Had a great trip to Cocoa Beach this weekend! 2 great sailing sessions. The sail-powered SUP saved the trip -- again.
Danny and I thought we came for the Midwinters but quickly bailed on the parking lot scene at Calema -- little-to-no wind there and we weren't geared up for racing anyway. We decided to take our chances at the beach.
We followed John Ingebritzen, the KONA/Exocet and Aerotech team rider, to Playa Linda. This is the beach way out on Cape Canaveral -- I mean WAY out there -- virtually in the shadow of the outer launching pads. Beautiful beach! (Lots of warning signs that no nude bathing allowed -- not sure what that is all about.)
In very light wind -- 5 to 7 on Friday and 7 to 10mph on Saturday, we had fantastic wave sailing sessions. 3' to occasional head-high+ waves were perfect -- and very routine for that beach. Dannywas on the Starboard BIG EASY (12' x 32") with an 8.0. I was on the Mistral PACIFICO SURF -- the slightly smaller brother of the 2 Mistral SUP model's -- with a 6.3. Ingebritzen was on the KONA 11'6" high-tech glider. But we wave sailed for hours and had a blast. You know and I are just regular dudes -- inland guys with just decent flatwater windsurfing skills - but we quickly felt at home out there on those beautiful waves. We really got into the glide and ride. Sure, we got too deep into the shore break a time or two and took some interesting tumbles, but no real harm so no real foul. Sessions we'll remember and talk about when windsurers talk about memorable sessions: "You remember that time when..." Meanwhile...back over in the Calema parking lot, the skunk may not have been slaying everyone but it was sure stinking up the place. (The KONA fleet did race and we were told if you sat real still you could actually see them moving out there. Sunday, the formula gusy got out late, but just barely.)
The moral of this story? Glad you asked. You don't need killer skills and a big bucket full of courage to get into the beautiful power of the ocean waves. SUP light-wind wave sailing is a natural, easy progression for the flatwater moderately-skilled windsurfer. YOU can explore a new venue in a new way. If you love the water, ain't nothing like actually getting inside it once in a while. On a wave, it's different.
Chuck Hardin
Whitecap Windsurfing, Inc.
c:706-833-WIND (9463)
If you are going to the Outer Banks this May, you'll have to show us how it's done. I rented an Aquaglide SUP for a week last year, but never had much luck with waves on the ocean side, either paddling or sailing.
Barrett
Would love to if we're there at the same time sometime but I'm not making an OBX trip until fall. Lessons get going and all that so I can't give up two weeekends just as the water gets warm enough for the folks to come out for lessons.
BTW, I have in stock both sizes of the Aquaglide (Amundson) SUP's. The 11' 3" is at a close-out discounted resale. Both are mast track and foot strap insert equipped. And I have the Mistral PACIFICO in stock too, in the original large model. And I also carry in my own quiver the slightly smaller PACIFICO SURF. And of course paddles.
Chuck Hardin
Whitecap Windsurfing, Inc.
c:706-833-WIND (9463)
Chuck, thanks for letting me know about the boards you have in stock. However, I'd first like to have some success in the waves. If we return to Nags Head in the Fall, it would be a good time to try one again. Please let me know if you are going. The SUP's make a lot of sense at that time of year because it's not as windy and the ocean is warm.
Barrett
Christopher & I had a good time in Cocoa despite not windsurfing. Hobie sailing at Kelly Park– spectating the Kona dudes and on dolphin / manatee watch. The Formula fleet never left the beach due to lack of wind, until Sunday when the seabreeze got up to 10-15. Enough for the 12.5s :shock: to get going. They got off 3 three races. I think the Konas got in 7 races. We caught a night launch of a delta rocket (locals said these are better than the shuttle launches because they are so much closer).
We met William & Simon there. They had a bummer mishap when their trailer was rear-ended and got mushed... but they now have a DE-luxe, brand new one.
Jr & I continued on to see Mickey. Then a Braves game in Clearwater where we also visited with Ruth & Garrison Smith. (Great WSing spots almost in their backyard). Along the way we stopped to do this indoor skydiving thing– pretty fun: