Avalon Pier:
Driving still farther south, you will inevitably come to Kill Devil Hills — a name reflecting the strong Christian lifestyle that permeates the community. As you head down 12 and look left, Avalon Pier will come forth like an unwashed heathen with its double-wide parking lots and rotting strip. This can, and probably will be, one of the most crowded spots in town. The south side is usually better, but the north side has blown its share of minds as well. Though the break can change overnight from a closed-out, wishy-washy mushburger to a sand-sucking Studio 54 of barrels, it is remarkable in its overall consistency — consistently ridable and consistently packed.
Town groms, both year-round and transient, cut their teeth here, guaranteeing a mess throughout summer. Besides being Helgie Hector’s break, Avalon is also Longboard Larry’s break, Redneck Rex’s break and, ultimately, Delbert’s break. This local-legend/trash-guru treats Avalon as his second home, but don’t worry: his bark is louder than his bite, and his heart is bigger than his 9’6″. In general, only old faithfuls and those who don’t have a clue go to Avalon, but it does get good. People wouldn’t line up on the beach’s edge — all day, every day — if it didn’t. Oh yeah, if you’re a girl, pay no mind to the troglodyte rednecks whistling at you through Skoal-stained teeth. They know no better.
1st/3rd Streets:
Whether you park at Third Street, Second Street or the original, it’s all Kill Devil Hills, and you will either love it or hate it. Like Avalon Pier, this break can get extremely crowded during any swell, any time of the year; however, while high-tide Avalon is typically overrun by loggers and kooks, First Street is where the boys go — all the local hotties and all the bodyboarders — lots and lots of bodyboarders. If you harbor any bullshit resentment toward spongers, it would be wise to leave that angst at the county line before surfing in Dare. The Outer Banks has a large, committed and talented contingent of boogies, and they are in with the stand-up surfers, so you might want to think twice before attempting to spear that kid doing a belly spin in front of you. Just cruise and remember: they are riding waves just like you — kind of.
The main difference between Avalon and First Street is a history of consistency and the overall players. Local ESA contests are frequently run at First, and local rippers hold court here on the better days. Other surfers hang all day, especially in the summer, when they may swim a couple of hundred yards out to the shipwreck to spear trigger fish and place their catch in a cooler before the afternoon glass-off. High tide, low tide, north swells, south swells, east swells — this ultra-dependable break will hold it all, and when it’s good, the ledgy, double-up left between First and Second streets is the most desirable peak. Basically, if the action is hot at First Street, there’s no other spot in town. Oh, sure, there will be other waves, but this is the Salt Creek of the OB, where everyone comes to pull in, bust big and be seen.