Christmas eve turned out to be a great day on the water. I was out for two hours on a 7.0, Jon and Dorian were on the water as well. Later I rigged a 6.0 on my 118L board and was out for another hour and a half.

Ho hum day

I missed the wind on Saturday but made it out to the causeway on Sunday. Wind looked good as I drove over the bridge. It was out of the north blowing straight down the river, 7.0 maybe 6.0. I rigged a 7.0 and put on a full wetsuit, it was 65 degrees out. Ron T was rigging a 7.2 and David had just shown up. About the time I am ready to haul my rig out in the water the wind starts to back down. I was out about an hour and could catch some gusts but it wasn't that much fun. I didn't bring my 8.5. My rationale was it wasn't worth freezing to sail a rig that big, so I ended up schlogging with a 7.0??? When I got back to the causeway Ron had come in, David and Andrea were on the water. "Warm water" Dino showed up with his formula board and an 8.5. He didn't go out, I think because he didn't have Ron and I to beat up on.

I wasn't able to get out Wednesday but Art told me the wind was out of the north coming straight down the river and he was out on a 5.5.
Thursday I rigged a 6.0 on the wave board and sailed by the House of Refuge. Wind was out of the SE, sky was overcast and the tide was high. Art, James, Ron T, Joel, Rick, Brandon and Dino were out. I shot some video but it was kind of dissapointing. The GoPro camera has a slight fish eye lens which is good for close in shots but it makes everything beyond 15' look far away. So when it is blowing 20-25 like yesterday, I don't particulary want to sail that close, plus we are sailing much smaller rigs, 10.5 sails in lighter winds show up better. I'll try to pull some stills out of it and post some video.

Saturday turned out to be a good day on the water. I missed the higher wind in the morning. I arrived 12:00, rigged a 6.0 and was going to go out on my 118L boad. Then a light ran came thru and everyone who was within a couple hundred yards of the causeway was schlogging. However way out in the distance I could see Art planning at the House of Refuge. I re-rigged with a 7.0 and waited for the wind to fill back in, but I could still see Art planning. It turns out the wind didn't drop much but turned more easterly and the area just south of the causeway was in a wind shadow. So after wasting almost an hour I headed out and once I was halfway to the first spoil island I was nicely powered. I stayed out almost 3 hours and had a great time. Art showed me a nice run that started at Dicks condo and ended, un-nervingly, close to the west side of the second spoil island. What I discoverd later was just as you approached the north tip of the second spoil island the wind was the strongest and the water was very flat. As you initiated a jibe you could feel a surge of speed that kept you nicely powered thru the jibe.
When I got back to the causeway I was beat. Jack and Marion greeted me and Michelle was there as well. He had just finished his journey down from Canada and had beat that huge winter storm! I bet he and Monique are happy to be thawing out in Florida.

Yesterday I was able to get out for an hour or so. Wind was SSW with a lot of holes and it was mostly sunny. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board. Art came out soon after, the water was fairly flat and some nice gusts would blow through. When I came in a lot of sailors were on the beach trying to figure out what to rig. Ron, Jon and Paul had rigged and went out as well.

12/2 photo album

2009_12_02

Yesterday the wind was cranking out of the S in anticipation of the approaching front. When I got to the causeway Dino was there, David and Art showed up shortly after. I rigged my new 6.0 wave sail on my 92L synchro. There was some frequent holes but for the most part I was nicely powered. When I got back to the causeway the beach was littered with windsurfers. Some folks I haven't seen for a while was: Ron & Ingrid, James from NY, Rick, Big Bill and Larry. I got out again later and rigged my 7.0 on the 118L board and sailed till sunset. The wind was fading but I was able to catch frequent gusts.

photo album 11/27/09

2009_11_27

David honing his windsurfing skills

The front blew in today but the wind was less than expected. When I got to the causeway Greg was already out on a 7.5 so I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board. The wind was coming straight down the river and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I was out an hour and during that time about 6 kite boarders showed up. When I got back to the island Jerry, Dick, Jack, and Marion had showed up. I met David from Hobe Sound, who is learning to windsurf, and his father. While talking to everyone the kite boarders started coming in and the wind was backing down. About this time David and Mathew showed up.

Sunday 11/22 was the first time I had been on the water in two week. It was forecasted 10mph out of the south. When I arrived at 12:00 there was a fair amount of white caps on the water with heavy cloud cover. Jack and Marion told me who was sailing what. Art, Greg (aka Kawabunga, and Mathew were on the water. David showed up shortly after I did and Ron T. arrived later. I rigged an 8.5 on the formula and was out for an hour when the wind had built to the point where I was overpowered. When I came in to re-rig Greg told me when he arrived at the causeway there was really dark clouds to the east and funnel clouds were trying to form. I rigged my 7.0 on the 118L board and went out for another hour. It was a great afternoon of sailing and completely unexpected.

