Last 169 WindLogs |
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '19 EZZY 4.7 ELITE
026 - Whitecaps and weeds everywhere, choppy inside but not outside. Mostly between the bridge and spoil island, low water kept the chop down and wind was steady. Solo most of the time except kiters around the launch.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui Dragon
Well, i was lit on a a 3.4 again. Worked on my clew 1st spocks. Got 2 pops that felt better.
Got 2 duck tacks! 23 total for the year. Definitely a bit tired after that session. Earned my ice cream.
Board: '09 RRD TwinTip 90 Sail: Neil Pryde Wizard 4.8
Finally got a little bit of LWF on the lake. I tried some non-planing UW360s. Came really close on one and hopefully will make it next time. Then the neighbor, who had tried windsurfing once 37 years ago, wanted to try so we put on the beginner board. He did pretty well, but ended up way downwind, so I sailed that kit back upwind and called it a day.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui Dragon
Got to the hatch early!! I sailed lit 3.4 with only a couple of other people! Where was everyone??
I got 1 fast, dry spock and 9 duck tacks. Some of the duck tacks were so smooooth. 21 duck tacks for the year. Got something figured out!!
Worked on starboard vulcans, can land on the nose, but not getting even close to grabbing the boom on the new side.
Such a fun day.
To top it off i did a 1.5 hour ride. 1800 vert.
What a perfect 4th of July!
Miss you McFancy & McBuff.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui Dragon
Had a fun AM sesh, was 2nd car in parking lot. I was on 4.2 and Brad was on 3.8 & Mani on 4.0. Haha!! My sails have a lot of range! Worked on clew 1st spocks. Tried PM sesh but was soso. Very busy on the water.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui Dragon
Sky cleared, but still funky. Bit crowded on the water. NW Steve schlogged 1' upwind of me as I was trying to waterstart. PP almost caused Edholm & I to crash. We both had to abort and fall in the water to avoid colliding.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui Dragon
Took previous 2 days off. Was super windy out east and didn't want to get spanked around in the big gusts on my 3.0. i need a 2.6!!
Today, bad wind. Bad call. Cloudy.
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '19 EZZY 4.7 ELITE
025 - Very close to yesterday with more weeds but smoother outside. Made long round trips between the bridge and Pita Island. Solo again today.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
I had the best time my previous bay session but couldn't get into it today for some reason. I never fell in - a red flag meaning I'm not trying or improving. And it looks like now the wind is over for a bit. However, I washed every single piece of my gear and car the other day and left with it still clean, so there's an accomplishment. Such a civilized experience of parking on pavement, rigging on grass, and showering on a concrete pad afterward.
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '19 EZZY 4.7 ELITE
024 - Water level dropped a bit so is was only light chop with some weeds. Solo today out to the bridge and back with consistent power. City/County beaches have a people curfew 8p-6a and vehicular beach access closed 7/1-7/11.
Board: Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek
I almost did not go. Forecast was dropping, but I went for it and foiled. Am I getting any better? Errr, maybe? Flying jibes were not happening. I was handling the gusty wind better. I now put my back foot in the straps almost all the time. It is making my jibe set-up worse though.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Better than yesterday. Waves still head high to over head, but with a little bit of mush factor. Full hour on the water and back to work by 8.
Board: JP radical wave 65L Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18, 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
We were the fastest growing COVID-19 county of over 100,000 residents in the US this week, and people actually seem to be buckling down a little more, because traffic to and from the beach was light and the beach itself was much more water-sports-centric than the usual summer weekend free-for-all. Waves were over head and I was excited, but sailing turned out...rough. I rigged, the wind spiked, rerigged smaller, then just sailed sorta sloppy and never felt quite tuned in. I redid my outhaul while floating. Fin felt loose but it wasn't. I had a few solid wave rides but also a dreaded Packery sleighride. I feel exhausted now.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125 Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro
Excellent wind. These are the kind of days that reaffirm your love for windsurfing. I had to cut the second session short because my brain was baking in the heat. It took me about half the drive home for me to start to feel better. These one day trips are getting tough, especially with going back to work the next day.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.0 S2 Maui Dragon
Blasting around on the 3.0 again. If i had a 2.6 I would have used it. Solid wind, tiny ripples and spray, but not much swell and definitely rough water.
Way better than yesterday tho. Lots of strong wind forecast for Mon & Tues.
Biked @ 6:53 AM.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.0 S2 Maui Dragon
Way too strong. Therapist Steve overpowered on 3.2.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui Dragon
Got to the hatch for the lunchtime lull. Therapist Steve informed me that he had been on his 3.2. Yikes!
Wind was down, so i rigged 3.4 & freestyle board. Very up and down. Gusts were fun. i got another duck tack, worked on some clew 1st spocks & got a crazy good body drag. You would have liked it McFancy & McBuff.
Biked @ 6:50 AM.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui Dragon
After work Sesh! i was sooo powered on the 4.6, but too late in the day to start switching sails. Fun!
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui Dragon
Wow! Full on dawn patrol! Was on the wather before 7 AM. When i got to the beach Phil Soltysiak & Kelsey were already there and rigged! The sensor was only reading to 26 mph but ther wind was cranking, so rigged 3.4. Good call. Got a wet spock and so close on a couple others. Man, I was getting worked in the gusts. Bob showed up and took some photos. We will see what he got!
