Merry Christmas!

One of Santa's senior elves was spotted at the causeway enjoying some R&R. Come to think of it he is always on R&R, maybe this is where elves retire.

2011_12_18

We have had some pretty decent wind lately. It started on Sunday and it is forecasted to fade out today. I sailed Sunday on the north side of the island, Monday and Wednesday on the south side. I rigged a 7.0 on the bic 118L on those days and had a good ride.

Great sailing on Tuesday and Wednesday

After four days of rain Tuesday turned out to be a mostly sunny day with a nice wind blowing out of the east. I was able to sail at lunch time on my 118L bic and a 7.0. You could make some long runs on the north side of the island and sail bridge to bridge. I spent some time in that cove north of Joes point and then came blasting down the east side of the river in flat water. When I returned to the island Dino, Canadian Dave, Joel and a few others were out. Ron, Brandon and a few others were on the island.
Wednesday I was able to do it all over again on the same rig but on the south side of the island. I chose a longer fin because the wind appeared lighter and I didn't want to waste to much time getting out to the "House". Once out there I was really well powered and wished I had my shorter fin. Art, Dorian, Jon and Canadian Dave were out there and I dragged raced with Jon a bit. When I got back Dino and Ron were rigging. Over on the west island I spotted Jerry sporting that ORANGE sail. When I was leaving Dorian rated the conditions a "10" and compared it to Aruba!

I had a decent day windsurfing on Saturday. I arrived at 8:30am and rigged a 5.2 on the bic. Wind was out of the east and there was a big wind shadow south of the causeway. It was hard getting out but once I was in the windline I was overpowered. I made some runs near the "House" and then headed back. I tried going out later on a 92L wave board but the wind dropped slightly. So I ended up rigging a 6.0 on the bic. By this time quite a few sailors had shown up and we were making runs up and down the channel. Alex was between the spoil islands doing his freestyle thing and at times all of us were in the same area. It was pretty wild. Later some of us joined up with Art and sailed near the "House". It was a great day to be on the water.

Ron enjoying a late day sail

For Thanksgiving we were in Ft Myers and I was able to sail the Sanibel causeway. I rigged a 7.0 and used a big fin because the wind was kind of light. I sailed out and around the light house where the kite boarders were, then the wind backed down a lot so I headed back. There was about a half dozen kite boarders out and when I returned to the causeway the same number of windsurfers were waiting for the wind to pick up.
When we returned on Sunday I went down to the Stuart causeway around 2:30. Art and Dino were on the water and Ron showed up shortly after I did. Canadian Dave, Charles and a few others were at the causeway as well. I rigged the same as I did on Sanibel and joined up with Art and Dino out at the "House". I was a bit leary of following Art out in the shallows with a 52cm fin but we had a fun time. I sailed a few hours and then went back out with Ron and pretty much sailed till sunset.

The wind came in huge on friday but with the loss of daylight savings time I missed it. I figured if I got out early on Saturday I could catch some of it because the wind stayed up all night. It was heavily overcast with an occasional drizzle when I was driving to the causeway. Jon was there and Dorian showed up after I arrived. I rigged a 7.0 on my bic and headed up to the House of Refuge. I was fairly well powered and occasionaly would have to hunt for a gust to get back on plane. As the morning progressed the sky was clearing and the wind was building. Around 11:00 I stopped and flattened out my sail some and soon after it seemed like I could be on a 6.0. Art was making his way up as I decided to head back. At the causeway Matt was rigging, Dave and Dave (dad and son) were packing up, Canadian Dave was heading out and Connelly was on the water. Dino showed up as I was leaving. I logged 38 miles on the gps and sailed for 2 hours.

Sweet sailing on Sunday!

