Cape Hatteras Wave Classic presented by Patagonia Day 4 Update
YES!! It’s windy. Why didn’t they run the comp?
The Cape Hatteras Wave Classic presented by Patagonia uncorked the pent up breeze today with 15-25mph out of the East and onshore conditions. Men and Women competitors enjoyed powered conditions for airs and onshore wave riding. After three days of waiting, the breeze was ON and the stoke was HIGH.
So why didn’t the contest run today? Event Director Trip Forman explains…
“We didn’t run the contest today based on the following: We only have 4 permitted days in the National Park to complete the event. We’ve already used 2 days and have 2 days left to use by Friday. When it was time to make the status call early this morning, we were looking at pouring rain, no wind present at the permitted locations and the lightest wind forecast of the week. We made the call for “Lay Day” based on this info. The breeze filled in throughout the Tri-Village area (Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo) but never more than marginally into the areas southward where the contest is permitted to run.
Do we view this as a negative? No. The competitors all got to ride in powered up conditions and that’s what they’re here for. We’d rather have them taking sessions than waiting on the breeze that never materialized 20 miles down the island. The permit that we have with the National Park is a good one, allowing us access in different locations based on wind/swell direction. In the history of the event, it’s never taken us longer than 2 full days to run the event, so 4 days has always seemed like more than enough. This year is going to be the test. Even if we used today’s permit down south, the breeze was only marginal in the permitted locations. We want to hold for good conditions to finish the event.”
The 3rd annual Cape Hatteras Wave Classic presented by Patagonia continues through all of Friday, September 23rd. Two days of potential competition, plus two event parties remain. Follow the action and event status at REALwatersports.com/CHWC .