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui Dragon
Late day freestyle sesh with Brad. Did 1 more duck tack. Felt tired; may have been the heat? Was missing McFancy Pants and McBuff.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
It was windy enough when I rigged. Didn't last long enough. Also a strong current. I still stayed out 40 min and practiced. I uphauled once with just the mast! Maybe time to get an uphaul?
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '15 Maui Sails Mutant 3.5
Toasty day! Made my first dw360! Was flying all the way through 359º, then I plopped back onto the water just like a gentle kiss from Bailey. It's that last 1° that puts you back in contact with the water. The arc was tight! Probably too tight. Probably looser is the secret to keep it flying all the way through.
Figured out the secret to heli's on the foil. Move your back foot way out to the now windward rail right before flipping the sail or else you won't have any leverage to get/keep the sail upright after the flip.
Happily I didn't decide to mope and sit on the rocks after this happened: Early on in the sess, the rig separated from my board in the channel while trying a duck jibe. The board quickly moved away from me downwind, while the rig and I were being swept upwind. Fuck! My u-joint broke! (this was the thought anyway). It's going to be a long difficult swim back, or I'll have to de-rig out in the water and get dragged back. Fuck! Laura my hero saved me by holding my board as I swam with my non-floaty rig toward her. Was able to get to kit-complete again and not drop into the Columbia the crucial piece that would have ended up as a plaything for the manatee and river otters. Sailed back to shore with only a hand-tightening, then borrowed from Brad the exact proper tool that was necessary to make that thing tight af. Brad has all the tools.
Lesson learned: Always check the tightness of the bottom screw thingy on those silly 2-bolt mechanical u-joints (that are necessary for foiling) before rigging. And probably Loctite that mofo too if it's being a problem, as it has been. Gotta get some loctite.
Last sess in the Gorge for a good long unknown while. 
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
Wave sailing is coming together for me more and more. I've realized I had a long "off" period due mainly to lack of strength. I had surgery in 2016, then some random injuries, then a whole year off for pregnancy/recovery, then a couple years of infrequent sailing due to juggling scheduling with working and the babies - all that added up to completely losing my fitness and not effectively regaining it. Balance came right back, but strength took consistent practice that I wasn't able to dedicate until 8 months ago. I'm now able to sail unhooked much more in the waves. I have the arm strength to get my hand way back on the boom, the core strength to steer with my body, and it's leading to much better cutbacks. I feel like I went to the wave clinic even though it never happened. Yet I still have lots of room to improve, so hopefully they can reschedule the actual clinic for next year.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui Dragon
Well, i scored some 4.6 on a 'no-wind' day. i got 2 out of the straps duck tacks. i am very stoked!! 
Update: I went back to the beach and got another 4.6 sesh! Talk about score. I got 8 more duck tacks! I think i have figured something out. 
Throw sail back, but not down. Speed helps.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: Maui Sails 3.5
Quite the rip schlog wind pattern, but I was happy on the 3.5. Did quite a bit of ducking and swell riding.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui
Well, i went for a bike ride and then showed up @ The Hatch around noon. Was really up and down. Worked on a few Clew 1st Spocks, got one slide.
A few fun shov-its. Then it got busy with all sorts of river traffic & Father's Day traffic. Time to go.
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2
Rip schlog all over the place. The good thing is, once you have enough experience on the foil, you don't even hardly barely notice.
I can see Washington from my house!
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '15 Maui Sails Mutant 3.5
Made my first helitack! Not flying at the end of course. Does Mr Balz McBalzyBalls fly all the way through them?
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2
Mellow and fun!
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui
Well, i should have rigged the 4.6. Too much schlogging! But, since it was so rainy today, i am happy to get any sailing in at all. Day 28.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE
023 - Out between the spoils and back, slight chop and small holes. Didn't get the late direction change but it filled in well.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Gorgeous evening sesh watching the sunset while riding waves. A notch more powered than yesterday, so I was fully planing. But the wind is only picking up in the evening, so waves still have that smooth, light wind vibe. I saw my first squid while windsurfing!
I'm in this happy place where I'm loving and appreciating windsurfing as much as I ever have, plus loving life in general. I also love that this current board/sail/fin combo feels like the absolute perfect setup for our south wind wave days.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui
Lite 4.6. Hot day, tried new blue suit. McFancyPants said it looked good on the water. :)
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7
Worked on oversheeting to backwinded while turning down the swell like Dale does. Can do it in one motion if under-powered, otherwise it's a 2 step to get there.
Tried some helitacks. No success there.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: Neil Pryde Wizard 4.8
I realized my duck jibes are not all that. This came to light as I decided to start trying switch stance duck jibes. Going switch stance while planing and continuing to plane started to sort of happen for me albeit a bit scary and some big bails with swimming for kit involved. But then I also had been told by Roxanne that I had to catch the other side of the boom after ducking really close to the mast which involves a good throw on release. That was when I realized I don't really throw on my regular duck jibes. So, I practiced that and it's really quite fun. I often go duck while riding swell and I am interested in finding out if I throw then?? There wasn't any big swell this session. Maybe tomorrow... Oh wow, as I was reviewing my post I realized I often jibe without switching my feet. I could just do that and then try the duck...although then I would still be in the straps which adds another level of intinsity. Windsurfing is so fun!
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
I was debating surfing vs windsurfing as it looked marginal for either. Ended up doing both and being really pleasantly surprised at the amount of fun both were. The waves were so smooth. It was another day where I was only planing while on a wave, and I've come to appreciate those and get much more comfortable. I had some really effective fast tacks to catch a wave, and I was able to hit the lip once or sometimes twice on most that I caught.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro, 6.2 Avanti Echo
Almost a month since I last sailed. Foil-Windsurf-Foil. Made lemonade.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui
Very strong! 3.4 freestyle!