I arrived at the causeway around 2:00pm and it was blowing out of the NE. Dino, Henry, Joel, Bill and Susan were finishing up and most were sailing 6.5's. I rigged a 6.0 on my 118L Bic and was nicely powered. Cape Cod Dave, Dennis, Art, Ernesto and a few others were still sailing. With the addition of Cape Cod Dave was Jack and Marion, so now the windsurfing season officially begins. With the exception of Michigan Dave but it's still much to warm for him. I sailed up to the bay north of Joe's point, Art's bay, and spent 45 minutes carving up some flat water. It seemed like the wind was starting to back down so I headed back. Halfway there the wind picked up and I spotted Art heading north to the Jensen causeway. I jibed and followed Art but I was wishing I was on a smaller board. We ran from bridge to bridge and then I called it quits.
If you lost some harness lines on Sunday see Art.

Great sailing this weekend

Saturday when I arrived at the causeway Jon and Mike were there, Art and Canadian Dave showed up when I did. The wind was ENE and I rigged an 8.5 on the formula board. I was really well powered and sailed down at the House of Refuge with Art. Then we sailed under the Stuart causeway and on up to the Jensen causeway. That run was kind of choppy for a formula board, but out at the House it was great. When I stopped at the causeway Henry was there and Andrea had rigged.
Sunday I showed up around 2 and by that time the wind was E but harder. Jerry, Henry, Art and a few others had sailed the north side on 6.5's. Dino and I rigged 7.2, 7.0's. We sailed out at the House for a while with Art and Jon. We had some drag racing going on with flat water and some powerful gusts coming through. I caught one good gust close in on flat water and kept bearing off and logged 30.3mph on the gps. After that I made my way over to the channel and made some nice long runs from the spoil island up towards the bridge. Brandon showed up when I came in and he sailed the channel with Dino. The sky was overcast, a nice breeze was blowing; it was a very pleasant evening at the causeway.

We had some huge wind this past weekend. It actually started on the 5th and ended Sunday evening. I sailed on Wednesday evening on the north side of the causeway on a 7.0. There was some nice gusts coming through but nothing like what it was blowing earlier in the day. I could make some nice long runs and point way up the river so it was fun.
Thursday after work it was blowing out of the SE and I had to rig an 8.5 on the formula board. I was a bit dissapointed in sailing formula gear but I was really powered and sailed very close to the House of Refuge. The water was super flat and it was fun.
Friday morning I was at the causeway at 9:30am, it was raining with no wind. I waited over 2 hours and it just started to come up when I had to leave around noon time.
I was in Leesburg Fl Saturday and I got some texts stating that the wind was blowing 40 - 50 mph, thanks Dino.
Sunday I was at the causeway around 1:00pm. I rigged a 5.2 on a 88L board and sailed the south side of the causeway. It was tough getting out but once I got to the House I was WAY overpowered. The sky was heavily overcast and it was drizzling at times. I made some runs and decided to head back because the wind seemed to be getting stronger. I found Dennis along the bank south of Dick's house. He was overpowered on a 4.7 and was taking a break. After I got back to the causeway Art, Dino, Ron, Dorian, Canadian Dave, and some other windsurfers were taking a breather as well. I ended up rigging a 4.7 and sailing the north side of the causeway. Brandon, Joel, Don and Craig showed up. The wind had shifted slightly to the north and the sun strarted coming out. I had some good runs and was suprised how big the waves were just west of the channel.

North wind on the First of October!

Yesterday I went Sailing at the Ft Pierce inlet. Wind was out of the North and was blowing 16-18mph. I rigged my freeride gear, a 7.0 on my 118L Bic. It was sunny, the tide was going out, water was super flat by the jetty: all this made for some fun sailing. There was always half a dozen kiters on the water and the same number up on the beach. The water was really clear and you could see jelly fish big as dinner plates pass underneath. On the outside past the jetty there was a nice ocean swell to sail on. During the second hour of sailing the wind had built up some and I could have been on my wave board and a 6.0 but I didn't re-rig.

