Gene Mathis has shown me the light. I sailed Fred Howard Park, Tarpon Springs, Fla. This is such a fantastic place. The day started on a 7.5 but everyone else had everything rigged. I was the only one on a 7.5. The others were complaining about the cold ( Sunny, 61 degrees, wet suite botties no hood or gloves ) I thought it was just right. About 12:30 I switched to my 6.6 and then at 3 I rigged my 5.5. By the time I stopped sailing conditons were 5.0 The wind appeared to not have any noticable gusts. Just steady wind. Waist high water and Flat Flat Flat. Jibe city. Why go to Aruba - go to Fred Howard instead. The next day I sailed a 7.5 in the morning but I was hurting too much from Friday to sail anymore than an hour. Gail and I then went to Ringling Bros. Museum so I could rest. On Sunday I did some freestyle in the Atlantic at Daytona ( no wind to speak of ) and then on to Jekyll Island where I had another decent 7.5 morning. However, the water was a bit colder in the Atlantic then in the Gulf.
I vote next road trip is to Fred Howard Park. 7.5 hours. I have found a motel for $57 about 5 minutes from the park.
I've parked myself and may board/sails/etc at Fred Howard Park for a week about 10 years ago. During the week (Christmas Vacation week) we had 80F temperatures and zero days of wind.
The spot is perfect in terms of parking, water access, flat water etc. Since I did not have any wind, does anyone have any information about best times for wind at this spot? Spring? Thermals?
(PS. Why go to Aruba? - for the wind)
Marek
I lived in St. Pete for a few months from March to June. I remember it being windy every few days and quite warm. This was when I was just starting to use the harness and footstraps.
It wasn't windy every day but fairly regularly, it blew. I remember because I was into riding big time then (still remember getting dropped by a group riding from USF, after about 2 hrs of 25+ and climbing Florida's biggest hill, I got spit out the back) and although I windsurfed some, I really hated going out to train and having to fight headwinds out near F. Desoto.
In the winter, the thermals are actually in the morning (cold air getting sucked out to the Gulf). Probably by April and May, when you start to get those good 85+ days inland, the afternoon thermals get pretty dependable.
Why go to Aruba? Thermal does not equal trade wind.
Good day to be at Howard Park on Jan 3rd. I too enjoyed one of the best days of wind there. I started and finished the day on a 6.5. You did well to hang on to a 7.5 until lunch. I pulled out at 12:30 from fatigue and was feeling the force about then. That is a great place to sail, but only the half of it is the location. The people there are great! Gene brings a van load of demo gear every time the wind blows. Anything you want to try! Then about 45 minutes away, you can buy the gear at Tackle Shack. It is a super place and good fellowship!