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.0
Switched back to the 57cm Time Code so I could go out in the stronger wind and save my joints from having to do regular (non-foil) windsurfing.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4
More wind and more people!! A bit choppy, but fun swell to play on and plenty of gusts. Quite the show from the rocks as well!!
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui
Very up & down. Was raining in the AM, still lingering clouds. Fun tho.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 6.4 ZETA
022 - More low end than not so it was limited to random gusts. Lot's of fishing on the drop-off but easy to stay behind them on the sandbar.
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '15 Maui Sails Mutant 3.5
Yep
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2
People are slowly starting to come out of the woodwork here. It's fun to have so many different sports going on and seems everyone likes the swell and butter smooth turn around the Hatch provides. Beautfiul afternoon for sure!
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui
Should have gone to Doug's. Not good.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.0 S2 Maui, 3.4 S2 Maui
On H20 @ 8:15 AM! 2 seshs. Great for shov-its.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4
Packed up the Prius and headed east (Buck McRockBuff was laid up on the couch with a bad back ache). Quite the crowd when I arrived on tiny sails, but as soon as I was rigged it backed off and people came in and there was talk of heading to Arlington. I hemmed and hawed long enough for it to come back a bit. Ended up getting a nice 3.4 big board session. I was happy.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui
Hatch 4.2 & then Arly late. So fun. Camped.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2, Combat Fly HD 3.2
Two fun sessions!
Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85, '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard, '? RR Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7, '14 The Fly 3.2
Rode all 3 of my boards today, switching as the wind increased throughout the afternoon. The non-foiling sort of sailing is soooo hard on the shoulders. Specifically the left shoulder.
Tried the first backie of the season. Bailed so as to not have to have foot surgery.
Completed the first spock of the season. It was sloppy, but delicious.
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '19 Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2
Eked out a sess in the marginal wind.
Was forced to do a double take as I was launching as three river otters popped and bobbed while heading downriver in front of me. First time I've seen otters here.
https://www.columbialandtrust.org/species-spotlight-river-otter/
Everybody now...NO HAT NO BOOTY...YEAH!...NO HAT NO BOOTY...YEAH!...
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Not enough wind to plane constantly, and I almost didn't rig, but I did and it surprised me how much fun I had. More fun than yesterday with all the wind. Pretty blue water and the seaweed was gone. I could only plane when on a wave, so it was a clinic on nailing a non-planing jibe and correctly selecting the set and the placement on the wave. If you got it right, you planed all the way in and could even link a series of turns on the waist-high wave. If you got it wrong, well, it was an arm workout. I feel like this practice helps me either way.
*I don't know which word it is, Brian, but it sounds fun either way!
Recap of the 2019-2020 cold front season: 22 north wind wave sessions, setting a personal record by a lot. I missed at least four due to the quarantine, plus of course the few here and there I can't get to due to life/work. It was a good season, combined with my increased dedication to practice due to the PSC trip. Adding in the Boca Chica session I'd forgotten when counting yesterday.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui
Very short, end of day.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: Neil Pryde Wizard 4.8
Afternoon delight!
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '15 Maui Sails Mutant 3.8
Didn't need the hat. Didn't need the booties. Too much rubber, man. But the hat looks fantastic on me.
Made my first 2 or 3 flyin (or otherwise) duck jibes!
dw360s are next. Before the big trip. Hopefully.
Feeling really comfortable and natural and instinctive (instinctual?...help me Alissa Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope) on the foil these days. Watch out Balz!
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18, 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
I watched this forecast from a few days out not expecting it to happen, but it sure did. I haven't yet done my Cold Front Season stats and thought I was late, but the season was already a record and just won't end. I'll add them to this post if this turns out to be the last day. Waves were waist high and sloppy, but I love this place and it felt like a special gift to get another sesh. Forecast is showing tomorrow again...will it hold?
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE
021 - Low end was an issue, water high and loose grass. Out between the spoil and high bridge, some returns to the marina channel.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui
Fun!! Went alone.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.0 S2 Maui
Fun!
Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66 Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.0
Weee!?
Board: '? RRD Wavetwin 66 Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.0, '11 Naish Force 3.4
Everybody went to Arlington... we sailed and camped at the Wall. One other guy there when we arrived said it was up and down and strong current, but doable. I rigged 3.4 and had a few nice runs with nice swell rides, then it picked up and I decided Buck could use the 3.4 and I rigged the 3.0. One run on that told me there was no way I could hold on to that so for what I believe to be the first time ever I rigged a THIRD time to 2.7. That was fun/exciting for a bit, but then the wind started getting patchy which doesn't work so well with a 2.7. Called it a day! On a side note, Bailey seems to Love the Wall as well.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L, Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.0 S2 Maui, 3.8 S2 Maui
Big board and then a wall of wind came through. Fun.
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '15 Maui Sails Mutant 3.5
Rigged for the current conditions: mid to upper teens. 20 seconds after launching, it was 29 mph. Out and back once, then took photos.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui
Cloudy, cool. Fun!
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui
VERY short in early AM. Guess Doug's was the call.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui
Good.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: Maui Sails 3.8
Quite the range - but mostly powered. Still trying the in-straps DW360s. Enjoying ducking on the swell.
