2015 Spring Carolina Beach Freeride Discussion Thread!

[Gunner_626]

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Spring 2015 Carolina Beach Freeride discussion thread! This event is located at the south end of Masonboro Island directly across from the north end of Carolina Beach. Basically this is a freeride weekend event starting Thursday and ending Sunday evening. There is no access fee or camping fees what so ever for this event. You would need to bring all necessary camping gear, food, and beverages for the weekend. There will be water taxi pontoons sitting at the Carolina Beach boat ramp all day the entire weekend ready to get your camping gear over to Masonboro (5 minute ride) while you ride your ski over to the island. And vice versa for Sunday I plan on having at least 2 pontoons ready to get people's gear back to the ramp as I know alot of people have long drives ahead of them so I plan to have them at the island very early to help people get back. These are very big 28 foot pontoons that can handle large amounts of gear.

Myself and a few others will have our personal boats out there as well during the off hours at night to help any latenight folks get there gear to the island, help take anyone who needs to get anything from the town, refueling needs, emergency needs, etc etc...

Everyone I now have specific details on gear transportation to Masonboro for the spring ride! Along with Chris Rea's 28ft pontoon and my 24 foot center console, our dedicated water taxi service for the weekend will be Mike at Island Hopper Tours (24ft pontoon) (http://www.islandhoppertours.com/) 202-330-8382

I have discussed all details with them and they are fully aware of the major pickup and dropoff times for people showing up during the day Friday and leaving early Sunday.

They will be on standby all day Friday and Sunday to transport any and all gear and people to and from the ramp. I've worked out a pretty sweet deal with these guys for roundtrip transport for each group of people coming in. $40 dollars for each individual group/vehicle for roundtrip transport for all your camping gear Friday and Sunday. Please let him know your arrival time at least an hour in advance and he will be waiting at the Snow's Cut boat ramp to get your gear!

Any other oddball times (super late at night or early) that groups are showing up during myself or other local boats will take care of transport but please try to keep it during normal daytime hours if possible, I understand there will be exceptions and will help to get it all done.

The camping area will be at the very point of the southern end of Masonboro Island directly across from Freeman Park which has oceanfront camping as well as sound side camping for everyone to choose from.

Note: I am working on obtaining additional parking areas for everyone at the Carolina Beach boat ramp just in case.

Date for the 2015 Spring event is May 14nd-17th!

This is the link for Masonboro Island rules and regulations! http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/cm/faq-masonboro-island-reserve

This is the address to the Carolina Beach Wildlife Boat Ramp. 220 Annie Dr, Carolina Beach, NC

Please contact me by PM, reply, text, or call at 910-214-2114 with any questions you may have! Scott.

 

[Captain PegLeg]

Just put in for two vacay days...... 14th and 15th!

 

[Captain PegLeg]

And when it says cans only...... Does a keg count? Its pretty much a supersized can....

 

[jo5hi3]

if i remember correctly there was lots of fireball being passed around in glass..... just be very careful.....

 

[DAG]

glass ok(ish), flounder gigs not ok lol

 

[Gunner_626]

Kegs are fine. Have had plenty out there. Have to be careful with glass, cops will make you pour it out if they see it

 

[Ducky]

For the next ride, I will bring all the fireball in plastic. With all these new rules, it would be silly to break such a simple rule and give them more reasons to impose new rules. So I shall bring like 10 smaller plastic fireballs!

 

[DAG]

via Imgflip Meme Maker

 

[Gunner_626]

Announcements to come soon but we may not be using freeman park anymore and moving across the inlet to masonboro where there are no rules. Not getting anywhere with the town on getting these new restrictions waived for the event. They just don't care.

 

[DAG]

Beach front at last

 

[blaster800]

Announcements to come soon but we may not be using freeman park anymore and moving across the inlet to masonboro where there are no rules. Not getting anywhere with the town on getting these new restrictions waived for the event. They just don't care.

Here is some Island info http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/cm/faq-masonboro-island-reserve

here is some info I pulled out of the^ webpage
http://portal.ncdenr.org/web/cm/Summer11.html
FAQ: Masonboro Island Reserve

Masonboro Island is a component of the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve (NCNERR). The NCNERR is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and is managed as a state-federal partnership between the N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NCNERR is also part of the N.C. Coastal Reserve, a codified program of the Coastal Area Management Act administered by the DCM.

Masonboro Island is not a park, but a protected research reserve that provides essential habitat for wildlife, and serves as a living laboratory for researchers, scientists, and educators. The state’s 10 Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve sites are also available for compatible traditional uses, including recreational activities such as birding, kayaking, and walking.

Is the state considering closing Masonboro Island to the public?
No, there are no plans or draft rules underway to close Masonboro Island to the public. This possibility was raised a few years ago in response to several incidents that took place on the island during summer holiday weekends, when hundreds of people used the island as a place to hold parties, posing a serious public safety risk that greatly concerned DCM staff, and resulting in mountains of trash being left behind. Those events were a clear violation of the rules regarding use of the reserve as outlined in the N.C. Administrative Code (NCAC 07O), and had the potential to impose lasting damage to the island’s ecosystem and wildlife. The Division of Coastal Management, with assistance from local law enforcement and volunteer groups, has been able to manage these activities in recent years, without resorting to closing the island on those holidays.

One of the primary purposes of the N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve program is to accommodate traditional uses of the reserve properties, as long as they do not disturb the reserve environment or interfere with research and education activities. DCM is committed to keeping these unique, undeveloped areas available for compatible traditional public use.

