Kitty Hawk Watersports Improvements for the 2022 Outer Banks Season

February 27, 2022 | Jet Ski Rental

I’ve been in the watersports business since 1997. Therefore, I’m accustomed to walking in the water, helping customers get on a jet ski, floating the jet ski to the beach for fueling, etc. I often forget how simple our set-up is until I hear a customer say, “We have to walk in the water to get to our jet-ski?” Then I remember that, in some ways, our Kitty Hawk Watersports operations aren’t much different than those in a Third World country. Consequently, we decided to make some changes for the 2022 Outer Banks season, which I’m excited to share here.

A Kitty Hawk Boat, a Storm, and a Good Neighbor

December 27, 2021 | Jet Ski Tour

Have you ever found something you didn’t even know was lost? Have you ever benefitted from the kindness of a stranger in a meaningful way? When a good neighbor and samaritan found his Kitty Hawk boat, Kitty Hawk Watersports owner, John Van Lunen, experienced this. Keep reading to discover more about this feel-good story and the great people of Outer Banks.

A Roanoke Sound Weekend Adventure

October 22, 2021 | Fishing

I’m not a world traveler. I have nothing against those who are. It’s just that I’ve never had the time or money to go very far from home. Plus, Kitty Hawk Watersports exists to ensure other travelers make the most of their travel to the Outer Banks. Still, I do sometimes enjoy a Roanoke Sound weekend adventure. One trip, in particular, comes to mind.

Jet Ski Rental and a Foreign Exchange Student: A Love Story

August 16, 2021 | Jet Ski Rental

I’ve had many great employees at Kitty Hawk Watersports over the years, but one, in particular, was one of my favorites. It’s not because he was a hard worker, although he was. And it’s not because he was a nice guy, although he was. He was one of my favorites because he spent every day of the summer soaking in the Outer Banks experience. He was in love with Outer Banks and intentional about every moment, even when it came to jet ski rental.

Rent a Hobie Cat for an Afternoon of Adventure Out on Roanoke Sound

June 4, 2021 | Outer Banks

This isn’t an Outer Banks story, but it is an amusing adventure about sailing a Hobie Cat long before my days as the owner and operator of Kitty Hawk Watersports.

How “Screw Loose Bob” Earned the Title of Craziest Employee

April 5, 2021 | Jet Ski Rental

*The names have been changed to protect the innocent.Many summers ago I was in my home office catching up on some paperwork. It was a slow day at the Kitty Hawk Watersports location, and I had a good manager watching over things. Surely, there would be nothing to worry about.

Guided Jet Ski Tours Offer the Best (and Safest) Views of Nags Head

February 1, 2021 | Jet Ski Rental

Every now and then, despite the proactive actions we take at Kitty Hawk Watersports to keep our customers safe, there are individuals who neglect to listen to and heed our warnings. The letter below was written by one of those customers.

Parasailing FAQ: Everyone Should Try It at Least Once in Their Lifetime

December 10, 2020 | Kitty Hawk

I really enjoy parasailing. I’m not just saying that to sell tickets, it’s a really cool activity. I would call it a “once-in-a-lifetime” activity. As in, you should at least experience it once. I’m lucky enough to have done it several times. Full disclosure: I get a little anxiety when flying in an airplane, but being tethered to a boat attached to a parachute over the water is no problem.

Enjoy Our Beach Equipment Delivery Service for a Fair, Flat Daily Rate

October 14, 2020 | Delivery Service

As a customer, I hate when businesses create rules that don’t make sense or add excessive fees they camouflage to look like something else. There’s a company I do business with (and I wish I didn’t have to because of this one bad practice) that charges huge fees for shipping. I hate it when they treat me like I’m stupid. It doesn’t cost $20 to ship one bolt. Why is it in a box large enough to ship Shaquille O’Neal’s shoes? The box doesn’t need three feet of paper to prevent it from breaking. It’s not going to break. Throw it in a padded envelope, charge me $10, and let’s call it even. Just be honest. Tell us what your shipping fee really is: a revenue producer. At Kitty Hawk Watersports, we do so much better by our customers.

Good Times and Riches….

August 26, 2020 | Kitty Hawk

As the proud owner of Kitty Hawk Watersports for the last 23 years, I’ve made a lot of good memories out on the water. When working in watersports, you’re destined to meet a few characters. One individual – I’ll call him Ron – has become a successful, small businessman. But when he was a college student mating on a parasail boat, his summer hobby was making moves on high school girls.

Author Archives: John VanLunen