Had to be up in Gainesville today and noticed mid-afternoon that it seemed breezy. Finally got a break and zipped over to Sunrise Cove. The wind had lightened up some but still spent about 50% of the time planing. After the awful late May to mid June we had, this was a moral victory. The usual light air gear: 9.5 and Formula board.
While I was out, I saw a SUP and decided to blast past. The SUP yelled back at me. It was Gene who'd paddled over from Old Federal after seeing my sail. During the lulls, we chatted and caught up a bit. And... he was my witness that I planed today.
Tomorrow looks possible after possible morning/mid-day rain.
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I had my secret sesh at the River on Sunday. Hard to keep it a secret when there is no parking spaces available, except across the street and the river is filled with various paddling type peeps. At least they don't produce much wake. Pretty good day for the river - sailed 6.2 and ~150 liter ancient longboard on Gene's test drive program.
Believe it or not, I did actually get planning a few times. Irony was a guy asked me before and "Can you really get planning here?" and I said I had but it wasn't commonplace. So now I'm glad he asked. Managed to get a pair of big goose eggs on my legs from tripping over a log and banging into my board. Today I might head back to the River (or possibly even the lake) if the wind shows but the t-storms decide to sit this one out.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
My congratulations on taking an absurdly difficult and impractical sport to the next level.
I know, I know. Any time on the water is good time. I'm sure it was better than being in an office cubicle.
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
Practicing with kites the last few weeks has helped my appreciation for sailing. Its hits home the fact that sails have a head start of several thousand years......
Yeah time on the water - even cold murky, yucky water sometimes. But, being the (self declared) "Rock Star of the River" beats being the jet ski target of the lake you know. Being the fasted guy is easy when the competition is inner tubes, kayaks and SUPs. Not so easy when its cigarette boats and wave runners. And weren't you the guy that posted how much he hated (driving to get) going windsurfing.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Don't forget the occasional alligator.
Just putting this here. No reason...
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
Actually, I was down at the river a couple Sundays ago with my dog when a 6' snake swam by about a foot from my leg. Thankfully he already had a 6" catfish dinner in his mouth and I wasn't going to stick around for hushpuppies.
I'm sure he was harmless though...I hope.
Chris and I ended up at the Snake River today. Pretty nice, the t-storms to the east provided some wind and it worked out pretty well. I continued my quest to perfect downwind sailing, though the rudder I added to the Start actually did help me turn it. This kite is a much simpler design than other ones I've used. Might be the way to go. Chris was able to sail in two directions, which seems like an advantage, though paddling down stream is a lot more direct than sailing downstream (upwind) and not much work.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.