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '15 Maui Sails Mutant 3.5
Confirmed. The 3.5 and the fat boy wing are the magic combo for swell riding in Spring time.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui
Fun!! Late in the day.
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '15 Maui Sails Mutant 3.5
The 3.5 and the fat boy wing are the magic combo for swell riding in Spring time.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2
Sweet!
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui
Very holey. Rode in AM.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2
Nice!
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7
Tried 2 dw360s. I'm quite sure that one was not even recognizable.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.2 S2 Maui
Very Holey, Had to swim in. Fast current.
Board: Fanatic Quad 81 Sail: Neil Pryde Wizard 4.8
My first swim-in experience. I was having a great time and then the wind shut off so much so that I couldn't even water start. I started swimming with the kit towards shore hoping to go in at Cheap Beach, but the current had another idea. I set my sights on Swell City and had no problem exiting there. I had my phone, but didn't need it as Brian had kept track of me and met me as I landed.
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '19 Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2
Sweet session with just the 3 of us. Was able to ride the swell with a completely depowered sail and leg pumps to keep it flying when necessary. Breakthrough day.
Wind died. Lucky to make it back with the mega current that we experience here in the Spring.
Oh look! I'm in this shot from the legendary Bob Stawicky from legendary yesterday! I'm the one on the right on the Ezzy 2.7. Thank you Laura for pointing this out to me.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.0 S2 Maui
Crazy windy, hard to even jump!
Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66 Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2, '19 Ezzy Elite 2.7
Insanity. But in the good way. Not the bad way.
Big big big day. Legend.
A shot of Alex and Rox from Dan Taylor. This shot is from before it got really windy.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui
Hatch re-opened!
Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard Sail: '16 NP Wizard 4.8
First Hatch of the season! First public dlog of the season!
Very steady 15mph wind, so I put on the 84 wing, the big sail, and switched to the C position and moved the mast track back accordingly. Man that wing pops up like an overdone overzealous PopTart. It's still more difficult to jibe than the 57cm wing though. Maybe because the 57 responds quicker to corrections?
After some time the wind picked up and I surrendered the sail to L.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Sweet unforecasted morning sesh. Great direction and all the rides you wanted. It was fun being in the main inside break by the jetty for the first half hour, then surfers started showing up and I moved down and got some bigger waves. So it felt like the best of both worlds.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui, 4.2 S2 Maui
Pretty fun.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui
Here & there wind. OK.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
I had the best time! Just an hour session but I sailed hard. I feel the strongest and fittest I have in years. I was getting something I never have before - bottom turn into a cutback, but the cutback is a jump, then turn in the air and go down the same wave. SO FUN. Maybe I could try this on a real wave? Not sure our direction is the same. But it's something to aspire to. Also got the holy grail, a duck jibe on an outside swell that lasted long enough to get in a second turn. Wheeee
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui
Good & then way too strong. 1st freestyle sesh of the season.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE
020 - Not much to it, some OK southbound runs, very few on returns. All on the sandbar, water down and a few jellies.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L, Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.4 S2 Maui
2 two hour sessions. Fun!
Board: Sail:
Tried kiting again. I'm still not feeling an urge to switch, but I don't pass up a free lesson. I would like to get to the point of knowing how to ride, but also not sure I'd want to invest my scarce time in that.
Board: Tabou Pocket Wave 69L Sail: 3.0 S2 Maui
Fun, huge swell.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Someone was blasting Big Pimpin' in the parking lot, so I didn't even have to play my rigging soundtrack. Thank you, kind stranger. But sadly, I missed the window. The wind went from sailable to nothing during rigging. I launched anyway and paid for it with a float on the lazy river of shame. I managed to not have to walk very far, but wish I could have caught even one wave for the trouble. Should have brought my surfboard.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
High-density freestyle sesh. Wind had a perfect mix of occasional gusts and holes for trying different things. I tried vulcans for my first time in maybe years. Still as far off as ever...somehow years between attempts hasn't helped me learn!? It was hard driving past the waves, but every visit here helps my sailing, and it was beautifully civilized leaving the beach with clean gear and a shower where sand didn't stick to me afterward. Goodbye toast for V & C after.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
I caught it past the peak. Still grateful for the unexpected sesh. Clearish water was nice! Richeys there.
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
019 - Got it at peak and ended with a big drop. All on the sandbar, smallish holes and flat.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
018 - Up on the sandbar both ways between Lookout Point and the north end. It filled in well enough to get through the few small holes and was smooth.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
I decided I'm going to a system of winter fin/summer fin on this board. My 20 cm in winter for easier down-the-line turns and the big 24 cm stock fin in summer for pointing higher upwind at packery. I find A box fins obnoxious to change and just hate fiddling with screwdrivers at the beach anyway, but I can handle twice a year. I'm grateful to fit in a quick hour sesh on a busy day, and for Mark's help when my fin got stuck. Lots of surfers on the water. I love the stoke but found it tough to find a clean inside wave to turn on. Winter spoils me! Fun waves and worth the visit!
Board: Goya Quad 84 Sail: 4.4 S1 Pro
Mixed emotions. Amazing session, but I pushed too hard at the end and hurt my foot.
So the good...the conditions were oozing fun. It was actually quite hard to ride waves as the wind was a bit onshore but it was cool to be fully powered off the beach and jumping was all time. I did one stalled forward that felt incredible. I was hanging at the apex for what felt like an age before whipping it round for a bone dry landing. Sick. Also landed a wet push loop.
