I launched at LLSC (straight on shore). 5.5 with the foil, and a pretty good day for it. I've pretty much given up on the idea that foiling is gonna "click" like waterstarting or riding a bike and that I'll just "get it" all of a sudden. I got some longer, rodeo rides today and a couple of times got a brief sense of steering while aloft (kinda like a planing short board... but totally weird for being up in the air).
Thanks to Barrett and Jim for coaching me to bear off for speed first to get it up, I made some small progress today. Opposite to what I thunk, speed makes the pitch/altitude control easier, though I still had a couple of memorable giant wheelies-to-overthehandlebars crashes. I was able to fly lower, touch down and relaunch, so feeling a little more in control.
PLEASE, some of ya'll try this thing and show us the way...
JIm C., Pat and Dave D. made it to Old Federal yesterday but not mentioned above.
Today, Van Pugh turnout was good: Gene, Jim, C. Hizzoner Jere, C Foilin' V, Crispy, Spreen Dog, Diane, Dwade, Drewade, Patpark, Jowell and me.
Parking is starting to get skinny - I'd hate for windsurfing to become a "thing". Fell in 3 times. All within 15 ft of the stinkin' launch. If there's one thing that sucks at Van Pugh...
Randy, you need to bring that rig to the big pond. It'd be cool to surf down the swells with your rig. You can bring your eMonsterTruck, too.
That was really cool Richard! These "micro sailing spots" can be a lot of fun to find and try out. Sometimes they (like the river in my case) are right under our nose. Thanks for posting the video.
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What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Thanks Randy. The Bic has gathered some dust in the last few / several years. I finally got it out 3 whole times in the last few weeks - this has been great for my being. Even getting on Lake Windward was fun - I'm not too proud for these nooks ... just a little desperate for any water time.
It's been five months since I have been out so I hit the lake today in desperation. Enough wind to cruise around Galts with an 8.5 and a Nova but not much more. Lots of boat traffic making things interesting.
... I'm working on a vid of my 3.7 sailing as well.
So... basically, a few whitecaps?
(Of course, that means, once again, I'll end up using my 9.5 exclusively in Hatteras)
Gotta give you props, Randy. While very other kiter is crowding up the Pamlico Sound, you find an open space. btw, does Indy have a chance in the playoffs?
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--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
I have perfected my video from the other day. Here is the new version including never before seen footage. Old one will be deleted.
Here are also links to the kite used in the video, and some discussion of the development process and history.
The kite's history reaches back to the 2003 America's Cup competition when the US and New Zealand teams sought to utilize a similar kite as replacement for the spinnaker. Our kite follows the same concept, but implements it in a much different (and since we didn't have a few extra zillions of dollars less costly) way.
I have perfected my video from the other day. Here is the new version including never before seen footage. Old one will be deleted.
Here are also links to the kite used in the video, and some discussion of the development process and history.
The kite's history reaches back to the 2003 America's Cup competition when the US and New Zealand teams sought to utilize a similar kite as replacement for the spinnaker. Our kite follows the same concept, but implements it in a much different (and since we didn't have a few extra zillions of dollars less costly) way.
What matters in kite traction is the amount of pull available at the edge of the window, and what kind of upwind progress can be made. I will leave it up to Randy, or one of you, to evaluate this and compare with other kites.
Thursday through Saturday looking good 
Did someone say "honkin'"?
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
Sounds like it was pretty brutal up in Flowery Branch and Oakwood
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/116185/
It honked. 5.5-6.5 were most popular sail sizes. About 8 of us sailed-Crispy, Dwade, Shred Dog, Trey, Marek, Michal, Rhett .
No traffic so water was pleasant.
I launched at LLSC (straight on shore). 5.5 with the foil, and a pretty good day for it. I've pretty much given up on the idea that foiling is gonna "click" like waterstarting or riding a bike and that I'll just "get it" all of a sudden. I got some longer, rodeo rides today and a couple of times got a brief sense of steering while aloft (kinda like a planing short board... but totally weird for being up in the air).
Thanks to Barrett and Jim for coaching me to bear off for speed first to get it up, I made some small progress today. Opposite to what I thunk, speed makes the pitch/altitude control easier, though I still had a couple of memorable giant wheelies-to-overthehandlebars crashes.
I was able to fly lower, touch down and relaunch, so feeling a little more in control.
PLEASE, some of ya'll try this thing and show us the way...
Second episode this afternoon at Van Pugh although yesterday took a fair bit out of my legs.
Chris has his foiling and I have my garbage bags. Yesterday was about as good at it gets......so far.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Another good day. 6.5 ish for most.
JIm C., Pat and Dave D. made it to Old Federal yesterday but not mentioned above.
Today, Van Pugh turnout was good: Gene, Jim, C. Hizzoner Jere, C Foilin' V, Crispy, Spreen Dog, Diane, Dwade, Drewade, Patpark, Jowell and me.
Parking is starting to get skinny - I'd hate for windsurfing to become a "thing". Fell in 3 times. All within 15 ft of the stinkin' launch. If there's one thing that sucks at Van Pugh...
Randy, you need to bring that rig to the big pond. It'd be cool to surf down the swells with your rig. You can bring your eMonsterTruck, too.
Good runs yesterday at Galt's too, even for me.
May your water be smooth and your winds be swift.
On Friday I actually windsurfed on Lake Windward...
That was really cool Richard! These "micro sailing spots" can be a lot of fun to find and try out. Sometimes they (like the river in my case) are right under our nose. Thanks for posting the video.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Thanks Randy. The Bic has gathered some dust in the last few / several years. I finally got it out 3 whole times in the last few weeks - this has been great for my being. Even getting on Lake Windward was fun - I'm not too proud for these nooks ... just a little desperate for any water time.
It's been five months since I have been out so I hit the lake today in desperation. Enough wind to cruise around Galts with an 8.5 and a Nova but not much more. Lots of boat traffic making things interesting.
This will give an idea of the winds at OBX last week. Here's my "kiteboarding" video. I'm working on a vid of my 3.7 sailing as well.
See below.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
So... basically, a few whitecaps?
(Of course, that means, once again, I'll end up using my 9.5 exclusively in Hatteras)
Gotta give you props, Randy. While very other kiter is crowding up the Pamlico Sound, you find an open space. btw, does Indy have a chance in the playoffs?
--- The Arrogant Jerk: Crabby and irritable since 1998.
Indy stole the homecourt advantage for Toronto, so that's a good sign.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
I have perfected my video from the other day. Here is the new version including never before seen footage. Old one will be deleted.
Here are also links to the kite used in the video, and some discussion of the development process and history.
The kite's history reaches back to the 2003 America's Cup competition when the US and New Zealand teams sought to utilize a similar kite as replacement for the spinnaker. Our kite follows the same concept, but implements it in a much different (and since we didn't have a few extra zillions of dollars less costly) way.
http://2e5.com/kite/npwc/falken/
http://2e5.com/kite/npwc/falken/plans/
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.
Is this Randy and you one and the same?
Of course. There is only one Randy, just like there is only one LeBron, or Michael, or Tiger or........
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.