Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The sound

Yesterday as I was driving home through the West Seattle bridge, I could see white caps all over the sound. I got home, grabbed the Goya and went out for a sunset session at Lowman. The wind was from the North, 15 knots or so, so I rigged the 6.5 and off I went. I could have used my light wind board, but I just wanted the Goya to touch the Pacific waters. She's an old board, and has taken a beating through the years, so I don't know how many sessions she las left in her.
So she now has been in the Atlantic, the Pacific, and in between; good board, has always brought me back to land...
More to come on all the Seattle launches, and all the great people I've met...
Sunset at Lowman...

Monday, August 19, 2013

Lake Washington

Awesome day on Lake Washington today. It was great to see so many windsurfers out there. I was out in the middle of the lake on Gregg's F2 and the prototype Sailworks, which we believe is a 9.5 when the wind picked up from 5 to 18. Wind like this is rare in Seattle, I'm glad we caught it. 
First time out on Lake Washington, I'll post more data later. It's a fun place to ride...
Gregg is the tiny dot in front of the boat. He's smiling

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

The windsurfing zone

Last Sunday I met more of the Seattle windsurfers. And one thing really impressed me: these dudes are skunk proof. And it's not their gear, nor are the conditions, it's them. They sail a bunch in sub-planing conditions, railing long boards from the 80s and 90s. As it turns out, boards from that era represent the apex of sub-planing design. The  Holy Trinity is the Mistral Equipe, the Fanatic Cat and the F2 Lightning. After that, there's nothing until the newer Starboard Phantom... well' there's something but not as good. 
These guys have a totally different attitude from any other riders I've met. Don't get me wrong, some of them are extremely skilled riders, and they go out when it's 20 knots as well, but they take whatever wind is there and make it work.  They reminded me of a time when I was just as happy jumping on a board and going forward, just as happy about being out there cruising the water, propelled by the wind. And now I want more!
Yeah I'll still go to the Gorge, and Lake Wenatchee, yeah I'll still try to put myself in orbit. But on a sunny afternoon, when the air is warm and the sunset seems to last forever, you may see me slogging out there on my long board, propelled by the lightest of winds, just because it's fun.
An old sign I found at the launch...