‘FlowGang’ makes waves in new, interesting sport
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By Noah Kinnisten Staff Writer
hese groms are the bomb at this newfound boardsport on the Outer Banks called the FlowRider. H2OBX, the water park right down the road in Currituck, always has a few familiar faces, but some are more recurring than others, like FFHS freshmen Jackson Meyers, Nick Bernard, Griffin Ash and Noah Boddicker. Over the summer, these FlowBoarders (someone who uses the FlowRider) would be at the water park multiple days a week for hours on end. Closer to the back of H2OBX lives the FlowRider: a wave riding machine where a normal FlowRider board is used to simulate boogie boarding, and a “stand-up” board used to simulate surfing. And though they are freshmen, these four are extremely skilled FlowBoarders who do tricks which seem physically impossible – pulling off different flips, spins, turns and other tricks with ease. These elite FlowBoarders have called themselves the OBX FlowGang. “It started about a week after (H2OBX) opened,” Ash said. “When the waves were bad at the beach, we would just go there.” Added Meyers: “I just (started FlowBoarding) one day, then I did a couple of tricks, then I started to do it more and more.” Now they spend as much time as they can at the water park. The group even went to a few tournaments for FlowRiding over the summer in places such as New Jersey, Florida and Alabama. Ash went to two differ-
ent competitions in New Jersey and got first in both of his heats. Meyers, who spends up to “five to six days a week” practicing his technique to the best of his ability, went to Waterville USA in Gulf Shores, Alabama, during August as well as Florida and New Jersey. “My favorite was Alabama because it was the national championship, so there were a lot of pros there and it was set up really nice,” Meyers said. “I had a stand-up pro staying with me and there was a lot of free food.” Meyers also explained that the national championship changes locations every year and there is a chance it could be at H2OBX in the coming years. He came in fourth in the country for his age group: “I think I have a good chance to get first this summer.” Sophomore Noah Kinnisten can be reached at 22kinnistenno93@daretolearn.org.
Photos submitted by Nick Bernard and Jackson Meyers
Freshman Jackson Meyers (left) performs a sick flip on the FlowRider at H2OBX. Freshman Nick Bernard also practices his FlowBoarding skills at H2OBX.
Offseason commitments keep lacrosse players busy
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By Tatum Love Staff Writer
t’s a Wednesday afternoon and most students are eager to hang out with friends and relax after a long school day. But for some students, the only thing that awaits them is a long car ride – and the opportunity to play the sport that they love. Students on the First Flight men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have decided to improve their skill levels by traveling to play in the Southside Fall Lacrosse League during September and October. Here, players join other high school players from all over coastal Virginia to compete in what is commonly known as “Fall Ball.” Steve Morris has been coaching the FFHS women’s lacrosse team for four years and is excited that his players want to play in the offseason to improve their skills. “It gives more game experience, which is a huge learning tool for new players, and they get to play with other girls rather than just their teammates,” Morris said. Senior Simone Midgett has been playing lacrosse for four years and started fall ball last year when it was only the team’s first season. “I like it a lot more than I thought I would because the games are a lot more fast paced, so the whole team can develop more skills before the regular NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports
season starts up in the spring,” Midgett said. Along with playing the sport they love, one of the many benefits of playing lacrosse is learning the art of time management. Sophomore Nick Gardill has been playing in the fall league for two years and has become more comfortable with managing school work and lacrosse because of the three-hour round trip every week. “Honestly, driving an hour and a half isn’t that bad compared to how long the bus rides are for high school season,” Gardill said. “I don’t really mind it, and when I have homework I just use Empower Time and the car ride.” Plus, driving to Virginia once a week does have its upside for the players – one of them being something that the Outer Banks doesn’t have to offer: Chick-fil-A. “Chick-fil-A is the team tradition,” Midgett said. “After every game most of the team goes and it’s just really fun to hang out and talk about the game and just spend more time together.” So with the vision of more Chickfil-A visits in the team’s future, another year of having a 5-0 record looks as easy as ordering the No. 1 chicken sandwich, with extra pickles. Sophomore Tatum Love can be reached at 22loveta53@daretolearn. org.
Photo by Tatum Love/Nighthawk News
Sophomore Nick Gardill and senior Simone Midgett soak in a perfect sunset after a lacrosse game in Virginia Beach this season. A number of Nighthawks are playing fall ball.
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