Stay connected in the wind. This forum is for anyone who rides the wind, winter or summer, on whatever board suits their fancy. Share the stoke, find out where people are going, ask any question, share your discoveries, and discuss any esoteric idea you may have related to the pursuit of wind. Please keep it positive.
NWS eastern lake superior forecast
* DURING THE GALE WATCH...PLAN ON THE STRONGEST SUSTAINED WINDS
OF UP TO 42 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHWEST TO OCCUR AROUND 2 PM EDT
MONDAY. GUSTS OF UP TO 47 KNOTS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. LOOK FOR
THE LARGEST WAVES OF UP TO 29 FEET TO OCCUR AROUND 2 AM EDT
TUESDAY.
Road Trip!!!!
the big lake they say, never gives up her dead, when the gales of November come early
And you are planning on going out there in board shorts?
And of COURSE, you will be riding at 2AM when the biggest waves are forecast.
I'm guessing that 30' waves would create a serious wind shadow...even sitting on the beach pretending like I would have enough cahones to get near enough to get my feet wet.
I've always wanted to road trip to the UP when this sort of thing happens but have never done it.
If you seriously are considering it, I might suggest "the sands" on the west side of "portage entry" near Houghton, MI. You can sail inside the breakwall if you chicken out, or use it to launch and then sail out into the lake. The wind will be side-on there. downfall is there is not a lot of beach available (like park point). Its a 4 hour drive from Duluth.
I used to live in Houghton and always drove out to the lake to watch, but it was in my pre-small board days so I never ventured out. (Kiters, there may be an overhead powerline you have to take into consideration if you stay inside - check it out before launching)
The second option might be the beaches east or west of Munising. I know the beach east of Grand Maris MI (UP) would be awesome but that's like a 7 hour drive +. Going that far east you need a NW, sailing west will only really work at places like Port Wing, Ontonagon, Houghton..
If get adventurous and go all the way east, stop at Downwind Sports in Marquette and ask around for some local knowledge. There are a handfull of local kiters and windsurfers there - that they might know.
If it seriously happens and veers NW enough, I'm up for Port Wing. (Watch the marine observations at Devils Island, Rock of Ages, Passage Island - the harbor conditions are typically on right on the water and don't give good info. Duluth conditions won't tell you anything)
Oh ya, and watch for water spouts. When the first cold Canadian air comes down over the (relatively) warm lake water, it can form water spouts. - Honestly, I've only seen them a couple times in 40+ years....
I'm in on Monday. I haven't sailed yet this year, I figured it would be a good day to re orientate myself to the Mother. I hope to be at Port Wing by 11:00. Who's in boys?!
Quite the palette of colors on this wave height forecast map... looks like the biggest stuff will land well east of Houghton. I won't be making the road trip.