Photo album of James

2009_11_7

This mild front has povided some windsurfing opportunities. Thursday the wind was out of the north and blowing straight down the river. I rigged a 5.0 on the 92L board and was out for an hour. Some more of our seasonal windsurfers are here. I spoke with Dave M., Jack, Marion and saw Tom from Detroit. Friday I rigged a 6.0 on the 118L board. The wind was NNE, so I headed up the river with Art. I sailed at "Arts cove" for about 45 minutes. The water was flat with some huge gusts coming through. Today I met James D at the Ft Pierce inlet to try my hand at wave sailing. I was on my 92L board and sailed a 6.0, 5.5 and a 6.5. James was very helpful, giving me tips and letting me try different sails. The photos above are of James.

photo album from 10/28

2009_10_27

Last Wednesday 10/28 The wind was out of the south, I rigged a 6.0 on my 92L board and was out for over an hour. I saw Art, Dorian, David and a few others on the water. Dino and Brandon went out later. I attached the Go Pro camera to my boom and took a few shots posted above. The forecast for this weekend is looking good. The wind is supposed to start picking up Thursday and blow through Monday.

Austin heads in.

This sure beats doing homework!

Cool front ends doldrums

Between windsurfing and working there hasn't been anytime for blogging. Six straight days on the water, it doesn't get any better than that! Friday my last post marked the approach of a much needed cool front, that week the temps were in the low 90's.
Saturday the wind was NNW and for most of the day it was overcast and cool. I rigged an 8.5 on the formula and went out around 3:00. Art, Dino, Austin, Ron T and David were on the water. As the skies cleared we had a cookout at one of the pavilions and watched the sunset.
Sunday the best wind was early and it was still straight down the river. Greg, "aka Kawabunga", was already on the water when I arrived. I rigged a 7.0 and Art joined me as we headed about 1/4 mile north of the causeway and made runs back and forth across the river. Huge gust would come through and you would have thoughts of rigging smaller. Then the wind would go slack and it would leave you wondering if that was it. I saw about 5 kites on the causeway island but with all the holes they couldn't go out. The wind shifted to the west some and backed off slightly, we were forced closer to the causeway. Eventually I saw Andrea, Dino, Austin, David, Dick and a few others on the water.
Monday the wind was up and down and blowing out of the NNE. While rigging a 7.0 Mitch showed up, David, Art and Alex were on the water. I got one good ride in, blasted up to the Jensen Causeway and back.
Tuesday the wind clocked around to the east. It was ESE when I arrived. Jon told me he was well powered on a 5.8 when he was on the north side. Looking south the wind was light just south of the causeway, with binoculars you could see wind driven chop out at the House of Refuge. I rigged a 7.0 and schlogged out, once I hit the windline I had huge power. I made a few runs and it was too much. Ron T. and Jon were racing around, Art and Dave were on the water as well. When I got back to the island Dino and Austin were heading out. I rigged a 6.0 on a 92L synchro, I have been waiting 6 months to ride it, how sweet was that? I was out about an hour and then switched the sail over to the 118L techno 2. We sailed till atleast 6:30.
Wednesday the wind was still ESE. Ron T was sailing an 8.5, David and Art were on 7.5’s. When I was rigging my 7.0 Ron started packing up, he gave some weak excuse about a 20th wedding anniversary. Just kidding, congratulations to Ron and his wife! I put a 48cm fin on just to make sure I could plane up easily. It worked well and was having a lot of fun. Brandon blew past me once, he was having a good time. Chris was on the water as well but I’m not sure what he rigged. Dino and Austin showed up followed later by Dr. Connelly.

This doesn't bode well for recreational sailors!

Dr C and Dino conferring, next we will see Dino and Austin both on full race equipment!

Last Sunday I was out late in the afterrnoon on a 10.5 and a formula board. Wind was out of the SE and it was lite. Art was sailing way south and Dino, Austin, Ron T and I were sailing between the spoil islands. It was a lot of work at first hunting gusts but the wind came up some towards the end.
Friday Brandon called regarding the wind and as I was driving over the causeway some kites were up...... all good signs! When I got to the island I spotted Jerry and Jon, they must have brought the wind. It was blowing out of the SW and favoring the north side. So I rigged a 7.0 on the 118L board. It was so nice to be off the formula gear. I buzzed up to the sailing center, water was flat with some nice gusts coming through. Then I headed down the channel and under the bridge. I sailed with Art and Jon, water was flat but the holes were getting bigger. I was out for an hour and a half, the first hour was excellant. I saw Alex, Joel and a few other windsurfers on the water. On the island Fred, Dick and some others were milling about and Brandon showed up when I was leaving.

