WaterTribe^TM NC Ultra Marathon Challenge (NCC)

On The Water Start/Finish, Oriental, North Carolina

The starting point for this event is on the water close to Oriental, NC. You may launch from anywhere and proceed to the official starting point. When you launch, you should have your SPOT in tracking mode. It is permitted to hit your OK Button just before you launch, but don't hit it again until you get to the Start CheckPoint. At or very near the Start CheckPoint you MUST hit your OK Button which starts your event timer.

You must be within 1/4 nautical mile of the Start CheckPoint AND no earlier than 07:00 when you hit your OK button to start your timer.

This is the Start CheckPoint: 35.0172 -76.6872.

The Finish CheckPoint is slightly different but very near the Start CheckPoint. At or very near the Finish CheckPoint you MUST hit your OK button which sets your finish time for this event.

Since there will be less congestion at the finish, the radius is tighter. You must be within 1/10 nautical mile of the Finish CheckPoint when you hit your OK button.

This is the Finish CheckPoint: 35.0195 -76.6756.

After hitting your last OK for this event, you can sail or paddle back to your launching point. It is permitted to hit your OK again when you reach your launch point if you want to "close the loop."

CP1 Kayak Landing and City Docks, Beaufort, North Carolina

Upon leaving the Harlow Canal into the Newport River towards Beaufort, you will be entering an area of very busy boat traffic and possibly strong tidal currents. Morehead City and Beaufort are sound side seaports situated on opposite banks of the Newport River. Both are very busy commercial, recreational and fishing ports.

Beaufort, pronounced ''Bo-furt'' by locals, is the third oldest town in the state with a rich maritime history. This quaint town was originally established in 1709 for its close proximity to the excellent deep-water inlet now called Beaufort Inlet. Throughout history, Beaufort has always been an important seaport for whalers, fisherman, merchants and even pirates. In fact, the notorious pirate Blackbeard and his crew spent quite a bit of time in Beaufort, and their legacy still remains in the form of the many legends and ghost stories that are still told.

In 1997, Beaufort was highlighted in national and international news as the wreckage of what is presumed to be Blackbeard's flagship, Queen Anne's Revenge, was discovered in 20 feet of water, two miles from Beaufort Inlet. Artifact recovery operations were immediately able to identify—and in some cases retrieve—many pieces, including the ship's bronze bell, cannons and deck guns. Some of these artifacts are already touring the country or are on exhibit in Beaufort at the NC Maritime Museum.

You’ll need to go under a car bridge exiting the Newport River and entering Beaufort. The NCC checkpoint (just a few hundred yards down the street from the NC Maritime Museum) is located on the historic waterfront of Beaufort’s Taylors Creek at Graden Paul Park, WP3. The park contains a small public canoe and kayak beach landing and a small public dock for the larger boats. Sailboats coming into the dock must come in on the starboard side as entering. There are no public facilities at the park, however there are water spigots and hoses all around the nearby docks (walk to your left up Front St), and a public restroom a few hundred yards left up Front St (at the end of the marina), not to mention some nice (yet expensive) seafood restaurants and tourist shops, if you’ve got the time :)

Physical Check-In Station

An ORANGE LOCKBOX will be located in the gazebo. In the ORANGE LOCKBOX you will find a logbook for the challenge. You must sign the logbook and fill out each section adjacent to your name in the.

You have now past the half way mark. Racers will likely continue non-stop. If you are a cruiser, and have not already camped, there is no camping permitted at the checkpoint location, or across the Creek within the Rachael Carson preserve.

Opposite the checkpoint across from Taylor’s Creek, the string of small islands (pictured below)—Carrot Island, Town Marsh, Bird Shoal and Horse Island—more than three miles long and less than a mile wide—include the Rachel Carson Reserve, part of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve. Accessible by boat only, visitors are allowed and there are even walking trails. But, NO CAMPING is allowed and this is strictly enforced. As you pass by these islands, you are likely to see the small herd of feral horses which roam the island, and many of the 200 bird species which have been recorded there.

CP2 with Four Landings, Cedar Island, North Carolina

In previous years Cedar Island was the start/finish point for the North Carolina events. It's a great place and I love it, but logistics and other issues forced us to change the start/finish to Oriental which is another great town in North Carolina. But we love Cedar Island so much I have kept it as CheckPoint 2 for future events.

Since Cedar Island can present some weather related difficulties we are planning for three optional landings. Each captain can decide which landing is best for his or her boat and the weather conditions at the time of arrival. There are pros and cons to each landing so you decide.

The actual checkpoint is inland and located at 35.0118° -76.3160°. Each of the three landings are within a radius of about 0.5 nautical miles of the "official" checkpoint and an OK message will log you in.

Landing A is on the outside of Cedar Key on the beach near the public docks and ramp adjacent to the ferry located at 35.0156° -76.3098°. Hit your OK after you land. If you actually pull up to the dock, time is limited. If you plan to stay overnight or for an extended period of time and want to land on the outside of Cedar Key, don't tie up to the dock, just land on the beach. There is a nice diner within walking distance, but I don't know it's current operating mode during the Covid situation.

Landing B is at the inside dock adjacent to the campground at 35.0161° -76.3155°. You can camp or get a room at the motel. The diner is close by too. However, dock space is limited so be ready to adapt as necessary. There is a small ramp, but you cannot hog the ramp.

Landing C is at the end of Ditch Path Road at the boat ramp and docks at 35.0044° -76.3167°. It's a short walk to Islands Choice which is a great convenience store that serves quick breaksfasts and sandwiches too. Your time might be limited, but you can ask at Islands Choice. Or just hit your OK button and head back out. This is your landing if you use the Thorofare.