Gathering 08: the sequel

[Tighe]

More than one person commented that yesterday felt like last years gathering. The lawn at Malmo was scattered with dozens and dozen of kites, about the same amount on the water. The wind and the water were roaring from the west. Big floaty clouds defined the sky. Content smiles everywhere. The wind was somewhere 20-40 most of the day. My body wore out long before the wind.

Thanks for all the offers of rides to the lake. Luckily I have a friend's car while the van is down.

So this weather pattern is sorta a new thing. It happened last summer and now this week. A big Low up on the Canadian border stalls out and gives us 3+ days of strong W-NW wind. Quite rare for the summer. Definitely something to keep and eye out for. Whatever it is, I'm likin it.

Good to see everyone yesterday. Fun sharing the waves with many of you.

I'm toast this morning.

[Tighe]

Some photos

http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/lakawaphoto/?show=257

And some from Tatianna
http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/lakawaphoto/?show=256

[Randy]

I don't think I can recall such a solid NW flow. With such a long stretch windless, I think we were all pretty famished. After an awesome Saturday it was damn hard to come off the water yesterday. For sure, a newly found feeling of 'toast' or 'being full', and yet, two more days of wind to come. It's kind of like the first couple days on a destination trip where it's full on...we do too much, and by the third day start relaxing to the sounds of the wind.

I know it's been a good day, good meal digested, when I can fall asleep uninterrupted to the sounds of roaring wind, awake to a building wind without a fever to head out, and relax to get some things done before going out again. When people ask me why I ride, my common sense reply back is, "Why do you eat?" My wife fails to see the analogy, but I think all the dedicated windsports enthusiasts on this sight know that "toast" is our nourishment and one of the best banquets of wind ever laid out (warm water and air, solid power, great terrain) has been presented in rare form for this time of year.

[Chris B]

Wow was it fun to be back kiting again! I had almost forgotten how much fun it was to be out there with you guys.

Looks like we might get two more days.