10/3/09

Olivia shows great form

Saturday I was over at the Sanibel causeway and rigged a 4.0. What a 4.0,.....did you miss a tropical storm? No actually I was giving my neice, Olivia, a lesson. The 4.0 was the smallest sail I had and she did very well with it. She's got good balance and is a quick learner.
Sunday found me at the Stuart Causeway rigging a 10.5 on the formula. Wind was out of the SE and earlier had been blowing 8.5. Dino, Karen, Ron T, and Don were on the water. Shortly after launching the wind started to back down, but I had a decent hour on the water.

10/3/09

Olivia hauls that sail out of the water

photo album from 9/26/09

9/26/09

Saturday I arrived at the causeway around 5:30. Art was on the water, Dino and Ron were rigging. I rigged a 10.5 and was hesitant to go out, the wind was pretty light. The first hour was tough, you really had to hunt for a gust and it seemed more like work. So I started back for the causeway, it was getting dark and then the wind came up a bit. We had 15 minutes of decent wind before calling it quits.

After work I headed to the causeway, Art and David were on the water and Dino was rigging. The wind was out of the SE. tide was high and the sky was partly cloudy. We buzzed all over the place and had a blast, check out the above video.

 

Monday after work I went down to the causeway, rigged a 10.5 on the formula board. Dino and Art were out on the water and the wind was kind of fading. I started on the north side of the island but headed south because Dino indicated that there was more wind there. I made some runs but the wind was light. It was nice because there weren't any storms lurking about.

photo album 9/12/9

9/12/09

windsurfing video from 9/12/09

Weeds wind and lightning

Its been three weeks since I have been sailing. As I was crossing the causeway I didn't see any sails on the water and when I got to the parking lot Art was sitting in his van with all his gear stowed..... not a good sign. A storm was building to the SW, our only chance for wind. Art measured the wind at 3 - 5. Dino showed up and Ron T was on his way. After 20 minutes or so the wind started to show signs of life so I rigged a 10.5 on the formula board. Art was heading out on his 7.5 and the wind was starting to fill in. In short order I wished I had rigged the 8.5 but I figured it wouldn't last long. It ended up blowing for a couple of hours. At times the lightning was on two sides of us and their were big patches of weeds near the channel.

The wind has been light lately and it doesn't look like tropical storm Erika is going to help out.

Dino came across the following web page and it looks like this blog has a following. James Douglas's blog is listed as well. Click the following link:
http://www.windsport.com/features?news_id=182&uniqid=1048

Also Clyde posted on the forum recently about a new online magazine, "Windsurfing International". Available 24/7, totally free and it includes videos! Click the following:
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/ed749eab#/ed749eab/1

Thats all the news from the Treasure Coast, where the wind has been light and the windsurfers are above average.

Wednesday 8/19/09. Dino in front of IRP Marina.

TS Ana

Wednesday the remnants of tropical storm Ana blew into our area. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and went out for two hours. The wind was out of the SE and I was well powered the whole time. Dino and I pretty much had the river to ourselves.
Saturday the wind was light all day and started to build around 3:00. There was big surf out in the atlantic from Hurricane Bill. I rigged a 10.5 on the formula board and was on the water at 4:30. The wind was out of the SE and I was underpowered at first. Then it got to the point I should have been on an 8.5 so I called it quits after an hour.

Austin and Ron T from 8/1

Chasing the wind

Sunday I was on the water at 2:00. I rigged an 8.5 on the formula board. Dino, Ron T and I ended up at the sandbar between the two spoil island. Wind was SE and fading but we made a few runs in the flat water. I quit at 4:00 Dino and Ron stayed till 6:00 and the wind did build back up. Chris was at the causeway when I came in, he was out on a 9.0.
Monday I saw a fair amount of white caps with gusts coming through so I rigged a 7.0 on the 118L board. By the time I got to the wind line the wind had backed down some, so I came in and put on a bigger fin and the wind faded more! After an hour it looked like it would take a 10.5 to get going. Chris tried his 8.0 with no luck and Dick stopped by and surveyed the situation.
Hey Art that sailboat is still stuck in the mud!

