Had an unexpectedly good day windsurfing on Park Point yesterday after work.
I think some of you may have experianced this last year - wind at the Tot Lot was blowing at 20. Down near the middle of the point it was 30 gusting to 40! At one point I sailed to far north, had to get a ride (via the road) back down the point. It was still blowing big time down there!
Had to contend with four surfers and the Tot Lot.... its starting to get popular there with people playing in the waves all the time...
Watch the weather.... come on up.....!
Chip
Superior was up to it again
Moderator: MK
I've never really noticed that - does it often blow that much harder further down the point? Tot does seem lighter than the wind meter is reporting when I'm standing at Tot (and calling the Sky Harbor wind meter), but I wonder if it's better down there or even Wisconsin Point? Maybe Tot is to close to the city?
-Coach
-Coach
It does happen now and then.. I think it was because the wind was slightly north so it was begin affected by the hill. A few other things to watch for - the wind "lifts" over the point. When it is sunny, this usually more pronounced because of heating... The bottom line is - what works for sail size in the shore break will be much to big on the outside. You always end up comprimising. There have been time when I couldn't even water start in the break, but If I walk out as far as possible and manage to get up, I'm powered just fine on the outside.
Going to Wisconsin point is not the answer - stay between Tot Lot and Sky Harbor.. Beyond that, both ends are usually light.. (remember the end of the lake narrows somewhat - so the wind is accelerates as it approches the point - and is stongest in the middle)
Another issue is micro-climate wind -vs- weather system.. Waves were "small" for the wind strength yeasterday which indicates, minimal fetch, (micro climate) The waves should have been 6' - which would have ment 60 miles plus of fetch (weather system) worst case is wave too big for the wind - in which case, Don't go out...
Chip
Going to Wisconsin point is not the answer - stay between Tot Lot and Sky Harbor.. Beyond that, both ends are usually light.. (remember the end of the lake narrows somewhat - so the wind is accelerates as it approches the point - and is stongest in the middle)
Another issue is micro-climate wind -vs- weather system.. Waves were "small" for the wind strength yeasterday which indicates, minimal fetch, (micro climate) The waves should have been 6' - which would have ment 60 miles plus of fetch (weather system) worst case is wave too big for the wind - in which case, Don't go out...
Chip
Cool - thanks for all the info.
I've ridden Wisconsin point a couple of times, and it's pretty fun. If the wind is kickin' everywhere and it doesn't matter if it's a little lighter over there, it'll still be a very fun place for kiting. The flat water and gentle rollers are a rare terrain for the Midwest. Just watch out for the ships!
I've noticed the same thing with the shore-break vs. outside wind, as have most people who brave the Point. It can be brutal, but if you have your biggest sail up and can manage to schlog out, sometimes there's hours of sailing to be had on the outside... or rig big and play the waves on the inside during an especially windy day. Randy and I did that once - it was blowing well over 40, but we were lit on 4.2's on the inside... which would have been way to much on the outside.
Hopefully we'll get some NE'ers soon and see you up there!
-Coach
I've ridden Wisconsin point a couple of times, and it's pretty fun. If the wind is kickin' everywhere and it doesn't matter if it's a little lighter over there, it'll still be a very fun place for kiting. The flat water and gentle rollers are a rare terrain for the Midwest. Just watch out for the ships!
I've noticed the same thing with the shore-break vs. outside wind, as have most people who brave the Point. It can be brutal, but if you have your biggest sail up and can manage to schlog out, sometimes there's hours of sailing to be had on the outside... or rig big and play the waves on the inside during an especially windy day. Randy and I did that once - it was blowing well over 40, but we were lit on 4.2's on the inside... which would have been way to much on the outside.
Hopefully we'll get some NE'ers soon and see you up there!
-Coach
One of those surfers was just at my house. He said you were haulin' some "A" out there that day.
COLD WATER
If your out and you see surfers again ask for Paul B and see if he'll film you, He's doing a Lake Superior surf film Documentry. The new teaser will be on the web soon at http://www.burtographyproductions.com
Keep on keepin' on!
Later
Holmes
COLD WATER
If your out and you see surfers again ask for Paul B and see if he'll film you, He's doing a Lake Superior surf film Documentry. The new teaser will be on the web soon at http://www.burtographyproductions.com
Keep on keepin' on!
Later
Holmes