Living on the Outer Banks | A Unique and Delicate Coastal Life

Living on the Outer Banks | A Unique and Delicate Coastal Life

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a thin strip of sand stretching out into the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Living in such a unique environment brings a lifestyle deeply connected to the sea and an understanding of the delicate nature of life on this barrier island. The history, the surf culture, and the resilience of its residents make the Outer Banks a special place. This blog dives into the life, the waves, and the challenges faced by those who call the Outer Banks home.


A Changing Landscape

The Outer Banks has changed significantly over the years. In the early 1970s, the tourist industry was beginning to gain traction, and life was slower and more community-centered. Many residents made their living from commercial fishing or construction. The surf scene was relatively untouched, with empty beaches offering consistent waves to those lucky enough to find them. Today, while the landscape has evolved, with more businesses and tourists, the sense of a close-knit community and connection to nature remains strong.


The Surf Culture

Surfing on the Outer Banks is unlike surfing anywhere else in the world. With the island positioned 25 miles out into the Atlantic, the continental shelf shapes the waves, creating powerful, fast-breaking swells. The waves can go from perfectly formed A-frames to heavy, dumpy beach breaks in different parts of the island, challenging even the most experienced surfers. Learning to surf here prepares you for waves of consequence anywhere in the world.

Growing up on the Outer Banks often means spending your childhood in the water. Before boogie boards were popular, kids would ride pieces of Styrofoam surfboards, sharing broken bits with siblings as they tackled their first waves. As the waves break hard and fast, the surf teaches the locals resilience and adaptability—qualities that serve them well beyond the water.


The Community of Tube Riders

The Outer Banks has always been home to a core group of dedicated surfers. Legendary locals like Kevin, Scott, and Jeff have been fixtures in the community, along with photographers like Mickey McCarthy, who documented the area's raw beauty. Despite its relatively small size, the surf community has produced some of the best tube riders in the world. Learning to surf on the Outer Banks means learning to barrel ride in fast, steep waves—a skill that not everyone can master.


Navigating the Shifting Sands

One of the most fascinating aspects of surfing on the Outer Banks is the ever-changing nature of the sandbars. Storms, tides, and currents constantly reshape the coastline, meaning perfect waves can form in different locations on any given day. With over 40 miles of empty beaches, surfers can explore and find their own breaks, often with no one else around. However, finding a good wave isn’t always easy, as the sandbars shift, and what was once a perfect spot may disappear overnight.


A Life of Resilience

Life on the Outer Banks requires resilience. The community faces constant challenges from storms, hurricanes, and the encroaching ocean. Storms can change the landscape overnight, erasing dunes and flooding homes. Residents prepare for the worst, knowing that one bad storm could reshape the island forever. Despite these challenges, the people of the Outer Banks come together in times of need. The community spirit shines the brightest when neighbors help each other rebuild after a storm.

Growing up here, hurricanes were a way of life. The power would go out for days or even weeks, and homes would sometimes be left with feet of water inside. Yet, these storms knit the community together, with everyone checking on their neighbors and offering a helping hand. This sense of togetherness and resilience is one of the defining characteristics of life on the Outer Banks.


The Draw of the Outer Banks

For many, the Outer Banks is more than just a place to live; it’s home. With its salt air, dunes, and ever-changing sea, the natural beauty creates a deep connection to the land and water. Despite the challenges of living in such a vulnerable location, people who grew up here often choose to stay and raise their families. The pace of life is slower, the beaches are quieter, and there is always a sense of peace and tranquility just a short drive away.


Preserving the Character of the Outer Banks

One of the ongoing challenges facing the Outer Banks is the balance between development and preservation. Many long-time residents feel a deep attachment to the old cottages that line the beaches, structures that embody the character and history of the island. As new developments replace these cottages with larger, more modern buildings, some fear that the Outer Banks could lose its unique sense of place. Locals take pride in preserving the older homes and businesses that have been here for generations, maintaining the charm and authenticity of the island.


A Special Place

Ultimately, the Outer Banks is a place of contrast—peaceful, tranquil, wild, and unpredictable. It’s a place where generations have grown up riding waves and weathering storms. For those who live here, it’s more than just a beautiful beach destination. It’s home. The Outer Banks offers a way of life that’s deeply connected to the rhythms of nature and the ever-changing sea. It’s a life that’s not easy, but for those who love it, there’s no other place they’d rather be.


23rd Sep 2024 Aaron Johnson

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