Need recommendation on equipment/rental shop near Avon, NC

ttreat · Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Posts: 3

Hi all,
I will be vacationing in Avon from 5/18-5/24 and I'm looking to do some windsurfing. It has been a few years since I last sailed so I am looking for a recommendation on good equipment to ask for at a local rental shop. I have been windsurfing for about 17 years but I don't get out very frenquently, even less frequent in the last few years. I used a GO board the last time I rented equipment from a shop in Hatteras and I liked it a lot. I can jibe, tack, waterstart, etc but my technique is far from refined. I do have a '98 Seatrend that is about 120 liters but I don't want to haul my older equipment with me.

I also would like some recommendations on the best rental shops near Avon as I have forgotten which one I used last. I don't really care if they have a launch as I probably will be sailing out of Canadian Hole anyway.

Thanks in advance for the recommendations.

mewindsurf · Joined: 30 Jun 2000 Posts: 177

Ocean Air has a huge rental fleet. Just tell them what your level is and they'll hook you up with some brand new 2009 rental gear that will work good for you. They have every board in the store for demo, so I'm sure you'll get get exactly what you need. They're located in the north Avon.

Here's their website:

www.oceanairsports.com

Happy sailing,

Mike Burns

dsz · Joined: 31 Aug 1993 Posts: 193

Yea ask for Mark Skelton at Ocean Air, good guy. Any of the Realtors, Midgett, Hatteras, Sound Realtys etc. can hook you up for some great digs.

morwind4me · Joined: 30 Apr 2002 Posts: 270

I've both rented and bought equipment from Andy at Sailworld and been very happy. I'm sure he'll chime in here sometime soon, but that's my suggestion.

Charlie at Ride Hatteras is a good guy, too, but I'm hunching that Andy will probably be a little easier to work with.

Never had great luck with Ocean Air, but could just be me.

dsz · Joined: 31 Aug 1993 Posts: 193

There all good.

padams · Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

I would recommend Ride Hatteras over Ocean Air.

He's very helpful.

Wind-NC.com · Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:44 pm Post subject:

chime

All of the shops mentioned have lots of toys for you to rent, and Fox in Buxton might be renting some stuff this year, too. Check 'em all out. There are very few shops left in the country, so take advantage of the ability to see, feel, smell, and taste all of the latest and greatest windsurfing stuff! Sailworld, the shop I work at, has the latest Starboard GOs available for demo, as well as Tabou, RRD, Bic, Naish, and HiFly. Just a few options...

If you get here and the wind is light, you've GOTTA try the Starboard Serenity... Or if you bring a friend, jump on the Gemini tandem for an afternoon... Guaranteed fun!!

Fox and Sailworld are the closest shops to the Canadian Hole, with about a 5 minute drive to either (not that the other shops are that much further away Laughing

)

And I can always give you a lesson, too, to help get you dialed back in! Feel free to PM for more info!

ttreat · Joined: 06 Oct 2015 Posts: 3

Is Sailworld just south of OceanAir? Last time I was there (2002), I rented from a shop just south of what I think was OceanAir. It was a much smaller shop but seemed less commercial and the people were great.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

hodad, glad you guys brought in a Gemini. That board is brilliant. Great for groups to get out and rollick around. Eddy P. was telling me he used an old F2 tandem to teach kids on. That way the kid could watch, first hand what the instructors wanted them to do. Not many words necessary that way.

Are you teaching on it? Wish more schools would.

Wind-NC.com · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject:

ttreat- Sailworld used to be the shop near the DQ in Avon, but we moved a few years ago. Now, we've teamed up with Hatteras Island Boardsports, and we share a building with Village Video right in the center of Avon, across the street from the Pier. If you rented a GO last time, it was most likely from us Smile

jing- I agree- the Gemini is an incredible board to teach on! I don't do many beginner lessons on it, but I could see it working really well. I've found it incredible for harness and basic stance lessons. My friend Drew learned perfect form getting in and out of the harness lines in about 45 seconds due to the Gemini! He said he felt like there was a voice in the back of his head giving him instant feedback Cool