Hey,

Team "Prairie Schooner" was at it again last night.  Got on the water at about 5:30-6:00 PM and sailed until 7:30-8:00.  The wind was blowing a fairly steady 20 mph from the North.  I was on my 6.5 and my Phoenix while Scott was on an 8.0 and his Powerglide.  The water was really smooth so I managed to pull of at least a dozen jibes.  Not carving completely through, but staying dry and saving energy.   Lake Hefner is about 2.5-3 miles in diameter so you can planning runs for a couple miles before thinking about turning around.

Today’s forecast is for N 23 so it looks like a repeat of yesterday with slightly stronger winds.  Tomorrow’s forecast is for light winds N 10-15.  It’ll be a nice break to get out the big stuff.  Stay tuned…

Bill

Bill,

Isn't 6.5 and 8.0 already the big stuff!!

Andrew

Andrew,

For lightweights like you, 6.5 and 8.0 might be considered big sails.  For “Clydesdale” class windsurfers like us they are the small stuff.  By the way you were right, that JP 105 of yours is really a fine board.  We haven’t had a chance to try any of your sails yet but we’ll let you know how it goes when we do.

Day 3, Tuesday, was a repeat of day two except the winds were steadier and the temp colder.  Winds were N 20-25 and the temp was around 45.  Sailed for two hours, 5:30-7:30 powered up and planning the whole time.  Managed to break my boom on the last run and had to sail back with only the good half.  William, do you still have that boom for sale?

Today looks like light wind so we might get a break.  The next good wind looks like Sunday.  The Atlanta forecast looks like it’s going to be Van Pugh day on Thursday and Friday.  Good luck!

Bill

Bill,

I knew it was a mistake to let Scott look after my board! Sounds from above as if you've both succeeded in knocking a chunk out of my JP106, and making it a JP105! Course it could also reveal the board is safely back in Atlanta, and you forgot what it was!

How much wind do you think it would take to get Scott going on my 4.7!

Andrew

Hey,

Wednesday was a rest day, no sailing due to light wind.  Today and tomorrow look the same.  Saturday is a maybe, but Sunday and Monday are looking good with forecast winds in the 20-30 range and 80 degree temps.

Andrew, don’t worry about the holes in your board.  I’ve got plenty of experience fixing boards and booms lately.  It’ll look almost as good as new when I’m done.  ;o)

Hmmm, the wind speed required for Scott on a 4.7.  I guess out here in tornado alley that’d be at least an F1 or F2.

Bill

No sailing Thursday through Saturday.  Winds were less than 10-15.

Sailed Sunday from 11:00 to 6:30.  I started out on an 8.5 until about 1:00.  Winds constantly picked up and Scott finally came out on his 8.0 at about 1:00.  At about 3:00 I rigged down to a 6.5 and Scott his 7.0.  I stayed out until about 5:30 until I got overpowered and exhausted.  Scott kept going until about 6:30.

Right now at 4:00 it’s blowing 29 with gusts to 35.  We should be on the water around 5:30.

Bill

Damage/broken equipment list (so far):

(1) Broken HPL Carbon Boom head
(1) Broken fin
(1) Broken WH Lanai boom

Nuclear…South winds 25 gusting over 35 (84 degrees too).  I got hammered on an extremely downhauled 5.7 (smallest sail in my arsenal) and Powerglide borrowed from Scott.  I quit after an hour of being beat up and afraid to bear off.  Scott did O.K. on his 5.8 and Explosion and was overpowered a few times.  That answers Andrew’s previous question.  

Most of the locals were on 4.5-5.0 and teeny tiny <100 liter boards.  I wish I were too.  Today is looking the same or windier.  Unfortunately there is also a good chance of strong thunderstorms so it may be a washout.  That may not matter anyway since I haven’t got a small enough sail or board.

Bill

Interesting web sites:
http://www.geocities.com/okcjohn/article/article1.htm
http://www.extremeoutside.com/

So that's why we don't have any wind here- you are using it all up before it get's here.

