We are proud to announce that Watermen's Retreat has won the Outer Banks Home Builders Association's 17th Annual Parade of Homes! The Parade of Homes is a very prestigious, highly anticipated, annual real estate competition highlighting the best newly constructed coastal homes in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
The Outer Banks Home Builders Association is a professional trade organization dedicated to informing, educating and promoting the members of the building industry. Their 600 members live and work in the communities they build on the Outer Banks.
This year 29 homes, from Corolla to Cape Hatteras, were showcased. Homes were chosen for a variety of reasons including their innovative designs, technologies, green building methods or furnishings. Each home chosen represents the absolute best that the greater Cape Hatteras area has to offer in coastal living.
The Parade of Homes is organized as a self guided tour and allows the general public to follow the judges into each of the participating 29 homes which this year spanned 120 miles of coastline.
Watermen’s Retreat, the 14-unit condominium complex adjacent to REAL’s Flagship Store and Lesson Center, won “Best in Class” overall and “Best Feature” for its kitchen and bar!
After a long day of kite, surf or standup sessions, Watermen’s Retreat guests can rest assured that they’ve got a “Best in Class” bar to help sooth their aching muscles!
Congratulations to all involved in the Watermen’s Retreat project. Winning the Parade of Homes is a huge accomplishment and a testament to just how special these condominiums are. Without a doubt, Watermen’s Retreat offers the best accommodations in Cape Hatteras.
Come see for yourself what all the hype is about! Book now and take advantage of Watermen’s Retreat special winter rates.
October 24th through March 15
THREE nights in a two bedroom condo $299
THREE nights in a three bedroom condo $399
www.watermensretreat.com
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Oktoberfest SUP Race
This past Saturday, standup paddleboarders from as far North as Virginia Beach and as far South as Charleston, SC came together at REAL Watersports to participate in the second race of REAL’s Fall SUP Race Series. The race took place in the Pamlico Sound with the option of a short course and a long course. The short course was a 3.5 mile downwinder that started at the Salvo Day Use recreation area and finished at the REAL Flagship Store in the Village of Waves. The long course required racers, after completing the short course, to then turn upwind and circle Slick Island. Fifteen paddlers competed in the event.
REAL employee Patrick Kasic won the Men’s Short Course in 33:58.
REAL employee Eric "Numbers" Nelson won the Men’s Long Course in 54:01.
Naish Team Kiteboarder, Gretta Kruesi, won the Women’s Short Course in 38:46.
REAL will be hosting one more SUP race this Fall. The next race will be on Saturday, November 28th.
ALL ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE and there is no cost to register. Whether you're a seasoned distance paddler or a beginner, we encourage you to come out and join the fun!
Standup paddle boarding is quickly becoming the fastest growing water sport in Cape Hatteras. It is now quite common to see two or three standup paddleboarders mixed in with the surfers at any local surf break. Additionally, on a light wind day, you now see as many SUPs as kayaks in the Pamlico Sound. What's the reason for this growth? Standup paddling is an extraordinary, full body workout. It's also great for your balance. For men, women and children of all ages, standup allows easy access to the miles and miles of flat, waist deep water that the Pamlico Sound has to offer. Likewise, many kiteboarders seeking "no wind" activities are being drawn to the sport. Whether it be in the flat water or the surf zone, the balance, endurance and paddle skills required to master the sport keep people coming back for more.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Letter to the REAL Team
Team,
Eight years ago today, I was evacuated from the World Financial Center, which sat as close to the World Trade Center as Watermen’s Retreat is to the REAL Flagship Store. I watched from a window on the 28th floor as the second plane made impact. After a very orderly descent down the stairwell, I watched as firemen, lined up like soldiers, marched into the lobby of the north tower. No one had any idea that those towers would fall. There was no sense of urgency at all. I walked casually north along the Hudson River until I heard a rumble and turned around to see only one tower standing and a giant cloud of dust overtaking lower Manhattan like something out of a science fiction movie.
In the days and weeks that followed, I worked close enough to ground zero to see, hear and smell horrible things. Twisted metal everywhere. Ambulance sirens screeching all day. The horrible stench of burnt everything. Funeral after funeral.
I guess the reason I’m telling you this is to remind you that life is short. If you’re not happy, do something about it. If you don’t feel fulfilled, do something about it. And don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. Figure out what it’s going to take to put a smile on your face everyday and make it happen.
I still wake up every morning in awe of this place, Cape Hatteras, and the fact that this is now my home. I hope you do too. We are extremely fortunate to live where we live and to do what we love everyday. We make up a tiny percentage of the world’s population. Savor it! Strive to be happy. Don’t ever take it for granted!