Sailing this summer has been kind of sparse for me. It was nice to get out Saturday afternoon. Ron, canadian Dave and Art were on the water when I arrived around 2:30. Wind was out of the NE and light. I rigged an 8.5 on the formula board and launched on the north side of the causeway. I sailed up the river and met up with Art. We were making runs from Joes point and heading up towards the west island of the Jensen causeway. After exiting a jibe you had to hunt for a gust to get back up on plane but for the most part I was fairly well powered.

Labor Day Sail

On labor Day I was over in Ft Myers and the wind was blowing! When I arrived at the Sanibel causeway there was several windsurfers and kite boarders on the water. The wind was out of the south and I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L Bic. On a south wind the locals sail at the entrance to the causeway. There is a sandbar that cuts down the chop and makes for some good flat water sailing. They all use weed fins and the water is fairly shallow. I sailed on the outside of the sandbar because of my 40cm freeride fin and found some flat water more towards the causeway. Then I headed out towards Sanibel and did some exploring. Above is my GPS track. When I returned to the causeay there must have been a dozen windsurfers and haf a dozen kiteboarders.

2011_08_27

Saturday the wind was blowing NNW and it was mostly sunny. I arrived at the causeway around noon time, Canadian Dave and Dorian were there. I rigged a 7.0 and put a big fin on my Bic and sailed it all day. The wind was up and down but the gusts would last for quite a while and you always wanted to go back for another run. A lot of sailors showed up including two guys from Miami on formula gear. There has been a lot of jelly fish in the river, although they are thinning out. Ron, the youngest Dave and I have gotten stung. It would be a good idea to keep a bottle of ammonia with your windsurfing gear. If you don't have ammonia keep well hydrated and talk to Ron about "the procedure".
Sunday I arrived at the causeway around 3:00. The wind was blowing around 12:00, then a small storm came through and it backed down. It started building again out of the west but when I got there it looked like 10.5 maybe 8.5. Dennis was packing up his 8.5 and Mike started derigging as well. Ron called me and said a storm was heading my way in 20 minutes. I stowed all my formula stuff and rigged a 6.0 and put it on the Bic. Just when I got the sail on the board the wind came in. Ron, "he da man". I made one run for 3/4's of a mile and then it faded out!

2011_08_25

Hurricane Irene

Irene brought some wind to the area. It started late Wednesday with the wind coming out of the east. Ron said he had the whole river to himself except for one kiteboarder. He sailed the north and south side of the causeway and I believe he rigged a 7.2.
Thursday at lunch time I went to the Jupiter inlet and just before I showed up the wind backed down to 16mph out of the NE. John C and another windsurfer, I believe his name was Steve, were on the water. They had rigged 4.2's when the wind was blowing around 35. There was about a dozen surfers in the water, two television vans and an emergency medical unit. The EMT guys must have heard Ron was going windsurfing because he showed up shortly after I arrived. Ron and I decided it would be better to sail at the causeway. Dino, Ron and some others sailed in the afternoon on sails ranging from 4.2 to 5.5. I arrived after work and Mitch was packing up. I rigged a 4.7 on a 88L axxis. I was well powered for an hour and then the wind started developing holes. Charlie, Ernesto and eventually Brandon showed up. I put the 4.7 on a 118L Bic and that worked OK until the wind filled in and then I was out of control.
Friday Ron and Dino rigged 7.2's but could have been on 6.0's. The wind was out of the NW but by the time I got there I had to rig an 8.5 on the formula board. Eduardo, Brandon (the thin one), his wife and friends showed up. It was nice and sunny and a nice way to end the work week.

Last time I sailed was on Saturday afternoon. I rigged my 8.5 on the formula board and was well powered. Wind was out of the SE and the tide was coming in. If it weren't for the tide I probably could have rigged a 7.0. I met up with Art out near the spoil island and sailed with him a bit. It was a good session except their was a lot of seaweed. Dino and Ron rigged 7.2's and were underpowered. Then Ron had a run in with a jet ski, literally! He had to jump off his board so he wouldn't get hit. The authorities were called no tickets written but an apology was given.