Smooth Sailing

Sunday I arrived at the causeway at 5:45, wind was light out of the east. Looking south the wind shadow extended almost to the pink house so I launched on the north side. While rigging a 10.5 on the formula board the wind was so light it seemed pointless. Within 20 yards of shore I caught a gust and cruised up to Joes point. When heading back to the causeway I noticed the wind had shifted more south. I passed under the bridge and headed down the channel and made some runs along the sandbar between the spoil islands. The runs were kind of short for flipping a 10.5 so I headed north. By this time (7:00) the boat traffic was so light I started making runs in the channel from the bridge to the spoil island. The water was flat, the sun was setting and it was a great way to end the week.

You Should Have Been Here Yesterday...

...is what I would have told anyone sailing today had I actually sailed yesterday. From all our weather indicators, web sites, charts and our keen sense for wind, it was obvious that Monday was the better of two days to sail. However, there is something to say for having a quiet, (relatively speaking of course), day at the causeway sailing with your son. Austin and I showed up around 3pm and from the light chop in the distance it seemed like we would have a decent sail. There was almost no boats or jet skis on the water which is always a plus. I rigged my now all too common 8.4 m sail/Formula board/58-cm fin combo, which is probably good for 90% of the sailable wind during the summer. Austin sailed his summer favorite NP Excess 7.4 m sail/North Shore Maui board w/52-cm fin. The flat water made it easy to plane and we both enjoyed it until the winds backed off due to most likely a storm cell hanging off to our north and one to our west.

From River to the Ocean

Today started out very promising. Jensen Beach Web Page wind history chart was showing the winds heading up from 7:30am until it peaked at 1:30pm registering 18-22mph. Austin, I and Ron showed up and rigged accordingly. Everything was going great until a storm cell threatened to bring heavy rain and lightning on us. For about 45 minutes I sailed a 7.2m sail, Austin was on 5.8m, and Ron on 7.5. The storm came close and briefly shifted the winds from the W/SW allowing us to cruise on in. While it never truly materialized into much above the causeway, it shut the winds off until about 6pm. Optimistically we waited for about an hour, then decided to try our luck at the Juno Beach Reef Club where there was still some wind. Austin rigged a 7.4m sail, while Ron opted for the 9.0m/Formula board. Both did well in the ocean even though the wind was dropping there as well. Ron is already a pro at sailing the ocean, while Austin was learning how to master the ocean swells for the first time.

Austin video

Austin is cruising of the formula board!

Sailing or weightlifting?

I arrived at the causeway around 2:00 and Dino and Austin were rigging sails, Ron T showed up shortly after. I rigged a 10.5 on the formula board and was under powered heading out. It felt more like weight lifting than sailing. Once I got closer to the House of Refuge the wind filled in and the rig got a whole lot lighter. We had a good time out there, water was flat and the wind was steady. There is a sailboat that has run aground just east of the spoil island and has been there over a week. We were making some runs just south of it, and the sandbar cut all the waves down. It was cool buzzing across the corduroy chop. I was dreading rigging a 10.5 but it was good!

Austin enjoying the afternoon breeze

Dino and Ron rigging sails

Sunday 7/26 Austin and Ron

Storm sailing

Sunday afternoon Art, Dino, Austin, Ron T and I were at the causeway. The afternoon storms were already developing and the wind was building. I rigged an 8.5 on the formula board and was out briefly when the lightning was getting a little to close. Shortly after getting back to the island the rain came and the lightning was flashing around us. All of us stood under the bridge as the storm cell moved off. At this point no boats or jet skies were on the water and it was flat with some real nice gusts coming through but the lightning was still overhead so all we could do was watch. Eventually we were able to get back out, it was nice to sail with a group of people again.

Wednesday was forecasted to have good wind but a storm cell formed right over the causeway and shut down the wind. Dino was able to catch 20 minutes of wind before this happened. I waited to see if it would build after the storm. I rigged the 8.5 and Art was on his 7.5 and it looked doable at first but then it faded. I was on a plane for 1 minute and schlooged the next 45.

Thursday I rigged a 8.5 on my formula board and was out two hours. The first hour was a little slow and then the wind filled in. There was a lot of seaweed that fouled my fin frequently. All week the wind would be out of the west and then around 3 or 4 it would clock around to the southeast and fill in.
Saturday I was late getting to the causeway. the wind came up at 4 and I arrived at 6. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board. When the gusts came through I was nicely powered and it looked like the wind might come up more. There was a storm cell to the SW and one to the N. At 7 it filled in nicely and I had good wind for half an hour and then the rain and lightning came. When I arrived at the causeway the tide was very high and still coming in. The water in the channel was very clear and cool, made me want to jump off my board and go swimming.

