Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars
A very quick session between 10:00 and 11:00, crammed in before leaving for a flight to Toronto. iWindsurf reported winds in the mid-teens and seduced me, but when I arrived they were around 10 and falling. Lots of pumping. Still, "a day on the water. . ." so I worked on jibe technique in the light air.
With Laurie helping ferry the gear from car to beach and back, possibly the fastest setup and tear down time in memory -- 20 minutes in, 15 out.
A very quick session between 10:00 and 11:00, crammed in before leaving for a flight to Toronto. iWindsurf reported winds in the mid-teens and seduced me, but when I arrived they were around 10 and falling. Lots of pumping. Still, "a day on the water. . ." so I worked on jibe technique in the light air.
With Laurie helping ferry the gear from car to beach and back, possibly the fastest setup and tear down time in memory -- 20 minutes in, 15 out.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars
Nice afternoon of decent 12-15ish S winds from about noon to 3pm. A couple 45 minute sessions in the channel and the cove. Tack technique has gone to the dogs. The beach/launch area here has gotten narrower in the last couple years and overgrown with reeds so that I now have to rig to the north of the jet-ski/kayak launch. Still a nice place to rig.
Between sailing sessions, finally got the chance to use the SUP paddle I got from ISS in June 2008. It was kind of challenging to get back to shore against the wind, but not much problem with balance.
As I was packing up, a personal trainer and his two charges came down with SUP boards and paddled around for a while. Then they started to do exercises on the SUP boards. I overheard the trainer said people were now doing this kind of thing in Florida as "Paddle-ates"in organized classes -- a discipline so new I can't find any mention with Google. They were doing push ups, side to sides with paddles overhead, some yoga positions. Wave of the future?
Nice afternoon of decent 12-15ish S winds from about noon to 3pm. A couple 45 minute sessions in the channel and the cove. Tack technique has gone to the dogs. The beach/launch area here has gotten narrower in the last couple years and overgrown with reeds so that I now have to rig to the north of the jet-ski/kayak launch. Still a nice place to rig.
Between sailing sessions, finally got the chance to use the SUP paddle I got from ISS in June 2008. It was kind of challenging to get back to shore against the wind, but not much problem with balance.
As I was packing up, a personal trainer and his two charges came down with SUP boards and paddled around for a while. Then they started to do exercises on the SUP boards. I overheard the trainer said people were now doing this kind of thing in Florida as "Paddle-ates"in organized classes -- a discipline so new I can't find any mention with Google. They were doing push ups, side to sides with paddles overhead, some yoga positions. Wave of the future?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Bayview Park, Long Beach Township, New Jersey
Now that this is pretty much the only gathering spot for bay side windsurfers on LBI, thought I would sail out of here for a change. Indeed, a good number of sailors came over an introduced themselves, noticing my unfamiliar face. I'm guessing some of these folks have sailed here for decades. Nice!
It was a quite windy afternoon -- in the 20s. Challenging for me as I was out of shape, but exhilarating to be able to plane after all this time. I sailed I think from about 2-4pm.
As I'm writing this post a couple months after the fact, I can't remember whether it was Sat May 30 or Sun May 31 for sure but (and isn't this typical for a windsurfer?) I remember the wind better than the day, so checking the iWindsurf archive makes me think it must have been Sunday, as I wasn't sailing all that late in the afternoon.
This is a great spot to sail from -- shallow sandy launch directly on the bay, and the aforementioned friendly community. Only downsides are there's no grassy area to rig (beach or parking lot are your choices) and the boat channel is not very far offshore so on a busy summer weekend you are dodging some pretty big and potentially not very intelligently piloted craft. Need a beach tag in season to park.
Now that this is pretty much the only gathering spot for bay side windsurfers on LBI, thought I would sail out of here for a change. Indeed, a good number of sailors came over an introduced themselves, noticing my unfamiliar face. I'm guessing some of these folks have sailed here for decades. Nice!
It was a quite windy afternoon -- in the 20s. Challenging for me as I was out of shape, but exhilarating to be able to plane after all this time. I sailed I think from about 2-4pm.
As I'm writing this post a couple months after the fact, I can't remember whether it was Sat May 30 or Sun May 31 for sure but (and isn't this typical for a windsurfer?) I remember the wind better than the day, so checking the iWindsurf archive makes me think it must have been Sunday, as I wasn't sailing all that late in the afternoon.
This is a great spot to sail from -- shallow sandy launch directly on the bay, and the aforementioned friendly community. Only downsides are there's no grassy area to rig (beach or parking lot are your choices) and the boat channel is not very far offshore so on a busy summer weekend you are dodging some pretty big and potentially not very intelligently piloted craft. Need a beach tag in season to park.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Bayview Park, Brant Beach, NJ
One small shred for boy, one giant leap for windsurfing.
Today my son David had his first windsurfing lesson. We tracked down Jack Bushko who of course was terrific.
David is 10, so of course I planned to leave them alone for lesson. I figured I'd watch for the first five minutes and then take off, but David wouldn't stop talking to me. So I waved good-bye and went wandering around Ship Bottom for an hour.