North wind in July??

Around noon time today the wind came up and Dino was at the causeway and caught some of it sailing his 7.0 on his 92L JP slalom. Ron and I showed up around 2:00 and the wind had backed off but was still blowing out of the north. I rigged a 10.5 and Ron a 8.4. I was out for an hour and was nicely powered. After that the wind filled in more and Ron and Dino were powered up on there 8.4's.

Tuesday afternoon I made my way down to the causeway. I could tell I hadn't been windsurfing in a while, the footstraps on my board were completely dry. Dino had been out earlier on his 8.4 and didn't have much luck. I rigged my 8.5 on the formula and launched on the north side of the island. Wind line said E 16 - 22 but it looked like 10 to me. I schloged a hundred yards or so, caught a gust and sailed to the Jensen causeway. I was pleased with that but then I pretty much had to schlog back. I went back to the causeway and decided to wait and see if it would pick up. Ron T. showed up and rigged his 10.5, it was still looking light with an occasional gust coming through. We headed out and I was nicely powered :) We sailed to Jensen causeway and then south under the Stuart causeway down to the spoil island. We had a good sail, I was glad I went back out.
The forecast looks bleak for the next week or so. Tropical wave moving over Florida providing much needed rain but not much wind.

Video from Memorial Weekend

A week of east wind!

This past week their has been a high pressure system off of Jacksonville that has created an east wind. It never blew as hard as predicted but it still made for some nice sailing. I always ended up rigging an 8.5 on the formula board and sailing out in the channel. Usually the tide was very low and the sandbar on the east side of the channel provided some very flat water. You could run for a mile up and down the channel, it was a blast. Yesterday I sailed from 1:00 to 3:00 and the wind was a little on the light side. Thursday I sailed after work and it was great! I was well powered, the only one on the water, very little boat traffic and you could really pick up some speed buzzing down the channel. Memorial Day was good late in the afternoon but the causeway was packed and there was a lot of boat traffic.

On Memorial Day Ron was sailing around Peanut Island near the Palm Beach Inlet. He got hurt while sailing past his boat.... he will have to explain. I am not sure but I think "Jack" may have been involved. He seriously injured his arm but it is healing up and he should be on the water in a few weeks.

Dino on the other hand has been noticeably absent on the water lately. Thursday he was on a plane heading to Traverse City Michigan. Yes there is a large windsurfing shop there but that wasn't the reason for the trip, although that is a nice bonus. The reason we haven't seen Dino is because he is getting getting married..... today! Congratulations Dino and Karen.

Cool front in May!!

On tuesday a cool front was pushing through which provided some strong west winds. I wasn't planning on sailing but after 2 phone calls from Brandon and 1 from Dino I headed down to the causeway. I rigged a 6.0 on my 118L bic and was nicely powered. Alex and Mike were sailing on the north side and Ron and Jon were on the south. I launched on the north and found extremely strong gusts just north of the island. I sailed south under the causeway several times and it seemed better on the north side. About this time Dino and Ron were sailing the north side and we went tearing north up the river. I ended up sailing on the west side of the channel north of the causeway and south of the sailing center. The water was fairly flat and the wind was unbelievable, I sailed their till 7:30.

20011_5_16

Crowded at the causeway

I called the windline on Sunday around 1:00 pm and it said SSW 27 - 31. When I arrived around 2:00 I rigged a 5.2 on a 258 Axxis 88L and took off like a shot but then I hit a lull and it wasn't fun anymore. What I found out later was at 10:00 am it was blowing out of the south and it was very steady and as the day progressed it was clocking around to the west and was getting gustier. I ended up putting the 5.2 on my 118L bic and had some fun on it. I was suprised at how many windsurfers and kite boarders were at the causeway. Sarah and Frank showed up around 3:30 and Dino counted 11 windsurfers and 4 kiteboarders on the water and there was a lot of gear and sailors on the beach.