Carl
Eight years ago today, I was evacuated from the World Financial Center, which sat as close to the World Trade Center as Watermen’s Retreat is to the REAL Flagship Store. I watched from a window on the 28th floor as the second plane made impact. After a very orderly descent down the stairwell, I watched as firemen, lined up like soldiers, marched into the lobby of the north tower. No one had any idea that those towers would fall. There was no sense of urgency at all. I walked casually north along the Hudson River until I heard a rumble and turned around to see only one tower standing and a giant cloud of dust overtaking lower Manhattan like something out of a science fiction movie.
In the days and weeks that followed, I worked close enough to ground zero to see, hear and smell horrible things. Twisted metal everywhere. Ambulance sirens screeching all day. The horrible stench of burnt everything. Funeral after funeral.
I guess the reason I’m telling you this is to remind you that life is short. If you’re not happy, do something about it. If you don’t feel fulfilled, do something about it. And don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. Figure out what it’s going to take to put a smile on your face everyday and make it happen.
I still wake up every morning in awe of this place, Cape Hatteras, and the fact that this is now my home. I hope you do too. We are extremely fortunate to live where we live and to do what we love everyday. We make up a tiny percentage of the world’s population. Savor it! Strive to be happy. Don’t ever take it for granted!
Carl
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Naish SUP Summer Race Series - Labor Day Weekend
This past Saturday, standup paddleboarders from around the country kicked off the 2009 Naish SUP Summer Race Series at REAL. The race took place in the Pamlico Sound with a 3.5 mile course that started and ended at the REAL Flagship Store in the Village of Waves. Fifteen paddlers fought upwind for a mile before rounding the first buoy. They then paddled southwest to the second buoy placed 1/2 mile offshore and continued downwind around Slick Island to the finish. REAL employee Eric "Numbers" Nelson was the first to cross the finish with a time of 47:47.01. Local chef, Victoria Lowe, won the woman's competition.
Standup paddle boarding is quickly becoming the fastest growing water sport in Cape Hatteras. It is now quite common to see two or three standup paddleboarders mixed in with the surfers at any local surf break. Additionally, on a light wind day, you now see as many SUPs as kayaks in the Pamlico Sound. What's the reason for this growth? Standup paddling is an extraordinary, full body workout. It's also great for your balance. For men, women and children of all ages, standup allows easy access to the miles and miles of flat, waist deep water that the Pamlico Sound has to offer. Likewise, many kiteboarders seeking "no wind" activities are being drawn to the sport. Whether it be in the flat water or the surf zone, the balance, endurance and paddle skills required to master the sport keep people coming back for more.
REAL will be hosting two more SUP races this Fall. The next race will be on Saturday, October 10th, followed by Saturday, November 28th. All are welcome to participate and there is no cost to register. Whether you're a seasoned distance paddler or a beginner, we encourage you to come out and join the fun! Stay tuned for more information on those events.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Hurricane Bill Surf Photos
http://www.islandfreepress.org/2009Archives/08.28.2009-MoreAerialPhotosOfSurfingBillsWaves/index.html
Amazing shots taken from a helicopter! I find it incredible to see guys getting towed into waves on the East Coast...as if we're in Hawaii! Very cool!
Amazing shots taken from a helicopter! I find it incredible to see guys getting towed into waves on the East Coast...as if we're in Hawaii! Very cool!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Cape Hatteras Sea Turtles
Volunteers will be hitting the beach tonight in hopes of protecting baby sea turtles as they make there way past the ghost crabs to the open ocean and out to the Gulf Stream!
More on the subject here...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Off The Beaten Path
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a 72-mile stretch of the Outer Banks from Nags Head to Ocracoke Island. The waters off these barrier islands, once marauded by Black Beard the Pirate now serve as an outdoor adventure paradise where the fun is powered by the sun, sea, and wind. Surfers, surf casters, body surfers, wind surfers, kite boarders, hang glider pilots, all migrate to the Outer Banks like waterfowl along the eastern flyway. The seashore boasts miles of white beaches for the beachcomber, sunbather, and wader. Further inland, hikers can explore nature trails that meander through sand dunes, marshes, and woodlands. - GORP.com
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
We Belong
Turn your volume up. This song is beautiful! This is a collection of my favorite photos I've taken since I've been in Cape Hatteras with music by Jamie Litt, who recently visited REAL, and her sister. Gave me chills the first time I heard her play it.
Hurricane Bill
Hurricane Bill is pushing triple overhead swells towards Cape Hatteras. The fire department is closing the bridge in a few hours. I just went to the beach to check out the action and well...the beach is gone! The waves are washing up to the dunes. The ocean looks PRETTY angry!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Party Boat
This shot was taken before REAL's 8th Anniversary Party Saturday night. Party shots will follow if I get my hands on them. I was having too much fun on the boat and forgot to take photos. :o)
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