Promenade Water Sports (Permanently Closed)

Location :

• Anynomous

  10 July 2016

  We were looking for a driving range close to Duck on a Saturday afternoon. This place has a terrible website, but we decided to drive by it regardless. Driving down the entrance road, it looks like something out of a horror story. We walked over to the driving range area, and there wasn't anyone there at all. I think the whole property is abandoned. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME COMING HERE. I'm surprised we weren't killed on the way out.

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• Anynomous

  03 July 2015

  this place has something for the entire family and kids of all ages - driving range, putt putt, arcade and water sports. We spent the entire afternoon. I found the staff to be very nice and the putt putt course was fun while the driving range was neat set next to the sound.

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• Anynomous

  23 July 2014

  Fortunately, no one lost their life. I rented the 18’ Prindle catamaran sailboat for the day. I owned a Hobie 16’ catamaran years ago, and I am an experienced sailor. Having read reviews of Promenade Water Sports, I asked the owner about the mast that “snapped off” in summer 2013. He indicated that one of the shrouds (metal lines on each side of the mast that keep the mast upright) had broken due to age/wear. He assured me that the critical hardware and lines had since been replaced and that the boat was in good working order. I asked how old the boat is and he told me it was built in 1984.
  
  A failure such as a shroud breaking is catastrophic and potentially life threatening, I assumed that the owner told me the truth about replacing the critical hardware, and understanding that the boat was 30 years old I can appreciate how a line can fail if the boat has not been properly maintained. Of course, such an event drives home the need to refit the boat. I made a careful inspection, the boat appeared in good shape, and being assured that the owner had refitted the boat I went ahead with the rental.
  
  Five hours into sailing the Prindle, the bridle (a metal line on the front of the boat – much like a shroud – that is also key to keeping the mast upright) broke. The mast came swinging down, and the boom went sideways, narrowly missing my nephew.
  
  The owner is easy to talk with, and seems a reasonable person, but two such catastrophic failures in a year’s time is outrageous, and to me, it seems criminal. I am so grateful that no one was injured. It could have been tragic.
  
  I went to the Kitty Hawk police station and reported the incident. The officer told me that since no one was hurt he cannot do anything. There is no crime. He encouraged me to write this review as my only recourse to protect others.
  
  There is no licensing or inspection required for these types of businesses. Truly, you take your life into your hands and trust the owner to properly maintain and care for boats and equipment.
  
  So I implore you to reconsider renting from this company. Please do not trust your well-being or the well-being of those you love to this company. They are unwilling or unable to properly maintain their equipment, and it could cost you dearly.
  

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• Anynomous

  11 March 2014

  August 15, 2013 - This place is definitely past it's prime. We went there for a jet ski and a hobie cat rental as they had some of the cheaper rates we could find. Now we know why. There was one group in front of us when we got there, with what appeared to be four staff "working". It took us more than a half hour to even begin getting ready for the jet ski, even longer for the hobie cat as it was partially broken. All of their equipment was in rough shape, to say the least. Their dock/pier had large broken holes/gaps in the railing, which for young kids with minimal swimming ability it did not feel safe.
  To top it off they tried to have us sign their liability form with the dollar amount blank! When we asked they said they would fill it in later if any damages occurred. Ha! I think we got them to write in a reasonable amount before we signed, but I was not part of that process, so I can't say for sure.
  
  Some of us did not boat, so we checked out their putt-putt and putt-and-chip courses. Again, poorly maintained. We were definitely intrigued by the putt-and-chip course, but after closer inspection there were no actual holes to putt to, just flags, and the "greens" were in average to poor condition for a typical *fairway*...and they wanted $22/person, yeah right!
  
  We come to the Outer Banks every couple of years, and suffice to say, we will never be coming back to this place; at least without a major overhaul and/or new owners.

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• Anynomous

  16 August 2013

  Rented a sailboat and the mast snapped off! I've sailed my entire life and never seen such a poorly run dock. Save your money and vacation for a legit business.

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