Stretchy said..
I'm travelling to Richmond VA soon for a couple of weeks. It's work, but i will have next weekend off to twiddle my thumbs. I did DC last trip, so thinking about other options. I've had a bit of a Google and Hampton Watersports appears to hire gear. Anyone out there with local knowledge? Worth the effort?

You are talking east coast USA? The Cape Code area is good, but the best place would be the OBX in Cape Hatteras, NC. Hurricane season is there, so a lot of nice swell and a lot of gear to rent The islands are a crescent shape, so almost any direction of wind you will have down the line wave sailing. If you are not into waves, the sound offer 2-3km of waist deep water. Is that kind'a info you are looking for?

And Richmond OBX is relatively near!

oceanairsports.com/

The best place to be located if you want to rent, is Avon, Salvo, Rothande, Buxton area, with Avon the best.