Yep, Was out today with a 6.5 Meter sail and totally tuned up, blasting to the point the fin spun out a few times. Really kind of odd to sail a board sideways on a plane at about 20 degrees angle to the forward motion.
A couple times I crashed - once ran aground on a sand bar and - well at 25 knots, the board stops, I didn't. Hopefully you get the picture.
All too much fun to just lean back - full strapped in, and may have 20% of the board in the water.
Windsurfing has been a central part of my happiness for over 30 years. (Matt and Sam with Dad).
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
High Wind - Not in water often
Yep
After work got airborne more than I think I was in the water.
Fun to get wet again after a 3 week trip to the US sans WQindsurfing.
Arms definitely paid the price as no windsurf for a month was like starting over and so after too short time, I had to rest.
When I went back out, the wind was dropping off at 7 PM, end of the day - all in all - still a wonderful time.
Tess dropped me a weed fin - originally in like was one of Mark's that I bought a few years back.
It worked well, and when fully blasting had enough of a load to go upwind a little - like a formula fin almost.
Fun way to end the day
After work got airborne more than I think I was in the water.
Fun to get wet again after a 3 week trip to the US sans WQindsurfing.
Arms definitely paid the price as no windsurf for a month was like starting over and so after too short time, I had to rest.
When I went back out, the wind was dropping off at 7 PM, end of the day - all in all - still a wonderful time.
Tess dropped me a weed fin - originally in like was one of Mark's that I bought a few years back.
It worked well, and when fully blasting had enough of a load to go upwind a little - like a formula fin almost.
Fun way to end the day
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
After Work Speed Sail
After work it was forecast to blow 15 to 20 knots, so we planned to head out and sail somewhere.
Lake connewarre near Ocean Grove ended up being the destination and so I rigged up in the blowing sand, wondering it I was rigging too big (5.0). SMS came from Red who earlier in the day was fully powered up running a 6.4, and the forecast said now was supposed to be stronger, so with only a 6.5 and a 5.0, I went for smaller, hoping it was a correct choice.
The gusts were difficult as they were all over the place,so the 5.0 was well under control if the board was not, but it was fun, though in the lulls it was far from being enough to stay planning, so I was slogging between gusts. The gusts were twitchy at times, making it difficult to feel comfortable loading up the harness.
The gusts were difficult as they were all over the place,so the 5.0 was well under control if the board was not, but it was fun, though in the lulls it was far from being enough to stay planning, so I was slogging between gusts. The gusts were twitchy at times, making it difficult to feel comfortable loading up the harness.
GPS said average[2]: 38.394km/h 20.731knots
I like the Koncept sail, even though it is old, it seems to be pretty good. I need a shorter mast to get this sail down on the water line. The chop was at times testy an pushed me airborne more than once which is a feat considering the lake is only just beyond fin deep or about 3 feet deep.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Windsurfing in OZ
Well, After 30 some year delay I finally can check off that I have windsurfed in OZ.
Many years ago, the windsurfer World Championships were held in Perth, maybe 1984 to be more precise, give or take a year or two. Yesterday on Gumtree.com I saw a hire board used during that event that ironically turned out to be a wind less event, and a washout. I am glad I did not go to sit on the beach, but at the same time, I wish I had gone because I was a really good course racer, at the top of my game, and I needed the worlds to test my skills to motivate me to keep training.
Anyway, the wind here is better than in the US, most days, but does have slow days like today where I go to the beach with just a surfboard and try to stand up and real surf without a sail.
Friday we went to Geelong to do some business, and on the way home we stopped at Point Henry for an after work sail.
Many years ago, the windsurfer World Championships were held in Perth, maybe 1984 to be more precise, give or take a year or two. Yesterday on Gumtree.com I saw a hire board used during that event that ironically turned out to be a wind less event, and a washout. I am glad I did not go to sit on the beach, but at the same time, I wish I had gone because I was a really good course racer, at the top of my game, and I needed the worlds to test my skills to motivate me to keep training.
Anyway, the wind here is better than in the US, most days, but does have slow days like today where I go to the beach with just a surfboard and try to stand up and real surf without a sail.
Friday we went to Geelong to do some business, and on the way home we stopped at Point Henry for an after work sail.
Light breeze up on a plane
Anyway - the sailing is helping me feel more fit and more like I used to. A few times I have had some awesome rides that start to make it all worth it.
Cheers
Philip US 287
Sunday, September 30, 2012
This weekend was crummy weather. The wind was awesome but periods of rain made it not so much fun. Saturday afternoon we got caught walking on the beach and treated to a double rainbow - pretty cool.
Surf was poor so I did not surf Sunday - which I had wanted to try.
3 more weeks until my gear arrives in Oz!
Surf was poor so I did not surf Sunday - which I had wanted to try.
3 more weeks until my gear arrives in Oz!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Went Surfing
Hard to believe after 30 some years of windsurfing all over the world I never went just "surfing". Recently in Australia I find myself without windsurf gear - on the ocean with wind and nothing to do south of Melbourne near what they call the surf coast.
So I decided to try just surfing,.
I was amazed at how simple this sport is - well.. equipment wise - just pull on a wet suit, strap on the leg strap and hit the water.
Equipment wise this is so simple - one of the pure sports I suppose, pretty different than rigging a sail and always hauling gear, etc.
Surfing however takes some work. There are some things years of sailing and surfing waves make familiar, and then there are a lot of things that are not.
Paddle paddle paddle, push up, then stand up and oh yea - don't loose your balance - there is no sail to recover with.
The water was a refreshing 12C - so not a normal day in bath water - but the cold was offset by fun, spills, and of course paddle paddle paddle.
I think if there is no wind I will try this again
So I decided to try just surfing,.
I was amazed at how simple this sport is - well.. equipment wise - just pull on a wet suit, strap on the leg strap and hit the water.
Equipment wise this is so simple - one of the pure sports I suppose, pretty different than rigging a sail and always hauling gear, etc.
Surfing however takes some work. There are some things years of sailing and surfing waves make familiar, and then there are a lot of things that are not.
Paddle paddle paddle, push up, then stand up and oh yea - don't loose your balance - there is no sail to recover with.
The water was a refreshing 12C - so not a normal day in bath water - but the cold was offset by fun, spills, and of course paddle paddle paddle.
I think if there is no wind I will try this again
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