Thinking about heading to the Wac. Wondering if anyone else is going and when. Give me a call 612.202.3121
Leah
The Wac
Moderator: MK
Re: The Wac
Leah:
I am just heading out to the Wac right now, 10:50AM.
I presume you may already be there, or on the way, as the wind is looking good!
Hope to see ya there.
Timo
I am just heading out to the Wac right now, 10:50AM.
I presume you may already be there, or on the way, as the wind is looking good!
Hope to see ya there.
Timo
Re: The Wac
Cool to Leah and Tim at the Wac today. Here is my Stardate Captains log for the weekend which is pretty embarassing, but I guess I have little shame these days!
20. 7/12/08 Saturday. Waconia Medium Strong W. 15-25mph. 4.7M 96l. Arrived just after noon and it was pretty windy and supposed to build until 4. 4.7M was pretty good, though it took a while to get the feel. Also more underpowered schlogging than desired and when the puffs did hit seemed overpowered surprisingly often. Tough to find the sweet spot. But overall, not a bad choice. Might’ve had too much downhaul.
Sweet day sailing with legendary Voita who is still charging, Diego, Chris Butzow, Don J., Ian, Matt Bartell and many many others. Kites were at the Gathering and only one or two launched that I saw. The oddest thing for a nice summer Saturday was the lack of boats. Early on I saw an old school tri-hull getting swells over the stern as they launched. This thing was loaded with family and gear and only had less than a foot of freeboard. Well, the driver turned into the wind to try and get the bow up and get out on the lake and I saw several large swells crash over the open bow and they gave up and sat limply on the shore for a while. Not cool, but hopefully they will choose a more suitable launch next time it’s a bigger west wind.
21. 7/13/08 Sunday Waconia. NW wind. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Seemed less windy than yesterday, but still pretty good when I arrived around 11am. 4.7M is too small and I hate that sail anyway, 5.9M I’ve had not too much luck with. 5.5M… I always score with that sail, so just rig it. Paired with the F2 CompStyle freestyle 96l board I was definitely in my happy zone. Able to sheet out and carve/surf through big gusts and when the wind dropped just sheet in and point downwind and life is good. Really good.
There is a sensation I get windsurfing that just doesn’t happen the same way kiting. Maybe it’s having all of your gear so close to you and the water it reacts more instantaneously or something. It’s hard to describe. Somehow there’s a sort of immediacy and dependency in windsurfing that kiting is able to avoid because your engine is way above you and naturally more efficient.
In windsurfing you are at the mercy of the wind directly around you, and I find it harder to get in the zone. So when you do get there it makes it all the more sweet and savory.
Ah yes, the 5.5M. I put my head through this sail several years ago. After that I put on a helmet and I had Jeff Adamski fix the sail and ever since I think it works better than it did before. So if you are having issues with a sail, trash it and have Jeff work on it and maybe it will become a treasured favorite.
Just another unbelievably great day for July.
20. 7/12/08 Saturday. Waconia Medium Strong W. 15-25mph. 4.7M 96l. Arrived just after noon and it was pretty windy and supposed to build until 4. 4.7M was pretty good, though it took a while to get the feel. Also more underpowered schlogging than desired and when the puffs did hit seemed overpowered surprisingly often. Tough to find the sweet spot. But overall, not a bad choice. Might’ve had too much downhaul.
Sweet day sailing with legendary Voita who is still charging, Diego, Chris Butzow, Don J., Ian, Matt Bartell and many many others. Kites were at the Gathering and only one or two launched that I saw. The oddest thing for a nice summer Saturday was the lack of boats. Early on I saw an old school tri-hull getting swells over the stern as they launched. This thing was loaded with family and gear and only had less than a foot of freeboard. Well, the driver turned into the wind to try and get the bow up and get out on the lake and I saw several large swells crash over the open bow and they gave up and sat limply on the shore for a while. Not cool, but hopefully they will choose a more suitable launch next time it’s a bigger west wind.
21. 7/13/08 Sunday Waconia. NW wind. This is what I’ve been waiting for. Seemed less windy than yesterday, but still pretty good when I arrived around 11am. 4.7M is too small and I hate that sail anyway, 5.9M I’ve had not too much luck with. 5.5M… I always score with that sail, so just rig it. Paired with the F2 CompStyle freestyle 96l board I was definitely in my happy zone. Able to sheet out and carve/surf through big gusts and when the wind dropped just sheet in and point downwind and life is good. Really good.
There is a sensation I get windsurfing that just doesn’t happen the same way kiting. Maybe it’s having all of your gear so close to you and the water it reacts more instantaneously or something. It’s hard to describe. Somehow there’s a sort of immediacy and dependency in windsurfing that kiting is able to avoid because your engine is way above you and naturally more efficient.