When I came back, there he was, sailing. Out and back. Tacking by swinging the sail. He fell as he approached the shore. Jack was out with him, SUPping. Jack said, "He didn't fall until you got here." Ah, boys and dads.
He sailed for another half hour -- perfect form, confident, smiling.
"I did so well because I inherited it from you, Dad."
Thanks, David. Thanks, Jack.
Always imitating, I went back to the shop and Jack cut me my own SUP paddle. Looking forward to using it.
David leaves for sleep away camp on Friday for a month. Maybe he'll even get to sail there.
One small shred for boy, one giant leap for windsurfing.
Today my son David had his first windsurfing lesson. We tracked down Jack Bushko who of course was terrific.
David is 10, so of course I planned to leave them alone for lesson. I figured I'd watch for the first five minutes and then take off, but David wouldn't stop talking to me. So I waved good-bye and went wandering around Ship Bottom for an hour.
When I came back, there he was, sailing. Out and back. Tacking by swinging the sail. He fell as he approached the shore. Jack was out with him, SUPping. Jack said, "He didn't fall until you got here." Ah, boys and dads.
He sailed for another half hour -- perfect form, confident, smiling.
"I did so well because I inherited it from you, Dad."
Thanks, David. Thanks, Jack.
Always imitating, I went back to the shop and Jack cut me my own SUP paddle. Looking forward to using it.
David leaves for sleep away camp on Friday for a month. Maybe he'll even get to sail there.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars, New Jersey
Yes, the first sail of the season. Seems like Little League keeps me away from the shore during prime NJ sailing season . . . oh, well, Little League is pretty great, too.
Gorgeous day -- mid-70s, wind 10-12 SSW. There were two other windsurfers today, a couple with small children taking turns between the swings and the wind.
After shaking down and cleaning up the gear in the morning and cleaning out my Dad's boat, I got on the water around 3:00pm. Lasted to 4:30pm. Glad I bought the sunscreen and aloe. Everything I needed to replace last year at this time still needs replacing. Nice attention to detail there, Steve.
Sunset Park is suffering from erosion. The grassy area in front of the bushes where I used to rig the sail is now eaten away. Up on the point, the town has put rocks and a very small jetty. Had to rig further up the point to find grass. The spot under the trees is now too overgrown to sit in comfortably. The Park itself is in nice shape; I'm just talking about the canal front.
The wind picked up while I was out. It was upwind to get out of the canal, and the water was very shallow in the outer cove. But once out past the island it was beautiful. The outbound tack was right into the sun and that whole sparkly thing happened when I stopped fighting with the sail enough to notice.
Tired, sunburnt, happy. Excellent. Couldn't ask for better.
Thought I would go down to Island Surf'n'Sail on the way back to pick up replacements for the worn stuff. Caught them just after close, though. Saw Jack Bushko on the way out of the store to a kayak lesson, so back tomorrow for to replace all the stretchy bits that don't stretch anymore.
Yes, the first sail of the season. Seems like Little League keeps me away from the shore during prime NJ sailing season . . . oh, well, Little League is pretty great, too.
Gorgeous day -- mid-70s, wind 10-12 SSW. There were two other windsurfers today, a couple with small children taking turns between the swings and the wind.
After shaking down and cleaning up the gear in the morning and cleaning out my Dad's boat, I got on the water around 3:00pm. Lasted to 4:30pm. Glad I bought the sunscreen and aloe. Everything I needed to replace last year at this time still needs replacing. Nice attention to detail there, Steve.
Sunset Park is suffering from erosion. The grassy area in front of the bushes where I used to rig the sail is now eaten away. Up on the point, the town has put rocks and a very small jetty. Had to rig further up the point to find grass. The spot under the trees is now too overgrown to sit in comfortably. The Park itself is in nice shape; I'm just talking about the canal front.
The wind picked up while I was out. It was upwind to get out of the canal, and the water was very shallow in the outer cove. But once out past the island it was beautiful. The outbound tack was right into the sun and that whole sparkly thing happened when I stopped fighting with the sail enough to notice.
Tired, sunburnt, happy. Excellent. Couldn't ask for better.
Thought I would go down to Island Surf'n'Sail on the way back to pick up replacements for the worn stuff. Caught them just after close, though. Saw Jack Bushko on the way out of the store to a kayak lesson, so back tomorrow for to replace all the stretchy bits that don't stretch anymore.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars
1:30-4:30. Opening day for me this season. Once again the lone windsurfer at this site. But not even any kitesurfers at James Street. Plenty of jetskis and powerboaters. Wind was supposed to come up nicely in the afternoon, said iWindsurf, but nooooo. . . . .
First session 2:15-3:00 light but steady SW, not bad to tune up and try to remember how to do all this. Tacked hard out the canal on a very low tide, but once out in the cove it was easy.
Second session after a refreshing root beer -- more wind. Enough so I could start to remember what getting into third gear once felt like, but not really enough for the harness or to blunder onto a plane.