Alex looking for the wind to fill in

Suprised again!

Tuesday we were still under the influence of a westerly flow but it was flowin a tad more than usual. When I got there it was blowing 16 - 24 and Art was on a 7.5 and Dino a 7.2. Dang it was hot, usually it is cooler when you get to the causeway but the west wind was bringing on the heat. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and headed south on the east side of the channel and then the channel itself. The wind was clocking around more towards the north and Dino suggested sailing on the north side of the island where he just came from. So I sailed from causeway to causeway and for the most part was nicely powered. Occasionaly it would fade out and left you wondering if you'd make it back. Alex was out doing his freestyle thing and Chris was on the water as well. I had a great session and was happy to be on a 7.0.

Chris taking advantage of the afternoon breeze

pleasently suprised

Sunday I was on the water at 4:00 riding the formula board with an 8.5. When I was driving across the causeway Art was heading out on his 7.5 and he looked well powered. I considered rigging a 7.0 but by the time I was in the water the wind had backed down. It was a challenge getting out with the light wind, boats, jet skies and chop. I schloged for half and hour and then the wind filled in and I was well powered. I sailed with Art on the east side of the channel north of the spoil island and the wind was out of the SSE. The wind stayed up for an hour and then faded. By the time I got back to the causeway it picked up again. Chris was heading out and if I knew the wind was going to stay up I would have rigged my 7.0. I was making runs back and forth across the river just south of the causeway. The boat traffic had died and there was a lot less chop. Two kite boarders were out and the wind was the strongest it had been all day. I quit at 7:00 and Art came in soon after, he said this was the best it had been in several weeks.

Saturday I rigged an 8.5 on the formula board and was on the water at 3:00. Wind was out of the SW and I was nicely powered but a few holes here and there. Then the wind clocked around to the NW. I followed Art under the bridge and headed up to the Jensen causeway. Once we got to Joes point it really picked up and we saw some lightening. I decided to head back and not to long after reaching the Stuart causeway the wind started to fade out to nothing. Chris had been on the water and Ron was rigging. Art told me he had been getting good wind all week and some days it was blowing 5.5, it was all dependant on the local storm cells.
Sunday I was on the water at 2:00 with the same rig. Dorian and Art were out but the wind was up and down. The first hour and a half was OK but then it started to fill in and at 4:10 it came in like gang busters. I was out in the channel heading south and was tail walking the formula board twice trying to stay out of the way of boat traffic. I stopped at the sandbar south of the spoil island and flattened my sail and was able to get back. Ron was on an 11.0 and spotted the wind coming and made it back to the island and went back out on a 5.1! After 20 minutes or so the wind backed off and Ron was out on his 11.0 again. I checked the wind history when I got home and it showed a gusts up to 30!

Its been over three weeks since I have sailed at the causeway and Saturday afternoon turned out to be good. I arrived at 5 and rigged an 8.5 on the formula board and had plenty of power. David was there and Dino and Rick showed up later. Wind was out of the SSE and the tide was fairly high. I had two good hours on the water.

Thursday I was at the Sanibel causeway and was about to rig an 8.5 on my formula board when I started talking to Claus a local windsurfer. He pointed out that the wind was shifting more westerly and would be better on the east island, north side. He also said the water was to shallow for the fin on my formula board. So we moved to the east island and I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board. The water was flat and some nice gusts were coming through. Claus also warned me about an oyster bar and a few manatees that were feeding in the area. I came across several and swerved around them. I had a good time sailing but wished I had a weed fin.

Last week we had a tropical wave to our south combine with a front that created some weather. In fact we went from drought to deluge. For the most part the wind would build and then drop as a rain cell would pass through. On Wednesday from 5 - 7 pm there was good wind, but I missed it. On Thursday at 5 I arrived at the causeway as Henry, Art and David were finishing up. Alex and Jon were out and Dino was on his way. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and headed out to the House of Refuge. I was out about 20 minutes and catching some huge gusts on flat water and was having a blast but found I was getting over powered. I went to the spoil island and flattened out my sail and headed back to the island. Jon had left and Brandon was out and Dino was rigging. Dino rigged a 5.8 and I went to a 6.0 on my 92L board. I was getting used to the board and switched to a larger fin. The wind stayed up and at times I wished I had rigged a 5.0. We ended up sailing till 8:30 and figured we had better quit as we were becoming a hazard to navigation.