In windsurfing you are at the mercy of the wind directly around you, and I find it harder to get in the zone. So when you do get there it makes it all the more sweet and savory.
Ah yes, the 5.5M. I put my head through this sail several years ago. After that I put on a helmet and I had Jeff Adamski fix the sail and ever since I think it works better than it did before. So if you are having issues with a sail, trash it and have Jeff work on it and maybe it will become a treasured favorite.
Just another unbelievably great day for July.
Mark F
Re: The Wac
Mark,
Nice post. Funny, I think both of us are in the same 'boat' when it comes to windsurfing. I find windsurfing to be very manic, unbelievable highs with a number of lows thrown in there for good measure. This is probably due to my current skill level. Just good enough to really get rockin' in the footstraps and fly, but just bad enough to get launched every so often and uphaul a heavy sail many times on a very windy day.
Well, I bought a new board last week and I am absolutely pumped. I bought a Bic Techno 148L. A really great all around board that can do double-duty on light wind days and days like yesterday. Since I only have two sails and my smallest is a 6.6M, I certainly had the biggest rig at White Bear yesterday.
I spent more time than usual on trimming my sail and all of my equipment. One of the big issues I had been having this past couple weeks (weeks that I considered selling all my windsurfing gear), was that my harness lines were WAY too short. It is super frustrating when it's blowing hard to spend all of your energy trying to jump into your lines, jump out of them, or just plain get tossed like a rag doll.
I put the harness lines from my formula boom onto my smaller gear and it didn't take very long to get going and have some fun. Now I really need to start working on my jibes. It's just not acceptable to fall in anymore and have to uphaul the sail. In addition, I need to start waterstarting as well.
Lot's to do, but glad I finally got rid of my Formula board. It's days like yesterday that would have frustrated me more than anything.
Nice post. Funny, I think both of us are in the same 'boat' when it comes to windsurfing. I find windsurfing to be very manic, unbelievable highs with a number of lows thrown in there for good measure. This is probably due to my current skill level. Just good enough to really get rockin' in the footstraps and fly, but just bad enough to get launched every so often and uphaul a heavy sail many times on a very windy day.
Well, I bought a new board last week and I am absolutely pumped. I bought a Bic Techno 148L. A really great all around board that can do double-duty on light wind days and days like yesterday. Since I only have two sails and my smallest is a 6.6M, I certainly had the biggest rig at White Bear yesterday.
I spent more time than usual on trimming my sail and all of my equipment. One of the big issues I had been having this past couple weeks (weeks that I considered selling all my windsurfing gear), was that my harness lines were WAY too short. It is super frustrating when it's blowing hard to spend all of your energy trying to jump into your lines, jump out of them, or just plain get tossed like a rag doll.
I put the harness lines from my formula boom onto my smaller gear and it didn't take very long to get going and have some fun. Now I really need to start working on my jibes. It's just not acceptable to fall in anymore and have to uphaul the sail. In addition, I need to start waterstarting as well.
Lot's to do, but glad I finally got rid of my Formula board. It's days like yesterday that would have frustrated me more than anything.
Fred
Stillwater, MN
Stillwater, MN
Re: The Wac
Great day at Waconia! I was lit on my TD 12 which actually seems to be my preferred way to ride based on the crazy winds we got this weekend. I had a great time meeting a lot of new faces at the Gathering and meeting new faces from the other side (windsurfers) at Waconia today. Had to say it was a bit strange and peaceful being the only kiter among all the pole boarders. What a great group!
Chris, I think you were the one that might be selling a TD2 8m....give me a shout!
Great weekend....thanks ya'all!
Leah
Chris, I think you were the one that might be selling a TD2 8m....give me a shout!
Great weekend....thanks ya'all!
Leah
Re: The Wac
Fred, yep, intermediate windsurfing is a common ground where you are often looking to peers to figure out if you’re crazy or just bad or just crazy bad.
I wouldn’t worry too much about jibes, they absolutely rock, but also are somewhat overrated like tantric sex , cuz just kickin’ ass on a reach is sublime also.
I think windsurfing and kiting and similar endeavors are very subjective and as long as you are having fun that is the point.
I have never had a bad windsurfing day even though I’ve have had some terrible days… kind of like fishing I guess. If you don’t enjoy the bad days then you might want to get out. Otherwise hang in there and enjoy the madness!
I wouldn’t worry too much about jibes, they absolutely rock, but also are somewhat overrated like tantric sex , cuz just kickin’ ass on a reach is sublime also.
I think windsurfing and kiting and similar endeavors are very subjective and as long as you are having fun that is the point.
