Wanted to report on a really good time Friday, largely due to the mix of wind toys. We had a nice long session with the Windsurfers. In all I counted 9 kiters and 4 windsurfers taking advantage of the conditions. I think there was another windsurfing contingent at Van Pugh...
We were out on 11 to 14 m flat kites with big boards 135 cm +. I think the Windsurfers were on ~5.5s. Later, maybe 2pm, the wind died and changed from SW to more W. That's when the windsurfers (Gene, Chris and Chuck) who'd been there since 10 or so packed up. For those of us that stuck around and showed up, we were rewarded after about 45 minutes of lull when the wind picked back up to around 15 mph. I lasted until dark.
The most fun that I had was a little friendly race of sorts with Chris V. Chris jibed just upwind of me to join my port tack and the fun was on. After a bit of upwind challenge, we bore off and really picked up the speed. Toward Sunrise we were both flying on a broad reach. I usually don't let it ride like that but it was a blast. I was curious about what would be faster. I think he was catching me a bit but as I was in front it and occupied with the speed I couldn't really tell. I do know that it wasn't overwhelmingly faster by any means. Before arriving at the point above Sunrise I decided to bail by sending the kite back and geting a bit of air in the transition back towards Old Federal.
Chris thanks for the stoke!!! I was pumped for hours afterward. Just proves to me that a little variety is the spice of life.
- Mel
Yea that was fun. And as I told you Mel, you blew my perception of kites right 'out of the water', i.e. can't get upwind without a lot of work, and not very fast. You were smokin'... (I was a tad faster though- sorry). As far as going upwind, you made it look easy.
That's kinda what I felt, especially initially. Since then I've talked myself into thinking we were even.
I'm going to have to work on my speed...
Look forward to sailing/kiting with you again soon!
Kites have always done well in downwinders in San Fran and the Gorge. It might be more ... um, entertaining to see them do a windward/leeward course (can you imagine the committee boat end?). But they definitely bring home silverware in the downwinders.
I've been sailing with the kiters for a year and a half and the experienced guys can go upwind further and faster than a windsurfer - especially if the tide is strong. The edge of that board makes about a 130 cm fin !
As for speed on a reach - especially considering they usually have over twice my sail area - a windsurfer is faster meter-for meter except in winds around 12 to 15. But you know what - we all be winning cause we all be grinning.
Chris - release the parking brake, man!!! peace s, tc
tc / thin'air