The bad...I got tired. At least 3 times I thought "I need to stop, I'm exhausted." Then I saw Mark B almost land a sweet back loop and just as a big outside wave popped out of nowhere. I hit it fully committed, went super duper high and came back down really steep for what I thought was going to be a perfect back loop. As the nose hit my front foot moved deeper in the strap and there was a weird sensation, like my big toe was being pulled sideways. Imagine someone grabbing your big toe with one hand and your little toes with the other and pulling them apart. It felt like that!! I sailed back in pretty much one footed.
Bob gave me some aspirin, and then a little later he popped by with Ryan, a Bay regular and it turns out he is a spine doctor. He called broken metatarsal and took me to his practice for x-rays. No broken bones. He then got a couple of phone consults and a referral to one of Houston's best. The consults bounced around possible lisfranc fracture, will see. It hurts. I can't walk on it. Hopefully I can get it looked at soon. Bob and Ryan were both super helpful. Windsurfer's are a really cool bunch.
Board: JP radical wave 65L Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18
One of the best days I've had here! It felt magical. I sailed a full two hours and didn't want to stop but had started the day already sore from yesterday and ran out of strength and time. I love being on the 4.2 and little board. So light. Manageably overpowered for the beginning, then it nicely backed off to perfectly powered, and I could ride the waves much better. I am practicing moving my back hand back around more on the boom to help my turns, plus more direction changes. I counted 16 windsurfers in the water and probably missed at least one.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81, JP radical wave 65L Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18
We had a rare day with much more sideshore and bigger waves than usual. Waves were overhead and as big as some storms, but without the crazy tide and current of storm sailing, so although more challenging than a normal day it was still a pretty relaxed vibe. Well worth the vacation time I took!
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE
017 - Water was up so it was kinda rowdy but wind steady. Four tacks out and back to clear the spoil. Nicer outside between the bridge and Pita island.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE
016 - Nice consistent non-stop runs mostly between the spoil island and the high bridge. Medium power,slight chop and only a couple of jellyfish. Five of us stayed outside
Board: Goya Quad 84 Sail: 5.2 S1 Pro
A truly joyful day. Sailed much much too long. Next morning, I'm a wreck. Was good to catch up with Mark. Miss you all!
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Fun waves, and it was nice being fully powered after the last 3 underpowered sessions. Leaving was a nightmare. It took me 1:20 to get home, and nearly an hour of that was just waiting in a line of cars to leave the beach. I think every single person who has wanted to go to the beach for the past 6 weeks all came. Then all left at the same time. There was also slow traffic and headlights as far as I could see looking toward the directions of people coming back from Port Aransas and from farther south on the island. I should have gone to the bay!
Board: Goya Quad 84 Sail: 5.6 S1 Pro
Warm up BAhFing (British for sailing back and forth) ar Oleander on 5.2 then hit up Packery for a late sesh. First time I have ridden my 5.6 since I start wind logging. Cray cray. I think the sensor direction is a bit too East. Pretty sure it was like 20 degrees more South.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
015 - Expected more but it was hit and miss for awhile out and back to SI#2. Later was a better, fewer but some holes and mostly along the drop-off. Lot's of jellyfish on the sandbar and elsewhere..
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui
Way overpowered. Cloudy so didn't want to re-rig. Nice swell. Feet didn't go numb.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
014 - First half was out to SI#2 and back in very little chop but inside holes. Then it filled in, shifted for an early happy hour on sandbar. Second half was sandbar both ways between Lookout Point and the north end. Lots of folks out havin' a good time and a few jellyfish.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Sort of a tease of a day, with lower waves than yesterday and the only reliable planing at the very beginning, but gorgeous sky and more good practice. Better than couch surfing, at least.
Yesterday I had a bad fall. My feet got stuck in the straps and my body got levered by my ankles and tumbled in a wave. It was my only fall of the session. I really thought I was injured, but after floating dazed and hurting for a while, somehow it turned out that nothing really happened. Today was a test of that situation. It felt good on the water today. I didn't feel some soreness later, but I feel super lucky. Dodged a bullet! I hope.
Board: Goya Quad 84 Sail: 5.2 S1 Pro
I found some sweetened lime juice in my cupboard and discovered that when mixed with triple sec and tequila it makes a decent margarita. Four margaritas later I thankfully ran out of tequila. Phew. Things coulda got messy there. So then when my alarm went off at 3am I was feeling pretty regretful. I snoozed 3 times and finally checked the wind to see it was blowing 24, just enough to get me up and out for a Port A dawn sesh. It was unfortunately rubbish. Sailed back and forth a bit. Caught up with Alissa (from a distance) and then headed home. I did get to test out my injured finger. It seems OK. Looks like I should be able to sail with it. Fingers crossed. ;-)
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
🎶 Little high, little low, any way the wind blows doesn't really matter 🎶
In other words, there were some holes and not precisely my favorite direction, but a north wave Port A sesh in late April feels like a magical gift. Especially during the 'Rona.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125 Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek
Hit the peak 11/18/25 that lasted 15-30 minutes which was satisfying, then it went to 0/14/20 which was less so. The wind trailed off quickly. I barely made it back to the launch steps.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Apparently I picked the worst wind window to show up, but I sailed for over and hour and was really glad I did. It was under 20mph and onshore. Eek! But I made it back to my car each run and never drifted away, so on a day like this I'll call that a win. Plus great strength and balance practice - I'll take all I can get. Despite the marginal day, five of us sailed. You can tell we were beach-starved.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
013 - Too much gap to fill staying inside to the north end. Made two round trips to the north basin near the IWC cut to the trees.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 4.6 S2 Maui
Weird, not cloudy....