Austin heading towards the House of Refuge

New Toys

Finally, after about a week, (seems longer) of sailing the big stuff, (8.4m+ sails), we had a day where the winds kicked up to a respectable 16-20mph at the causeway. Austin and I showed up at the peak time, ~ 4pm. Andrea was sailing the West Island, while Art, Henry and Dick launched from the East Island. It looked like a perfect 7.2m day for me and Austin opted for a 5.8m sail based on Andrea's observation that her 6.5m sail was becoming too much for her. Battling the chop and waiting for the boat traffic to clear the channel was the worst part of the day, (we should have launched on the East Island). Once we got closer to the House of Refuge, the water was flatter and sailing spectacular. Austin was able to get into both foot straps so he was heading up wind almost as high as I was. We saw Art heading back and later we saw Dave and Brandon trying to come up to the "House", but the wind started dying off by then so we headed back. Dave and Brandon showed up as we were de-rigging. Apparently Dave just made a trip to the West Coast and picked up his new Mistral Syncro, a 92l, 245cm long and 59cm wide board that promises to make Dave into a wave sailor. At the very least, he is ready for the hurricane season.

Sunday - Arts heading in

We have been experiencing thermals starting to build around 1pm and then fading at sundown for the past 6 days or so. Sunday I was on the water at 3pm and sailed my formula board with an 8.5 for an hour. I was well powered and was tiring out so I switched over to my 118L board and went out for another hour. David and Art were on the water.
Monday after work I arrived at the causeway just as a storm let loose over Palm City. The wind had died and a few sailors were schlogging/swimming there rigs back to the island. Just 30 minutes before the wind line said 21 – 27 out of the south. Now we were getting down drafts out of the north, I was bummed. I was talking with Jon, Dorian, Fred, Ron, David and after a while the wind started to build out of the south. Art who was out previously grabbed a bigger board and headed out. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and followed. Ron on a 9.0 and James on an 8.5 also came out. At first I thought rigging a 7.0 was a mistake but I was fairly well powered. We blasted around out near the House for almost two hours and then the wind backed off. I thought I would have to schlogg back but the wind came up. I ended up making some runs back and forth across the river just in front of both islands. The sun was setting and there was a lot of smoke on the horizon, I guess from the Indiantown fires.

Sunday - Art finishing off a jibe.

Sunday afternoon was better than expected!! I planned to meet Sarah and Frank at the west island so they could continue honing there windsurfing skills. I arrived around 2:00 and the river was covered in white caps and the railings on the bridge were buzzing. Windline said 26 out of the south. I was figuring 10 - 15 and didn't have my 88L board, so the learning session was scrubed. I rigged a 6.0 on my 118L board and pounded my way out to the House of Refuge. Art was already there and we were soon joined by Dino, Austin, Dr Connelly, and Andrea. The water was flat near the spoil island and when you cleared the sandbar heading west you could almost point south because of the wind shift. As you started your jibe occasionaly you could catch huge wind coming down the channel. Heading east it got choppy halfway to the House and flattened out near the east side. We had a great time!

Thursday Dino and I went out before the wind started to slack off. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board. We headed out to the House of Refuge and was nicely powered. Made it to the flat water and was making some nice jibes and some nice gusts were coming through. Then the wind seemed to slack off but filled in some as I headed back to the causeway.

Tuesday the wind was a bit lighter but the direction was the same. I rigged an 8.5 on my 118L board with a 48cm fin and headed down the channel to that sandbar. Ron T, James, Dino and Austin came out and we buzzed along the edge but a bit slower. A very small sail boat was nearby and my 8.5 looked bigger than his main. As Ron was passing he said, "you may be faster but atleast I can carry a 6 pack". True enough!

After a great weekend of wind its still blowing

After work I went down to the causeway and rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and headed out to the channel. The wind was out of the east and the tide was out. So the west side of the channel is fairly flat and heading north you could really fly. I was soon joined by Austin, Dino, Ron T. and eventually Brandon came out. Then we headed further south to a sandbar that lines up north and south and the water was super flat...it was unbelievable! You could sail within feet of the sandbar and make these beautiful jibes. The good news is the wind is forecasted to blow again tomorrow!

My favorite photo

Dave and Dino. Dave is on the left followed by Dino.

