New England's Baja Restricted???

Two sides of a heated issue...

The Outer Banks of North Carolina have long been a seasonal retreat to surfers from New England. Steve and I both make it a point to go once a year as do many of our loyal customers and friends. There is something about the Banks that will keep you coming back for years (for me it's the surf, the smells and the apple blossom). You could get absolutely skunked but chances are you'll be back the same time next year. One of the best things about the banks is the 4WD beach access up and down the coast. Unfortunately, 4WD access is on the chopping block with the possibility of restricted access to sum of the best sandbars on the East Coast.

This is what every surfer hopes to find when they head to the Outer Banks... PITS

On one side you have the Audubon Society and Defenders of Wildlife who believe that closing the beach to vehicles will protect coastline and the wildlife that make their homes there. On the other hand you have a bunch of local fishermen and businesses who oppose the closing and chant "all access, all the time". I think that most surfers, like myself, fall somewhere in the middle, we want access to the surf but we also understand the importance of protecting our coast and the wildlife. What to do??? Well that's easy, go HERE and voice your opinion. If you care about the Banks and your future getaways make you opinion heard. Of all the options alternative C seems to preserve the most possible access to the best surfing areas for the most time, while keeping some common sense ideas in place. Surfline may have put it best when they said "On an island filled with drive thru beer stores, maybe requiring ORV permits will keep a few drunken yahoos from burying their Escalade in a turtle nest."

HERE are two quick interviews from opposing sides of this issue that are posted at Surfermag.com. Things are getting pretty heated over this issue. You have until early May to state your opinion.

And while I was kickin it on Surfline I also came across a review for the newest Nixon tide watch, The Outsider.... We got a couple of these puppies in stock and they look really good. I have been wearing a Nixon tide watch for a few years and have been real stoked on the way it has held up. The new Outsider has all the same features as mine but comes in a new style with a few extra bells and whistles. Check the full review HERE and swing by the shop to see this and many other tide watches in person.

Last Times at Carlsbad High!!!