Is the state considering additional restrictions on public use of Masonboro Island?
DCM is currently evaluating the Reserve Use Requirements in the N.C. Administrative Code (15A NCAC 07O.0202) and is considering refinements to the rules to better clarify and articulate how the reserve sites should be used to balance both protection of the ecosystems and public use. We have seen a tremendous increase in use – and misuse – over the years at all of the reserve sites, not just at Masonboro. These rules have not been substantially updated in 25 years, and did not anticipate the types and levels of public use that the reserve sites currently receive. The public will have many opportunities for input on any draft rule changes through the Masonboro Island Local Advisory Committee, public meetings and public hearings as required by the rules review process.



Why do we even need rules for using the island?
All publicly owned and managed lands are subject to rules that provide for specific purposes to be served and goals to be accomplished. For example, state and local parks have rules about when resources may be used, where specific types of activities can take place, and whether some types of activities are not appropriate for a given location. The Reserve sites are similarly publicly owned and managed and have a similar need for rules to protect the lands for research, education and conservation, while still allowing traditional public use.

How is Masonboro Island managed and protected?
Masonboro Island is currently protected as part of the N.C. Coastal Reserve and as one of the four components of the N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve. The NCNERR is managed through a state-federal partnership between the N.C. Division of Coastal Management and NOAA. As part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the NCNERR must maintain an approved management plan to guide management of the components within the reserve for its research and education purposes. The NCNERR is currently operating from its 2009-2014 management plan approved by NOAA. The management plan is available on the reserve program website athttp://www.nccoastalreserve.net/Resources/Publications/45.aspx.

Masonboro Island is also protected as a State Nature Preserve by the N.C. Natural Heritage Program. Management input for the site also comes from a Local Advisory Committee, as required byrule. The overall goal of stewardship of the NCNERR is to protect or restore the natural integrity of each site and ensure a suitable environment for coastal research and education.



What facilities are available on the island?
Masonboro Island is completely undeveloped, with no facilities of any kind. This approach helps to maintain the pristine natural character of the site. It also means that there are no trash cans, no restrooms, no fresh water sources and no lifeguards. Visitors to the island should be prepared for a remote experience and plan to carry all trash and wastes out with them. For a safe and enjoyable experience, visitors should understand the tides, pay attention to the weather, and plan ahead to have all necessary supplies for the amount of time they will be on the island.

Is camping allowed on Masonboro Island?
Camping and campfires are allowed. Areas that are clear of vegetation and show evidence of previous camping and campfires should be used whenever possible. Firewood is not available on the island and damage to or use of native vegetation is prohibited, so campers intending to build a campfire need to bring a supply of firewood. Campfires should be built away from vegetated areas. Burning and burying of camping trash is not appropriate. Even organic wastes should be packed out, as food items left on the island provide a source of supplemental nutrition for non-native predators such as red fox. This can result in damage to sea turtle and shorebird nests and can lead to animals becoming unafraid of humans and associating humans with food.


The N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve sites have been established to protect unique coastal and estuarine environments so they will be available for research and education. More specifically, as outlined in 15A NCAC 07O .0101, the principal purposes of the program are to:

1. preserve coastal ecosystems representative of the various biogeographic regions and typol
   
2. 
   
3. accommodate traditional recreational activities, commercial fishing and other uses of the Reserve as long as they do not disturb the Reserve environment and are compatible with the research and educational activities taking place there.
   

Learn more about the reserves atwww.nccoastalreserve.net.

 

[Gunner_626]

Thanks for the helpful info Frank

 

[DAG]

The campground that's only a mile from the boat launch is looking better and better.


Or any chance we would disclose our event plans to the NCNERR and get prior approval or risk getting kicked off?

 

[Gunner_626]

Ashby if you read through the article it clearly says camping is allowed and there is no notification neccessary. I've been camping on this island for a decade. If we have to camp on the inlet side and launch skis from there we will. I don't understand why anyone would think this isn't allowed. There are no regulations against it. That campground is a 10 minute drive from the inlet and skis have to be hauled back and forth to the ramp everyday. Resulting in a highly unorganized freeride.

Then only part that isn't technically allowed is the launching of skis from the oceanfront. Which we do not have to do.

 

[Ducky]

Im in regardless. Part of the uniqueness of this freeride is the beach camping. Now, the camping part just gets a little more inTenTs (lol). If you need a porto potty, you can always ride right across the channel to the other side and talk a little walk. I think itll be sweet!

 

[McDog]

1. accommodate traditional recreational activities, commercial fishing and other uses of the Reserve as long as they do not disturb the Reserveenvironment and are compatible with the research and educational activities taking placethere.

This could be the problem statement if they consider a bunch of two stroke riders to be a disturbance.

 

[Ducky]

Here is one downfall I can see of moving to the island.....the girls cant go topless sunbathing without being a lot closer to us creepers lol.

 

[DAG]

The only problem I can foresee is they have had problems with big groups out there partying in the recent past and they were "dealt with" lol. Pretty sure they do not want a 2-3 day 100 person party on their protected research reserve regardless of the added jetski issues. But hey, they may never find out. But I would guarantee the guys that patrol up and down on the Freedman Park will see us all out there and call someone to come see what’s going on. Just rather be prepared vs getting kicked off with nowhere to go. That’s all I’m suggesting.

 

[Gunner_626]

Ashby they are referring too the annual 4th of July party on the complete opposite end of the island that involves 2000+ people. 100 people on the opposite end of a 10 mile island will not be a concern to them. Be wary of fuel spillage while fueling. Other than that these skis are in the water and have absolutely nothing to do with the island being preserved besides moving some sand around when pulled up on the beach.

I attend the 4th of July party every year and it's a total poopstorm and they still allow it!

I will not move this freeride to a non waterfront location where skis cannot be conveniently accessed next to our campsites.

We all need to unite on common ground! This will work!

 

[DAG]

If they let 2000+ ppl party we should be good. SWEET!