Wrightsville Beach Magazine wrote a great article about our upcoming 5th Annual Cold Stroke Classic. We are prepared for a wonderful, fun and family oriented race. The participants will take to the icy waters as they battle for great cash purse and prizes! Read the article online at Wrightsville Beach Magazine or in print!

Watch the video below for great footage of participants racing their hardest!

For more information please click here.

Our very own Ian Tordella-Williams, who lives on Bald Head Island and runs our SUP excursions, saved four lives during last weeks tragedy, where one man died.

From WECT.com. Be sure to watch the video!
http://www.wect.com/story/18802109/hero-emerges-out-of-tragedy-at-bald-head-island

BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC (WECT) – An untold story of heroism is emerging out of a tragedy at Bald Head Island.

Last week, a man drowned off the southern coast of the island.

Eyewitnesses say the tragedy could have been even worse.

At least four other distressed swimmers were in the water at the time.

However, it appears a good Samaritan sprang into action and saved lives.

“My mind was in go mode,” said Ian Tordella-Williams. “I wasn’t thinking; I was just doing.”

Williams was at the beach for the monthly “Howl at the Moon” party. Hundreds were on the shore for the gathering.

Ian, who is an experienced swimmer, spotted some swimmers in trouble at an area known as “the point”.

The swimmers apparently walked out on the shallow shoals and once the fast-moving tide rolled in, they were trapped in high water.

Ian grabbed a raft and sprang into action, reaching a woman first.

“Her arms were in the air,” he said. “She was going up and down in the water. She told me after I got her on the raft that she had been swallowing salt water and she thought she was going to die.”

Then, Ian paddled with the raft to the others.

“There were three more people who were out there and didn’t know how to swim and they were really panicked,” he said. “They said their legs were cramped.”

The group was too tired to swim to shore, so they hung onto the raft until a rescue boat arrived.

Ian saved four lives. But when he got to shore he learned one person didn’t make it back. Ian believes the man, Kevin Roberts, who was visiting from West Virginia, went out to try to save the others.

Now, Ian wants to make sure that others know what can happen on the shoals.

“It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast but you don’t want to walk out on that point,” he said. “The lesson is don’t walk farther than knee or waist deep on this point. It seems like it is safe but the tide comes up and will lift you off your feet.”

Some are calling Ian a hero but he says he just followed his instincts.

“I would feel really guilty if I was at a place and I didn’t try to help,” he said.

A few weeks ago, one of our employees participated in the Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon. Facing chilly temperatures and cloudy conditions, Angelique pushed through and finished the marathon with ease. We recently sat down with Ang for a post-race interview.

Why did you want to do the race?

Ang: “I used to be horrible at running and my dad always said that champions work on their weaknesses. So I became a runner. I did the Battleship Half Marathon in the fall, so I was excited to challenge and push myself harder.”

How did you prepare for the race?

Ang: “Intense training. I alternated between short and long runs, participated in muscle conditioning, and watched my diet.”

She makes it look so easy!

What was the most challenging part of the race?

Ang: “Between miles 9 and 12. I just had to get over that mental block, then I was golden.”

What was the most rewarding part of the race?

Ang: “Breakfast at Causeway Cafe. If you ever run a marathon, go eat there afterwards!”

I have to ask you, what was your time?

Ang: “4 hrs 37 mins.”

Do you plan on doing the marathon again, or any other race?

Ang: “Yes, I want to run another marathon in the fall. I will be studying abroad next spring and want to participate in the London Marathon.

We wish Ang all the luck in her future races and are proud that she was out representing Coastal Urge.

Ang with her parents

The creek access officially re-opened a few weeks ago! The goal of expanding the creek access was to accommodate a waiting list for the existing facility, make the gazebo handicapped accessible, and add additional parking. We recently had an interview with Karen Ellison, Director of Human Resources & Communications for the Village of Bald Head Island. She stated that “improving and expanding the creek access has been an issue for some time. With the opening of the creek access, people will be able to enjoy the estuary area of the island and easily store their kayaks.” With the island buzzing with activity for the season, and a busy Easter weekend ahead of us, we are sure that the creek access will become a central hub for outdoor activities on the island!

Even more exciting than the new creek access was the opening of the new timber bridge on April 5th! The bridge links the main commercial area around the marina with the rest of the island. It provides a safer, faster route that will improve traffic flow! The 520 foot bridge is part of a community enrichment project by the Village of Bald Head Island. The bridge has been in the works for 10 years and residents are very excited about the new shortcut!

We were one of the first carts to drive across the island! Check out the video!