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui
3.8 too small. Fun tho. Hands & feet a bit cool.
Board: Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek
Best $15 spent everrr? ...uh no.
Board: Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek
Best $10 spent everrrr? Maybe.
Board: Starboard Flare 81L Sail: 3.8 S2 Maui
1ST DAY OF THE SEASON! Super fun!
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
Perfect direction and lots of big, clean sets. One of the best days of the season! I'm so thankful the beach opened.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
The city and county closed all of the main parks and beaches for the Easter long weekend, but access was allowed at University. As usual it was...ok. Not the best launch but I am just grateful for a session. Sailed (distantly) with Vanessa, Chris, and Olivier. It was weird making the drive to campus for the first time in a while and not having it be for work. Got my mast stuck together and did the pegasus drive of shame home, since we couldn't get together to unstick it.
*My last windlog was my version of pouring out liquor in memory of a lost opportunity at Port A. COVID can go break a mast and get worked in the surf for all I'm concerned 🖕.
But the gulf beaches reopen Monday!
Board: Sail:
I heard Casa was going off today, so I came all the way into the living room and realized I'd forgotten my universal joint. Now I can only live vicariously through Mike's sesh and how awesome it was.
Board: Puffae Sail: 3.6 S1 Pro
Wow! Classic Casa session. Conditions were sweet, AC was blowing and the sun was shining through the windows. I planed down the hallway, pulling a nice clean gybe into the kitchen. Looped onto the sofa. Got worked for a while trying to find something to watch on Netflix but finally got the perfect series. Episode after episode of perfection. Had to take a midsession break to brush my hair and put on a T-shirt for a group chat. And then was straight back into it. Just wow.
Finished the session with some corona as I watched the sun set feeling blessed. Hoping for more of this tomorrow.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
Quarantine sesh - we parked the requisite 100 feet apart, stayed 6 feet away while talking, and still managed to have 8 sailors on the water. It started out small, waist high, then got bigger and better throughout. I sailed strong for almost 2 hours. This was the first time I'd been out anywhere in 2 weeks. All the public campgrounds are closed, and I saw about 5 campers parked along the JFK, I guess still trying to have their vacation. But strangely, a couple of the big crazy beach stores were still open. Empty parking lots, though. I think the seagulls were tourist-starved, because they swarmed and dove at me when I took a break for a granola bar.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
012 - Stayed along the drop-off with medium power between Lookout Point and the north end.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE
011 - First run out cleared the spoil island and stayed between it and the bridge until the last run back. Overall consistent plane, power and very light chop. Water still high making the inside choppier.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125 Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo
Last minute decision. I sailed for 3.5 hours straight. I was overpowered for the last hour, but I did not want to come in. I am not sure when I will sail again. I also hurt my left forearm derigging. My mast sleeve got caught on the mast extension collar (a design issue with the Severne extension) after I released the downhaul. Thankfully, it did not affect my sailing time. Stay healthy. Be smart. Not only for you, but for others.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125 Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek
Nearly perfect steady 20 mph wind and sunshine. A little choppy on the inside, but almost perfect day. I thought about going for a vulcan, but Brian's voice was in my ear. I agree, not a good time to get injured. I sailed for a little over 2 hours straight. I really enjoyed the break from work and thinking about the shitstorm still yet to come.
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '19 EZZY 4.7 ELITE
010 - Got it about right but it felt big at times. Managed to clear the spoil on first tack and stayed between it and the bridge. Troutlines were gone and it was all solo out there. Higher gusts had the sail on the boom at times. Returned in one tack just before the peak ended.
Board: JP radical wave 65L Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
Gorgeous cloudy day with head-high waves. I savored the feeling of being able to tackle a tangible challenge with instantaneous feedback, amid everything else so surreal lately. And I loved one more chance to bundle up just a little. I finally really felt my training paying off. For the past couple years I've been ok for about 45 minutes in the waves, then I start blowing jibes or falling on the wave or falling going through the shore break because my arms get shaky and can't apply the force i nedd at crucial times. I'd sail for an hour+, but the last part would get pretty sloppy. Due to the PSC trip I wanted to be physically able to sail a few quality hours a day, so I've been doing some arm exercises and a daily 10-20 minutes of abs. I sailed for almost 1.5 hours today and my arms still felt strong at the end. My trip got cancelled, but I expected that and it's really just a footnote at this point. I'm glad it gave me the extra push to get stronger. I'm going to keep it up. I've got another year of motivation now...time to get strong for spring 2021!
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
It was a picture perfect day for windsurfing while the wold fell apart. I don't see my Mexico trip happening next month, but I'm taking inspiration from the athletes I follow and training anyway, so regardless of what happens at least I'm as fit as I can be. I did 50 jibes as a drill like in college to get my arms stronger and practice sailing unhooked more, to simulate wave sailing. I tend to get tired by the end of an hour wave sailing and things just fall apart, so that's what I want to surpass. Even if I don't travel anywhere.
No need for even a shorty anymore, so I did my annual sail in just a bathing suit. From now on it will be full sun protective gear unless we get a little front and need a warmer layer.