Sunday turned out to be another great day on the water. I was a bit stiff from Saturday and only planned to spend a few hours on the water to stretch out some muscles (we come up with the weirdest rationales to justify time on the water). I arrived at 10:30 and the wind was really filled in and I was kicking myself for leaving the 88L board at home. So I rigged a 6.0 on my 118L board and headed out. I was making my way swiftly up to the House of Refuge and the wind backed down. In fact we had a hole that lasted at least 20 minutes, so I headed back to rig a bigger sail. I went back out on a 7.0 and made my way out to the House and met up with Art. I sailed with him a short while and decided to head in. About this time Dino and Austin show up and Dino is encouraging me to go back out. So after a short break I sail over to the West side of the river and make quite a few runs with Andrea. Then Dino shows up and talks me into a race. So after beating me 4 times he talks a bunch of people (James, Austin, Andrea, Ron L, Todd, Eugene and me) into racing. After beating all of us soundly he sails off. What was the cause of all this......I believe the photo above!

Race at Stuart causeway

Wow what an event and what a day! We had a big turn out at the causeway for the race and the wind/weather couldn't have been any better. Wind was out of the ESE and I was on a 7.0 and a 118L board and was nicely powered. The course was fairly simple and it ended right at the island so it was exciting for the people on shore. We had racers from Daytona, Miami and as far away as France. I will post some photos, race results and links to other sites as well.

Click on this link For Ricks view of the event and early race results: http://www.miamiwindsurfing.com/local.html

Sarahs photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teamtaylorproductions/sets/72157617320488696/with/3474193681/

race results:
1 Loic Legallois
2 Ron Kern
3 Alex Morales
4 Clark H.
5 Don Wagner
6 Steve Gottleib
7 Jon Plaster
8 Davd Zajicek
9 James Douglas
10 John Cerchio
11 Charles Dahan
12 Eugene Belogay
13 Mike Rayl
14 Sander
15 Andrea

Big thanks to David (at the helm) for the use of his boat and Rick (throwing the line) for putting this whole event together.

I also want to thank Sarah and Safina for getting everyone registered and recording the races. Sorry I didn't get a picture of Safina

April 25th race Stuart Causeway east island

Click on this link to the forum for race information see reply #19
http://treasurecoastwindsurfing.com/index.php?topic=67.15

Saturday I arrived at the west island in the late afternoon and rigged an 8.5 on my 118L board. I saw Ron T, Eugene, Larry, Dino, Brandon and a few others on the water. Wind was out of the SE and it was mostly sunny. I hadn't sailed the west island in a long time and it was good. I made my way out to the channel and some runs down to the spoil island and back. Then I switched over to the formula board and did the same thing. I didn't get out Sunday but from what Dino said the wind was better.

Thursday afternoon the wind came up and I wanted to get down to the causeway but wasn't able to. Dino said he was on a 7.2 and the wind was filled in, sky was clear and it was a good sail. Friday the wind didn't come up as predicted. When I arrived at the causeway a lot of sailors were milling about. I sailed an 8.5 on a formula board. Wind was NE and it was fairly sunny. I was out half an hour and the wind built to where I was getting overpowered. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and went back out for another hour. The sky clouded up and I made the mistake of wearing board shorts and was getting cold so I called it quits. I saw David, Art, James, Ron T., Dino, Brandon, Don and another formula sailor on the water.

We got back from Hatteras on Sunday and late in the afternoon I wound up at the causeway. I spoke with Art, Marsha and Dave from Mich. Dino and Austin showed up and I rigged an 8.5 on the 118L board. I caught one gust and that was about it. But, after 9 hours in the car it was great to be on the water.
Monday I was on the causeway to Sanibel around 2:00. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and was fairly well powered. Wind was out of the south and I was making runs from the causeway out past the lighthouse and back. Some small swell was coming around the point into San Carlos bay.
Today I was at the Stuart Causeway for over an hour and the wind didn't come up as predicted. I saw Dorian, David , Jerry, James, Jon, Brandon, Henry, Ron T., Larry, Dave from Mich and Ron L waiting on the wind.

sunrise @ Waves

Hatteras

Thursday turned out to be a light wind day so we visited some friends down in Frisco Woods and poked around some shops. Today the wind was out of the south so I went out at 12:30 and rigged a 7.0 on my 118L board and had plenty of power. There was at least 10 kite boarders out and two windsurfers at Salvo day use area. The wind was fairly warm, mostly sunny and it felt like a Florida spring day. It was a great way to end our Hatteras trip.

Salvo day use area. Photo from tuesday

Hatteras

This morning the forecast was 26 mph early morning and late afternoon, so I decided to go early. I rig a 5.0 on my 88L board, winds out of the west and its a toasty 42 degrees. I was nicely powered and the water isn't that choppy so jibing wasn't that difficult. But, within 20 minutes my fingers are hurting so bad I have to go in and get gloves. Fortunately its sunny out and I'm able to get warmed up on the leeward side of some bushes. I head back out but after an hour I was done.

