This may be a stupid question, but I've got to ask. Last night I was windsurfing Calhoun after work and was out until it was quite dark. But the wind kept on picking up, making it difficult to leave. Obviously I'm not interested in windsurfing until midnite, but what about using chemical lights attached to your mast for safety? Sound crazy? Probably. If only I didn't have this "job" thing taking up all my daylight hours!
Andrew
night windsurfing!
Moderator: MK
not such a crazy idea. I have longed to sail at night...under the moonlight. There are some guys out at Tonka who kite at night and clip small red and green lights on their kites, though they are not getting wet since they do this in the winter.
It was a nice wind out last night. At 10pm it was 18 gusting to 25.
If you find a good solution post it here.
It was a nice wind out last night. At 10pm it was 18 gusting to 25.
If you find a good solution post it here.
Tighe
Nite Lite
U Guys r toying w/ a fantasy fave. Sinking underwater lights and lighting it up like a swimming pool: could u imagine how cool to sail above a luminescent pond? 'Course we could go for a total environment and use those giant fans to create our own wind too! Cover it in a glass dome and we could all exist in a giant snow globe...Or do we already 
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aransavage
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 2:10 pm
- Location: Hopkins, MN
I think if you had a clear full moon night you could do it. Add some chemical lights to your harness in case you need to signal and you're ready to go! The real problem is that night windsurfing usually means you're alone, you would need to get a few guys together to keep an eye out for one another. Looks like tonight might be a good time to try. Definitely a bit risky, but isn't that the whole point of all of this anyway? "Getting into trouble" is the fun part Hank!
Andrew
Andrew
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scottchapman
- Posts: 608
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 10:47 am
- Location: ScottChapman.com Bloomington, MN
- Contact:
I did sail a 4.7 down on Lake Arenal in Costa Rica on a full moon about 10 years ago. It was about midnight and there was a pig roast on the beach. Juan Paul, the owner of Tilawa Viento Surf, said we should bring our harnesses to the party. Now, I do not recommend this to everyone. We were at the down wind side of the lake, so if we got into trouble, shore was not far away. If the volcano blew it's top, it was at the other end of the lake. Besides then our way to shore would also be lit. 
Anyway off we go, about 4-5 of us, hooting and hollering into the shimmering pool of jungle water. At first it was scary,
then accelerating. 
I kept hooting and hollering partly because of my excitement and partly so everyone would know where I was on the water. You could see the white spray of another windsurfer coming towards you, but only when it was about 40-60 feet in front of you. A few clouds covering the moon added another dimension, as did the silhouette of the volcano at the other end of the lake.
After about a half an hour we all trickled in. We asked if anyone had seen Gary, a good old boy from Texas, who enjoyed a "fatty" now and then. Someone thought he had already come in.
About 20 minutes latter Gary shows up. He had gotten stuck up to his armpits in mud near shore. Luckily no Howler Monkeys or Boa Constrictors where awake in his area.
It was a once in a lifetime experience. A few tips, only do it if you are; an expert sailor, the air and water temp. is about 80 degrees, are young adventurous and no one to provide for, and have a few friends to sail with. But not to many friends because that is just more person to run into. Glow sticks on each side of the boom and at the tip of the mast would be a good idea along with a big lantern from your launch site.
Howling at the moon and the jungle beasts and knowing it will blow 4.0 the next day too.
This is the kind of place I want to retire to.
http://www.hotel-tilawa.com/
http://www.reservecrc.com/ticowind/
Anyway off we go, about 4-5 of us, hooting and hollering into the shimmering pool of jungle water. At first it was scary,
then accelerating. I kept hooting and hollering partly because of my excitement and partly so everyone would know where I was on the water. You could see the white spray of another windsurfer coming towards you, but only when it was about 40-60 feet in front of you. A few clouds covering the moon added another dimension, as did the silhouette of the volcano at the other end of the lake.After about a half an hour we all trickled in. We asked if anyone had seen Gary, a good old boy from Texas, who enjoyed a "fatty" now and then. Someone thought he had already come in.
About 20 minutes latter Gary shows up. He had gotten stuck up to his armpits in mud near shore. Luckily no Howler Monkeys or Boa Constrictors where awake in his area.It was a once in a lifetime experience. A few tips, only do it if you are; an expert sailor, the air and water temp. is about 80 degrees, are young adventurous and no one to provide for, and have a few friends to sail with. But not to many friends because that is just more person to run into. Glow sticks on each side of the boom and at the tip of the mast would be a good idea along with a big lantern from your launch site.
Howling at the moon and the jungle beasts and knowing it will blow 4.0 the next day too.
This is the kind of place I want to retire to.
http://www.hotel-tilawa.com/
http://www.reservecrc.com/ticowind/
Today
Andrew,
are you going to try it today. I will be there to watch.
Genna
are you going to try it today. I will be there to watch.
Genna
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aransavage
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 2:10 pm
- Location: Hopkins, MN
I was out on 10/10/03 past dark. All they could see from shore was the kite when I sent it above the tree line. It was sketchy, but I had an awful day at work until 5:00 pm and I got no dependants! Besides, I run Slingshot so I got "an image" to maintain.
It was a great evening, and made it a great day! Maybe I'll get a repeat tonight.
Casey
It was a great evening, and made it a great day! Maybe I'll get a repeat tonight.
Casey