May you enjoy at least a dozen more excellent sessions this year than you expect! May you discover a wonderful new place on the water. May you find yourself at the next level in skill. May you enjoy the company of others and make new friends while on the water.
—
Happy New Year to All’Yall !!!
Is anyone sailing this afternoon at Van Pugh? Can’t think of a better way to kick off the New Year.
Barrett
1:30 eta. Chilly but not awful. Wind expected to peak late afternoon.
Conditions look more favorable than yesterday - enjoy the kick-off.
HNY
FoilDodo
Chris P, Barrett, Al (wing), Gene and I came out to ring in the new year. Clear skies and decent wind - Gilmer reported 12 to low 20s. Al winged a 4, I foiled a 4.7 and Barrett finned a 7.0. The water is coming up and chilly.
Randy
Just had a new left knee installed last week. Maybe, I might be seen windsurfing this spring. Time will tell. Happy New Year!
PeelSkid
FoilDodo
Great news! Would be great to see you out on the water.
Dave, hope your new knee allows you to return to windsurfing.
Our New Year session at Van Pugh was indeed chilly, but the wind was good. Here are some photos from late in the day.
Gene rigging.
William foiling 4.7m
Chris P. windsurfing 5.5m
Al returning to shore after good winging session with 4.0m
Temperatue as I drove off. It warmed up 8º as U drove away from the Lake.
Barrett
webguy
Randy
BoardMaverick
All the best to you guys !
Looking to come sail along with you another time.
webguy
FoilDodo
for those thinking that azure water was France, it wasn't. Guido's video says it's Langebaan, SA.
Langebaan was my windsurf vacation this december, and it is indeed quite a good spot though neoprene is required even in southern summertime.
Indeed, winter sailing at my home spot requires more neoprene, though water is quite azure.The Langebann video was a trip down memory lane since Peggy & I were there in 2003. We arrived early in the season, and despite the claim that the wind was guaranteed, it wasn't nearly as strong as expected. However the wildlife was amazing and had I arrived later, we would have missed out on seeing Southern Right Whales. For generations the lagoon was a safe breeding site for the whales. Then a whaling station opened and they were nearly hunted to extinction. They hadn't been seen in the area for over 30 years.
I was out windsurfing when a whale unexpectedly surfaced nearby, raising it's head out of the water 20 ft., spy-hopping, to take a look around. For a second I experience primal fear as a massive dark shape rose out of the water, but quickly calmed down to appreciate a very special encounter as the massive creature appeared to be more curious than threatening.
Later that evening the whales swam so close to our shore-side bungalow that we could hear them "singing" and see them rolling side-by-side in what appeared to be close affection, or breeding.
Barrett
BoardMaverick
I love this community. What other place starts a conversation with a winter holiday greeting and ends up with a pic of an ostrich. No, not Barrett, the other ostrich.