Lake Norman
 

It looks like my extended family would like to vacation on Lake Norman, NC next summer and have me bring the boat. Does anyone have any suggestions or advise about the best places to ride? What about restaurant recommendations?

Also, does NC have a skier-down flag requirement?

Thanks!

Can't really recomend a place to ride because I've only been on it once and we ate at the Rusty Rudder which was really cool.

But no skier-down flag in NC

If you need accommodations I have used VRBO, Vacation Rental By Owners with nothing by great results and the owners have always been helpful with the details.

My last VRBO was a week on Lake James where I even got a Malibu thrown in for $65 per day. Was not worth hauling from Florida at that price.

Vinnie's Grill and Raw Bar on Lake Norman is a great spot to eat as well. Its in a cove that you can actually ride in, but the run is a bit short. The few times I've ridden on Lake Norman, I've gone up towards the upper part of the lake - the lower part is really wide, lots of boat traffic and wind....very hard to get smooth water unless its early in the morning during the week. Its a really nice like though - one of the nicest lakes I've ever been on.

Great! Thank you for the recommendations. I will take a look at VRBO and we will probably hit the Rusty Rudder and Vinnie's!

Rob,

I grew up on the lake and it is an awesome place to vacation. The northern part is probably your best bet on finding places to ride because the south part is very wide open. Up on the north end as far as restaurants there is the Blue Parrot and The Landing. They are cool bars but they are local shacks haha. If you go down by the Sandbar then you can go eat at some nicer bars like the Rusty Rudder, North Harbor Club (Very nice), or Vinnies. You will have an awesome time out there on the lake. Make sure you have all your PFD's, Fire extinguisher, and a throw cushion cause the law enforcement is always out. Make sure to visit the local surf shop which is off the water in Cornelius. It is called Icy Wakes Surf Shop and it is awesome! Here is a video of some riding out on Lake Norman check it out!

http://vimeo.com/49471747

Steve

Kinda off topic...but do any of the Nascar stars who live on Norman have wakeboats?

A few do. I think Denny Hamlin has one. Trevor Bayne has a Nautique I believe, but not sure if it's on Norman.

Robby Gordon (hardly a star) had a Mastercraft, not sure if he still does.

I know plenty of the crewmen have boats on Norman. Our company does consulting with a handful of teams.