New Year's day regatta

Here in Oriental, we have an "Instead of Football Regatta".
It is a great tradition.  I think this year was the 27th annual.
Great conditions and lots of boats of all sizes.

Sailing on the Neuse

The town of Oriental calls itself the "Sailing Capital of North Carolina".
It has a pretty good claim on the title.  There are ideal conditions here to enjoy the sport year round.
It is located where the Neuse river opens up into Pamlico sound.  The river is 6 miles across at Oriental.  Its is a huge protected estuarial ecosystem.  The Neuse holds the record as the widest river in the US.  Fun fact, it is also considered the oldest river on the continent at an estimated 2 million years.  It drains the flats of eastern part of the state and most times has no discernible current.
The wind is often great.  Today's wind speed reached 17 knots at noon.
This together with its easy access to the Pamlico sound, the intercostal waterway and the Atlantic make it a sailing haven.

That is us!
Photo Courtesy of Eifel Kreutz