Wrightsville Beach is a small coastal community in North Carolina, to the east of Wilmington. Wrightsville Beach, a 4-mile-long island, is connected by causeways to the mainland. Wrightsville Beach is popular with surfers and attracts swimmers for an open water workout with its clear Gulf Stream waters. There are 44 public access points to the beach. Take off for an independent swim or join in the annual open water race.
Conditions
Summer temperatures at Wrightsville Beach average between 89 degrees F (high) and 71 degrees F (low) in the summer and 55 degrees F and 35 degrees F in the winter. The National Oceanographic Data Center records a water temperature of 87.1 degrees in June, cooler in the winter. There is an average of 212 sunshine days a year, so conditions for open water swimming are favorable. Wrightsville Beach has a wide, long stretch of white sand that provides easy access to the ocean. Two piers serve as points of reference once in the water.
Competition
The Pier-2-Pier Swim Race takes place annually from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The race is usually held in September (the date of the 2010 race is Saturday, September 18). The race comprises a 2-mile course between the Johnny Mercer and Crystal Piers, made up of a 1.71-mile swim parallel to the beach as well as the swim to and from the "dry" start and finish lines. This open water swim is open to all swimmers aged 11 years and older.
Safety
When open water swimming at Wrightsville Beach, take care to check the status of the surf and don’t swim if it’s beyond your level. Make sure you are comfortable swimming half a mile in a pool before you attempt an ocean swim. Swim with a buddy or two and keep a watch out for rocks and obstructions under the water as well as dangerous rip currents that can carry you out to sea.
Lifeguards
The Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue Squad employs 22 seasonal lifeguards who are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Nine lifeguard stands ensure the safety of swimmers from the shore and ATVs patrol the whole length of the beach. The Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue Squad flies colored signal flags from every stand that warn swimmers of the current rip current risk and surf conditions. Make it easier for the lifeguards to look after you by wearing a brightly colored hat in the water and observing the flags.
Technique
Swimming in the ocean at Wrightsville Beach will be more pleasurable once you’ve learnt a few of the basics of open water swimming. For instance, try to dive under any waves that you encounter and if a big one hits, hold your breath and stay calm until the turbulence lessens and you can kick for the light. Swimming parallel to the land moves you away from rip currents if you experience them and keeps Wrightsville Beach within easy access should you get tired.
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