OBX SCUBA + Hang-Gliding

[blowin_bubbles]

I'm interested in doing a weekend at OBX late Sept/early Oct combining Hang-Gliding and Diving .... (might even consider organizing a group trip?)

Couple of questions though -

1) Recommendations on Dive Operators at OBX will be much apprceiated - I read through some old threads, but it sounded like most everyone's connections to the area were a few years old

2) preferred wrecks? historical or good viz suggestions?

3) on mixing gliding & diving .... obviously if the gliding occurs the day before, there shouldn't be any conflicts .... but i'm curious >>> if, after diving, i were to do one of the tandem training flights at 2000' AGL, would i need to wait until the "no-fly" symbol clears from my computer? overnight? i guess the same question would apply for para-sailing also.

 

[Grajan]

No idea about 1 & 2 but 3 is my thing. Diving is OK but you will LOVE hang gliding - just like being batman - completely awesome.

I would not be inclined to HG the same day as diving. Not so much due to the altitude in this case, as you will probably not get very high training, but it can be a pretty strenuous activity and that should be avoided after diving.

I would tend to use the no fly rules but I am very conservative.

Have fun!

I'm interested in doing a weekend at OBX late Sept/early Oct combining Hang-Gliding and Diving .... (might even consider organizing a group trip?)

Couple of questions though -

1) Recommendations on Dive Operators at OBX will be much apprceiated - I read through some old threads, but it sounded like most everyone's connections to the area were a few years old

2) preferred wrecks? historical or good viz suggestions?

3) on mixing gliding & diving .... obviously if the gliding occurs the day before, there shouldn't be any conflicts .... but i'm curious >>> if, after diving, i were to do one of the tandem training flights at 2000' AGL, would i need to wait until the "no-fly" symbol clears from my computer? overnight? i guess the same question would apply for para-sailing also.

 

[Bill51]

My personal limit is 2,500’ flights 6 hours after diving, but those are not physically demanding flights. I think the most dangerous part is the physical energy and stress of the flight soon after diving rather than the actual altitude. From what I can find most no-fly tags on dive computers are geared to the assumption that flying implies 8,000’.

Enjoy the hang gliding. I’m jealous as there are several places up in NC I’d love to fly.

 

[mike_s]

If you're going hang gliding in OBX off Jockey's Ridge, I dont' see how you could
get up to 2,000 feet AGL. If you did, I don't think 2,000' AGL would even
bother you.

People fly low altitude all the time after they dive. 2,000' AGL is very low.

 

[cornfed]

Oddly enough this should be -very- easy to do in Nags Head. The Outer Banks Dive Center is located directly across from Jockey's Ridge.

 

[blowin_bubbles]

If you're going hang gliding in OBX off Jockey's Ridge, I dont' see how you could
get up to 2,000 feet AGL. If you did, I don't think 2,000' AGL would even
bother you.

People fly low altitude all the time after they dive. 2,000' AGL is very low.

oh yeah - the gliding off the dunes ovbiously is no problem. if youget 30' off the ground as a new glider i think they clap
:dazzler1:
..... but up at currituck, they'll tow you up to 2000' or higher ... but sounds like it isn't a major concern, and likely i'll glide the day before diving anyway if my schedule works out.

thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

[mike_s]

oh yeah - the gliding off the dunes ovbiously is no problem. if youget 30' off the ground as a new glider i think they clap
:dazzler1:
..... but up at currituck, they'll tow you up to 2000' or higher ... but sounds like it isn't a major concern, and likely i'll glide the day before diving anyway if my schedule works out.

thanks for the feedback everyone!

ahhh... didn't know you were doing a towed glider ride. Your question makes more sense now.


As for local dive sites there... The TRI WRECKS is a good shore dive. IT's about 100 yards offshore and near the 2nd street beach access (I think) in Nags Head. I always go with a friend who lived there, and he knows exactly where it is.... but for you, get precise directions from the local dive shop. Find out what beach house to use as a reference and then go about 100 yards (1 football field ) offshore. It's a good dive.

I've heard the boiler wreck is a good shore dive also, but subject to more currents (in my opinion) and also further out. My preference would be to dive it from a boat, but some people do shore dive it.

Most everything else is a boat dive, but I've heard of some people diving up near Corolla on here, ifyou want to search threads. But I think they were doing it from a zodiac from the shore. (and I'm betting the waves beat the hell out of them trying to get it away fromt he beach with tanks, weights, etc in the boat....)
You'd better have a good 4wheel drive truck to visit Corolla though.

OBX is still one of my favorite beach areas to visit.

 

[Dive-aholic]

OBX Dive is the only shop in the Nags Head area (at least that I could find). Good operation, though I recommend the U-85, first U-boat sunk in WWII. Great dive! Triangle Wrecks is also a good shore dive. The Kyzickes is buoyed. Head down 2nd street (near MP7), park your vehicle and walk on the beach. The buoy is to the right about 100 yards out. Currents can be tough there. Viz can be hit or miss depending on how the Gulf and Labrador streams are coming in. Off shore never had less than 30'. At Triangle I had 2'.