Per Randy at Tidwell at 8:30, some caps and he's rigging his 7.5. I had thought it might blow:
http://www.windsensewindsurfing.com/ForecastLog.html
I'm going to head to Van Pugh, hopefully around 9:30.
This almost live update brought to you by Windsense and Randy.
Gene
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Gene Mathis
Both of yous pants are on fire. Check out the gulf at St George Island:
http://www.beachview.com/st_george_is_640.htm
OK, not so good, a few caps (very few) every now and then, I tried the 7.5 on the Kona for awhile, then SUPed the Kona for awhile. It'll probably pick up this afternoon. Fun factor 3 of 10.
Gene
Gene Mathis
A less than perfect day. I started out 7.5 on 130 liter board. I pumped onto a plane once or twice, they got ready to tack. BAM!! busted mast. Ended up drfiting to shore (<40 feet awy), but probably a mile from my launch (with various rocks, downed trees etc in the way) then paddling back using the unbroken part of the mast at a paddle (tied a small peiece of wood to it.) Definitly a lot of work. I had to rig a new sail, 6.4 this time, and sail back on my longboard to get the sail and boom. Pretty slow since the only way to keep the board stable was to straddle it like a horse, one leg on each side in the water (lots of drag.) But I eventually got there. Good thing I've been kayaking and paddling a lot lately.
Also, good thing it happened today, when it was warm. (I remember seeing a vid on rigging the sail on one piece of the mast only, but thought trying to sail likethat would be a nightmare on a small board.) I tried the normal "self rescue" technique - while much faster, it was not possible to direct myself towards the desired shore location, since I was always blown downwind. No doubt, in a cold weather scenario, its the quickest way back to shore. Since I was just trying to avoid the inconvenience of a very long walk, paddling seemed better. In cold weather, I'd probably have walked back.
Ended up sailing another hour underpowered on the 6.4 and longboard, but at least it was pleasant, and nothing else broke!
BTW - there were whitecaps.
What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.