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '19 EZZY 4.7 ELITE
009 - Finished before the peak today. Out between the spoil and bridge. There was a very long troutline across most of the middle flats. Not safe to sail over it so we lifted it to get under. Nice to have a dozen on the water, eight first timers and a handful to sail with on the outside.
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
008 - Felt like more than yesterday and a little more east so it was out between the spoils. A few nice runs to the north end at the last. Back to the other side tomorrow.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
007 - Nothing flat and sorta gusty during the peak today. Out and back to SI #1, could have used smaller board. Nice to have a bunch on the water.
Board: Burton Sail:
4 inches of fresh light fluffy. Too icy underneath the pow in the trees but out in the open was gorgeously lurvly.
Board: Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 6.3 Severne S-1
Brought the SUP, but was able to thankfully foil.
Board: Burton Sail:
A couple of runs in the afternoon sun.
Picked up L's stuff from her employee locker and made quick plans on driving to Corpus starting Friday, but the quick plans changed just as quickly and now we're (currently) not planning on it.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
Jus' me and my shawty. #SpringBreak2020
Board: '14 JP 93 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
006 - Out past the spoil and near the bridge. Steady build-up, consistent power, water up a bit so it was slight chop inside. Mostly round trips back to the launch.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo
The Foil-X saved the day. I am glad I did not drive to CC today. I think the local wind was as good or better. I ended up way upwind, and found it work to get back downwind in the gusty wind during the peak. I went out on my freestyle board at the end of my session, but only planed for a little bit.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
For the mediocre conditions we got, it was technically not worth 7 hours of driving, but for the adventure and finally getting to try this place for the first time, it was. I sailed with Olivier, Phil, and Kelsey (not sure the spelling). We got there and I decided I was rigging 5.2. The guys immediately said they were rigging in the mid 4s, and I got advised that 5.2 was going to be too big. So I rigged 4.6. We all slogged for half the session and I regretted not listening to my gut...yet I couldn't get my brain around rigging bigger than an instructor and a pro who both know their stuff and are bigger than me. Oh well. It made things more of workout, which I really need. Sailed with dolphins sometimes. Saw SpaceX. We anticipated the high tide and left 2.5 hours ahead of it, but it was already coming up and resulted in driving through waves on the way out. Oops. My Subaru did awesome and I rewarded it with a luxurious bath. I could have done without the white knuckle departure, though.
Recording these names in case I ever go back, because I liked these two places: Antojitos Freddy (tacos on the way to the beach) and B&C car wash in San Benito - hand car wash for $6 and the soap smells like almond - best car wash ever.
Board: Burton Sail:
Sunny and warm
Board: Rodeo 98 Sail: 4.8 S1 Pro
Day trip to Corpus with the kids. I was overpowered on 4.8! 4.4 would have been better but the sensor doesn't really reflect the actual conditions. I felt like I was sailing dialed after so much recent time on the water. However, sick wave sailing does not equal freestyle. Tried to spock. Failed miserably.
The boys sailed 3.6 and 2.1 and they stayed out ages which was super duper cool.
Board: Burton Sail:
8" of fresh light bluebird puffy pow. Hiked with Roxi to the spot to earn the turns. Me on my snowshoes, she with her skins. I did 1 run, she did 2. My hips are hurting the day after.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81 Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18
Ended the Great Sailing Drought of 2020 with my first session since January. And it was a fun one. I forgot my freestyle board and freestyle fin and didn't pack my small sails, but ended up barely noticing or caring. I worked on basics and just tried to keep constantly moving to knock some rust off and build some muscle for my PSC trip. Happy that I got some fun monkey ducks (I'll never get tired of that move) and finally an actual jump jibe I think I can claim. I was overpowered and got flattened on all but one of my upwind 360s and push tack attempts, but it gave me a workout that I appreciated. For extra practice I made myself only water start (no touching bottom) in whatever direction I fell, plus tried sailing unhooked a little here and there. Phil S came, and it was fun watching his moves. I appreciate being part of a sport in which a world champ can just show up and park next to you.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
005 - A bit weak at first but filled in well later. Out to the spoil and BAF between the IWC and the spoil.
Board: Burton Sail:
10 runs with Laura and Roxi. Fun in the sun with fast, carvable spring snow conditions.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 6.4 ZETA
004 - Out between the spoil island and bridge. Short peak and quick drop off. Fairly steady but on the light side.
Board: Burton Sail:
13" fresh fluff shred party with Laura, Mike, Julie, Ben and Jack.
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE
003 - Out around the spoil and beyond. New sail felt great overpowered. Elite became Wave and 5.8 has 5 battens. It ramped up quite a bit, was a little choppy and fairly steady.
Board: Burton Sail:
Super sunny, super uncrowded spring like day. First time we rode the Cascade lift this season! It's so pretty way up there!
Bailey gets to play in the snow and then walk on the beach and swim within 40 minutes of each other on these types of days. Lucky dog! Lucky humans!
Board: Burton Sail:
Super fun sunny Monday!
Board: '19 JP 113 FWP Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE
002 - Watched it come and go twice then rigged for the third cycle which had a better low end. Mostly out between the spoils and back, light chop and small holes.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo
I went out very briefly on the foil, but to my surprise it was windsurfing weather. A very nice hour of 20mph wind. Good weekend, I got my fix.
Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo
Oh heck yes. I missed the first hour of 20mph wind, but I had a nice hour of it. Then I came in traded my board and foiled until sunset. My new foil board is AWESOME. It really is perfect for me and for what I need/want. No need to rig different. More time on the water. I love it so far.
