By Emma Braithwaite, Features Editor 

Tick, tick, tick, tick. The sound of the spinning wheel echoes through the back of your head. There are so many options it could land on. Uncle Leo, surfer’s choice or the worst one of all, competitor’s choice. The wheel slows and comes to a stop. 

Surfer’s choice! You choose your board and run into the ocean. 

On Oct. 2, the second annual Which Craft Surf Gathering was held at the Byrd Street beach access. Competitors spin a game-show-style wheel to determine what surfboard they will use for each heat. The wheel lists mostly local shapers, each having two or three unconventional boards that are laid out on the beach for the surfers to choose from.

“A lot of times we ride a certain type of board and get kind of locked into that style,” contest founder Matt Price said. “It’s really great to break out from that and be able to ride a bunch of different types of shapes and expand our minds and our ideas about riding waves.”

Having to adjust to riding new boards very quickly can be a challenge. Nonetheless, junior Chloe Wienert enjoyed this aspect of the competition. 

“The second board I rode was a 6-foot-2 grain bonzer. It had two side bites and a longboard fin and it was a pintail,” Wienert said. “It was really fun. I think that was the most fun board I have ever ridden.”

Competitors don’t even have to own a surfboard, being that they are not required. The contest is for people of all ages, and the heats are not based on age or gender. Freshman Julianna Forte decided to do the competition so she could test herself against more experienced surfers.

“I thought it would be a fun way to challenge myself,” Forte said. “I got the Hard Charger award, which is when it’s pretty big surf and you go up against a bunch of older people. I went up against some older guys who have been surfing for a long time.”

Looking at the name “Which Craft,” it says exactly what the competition is about – seeing which “craft” or board the surfers will be using. But it also is a play on words with “witchcraft” since the competition happens at the beginning of October. 

“I like the spooky season. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays,” Price said. “The surf happens to be really good during that time and I thought I should do a charity surf contest.”

The contest raises money for the Outer Banks Relief Foundation. Everyone in the contest has to pay a $25 entry fee, and all the money the contest makes goes straight to the Foundation. 

No matter what board the wheel gives you or what place you get, this surf competition is a fun way to kick off the spooky season. 

“I would 100% do the competition again next year,” Wienert said. “It was the most fun surf contest ever.”

Junior Emma Braithwaite can be reached at 23braithwaiteem06@daretolearn.org.