Bill, too bad you didn't take my 83 liter plastic board with you.  5.7 in 25-35 and Powerglide?  You could get big air just uphauling. I hate to ask even what size fin you had.  I'll bet that board went upwind well, though.

Glad to hear you guys having a blast.

Well Bill, you should have bought my 4.7 I have for sale, of course living in Atlanta, I can understand why you might not think it is necessary! Reading the article on OK only makes it even more appearent what a lousy place GA is for windsurfing...  It is good to see that you and Scott are able to see what a Spring 'season' should look like.  Do we even have a sailing 'season' here anymore?  Grumble, grumble, grumble.

"Reading the article on OK only makes it even more appearent what a lousy place GA is for windsurfing... "

Hard to understand why this isn't the hot air ballooning capital of the world. But could explain why spent so much of my life riding a bike. Cyclists _hate_ wind unless it's a tail wind which it usually isn't.

GA: Weather Front Valhalla; ie where they go after they die.

Well, if Monday was nuclear, I’m not sure how to describe Tuesday.  Winds were 30-35 gusting to 40-50.  Scott was getting slammed on his 5.0, barely able to waterstart.  He said he had to wait until a lull to lift the sail.  He fought valiantly for about an hour.  I knew he was done when had to walk back along the shore carrying his equipment.

The locals were on 4.0’s just barely hanging on.  One guy got launched and went through his sail.

Me, I listened to Dirty Harry’s (Clint Eastwood) advice; a man’s got to know his limitations.  Mine are well below that.  Although, with the right board and sail…

Today’s forecast is a little lighter, W 20-30 with 74-degree air temps.  Might be worth a go on the 5.7.

Bill

Bill,

You should have gone sailing - heeding Clint Eastwood's other bit of advice.... "Go ahead, make my day". We all like the crash and burn stories (well, I do).

Andrew (currently windsurf starved, but watching a Peter Hart video)

Rats, another 30-40 day.  The locals were on 4.0-4.5’s and Scott was on his 5.0.  I’m beginning to really hate sitting on the shore and watching.  Scott felt bad and offered to let me borrow his gear (his arms were tired anyway).

Throwing caution to the wind (pardon the pun), I took him up, when out and got pummeled.  I’m not sure about this short board thing yet.  I’d get planned up and in the straps for a while and then somehow or other wind up in the water in front of the board.  Fortunately waterstarting is easy with small equipment.

By the way Scott even made his first jump.  Not huge, but big enough to clear most of the fin and not crash.

Today is supposed to be 5-10 or 10-20, depending on which forecast I looked at.  Tomorrow is supposed to be another 15-25 day.  Hopefully we’ll get some action in before heading home.

Bill

Day 12-Light wind, day off.
Day 13-Started out 5.0-6.0 at 11:00 but lightened up after about an hour.  Locals were on 5.5-6.5’s (Scott on 7.0).  I was on my 5.7 mostly slogging but every so often a gust would come by and I’d get planned up.  I put the centerboard down and cruised all around the whole lake.    There’s a bunch of restaurants on the east shore you can sail right up too.   Great for showboating with the right wind and skill (neither of which I had).  

At about 4:00 the wind picked up and filled in.  My 5.7 was fine then.  Scott was really disappointed because we were leaving for Atlanta at 5:30.  

In summary, I’d describe the windsurfing in OKC as outstanding.  It was also a good tune up for Hatteras (I’m not pooped yet).  We sailed 8 out of 13 days and all were 6.5 or less (for me).  The local windsurfing folks welcomed us and really made us feel at home.  Thanks to Stan, Kevin, Lee, Ted, Maurice, Wayne, Moneray, and all the other folks who I haven’t named.  We really hated to leave.

Bill

BTW-I just read a post from Randy about a good session on a 9.0.  Toto, I don’t think were in Oklahoma any more.