Dropped off by myself. Missed Dad being out there; Laurie came and picked me up after taking kid and cousin's kid mini-golfing. And of course, the apre-sesh Coke at Panzone's, a Barber windsurfing tradition. Thanks, all!
Gear: Trusty ol' 1999 HiFly Wide Style, and 5.5 Ultra sail. This gear is getting old. The ropes are frayed, the uphaul and mast base elastic is shot, the sail has those little sticky things that get into the hands and hurt like heck. Started using sailing gloves just to rig up. Gonna have to raid the piggy bank soon.
But . . . but . . . but . . . it's . . . always . . . so great to be back on the water.
1:30-4:30. Opening day for me this season. Once again the lone windsurfer at this site. But not even any kitesurfers at James Street. Plenty of jetskis and powerboaters. Wind was supposed to come up nicely in the afternoon, said iWindsurf, but nooooo. . . . .
First session 2:15-3:00 light but steady SW, not bad to tune up and try to remember how to do all this. Tacked hard out the canal on a very low tide, but once out in the cove it was easy.
Second session after a refreshing root beer -- more wind. Enough so I could start to remember what getting into third gear once felt like, but not really enough for the harness or to blunder onto a plane.
Dropped off by myself. Missed Dad being out there; Laurie came and picked me up after taking kid and cousin's kid mini-golfing. And of course, the apre-sesh Coke at Panzone's, a Barber windsurfing tradition. Thanks, all!
Gear: Trusty ol' 1999 HiFly Wide Style, and 5.5 Ultra sail. This gear is getting old. The ropes are frayed, the uphaul and mast base elastic is shot, the sail has those little sticky things that get into the hands and hurt like heck. Started using sailing gloves just to rig up. Gonna have to raid the piggy bank soon.
But . . . but . . . but . . . it's . . . always . . . so great to be back on the water.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Ka'anapali Beach, Maui, and Anaehoomalu Bay, Hawai'i
Backfill post
So, I went to Hawai'i and didn't windsurf. Didn't even see a windsurfer on this trip. What?? Have I gone mad? Well . . . probably.
But, it just didn't happen. We were only on Maui this time for four days. Had to catch up with the mother in law, spent an afternoon with neighbor Rich and his sister at their time-share pool, did the whale watch cruise on what would have been a nice Kanaha afternoon. The one day I had time to shoot up to get a board, the wind was so incredibly strong I thought better of it. Wimping out? Perhaps, but out of shape and practice, it was the better part of valor. How windy was it? Well, a cruise ship in Kahului Harbor snapped its lines due to the strain. Yeah, better to sit that one out.
So, I figure, no big deal, I'll have a nice session or two on the Big Island. A-Bay has two outfits renting windsurfers, no problem, right? Wrong!!!! Outfit #1, gave it up years ago. Outfit #2, the one windsurfing instructor quit in disgust at lack of business two weeks prior, taking the equipment and insurance coverage with her. No windsurfing for me. I was most seriously bummed out, sitting there on the hideous little sand dune that has destroyed the A-Bay beach. Depressing.
Ah, screw it. After about 10 minutes of feeling sorry for myself, I got in the car and drove up into the mountains. Gorgeous up there. Life not so bad. Next day, went on fun zodiac cruise down the Kona Coast. Snorkeling at the Captain Cook Monument. Next day after that, on the the volcano.
Can't really have a bad time in Hawai'i. I guess you could if you tried, but that's pretty silly.
Next time!
Backfill post
So, I went to Hawai'i and didn't windsurf. Didn't even see a windsurfer on this trip. What?? Have I gone mad? Well . . . probably.
But, it just didn't happen. We were only on Maui this time for four days. Had to catch up with the mother in law, spent an afternoon with neighbor Rich and his sister at their time-share pool, did the whale watch cruise on what would have been a nice Kanaha afternoon. The one day I had time to shoot up to get a board, the wind was so incredibly strong I thought better of it. Wimping out? Perhaps, but out of shape and practice, it was the better part of valor. How windy was it? Well, a cruise ship in Kahului Harbor snapped its lines due to the strain. Yeah, better to sit that one out.
So, I figure, no big deal, I'll have a nice session or two on the Big Island. A-Bay has two outfits renting windsurfers, no problem, right? Wrong!!!! Outfit #1, gave it up years ago. Outfit #2, the one windsurfing instructor quit in disgust at lack of business two weeks prior, taking the equipment and insurance coverage with her. No windsurfing for me. I was most seriously bummed out, sitting there on the hideous little sand dune that has destroyed the A-Bay beach. Depressing.
Ah, screw it. After about 10 minutes of feeling sorry for myself, I got in the car and drove up into the mountains. Gorgeous up there. Life not so bad. Next day, went on fun zodiac cruise down the Kona Coast. Snorkeling at the Captain Cook Monument. Next day after that, on the the volcano.
Can't really have a bad time in Hawai'i. I guess you could if you tried, but that's pretty silly.
Next time!
