Severne location

Long-time windsurfers will remember the former name of the shop, Windsurfing Hatteras.  Ocean Air Sports has grown over the years and is now one of North America’s premier destination windsurf shops. Thousands of wind sport enthusiasts stop each season to check out the latest and greatest gear, learn to windsurf, and take some of the newest equipment out for a test drive from their rental/demo fleet.

FACTS 

Where is Ocean Air located?
Ocean Air Sports is located in Avon, North Carolina. Avon is on Hatteras Island on the East Coast of the US.

Are you open all year?
Yes, Ocean Air Sports is open all year although when visiting in the off-season (Dec/Jan/Feb) you should call ahead. In season Ocean Air Sports is open 7 days per week.

What gear can you rent?
Our rental gear varies each season as we try new things, however, if someone is interested in a board or sail, we can take it from the showroom and put it into the demo fleet. It’s always best to call ahead if you want to rent/demo a specific piece of gear so that we can set it aside for you.

Typically we’ll have something along the lines of the gear below, but it’s always best to call ahead to check availability.

Sails:
 – Blade: 3.3 to 5.3
 – Freek: 4.4 to 5.9
 – Gator: 6.0 to 8.0
 – NCX: 6.0 & 7.0

Boards:
– Fox 95, 105, 120
– Psycho 92, 102
– Dyno 85, 95, 105, 115
– Alien 115, 125
– Predator 125

Do you offer clinics and lessons?
Yes, we have instructors on staff that can teach virtually any level. Our windsurf program pumps out about 300-500 lessons each season. Most of them are beginners, however, we’ve been known to hold some loop lessons and freestyle clinics as well.

Where can I book?
The easiest way to book our gear or to sign up for a lesson is to call the shop.  +1 252 995-5000

Do you provide accommodation?
We do not provide accommodations at the shop however there are waterfront housing rentals available and some hotels in the area. The houses at Island Creek for example are directly next to the shop and are built specifically for windsurfing. The lower level of the houses is open with sail hooks and board racks. Just hang up your sail and settle into the hot tub with a cold beer after your long day on the water!

For smaller parties, the Pamlico Point Condos are also right next door to the shop. These are 2 bed, 2 bath condos. Many of them are available to rent and have a gear storage room on the ground floor. Rig on the grass at your condo and then launch right here at the shop.

Where can I find the prices?
Pricing for lessons and rentals are on the Ocean Air Sports Website: www.oceanairsports.com

Conditions

Do I need to bring my own wetsuit and harness?
We do have some wetsuits and harnesses available to rent or purchase but it’s always best to bring your own.

Best months to visit?
April and May are the most popular months with consistent winds and generally warmer weather. June and July are also windy. The wind then picks up again in October and is generally pretty good all winter. 

What is the weather like?
The #1 rule for Hatteras is “Bring Everything!” The primary winds on the Outer Banks in the busy months of April/May and October/November are frontal winds. SW winds push in nice warm weather followed by a cold front that brings cooler air in from the North. It’s not uncommon in April to be ripping around on a 4.0 in board shorts one day and needing a 4/3 wetsuit the next.  

Which conditions does the spot offer?
The sound behind the shop is a flat water freestyle / freeride playground. Most of the sound is waist to chest deep for about 3 miles out. There are some deeper spots here and there, but in general, a person can stand for most of their windsurf runs. This is what makes Ocean Air such an incredible place to take a lesson and learn new things. Just launch right out of the shop or your nearby rental home and go windsurf until you can’t hold on anymore!

There is also a deeper water spot called “The Hole” where we can go foil. This is located at the south end of town, about a 5-10 minute drive from the shop. Visitors can take the rental foil gear with them to go for some runs at The Hole. 

Which type of rider is the spot most suitable for?
Cape Hatteras is diverse enough for any type of windsurfer. Top-level freestylers love this place, top US wave riders come out to visit and the miles of flat, shallow water is also perfect for freeride and racing. With the shallow water, it’s also perfect for windsurfers that are just getting into it.

Which wetsuit do I need?
During the summer we advise you to ride with a 3/2 or shorty wetsuit and the rest of the time with a 4/3.

Entertainment

What can you do besides windsurfing?
There’s a lot to do in Avon besides windsurfing. Fishing, surfing, kayaking, SUP, sunset boat tours, walking on the miles of perfect sandy beaches, taking a nature hike, climbing to the top of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. 

Are there any bars or restaurants around?
Yes, there are plenty of restaurants nearby. The Po House is the restaurant/bar on site at Ocean Air Sports and a great place to eat. Pangea and the Mad Crabber are also great places to get dinner. 

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