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Wilmington, N.C. Historic River District and Island Beaches
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Experience the “Salt Life” with Summer Surf/SUP Events,
Competitions, Lessons in Wilmington, N.C. & Island Beaches
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Wilmington, NC – July 2015 / Newsmaker Alert / Surfers and standup paddlers can experience the “salt life” in Wilmington and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Though the area’s surfing history dates back to 1909, a renewed interest in surfing emerged about 10-12 years ago as a handful of surf schools began offering lessons and camps. The local surf culture now includes a bevy of surf shops, outfitters, and schools—most of which also offer standup paddle [SUP] gear and lessons.

With ocean and sound-side waterways, it’s no wonder that Wilmington and its island beaches have gained notoriety as a premier surf and SUP destination. Recent Surf/SUP accolades include: Outside Magazine (April 2015) ­named Wrightsville Beach among its list of top “Stateside SUP Hubs.” Men’s Health (June 2015) also included Wrightsville Beach among its roundup of “Summer Hot Spots,” citing the island’s harbor as a great place for SUP. Thrillist.com recently named Wrightsville Beach one of the “Best Small Beach Towns in America.” And last year, National Geographic included Wrightsville Beach in its roundup of “The Last Best American Beach Towns” (July 2014), a nice addition to the magazine’s 2012 designation of Wrightsville as one of the world’s top 20 surfing towns.

Visitors can learn more about local surf history at Wrightsville Beach Museum of History’s Waterman Hall of Fame exhibit, which was created in 2014 to honor surfers who have made a positive impact on the local surf community. On October 19, the state of North Carolina will officially honor its surf history with a North Carolina Historic Highway marker that recognizes Wrightsville Beach as the birthplace of surfing in the state.
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Experience the ''Salt Life'' with Summer Surf/SUP Events, Competitions, Lessons in Wilmington, N.C. & Island Beaches
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Surfers of all skill levels are welcome to bring a board (or rent one) to hone their skills or learn the basics at Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach. Surf and SUP contests and events are held throughout the year. Following is a roundup of summer surf & SUP events that exemplify the “salt life” in Wilmington and its island beaches.

Summer Surf & SUP Events:

Ongoing: Weekly Sunset SUP, 6pm-7:30pm. Thursday evenings through August 6, the Sunset SUP Series features free clinics and races for adults and kids. Blockade Runner, 274 Waynick Blvd., Wrightsville Beach, www.facebook.com/BlockadeRunnerSurfToSoundAcademy

Film Screenings:

  • July 16: “Beyond Sight” Screening. This film conveys Brazilian pro surfer Derek Rabelo’s dream to surf in spite of his visual impairment. Rabelo will be in attendance as part of a Visually Impaired Charity Surf Camp, July 13-17. Blockade Runner Resort, Wrightsville Beach. www.Indojaxsurfschool.com
  • July 16: Wect Sounds of Summer Concert & “Surfalorus Shorts” Pop-Up Cinema. 6:30pm: Reggae concert by Selah Dubb, followed by an 8:30pm screening of Surfalorus Shorts (short surf films). Free. Wrightsville Beach Park. www.surfalorus.com/wilmington
July 15-16: South Atlantic Regional Lifesaving Competition. Wed. 12pm-6pm & Thurs. 8am-6pm. This year’s competition will be held at the Hamlet Ave. surf break in Carolina Beach. Watch as lifeguards from Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach compete against teams from Virginia to Florida in ocean and beach races. Spectators are welcome to cheer and support their teams. For details: www.salausla.org/competition.html & www.salausla.org/2015SALACompetitionItinerary.pdf.

July 17-19: 10th Annual O’Neill/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest. 8:00am each day. The O’Neill/Sweetwater Pro-Am Surf Fest is the 2nd largest surfing contest on the East Coast. Dozens of amateur surfers and an average of 96 professional surfers from around the world participate. Past professional winners include Rob Machado, Fisher Heverly and Avon Cormican. Location: Birmingham Street, Wrightsville Beach. 910-256-3821. Details: www.wblivesurf.com; www.sweetwatersurfshop.com.

July 18: O’Neill/Sweetwater Surf Art & Music Festival: 5pm-9pm. This year’s Surf Fest includes an Art & Music Festival at Wrightsville Beach Park with live surf and Reggae music. Food, beverage and raffle proceeds benefit local charities. Wrightsville Beach Park. Details: www.sweetwatersurfshop.com/news/this-just-in

August 1: ESA-SNC Contest #5: The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA) was founded in 1967 by East Coast surfers to promote, preserve, and protect the sport of surfing on the East Coast. Carolina Beach (location TBA). www.esa-snc.com

August 15-16: Wrightsville Beach Wahine Classic. Move over boys of summer! Surfer girls return August 15-16 when wahines of all ages and levels compete in an all-female surf event on the South end of Wrightsville Beach, continuing a beloved Wrightsville Beach surfing tradition. Divisions include: Pro-Shortboard and Pro-Longboard (all ages), Amateur Shortboard and Longboard (grouped by age), Stand Up Paddleboard and the crowd favorite Tiny Wahine. Details at www.wrightsvillebeachwahineclassic.com; 910-465-9638.

August 17 & 18: Surfer’s Healing. Day camps that enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to the unique experience of surfing with local surf volunteers. Wrightsville Beach. Details: www.surfershealing.org.

Go with the flow…and see where the water takes you this summer! Wilmington, N.C. and its island beaches offers an abundance of year-round outdoor recreational opportunities in a classic coastal setting. For Summer highlights and specials, visit www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/2015-summer-highlights. For a free Official Visitors Guide for Wilmington and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach, please call 866-266-9690 or email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com. For online visitor information and a complete Calendar of Events, please visit the website www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com.

Media Contact:
Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau
Connie Nelson
Communications/PR Director
910-332-8751
866-266-9690 ext. 120
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The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization of New Hanover County, North Carolina that stimulates economic development through the promotion of travel and tourism.

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Wilmington and Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Publishing Dates: 07/14/15 – 09/14/15
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