STANDUP PADDLEBOARDING Standup paddleboarding, or SUP, is one of Wrightsville Beach’s most popular water sports. It’s perfect for casual beach goers looking for a full-body workout and a great excuse to get out on the water. Board and paddle rentals are available, as well as hourly lessons. For more information about SUP and upcoming events, visit wrightsvillesup.com BOATING From a two-hour island-hopping scenic cruise to an all-day Carolina Skiff rental, Wrightsville Beach offers many exciting ways to enjoy its pristine waters. For boating with kids, life jackets are a necessity, as North Carolina law mandates all children under the age of 13 must wear a vest on a recreational vessel. There are a variety of businesses that cover all vacationers’ boat rental needs, including various types and sizes of watercraft. SURFING Every year, Wrightsville Beach attracts people looking to catch a wave — both lifelong surfers and first-time wave riders. All surfers should be aware of Wrightsville Beach’s colored flag communication system: green means conditions are calm; yellow means there is a medium hazard with moderate surf and currents; and a red flag means there is a high hazard and swimmers are discouraged from entering the water. Two quartered black and white checkered flags indicate that the area between them is prohibited to surfers. FISHING July brings warm ocean waters, making it prime time to wet a line. The local waters are swimming with redfish, flounder, Spanish mackerel, tarpon and many other species. A North Carolina fishing license is required. To purchase one, and find information about seasons and limits, visit www.ncwildlife.org KAYAKING Glide through a 5-mile kayaking trail around the outer-island marshes or paddle around the 8.4-mile Masonboro Island, the longest undisturbed barrier island in the region. Begin your adventure from several public access points such as the public docks, or from the boat ramp underneath the Heide Trask drawbridge. Keep an eye out for the many beautiful bird species of the coastal salt marshes, including common loons, black-bellied plovers and buffleheads. KITEBOARDING Wrightsville Beach is one of the hottest kiteboarding spots on the East Coast, offering a prime location for adventure seekers. Boarders reach speeds up to 30 mph on water, which is equal to 40 mph on land. Riders can launch right from the beach and harness the power of the wind as they glide on top of the water in what is considered the largest water sport next to surfing. SCUBA DIVING The famous wrecks and ledges off Wrightsville Beach’s shore make exciting and scenic underwater locations for SCUBA diving. Certified divers can book a SCUBA charter to one of multiple offshore shipwrecks. Those who wish to learn how to dive can enroll in SCUBA certification classes. 70 WBM july 2014 WBM FILE PHOTOS
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