Board: KT83 Sail: 4.8 S1 Pro
A slightly anti-climatic last day. Expected more wind and it was kind of flat. Worked on speed loops. A few were really good when I remembered to slide my hand way down the boom.
Board: KT83 Sail: 3.6 S1 Pro
What. A. Day!!!!
Oh boy. It had its ups and downs. I was so oh so close to landing a perfect push loop but the rotation was so fast the board jettisoned off my feet just before I landed so I ended up water starting out of it. Then I did possibly my best ever forward using the secret technique that all the pros use when they do massive stalled ones. I then proceeded to crash horribly trying it again. Cannonball!!! We then moved down to Big Bay and I couldn't find my groove. Sailed horribly but still water started out of a back loop shortly before I got spanked by a pretty big wave.
it has been an incredible week so far. Ben and Colin are exceptional coaches and also super cool and genuine guys. Tomorrow may be the last day with wind. Will see how it goes.
Board: KT83 Sail: 4.8 S1 Pro
Headed darn sarf for starboard tack sesh at Witsands. Beautiful blue water, white beaches and cliffs. Challenging conditions.
Coaching is back on tomorrow and the forecast looks a bit mental. I have 3 goals, any of which I would be happy to accomplish: ginormous stalled forward, clean back loop, clean push loop. Let's see what tomorrow brings!
Board: KT83 Sail: 4.8 S1 Pro
Kicked in late again, like after 6. And so it was super busy on the water. I had a really good time wave riding. Mostly one hit smacks. Then sunset at sunset the wind got reallly nice. And I got super close to making a back loop. Bens tips help a lot! Next time :)
The wind was a bit light, so there was a fair bit of slogging. The first real gust of the day got me planing on the inside and I was flying out between waves looking for a back loop ramp when I hit something hard and catapulted. "What the Heck was that!" I checked my fins and they were still intact. Then a kiter shouted at me from downwind and I realized I had hit his board full speed. It had been floating upside down. Abandoned. ;-) Later on he hunted me down to tell me I had sliced a big hole in it. Oopsy.
Board: KT83 Sail: 4.8 S1 Pro
Wind never really kicked in. Practiced forward loops on the beach. Then did 15 mins of slog and ride but it was a bit too light.
Board: KT83 Sail: 4.0 S1 Pro
Today was weird. I was trying stuff and making progress but just wasn't feeling the excitement. Maybe just tired and jet lagged, it's 8 hour time difference.
Worked on my backies, and made some progress. Also tried some pushies which I've never tried on this tack. Water started out of two of them using a top tip from Ben. Also crashed two. Horribly.
I'm here with Guillaume. Guillaume sails twice a year on average and is already busting massive forwards and working on backies. Sick!
Board: KT83 Sail: 3.6 S1 Pro
Stupendous first session in Cape Town with Ben Profit and Colin Dixon coaching clinic. Big wind day. Big moves. Sailed much too much.
Send it!!!
Board: Burton Sail:
5 inches?
Board: Burton Sail:
3 runs. 2 inches of pow over ice. Uninspiring. But, it's good to be over the cold that made me miss so many of the good days last week.
Board: Goya Quad 84 Sail: 4.8 S1 Pro
Got to the beach and it looked light and small. Olivier talked about checking out South Packery instead. Decided to give it a shot anyway and after a couple of warm up runs it suddenly stepped up a notch. Some chest high waves. Solid wind. Had a blast.
Board: Angulo Triumph 81, Starboard Nuevo Twin 82 Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18
I missed the morning reliable part of the front but sailed solo later in marginal wind. Waves were waist high if I caught the right set. I sailed both the Angulo and the Starboard to compare. I still don't feel like I click with a twin fin. It feels like I'm dragging more, planing slower, and can't turn as hard as I want to. Maybe it's my sailing, and maybe taking a clinic will help. Maybe it's also that the fins feel a little big, yet I don't want to invest $200-something in re-finning it. But it's super light. It makes me wonder if my Angulo has taken on water, or if the starboard is just built lighter. I'll stay open minded and test it more. Could turn into a bay board as Randy suggested.
Saw a mini vertical rainbow afterward, in a nearly cloudless sky.
Board: Starboard Foil-X 145 Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo
Not much wind when I got there. The park ranger asked if I knew something (weather wise) he did not while rigging. I said I was going to go for it. I knew from last time that I would be OK since I can uphaul my new board. It turned out to be really nice. Sunny, 60's air temps, and plenty of flights. My board is the perfect volume and size for me. Footstraps are positioned well. I still feel it is hard to get my foot out of them easy with O'Neill booties. I need to try my Atans next time.
Board: Burton Sail:
Took L on my favorite tree run. Cruise on in this side of Forest Park, then eventually cross FP to that side of it. Then slip on into the next batch of trees, shred it, and exit on the HoneySuckler runout.
Take this for a bit, then slide softly into the Fright Trees, which I had never been in because I didn't want to be in a double black with trees alone, all by myself. Plus, I had just only "discovered" this area a couple sessions ago. All was happy, fun and festive in there, but the slope kept getting steeper and steeper until we eventually came upon the most frightening drop I've ever encountered. Sure there was 15" of light fluffy new pow, which will make a hero out of anyone, but the drop was frightening enough that we decided to hike back up and around it until we could exit out the side onto Tamarack. This was quite the workout. There were times when I took a step and my foot would sink and sink and sink, seemingly forever. The only thing that saved me in this situation was the broad surface area of the crotch.
The broad crotch saved my life today. 