Jamming With Jesse Hines On The Way To VB
by Zach Weisberg

It wasn’t easy leaving the Outer Banks, but it had to be done. We figured we’d drag it out as much as possible so we met up with Jesse Hines for a late lunch in Nags Head at a place called Food Dudes before checking out his estate – complete with billy goat and all.

We were still in awe of the swell from the day before, and got carried away bragging on the wave quality here.

“The only place you can really compare it to are Silver Strand and Blacks,” said Hines. “But I’ve surfed a lot of good waves around the world and I would rather surf here on a good day than anywhere – hands down. There’s something about a peaky beach break that you just can’t compare to anywhere else.”

After rehashing the swell, it really was difficult to draw comparisons. The Outer Banks had its own operation going, and that’s what makes it so special. Especially in its golden hour.

“I always look forward to the fall here,” said Hines. “The madness of summer ends but some people still linger around so it’s not a complete ghost town. With waves - it’s usually consistently good here, and the air is cool and it’s refreshing after a long hot summer. You can open your windows and everything.”

Jesse pulled out two guitars for a quick jam session on his porch, and after a country, punk rock, and reggae version of the “East Coast Tour Song” we announced our plans to head to Virginia Beach that night.

“The Huntington Beach of the East Coast,” Jesse’s wife Whitney joked.

Compared to the Outer Banks, Virginia Beach really is like Huntington. You’ve got the bright lights and the boardwalk and bustle.

“The East Coast has just so much to offer from Florida to Maine,” said Jesse. “It’s like a different world just driving a few hours.”

We still had a long way to go, but we were quickly finding that out.

- Zach Weisberg
Online Editor

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