Editor’s Note: This feature is presented by our partners at Visit NC.
Surfer Mason Barnes has made a name for himself chasing giant waves. Still, nothing beats catching the warm, familiar waves of his hometown in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
From Jaws to Maverick’s, professional surfer Mason Barnes rides some of the world’s biggest waves. But nothing compares to riding the warm, familiar surf near his home. “The happiest I’ll ever be in my entire life is right here in my backyard,” Barnes says.
Barnes credits these North Carolina surf-town roots with shaping his entire path. “I didn’t surf big waves for the first time here, but this is where I fell in love with the sport,” he says.
For Barnes, the stretch of coastline around Wrightsville Beach will forever be an anchor — part launchpad, part sanctuary, always home. When the swell’s up, Barnes is off to Masonboro Island, a local escape with some of the best waves on the East Coast and a view that feels almost mythical.
Photo: GearJunkie
Surfing isn’t the only thing that keeps Barnes hooked on Wrightsville Beach. The small-town vibe also plays a big part in making this place feel like home. Between surf sessions, he stops for a bite at locally owned Lovey’s — where he’s been ordering the same quesadilla for over 15 years — or grabs a healthy snack from Bevvy Mart just steps from the shore.
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