Kennedy Space Center Surf Guide

Kennedy Space Center Surf Guide

Cape Canaveral? Cape Kennedy? Which is it? It's no wonder people get confused, the place has swapped names like its former namesake did mistresses. For the record: the land mass itself is now Cape Canaveral; the large area of concrete-covered asphalt where man prepares for Star Treks yet to come is called the Kennedy Space Center. It shares the property with the Canaveral Air Station and is easy to find: make your way toward Titusville along A1A or US1 -- or veer east onto 528 off I-95 -- and follow one of the signs or billboards to KSC.

Unfortunately, all this clarification is pretty pointless since KSC's coastal areas are highly restricted; however, the space center has recently allowed surf fishermen to enjoy certain areas with a permit, so perhaps there's hope for the board riding community. Being a cape, there is plenty of speculation as to what kind of wondrous wave opportunities must exist -- especially along the south-facing beach during a strong nor'easter -- but personal accounts are extremely rare. The handful of people who have surfed along this stretch are either astronauts or their relatives, who are allowed to visit the beach house where members of a coming mission are quarantined prior to launch. Still, boatmen who have witnessed the offshore shoals in action report impressive waves -- and more than a few sharks. Pilots also claim seeing hundreds of the toothy bastards schooling off the cape, and fishermen frequent this area. If you're one of the chosen few who makes it to the water, keep your eyes peeled and your feet up. And, if by some strange chance, an astronaut or senior NASA administrator bluffs you on to the base and you come across someone you don't known, be safe: salute and say something intelligent like, "Godspeed, Major Nelson."