El Lobo and some other weird stuff

For the weekend warrior, buried in daily obligations, there is one place to go when the winds come from the SSE, or SE: El Lobo.

So today everybody was there: windsurfers, kitesurfers, fishermen, policemen yelling at children, and me. I got there in the afternoon, and a complicated weather pattern already was forming in the sky. One dude pulled out his phone and showed me what was coming, it looked like... There is a tornado warning? Nahhh...

So I went out, planed, and then the wind died. I barely came back to the launch when hail started falling from the sky. That and the thunder were a clear sign, the sign said: DE-RIG. But some waited, and the storm passed, but the wind never made it back. So I left, and on my way back I could see Lake Michigan full of white caps, and I kept thinking, did I make the right decision by derigging? Well, there is always next weekend, right?

Who cares about going back? Going downwind is always fun...

A hell of a session

Crazy power session today at Waukegan. We had some rough North wind pretty much all day. The Northern wall was stopping all the waves, creating some flat water buffeted by 25 mph winds. I rigged a 6.5 with max downhaul  and had some pretty fast runs. Outside, close to the end of the wall, you could see the waves in that chaotic Lake Michigan pattern that we love and fear so much. All and all, Waukegan is becoming my new favorite spot for North wind.

The North wall, with some pretty self-explanatory warnings

Jibe or die

 

Waukegan, where you don't want to miss a jibe

Zen and the art of launching in wind swell

Spring is all over the Midwest, and the wind gods are being benevolent with those who endured the winter, and didn't fly away to Bonaire to never come back. By Tuesday the charts started predicting some wind for the weekend, but in a typical windsurfing tradition, the blogs, websites and forums were silent. No one in this area would dare to say anything prematurely, piss off the gods, and screw it up or everyone else. But by Wednesday the tension was too much, the charts looked strong, and a got my first text: get ready for Saturday. Just that.
This time the charts were right, the wind was plenty, and smiles were everywhere. We tried Waukegan, and new spot for me, with almost on shore wind and that typical Lake Michigan wind swell with a period of 5 seconds that destroys your will and your gear. The place where if you miss a jibe, you get washed ashore like a sock in a laundry machine. But you know what's waiting past the white water, awesome shoulder high swell that invites you to jump, ride, surf, whatever you like. Good times. 

No gloves on Lake Michigan: spring is here!

Back to the Midwest

It's finally spring here in the Midwest and we're getting some kick ass wind. Today it was 5,2 until 3 PM. But to me, nothing says spring more than being able to sail with no gloves, what a treat!
Everybody was there, some were removing the rust from the winter, some looked like they've been practicing all winter (I saw some forward loops and some nice duck jibes).
Anyway, it was just another great day at the pond, hope to see you there soon! 

No gloves!!!

Final destination: Maui

We were hanging out at Oahu's North shore when one of my buddies mentioned that he was leaving for Maui the next day, and that sounded like a great idea. A few clicks later I had cancelled my hotel in Honolulu and had a ticket to Kahului. We arrived in the afternoon, with just enough time to do what any reasonable person would do: check out Ho'okipa.

We hadn't even pulled over at the parking lot and I was already out of my mind. We sat down on the rocks, and discussed for hours how would we launch if there was wind. But I sincerely don't know if I would have had the balls to go out on a windy and wavy day. After that we visited the Naish shop, the Hot Sails Maui shop, and other places, me and my little camera, like the good ol' mainland kook that I am (people were very friendly by the way).

Kite beach is 10 minutes from Ho'okipa, so my buddy who is a pretty darn good kiter and I went a checked it out too. 

As the sun was setting behind the mountains, we saw some humpback whales playing in the water, giant animals who have been swimming i these waters way before all the kitesurfers, and most of the windsurfers were born. They come to Maui for the winter, they know that the place kicks ass.

Hot Sails Maui shop

Ho'okipa, one day I'll be back and sail this spot

Oahu's North's Shore

Yesterday we left Honolulu and headed to Oahu's North Shore. We arrived in the afternoon, right on time for a sunset SUP session. The highlight was watching the whales throw big spray right in front of us, right where we were SUPing minutes ago, kinda freaky!

Oahu day 2

The East winds were still strong this morning at Kailua, and the ramps were head high. I keep sailing like there is no tomorrow, because where I come from, when it comes to sailing there might be no tomorrow. Going to bed now, sore and happy.