7th Annual Which Craft Surf Gathering
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Event Time: Approximately 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Byrd Street Beach Access, Kitty Hawk
Rain Date: Sunday, October 4
Awards Party: Swells'a Brewing, 1802 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills
Things get wonderfully weird on the water at the 7th Annual Which Craft Surf Gathering, a surf contest built around nontraditional boards, local shapers and a good cause. FREE to watch, $45 fee to participate in surfing events.
About a dozen shapers create a special quiver of alternative surfboards just for the event. Competitors don't get to choose their ride. Before each heat, they spin the Which Craft wheel and surf whichever board it lands on.
Style, originality and stoke count just as much as traditional surfing skill.
Event Schedule
Morning — approximately 7:30 a.m.
Contest activities begin at Byrd Street Beach Access.
Competitors and boards gather on the beach.
Throughout the Day
Surf heats featuring locally shaped alternative boards
Competitors spin the wheel before their heats to determine which board they'll ride
Live music
Beach gathering and spectator activities
Raffle activities
After the Final Heat
Contest boards go up for auction.
Every board is one-of-a-kind.
Auction proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.
After the Beach Contest
Awards gathering at Swells'a Brewing in Kill Devil Hills.
Approximately 5 p.m.
Beach portion of the event concludes.
The event also includes a 2026 raffle, with announced prizes including a Birdhouse skateboard deck signed by Tony Hawk.
100% of event proceeds benefit the Outer Banks Relief Foundation.