I have never had a bad windsurfing day even though I’ve have had some terrible days… kind of like fishing I guess. If you don’t enjoy the bad days then you might want to get out. Otherwise hang in there and enjoy the madness!
Mark F
Re: The Wac
ohhhh I can sooo relate to what Chanrider & Fred are saying. I was on Mtka Sat out of Poachie beach in Cottagewood. My 160L explosion with a 6.5 was HANDFUL. I had some great moments of thrill followed by shear terror,,,, then over the handlebars,,,, ouch. The constant feel I'm on the edge is so thrilling,,, yet very scary. I struggle in the big winds to get really in the grove. When I'm out on my 7.5 & 9.0 I can just lock in and feel so solid, but that 6.5 of mine and big waves are just sooo un-settling. I (like Chanrider) do well in a straight line, but the jibs and waterstarts just aren't always happening and that is frustrating. I just keep riding when I can and keep smiling during the ripping sessions.
I'm trying to figure out what board to get next, because on those windy days I feel like Mary Poppins on my 160L / 315 board. I'm big guy so I'm thinking about a 120L something,,, just not sure what.
WillDog
I'm trying to figure out what board to get next, because on those windy days I feel like Mary Poppins on my 160L / 315 board. I'm big guy so I'm thinking about a 120L something,,, just not sure what.
WillDog
Re: The Wac
WillDogg,
Dean Rizer was nice enough to let me try his JP Freeride 130L a week or so ago. To be honest, it was just slightly too much for my skill level. But not by much. It is a fantastic board, though, and may be exactly what you are looking for.
I would give him a call if you are interested in something like that. He is a great guy and is looking for around $500 for the board.
Here is his number.
612-377-1482.
Dean Rizer was nice enough to let me try his JP Freeride 130L a week or so ago. To be honest, it was just slightly too much for my skill level. But not by much. It is a fantastic board, though, and may be exactly what you are looking for.
I would give him a call if you are interested in something like that. He is a great guy and is looking for around $500 for the board.
Here is his number.
612-377-1482.
Fred
Stillwater, MN
Stillwater, MN
Re: The Wac
Oh, I am so glad that someone else wrote it. I can so much relate to that. In moderate wind with a large sail I am so confident and feel so good. But strong wind, which is every windsurfer's dream, is my nightmare. It is like a different sport, and I totally cannot get it, although I keep trying. The most frustrating thing is that all the other windsurfers are just fly around me, and I go slowly, as if there was no wind, but no one is able to tell me what I am doing wrong.WILLDOG wrote:I struggle in the big winds to get really in the grove. When I'm out on my 7.5 & 9.0 I can just lock in and feel so solid, but that (...) of mine and big waves are just sooo un-settling.
I have to apologize to the group on Bellaire in White Bear Lake. I was probably not sounding very positive after my session yesterday. Sorry guys.
Piotr
Re: The Wac
I remember the first time I pulled into the Gorge. It was blowing 20-35mph (like last weekend) and I looked out on the river at all these sailors making it look effortless...playing in the wind. I thought...I'm not worthy.
Riding high winds on a windsurfer is pure joy. You become more and more one with your gear...plane and simply because there is less there. There is a lot to technique, but equipment has a lot to do with it. I remember my first session on a Gorge Animal in 30+ winds and a 3.5 sail. It was like riding a slalom board on a light light breezy day....everything slowed down and I could enjoy the terrain.
It takes awhile to work down to the really small stuff, but you'll get there if you like. If you're feel like you're having the same trouble, post your issues here. I'm sure you'll get some advice. Also you may consider hooking up with Jeff Adamski for a high wind lesson. His contact info is in the Services section.
Keep with it. When it all comes together, you'll be loving life.
Riding high winds on a windsurfer is pure joy. You become more and more one with your gear...plane and simply because there is less there. There is a lot to technique, but equipment has a lot to do with it. I remember my first session on a Gorge Animal in 30+ winds and a 3.5 sail. It was like riding a slalom board on a light light breezy day....everything slowed down and I could enjoy the terrain.
It takes awhile to work down to the really small stuff, but you'll get there if you like. If you're feel like you're having the same trouble, post your issues here. I'm sure you'll get some advice. Also you may consider hooking up with Jeff Adamski for a high wind lesson. His contact info is in the Services section.
Keep with it. When it all comes together, you'll be loving life.
Tighe
Re: The Wac
I, too, can relate to what a lot of others are saying. For me, my latest challenge was going out on my Carve 111 that I bought at the end of last summer. This weekend was the first two days I've had on it. It was a whole new challenge. It took a lot more work to stabilize in the lulls, but once it got going, the party was on. I can't wait for more days like Saturday and Sunday to practice on it more.
