as to which way to go to be safe. The

Outer Banks Light houses are:

Cape Hatteras

Bodie Island

Corolla

Ocracoke

Cape Lookout (not a true Outer Banks Lighthouse, but it usually is grouped together with ours)
Each lighthouse has its own rich history and you can read more about them here:
http://www.outer-banks.com/lighthouses.asp



Visible shipwrecks
These shipwrecks are usually visible on the various beaches through out the Outer Banks, no diving required:

Altoona (1878):

Laura A. Barnes (1921)

George A. Kohler (1933):

Margaret A. Spencer (?):

LST at Rodanthe (1948)

You can read more about these easy access shipwrecks here:
http://www.outerbankschamber.com/relocation/history/shipwrecks.cfm



Diving
For those who Dive, there is a multitude of shipwrecks hiding just below the surface, usually within 100 yards from the ‘hole’. (The ‘hole’ is that sudden drop off where the waves start to break.) The ships range from very old to quite modern. There’s even a German U-boat out there. (from World War II)

In Ocracoke, Blackbeard’s ship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge, was said to hang out there, (in the spot known as ‘Teach’s Hole) along with the infamous pirate’s headless body and even more famous treasure. To date, the treasure and the ship have never been found.

At the turn of the 20th century, a ship carrying a shipment of chalk sank off our shores. Often, after a storm, you can find this chalk washed up on shore. It looks like a big white solid lump. When you touch it leaves a chalky residue on your hands. This is solid chalk.

Sometimes, (again, usually after storms,) you can find pieces of shipwrecks on the beach. They usually are rust brown in color, have embedded shells, and other ‘stuff’ on them. They are very hard to describe; but once you see one, they cannot be mistaken for anything else. These are a great find. (Adults should be the ones to touch them however, sometimes shells can be sharp!)

When you find a piece of shipwreck, you are touching the past. Enjoy!

Moonlight Legend Lore and Ghost Tours

Explore the Moonlight Legend, Lore and Ghosts of the Whalehead Club on Thursday, June 11th beginning at dark. This guided tour is the most fun you can have for $14! Come dressed for the weather and carrying a flashlight to step back in time and learn about past residents of Corolla. To get there take Rt. 12 N, just past milepost 11, and see the entrance of the park. For those who want the fun of hearing the stories in a less “scary” environment, the Daylight Ghost Tour is available Monday through Friday at 4:00 pm for $7. Both the Moonlight and Daylight Ghost Tours require advance reservations at 252-453-9040 ext. 2. Visit http://www.whaleheadclub.org/ for complete details.

Biking in Sanderling and Duck

Biking in Sanderling and Duck
Lunch hour is here and I take my bike out of my car for another daily adventure. I start my ride heading up north through the Sanderling community. As I ride along the bike path, the sweet and fragrant smell of flowers and bushes attack my senses. The sky is a pretty shade of blue and a cloud is not to be seen. The air is fresh and cool as it hits my face. I turn into the first section and realize that there are nature trails that I can ride on that will bring me into the next section. I continue in this fashion throughout Sanderling. The paths are clear cut and shaded. On the way back, I stop at one of the many beach accesses to sit down and enjoy the sunny day. I return back to the office feeling refreshed and ready for the second half of the day!

It’s Baaaaaack, The Outer Banks Marathon Returns in November

Plans are underway for The Outer Banks Marathon in November. With a set day each year of Veteran’s Day Weekend, the Island will be full of action and activities for the whole family.

Saturday, November 7 is the Family Fun Run, a family friendly event where kids and adults can run and walk for the fun of it!

Sunday, November 8 will be the main events, with the 2009 USATF NC Association Marathon Championship, with varied terrain, coastal, scenic routes throughout the Island.

Also on Sunday, November 8 will be the second main event, the 2009 RRCA NC Half Marathon Championship, the course will be mainly flat and fast, walker friendly, coastal and scenic views.






Beach Realty and Construction/Kitty Hawk Rentals is a proud supporter and sponsor of the Outer Banks Marathon, and has been since the race began on the Outer Banks in 2006. Our team enjoys meeting the contestants and their families at our water stop area for the racers, as well as our booth in the Expo.



Take a look at us dressed as Pirates at the water station of last year's Marathon, "Argh!"

Visit the Outer Banks Marathon’s website for more information on the planned activities.

Gather your running shoes, the family and join the fun in November with the Outer Banks Marathon.