Sunset Hatteras

Cold Front Moves In

While the warm weather left us, high winds continued although not as strong as Monday's which I learned gusted up to 60mph at the Stuart's Airport which is minutes from the Causeway.
Tuesday's highs were only in the low 70s, but winds were in the 20 to 30mph range from the W/NW, perhaps with higher gust at times and this time the sailing was only good on the north side of the East Island. I showed up a bit late, around 3pm and there was only 3 to 4 windsurfers still willing to endure the "harsh cold" conditions. Mostly they were on 5.0m to 5.6m sails, so after some deliberation I put on my shorty wet suit and rigged a 5.0m sail with the 95l board which turned out to be the right combination. Forecast for today is 5 to 10mph, but tomorrow looks more promising... and warmer.

Hatteras

This morning while drinking coffee I'm watching the white caps and thinking I should get out on the water but the tempertaure is in the mid 40's. So at 9:30 I head out and end up down at the Salvo day use area. I put on my 3/2 wet suit and feel cold and I haven't gotten in the water yet. Unfortunately the wind had been decreasing since 8:00 and I end up chasing gusts to get up on plane. After an hour it felt to much like work so I headed in. There were 2 windsurfers out and some kite boarders. I went out at 4:00 and put some fleece on under the wetsuit and feel much better. I rig a 6.0 on the 118L and had way to much speed so I switched to the 88L and had a pretty good time. The wind blew out of the west all day so you could sail up and down the coast which was nice and it was partly sunny.

Hot and Windy

There is not many days on Stuart Causeway that you see people on 3m sails. Yesterday was one of those days that no matter what size you rigged at times it seemed to be too much. Winds were SW/W and one could sail either north or south side of the island. Having the right size board and sail was imperative. I was happy to have half that combination. My 80 liter board was sitting comfortably at home, but at least I had the 4.2m sail that I downhauled as much as I possibly could and with the 95l JP board was able to make a few less than comfortable runs to the sandbar and back to the East Island. It was not until I borrowed Ron's board that I felt in control and able to enjoy what seemed to be 40+mph winds.

Name that shop

Hatteras

Today the forecast showed SW at 40 from 11:00 - 2:00, so I headed out at 9:00 to see if I could catch some "lighter wind". As I was backing down the drive a storm cell was coming through with small hail. Did I mention I was in Hatteras? I ended up rigging a 5.0 on my 88L board and went out for an hour. I was well powered and should have probably rigged a 4.5. When I finished the wind was blowing 32 with gusts in the 40's. It was overcast and there was 7 kite boarders out. I went back out at 4:00 and rigged a 6.0 on my 88L board and sailed for an hour. The sun was starting to come out and the only other people on the water was some kite boarders.

4/1/9 Wednesday turned out to be a decent ride on the water. I rigged a 5.5 on an 88L board as Jerry, Art, Big Bill and a few others finished up. I was out 45 minutes and then real dark clouds and rain was headed our way. Fortunately I made it to the island as the rain came in and the wind died. Dino, Ron T and Dave M were there and we derigged as the rain passed on.

Dino Video 3/28

Saturday closes out the week as another great day on the water. Wind was SSE and mostly sunny. I rigged a 5.1 on my 88L board and headed for the House of Refuge. On the way out I was wishing I had rigged a 4.5, so I had plenty of speed. Art was already out there (I wonder if he rents a room at the House of Refuge?) and we buzzed around awhile. James showed up followed later by Brandon. After 2 hours I headed back after putting more downhaul on the sail. When I got back to the causeway most everyone had left. Dino, Brandon, James and a few others were still at it.

Ron T heading west

3/27 I was looking forward to an easy sail on friday since I missed all the wind this week due to a cold. Art and Dorian were at the causeway, wind was out of the SE. I rigged a 6.0 on a 94L board and was slightly underpowered. Within 15 minutes the wind came up huge but I proceeded out to the House of Refuge. I stopped and gave the sail a lot of downhaul and made some runs. I got hit by a huge gust and tailwalked for about 10 yards and decided to make my way back to the causeway. There was a lot of sailors rigging 4.5s and the railings on the bridge were humming!

Clark video quick tack

3/25 Clark and Dino at the House of Refuge

3/25 David, James & Kathy in the water

Today looked like a great day on the water. I wasn't able to go out because of a cold but I did shoot some photos.

3/25 Clark in a lay down jibe

Saturday Eugene heads in

Saturday Willa spent most of the time in the truck, except for the time James was eating his lunch.