Finally!

I finally scored a sesh at Alki beach! After a bad call last week when I ended holding a 10.4 in 30 mph wind, today I had my redemption. The wind was out of the North, averaging 15 mph, so I went out on the Lightning and 10.4. I was able to plane back and forth, with no need to use the centerboard to stay upwind. I tooled around with the harness lines, both position and length. To be honest the long board always feels awkward when it's powered up and planing. I think the straps are not placed in the right place and angle for the more modern sails (Saliworks NX2). Anyway, I always end up struggling a bit with foot position and stance. By the end I was pretty dialed in, and the whole rig started feeling more lively on the water.
The wind came down after a couple hours, so I called it quits by 3:30 or so. All in all it was a great sesh, I can't wait to sail Alki again!

Sharing the sound with giant freighters 

Nukecastle

Epic day at Newcastle yesterday! We've been watching the weather for a week, waiting for the forecasts to be wrong once again, but this time they got it right. The wind was up and down, through the day, and Newcastle was as gusty as it gets. I don't remember ever changing gear so many times during a session. I started early in the morning on 105 and 5.2, it was pure survival out there, trying to keep the board on the water. The wind must have been in the 30s gusting in the 40s, because the 5,2 Ezzy was rigged beyond high wind specs and still was too much. Swell was 3 to 4 feet, perfect but out of my reach because I was so darn overpowered. I then borrowed Michal's Gaastra 4.2 wave and his 85L Angulo, and that was the ticket for a while, thanks bro! Michal went back out on the Angulo, so I borrowed Giovanni's 70L board, and that was a little too small, thanks Giovanni! By then the wind had come down, and there was a hole in the middle section. Waterstarting a 70L board in gusty stuff was not pretty, but once on a plane, the board felt super lively and fast. Then the wind came down a bit, so back I went on the 5.2 and 105 for the grand finale. The last part of the day was a thing of beauty. Fully powered, just blasting and hitting that swell in the middle as hard as I could, although by then it had gotten a little smaller. 
The best part, however, was to see so many sailors out there, all so tired and happy, getting out, ripping, a true party!

Pictures courtesy of Kevin. Thanks for enduring the conditions and for getting some great shots!

Unknown sailor. This dude was ripping!

Getting some

Finally in control of the situation

Winduro training

Yesterday I went back to Lake Washington on my long board for some winduro training. The winduro is a race around Mercer island (on Lake Washington). I had my first attempt at it a few weeks ago, and was not able to finish it, mostly due to not being familiar with my gear.
Yesterday the wind was much lighter than on race day, maybe 10 mph out of the S, SSE. Greg and I sailed upwind from Leschi, and went under the East I-90 bridge. We stopped at a small park upwind from I-90, and then crossed the lake back on one reach before heading downwind under the West bridge. It was a great sesh, and good training. Handling a big rig downwind is a hands full, and that's my biggest issue.
I'll sail the course as many times as I can, and in as many conditions as I can, the idea of circumnavigating Mercer Island is just too good to pass!

I have no pics of Mercer island. This is Vashon island, a beautiful spot in front of West Seattle

Back to Seattle

Seattle gave me a welcome back today. We had a killer sesh at Lowman with Greg and Dan. I got there by 11 or so, it was cranking. There were white caps all the way to the beach, and it looked pretty gnarly out in the middle of the sound, the wind must have been above 25 because my 6.5, with max downhaul on a 105 wave board still felt like a hand full. Greg showed up and rigged 6.0 on a 130 race board. We were out there for 30 minutes and it was pure survival sailing. There were nice ramps, maybe 4 to 5 feet, but I was not going for them because I had too much sail. We sailed back, traded a few nervous smiles, and went back out. I think that's when Greg sent the email saying we were OPd. Dan showed up and rigged a 5.0 on his long board. I rigged 5.2 and that was the ticket. I rode the 5.2 fully powered for an hour or so, but then the wind came down a little (maybe to low 20s), just enough for Greg to be "in da zone" on his 6.0, and for Dan to go out as well. I rigged back up to 6.5, and we rode for an hour or so more before calling it a day. What a day!

Lowman's notes: the wind was steady and predictable, water temperature was not an issue with a dry suit. Swell was gentle, as I said, maybe 4 to 5 feet, typical bump and jump conditions. The launch is. however, not to be underestimated: the beach is narrow and flanked by walls, and there is some current with the tides. This is not a Fall/Winter solo spot. 

Greg ripping on the way back to shore

JP Aloha Classic

The JP Aloha Classic PWA event is happening right now on Maui, and I just so happen to be here, what a coincidence... Paia is bustling with windsurfers from all over the world, and with some of the local talent as well. Ho'okipa delivered good conditions for the last two days with side to side off to almost offshore winds, so we were able to see riders like Kevin Pritchard, Levi Siver and Graham Ezzy in action. These guys really rip! Tomorrow the skippers' meeting is at 10:00, and the action starts at 10:30. I hope I'll be able to catch Robby throwing down against Ricardo Campello, old vs new school! Will Ricardo have some respect for the man himself? I don't think so...

Off da lip

Back to Maui (part one)

I am in Maui right now, It's been a pretty intense day. It started with a visit to the Goya headquarters, where I was blown away by the hospitality and good vibe of all the folks there. Jason Diffin (Ezzy, North, Severne, now Goya sails... yeah that dude) was working on a sail, but took the time to show me around, and introduce me to the others. Keith Teboul was there working on a prototype, but stopped to chat for a minute... with me! I'm a total stranger, a regular Joe who pretty much walked through the door. My biggest windsurf accomplishment is that I haven't drowned yet, and yet everybody took their time to introduce themselves Goya stopped and chatted for a bit, before offering me to demo some of their stuff: Nexus sails 6.4 and 7.5, and an FXRS (I told him I ride an FXR) because Kanaha where I was headed had more free ride conditions. Pascal Bronnimann even offered a bag for the board.  

So yeah, I was blown away by the guys at the Goya Loft, and I haven't told you about the session yet!

More to come.

Jason Diffin

Francisco and me

Francisco

Keith Tenboul

Sailing backwards

We had a great day at Kirjland today. The wind was out if the north, enough to cruise around. Fifteen people showed up with big rigs, anything from 8.5 to 10.4. At some point the wind got so light I thought the bubbles made by my board were going faster than me. Am I sailing backwards? Us that even possible? 

Zero to 6 mph and 15 sailors on the water. That's the spirit!