For those who who are commenting on working on jibes and water starts, I would focus on the water starts first. Water starting will prolong your sailing much more than jibing will. Learn to water start and then if will make the falls easier to recover from when you practice your jibes. One tip is to make sure you boom is low enough and mast foot forward enough to rest your boom on the rear of your board. That makes it much easier to fly the sail and get it out of the water. I'm by no means an expert, but that helps me. A life jacket isn't a bad idea when learning either. The extra flotation can help.
I laugh when people ask how long it takes to learn how to windsurf. I don't think it ever ends. That's one reason I love this sport.
See you on the water!
JL
For those who who are commenting on working on jibes and water starts, I would focus on the water starts first. Water starting will prolong your sailing much more than jibing will. Learn to water start and then if will make the falls easier to recover from when you practice your jibes. One tip is to make sure you boom is low enough and mast foot forward enough to rest your boom on the rear of your board. That makes it much easier to fly the sail and get it out of the water. I'm by no means an expert, but that helps me. A life jacket isn't a bad idea when learning either. The extra flotation can help.
I laugh when people ask how long it takes to learn how to windsurf. I don't think it ever ends. That's one reason I love this sport.
See you on the water!
JL
Re: The Wac
Personally I would not necessarily say I’m struggling with higher winds because Sunday was absolutely the most fun I’ve had and I did not feel it was a struggle but rather ripfest.
That said as an intermediate I have a lot to learn about handling bigger wind and smaller gear. Here is my latest approach…
Since I am still pretty clumsy on small boards and inefficient with small sails I am riding at least 10 liters bigger board and 0.5-1.0M bigger sail than the good guys.
This means while they are fully sheeted in and flying around faster than the speed of sound I am sheeted out and taking it relatively easy. That’s ok, I am not racing anyone out there.
When the wind backs off I still have enough gear to sheet in and rip. If I rig too small I end up schlogging and sinking and don’t have the skills yet to nurse a sinky board up on plane without huge wind.
When a big prolonged overpowering gust hits I will really sheet out to the max and head up wind. I also slow down to keep my relatively big board on the water. If try to fly across the swells when overpowered my board starts doing the Mary Poppins thing.
On Sunday I was on 5.5M sail with a 96liter board and this felt really quite good. What I have found with my 96 liter board which is a freestyle board is that it doesn’t really excel in the speed department and certainly does not slice through chop. It sort of bounces violently off of chop causing my teeth rattle and knees to buckle.
However, it is extremely maneuverable at slightly slower speeds and I can slash and surf around the swells which is really a lot of fun. If feel like I’m ready to get airborne then I can choose to ride up a big swell and launch. But most of the time I cut away downwind then crank back upwind in a trough. Picking a line through big swells like this is a blast. And with a wave sail you are to really control the power in an instant to slow down or speed up as needed. It’s super active sailing and guys on smaller gear simply rip right past me, but the fun factor is there either way.
I don't think I could maneuver my 120 liter board quickly enough make this type of approach work. But for an average size sailor around 100 liters is probably a good entry point for a "short board" for higher winds.
That said as an intermediate I have a lot to learn about handling bigger wind and smaller gear. Here is my latest approach…
Since I am still pretty clumsy on small boards and inefficient with small sails I am riding at least 10 liters bigger board and 0.5-1.0M bigger sail than the good guys.
This means while they are fully sheeted in and flying around faster than the speed of sound I am sheeted out and taking it relatively easy. That’s ok, I am not racing anyone out there.
When the wind backs off I still have enough gear to sheet in and rip. If I rig too small I end up schlogging and sinking and don’t have the skills yet to nurse a sinky board up on plane without huge wind.
When a big prolonged overpowering gust hits I will really sheet out to the max and head up wind. I also slow down to keep my relatively big board on the water. If try to fly across the swells when overpowered my board starts doing the Mary Poppins thing.
On Sunday I was on 5.5M sail with a 96liter board and this felt really quite good. What I have found with my 96 liter board which is a freestyle board is that it doesn’t really excel in the speed department and certainly does not slice through chop. It sort of bounces violently off of chop causing my teeth rattle and knees to buckle.
However, it is extremely maneuverable at slightly slower speeds and I can slash and surf around the swells which is really a lot of fun. If feel like I’m ready to get airborne then I can choose to ride up a big swell and launch. But most of the time I cut away downwind then crank back upwind in a trough. Picking a line through big swells like this is a blast. And with a wave sail you are to really control the power in an instant to slow down or speed up as needed. It’s super active sailing and guys on smaller gear simply rip right past me, but the fun factor is there either way.
I don't think I could maneuver my 120 liter board quickly enough make this type of approach work. But for an average size sailor around 100 liters is probably a good entry point for a "short board" for higher winds.
Mark F