Hobe Sound Wave Sailing

John and Mike had some epic sessions a couple months ago in Hobe Sound. Check out John's post on ecfw.

Yesterday I had visions of wave sailing at Jupiter inlet but the mild front that passed through didn't provide much wind. I ended up sailing at the causeway with an 8.5 on the formula board. The wind was lined up so I could sail from bridge to bridge so it made for some nice long runs. When I arrived Art, Dorian, Ron, Dennis, Mike, James, Jon and a few others were finishing up so I had the whole river to myself.

I sailed Monday and was well powered on a 7.0, wind was out of the SSE. I don't remember much else but I think I hit a manatee south of the causeway east island out near the channel. I was up on plane, hit something and got hurled. Next thing I know water and mud was boiling up all around me!

Sunday was a good day on the water. It was mostly sunny, wind was out of the southeast, the tide was low and the water was clear. I rigged a 7.0 and sailed with Art up in the shallows south of the House of Refuge out near the spoil islands. I wouldn't have attempted it if I wasn't following Art, he has a nose for skinny water.

Great week of sailing

Wednesday I was on a 5.2 and yesterday I rigged a 6.0, what a week! Saturday and Sunday are showing 17 - 24 out of the east.

Mast found at the causeway

See Ron T to get your mast back

Forecast was wrong, in a good way!

Yesterday the forecast wasn't showing much but in the afternoon Dino told me the windline was saying 30 mph. When I got to the causeway the river was covered in whitecaps and the railings were buzzing with the wind blowing SE. Dorian was packing up, Brandon was tweaking his rig and Dennis was taking a breather. After talking with Dennis I rigged a 4.7 on a 88L Axxis 258 and I was very well powered. I had a good half hour of sailing but some storms had made there way south and lightning started flashing so I cut it short.

2011_04_16

Last Weeks Recap

Saturday the wind came in out of the SSE a bit more than predicted. Around 2:00 I went out on a 7.0 and was having a hard time getting up to the House of Refuge because the wind would fill in and then back off. But once I got there the wind came in huge. I flattened out the sail and had a great time sailing in the flat water on the north side of Sail Fish point. I stayed there an hour and got pounded coming back. Once I got back to the causeway I saw a lot of people sailing from both islands.

Friday The wind was out of the SE and I rigged a 7.0 but the wind faded some while I was rigging. I could catch some gusts but it was to much like work. I checked the wind history later and found the wind filled in just after I left.

Thursday the wind was out of the east but it seemed awful light. Ron said I could get going on a 10.5 but I really didn't feel like rigging it. Eventually I did and had a pretty decent time sailing from bridge to bridge.

Aerial photos

Great Turn Out for the Windsurfing Event at the Sailing Center

Upon arriving at the USSCMC facility on Indian River Drive, I was glad to see how many people showed up for the event. It was obvious that there is an interest in the community for windsurfing. Sailing Center along with Adam Locke and many other volunteers organized a fun event for everyone. There was a swap shop meet in the morning, Adventure Sports from Miami brought up some of their equipment and was giving lessons to the curious crowd, while others were giving the future windsurfers lessons on their windgliders. Coastal Paddle Boarding provided the SUPs for the race and for anyone who wanted to try it. There was a long distance windsurfing race which was won by a promising young windsurfer Jake. Many local windsurfers showed up for the event, and signed up for the membership to support the addition of windsurfing at the sailing center. I was told that windsurfing will be added to the Wednesday night races, which should generate some interest since there is a good crowd of fast sailors in the area who like to race each other. The sailing center will be looking for windsurf instructors, so anyone interested should give them a call. Here is the link for the sailing center for anyone interested http://www.usscmc.org/

New link added

East Central Florida Windsurfers is a yahoo group. It's members post from places like Jupiter, Melbourne and other areas of the state. So check them out and see what else is going on in Florida.

Great Sailing Monday

When I arrived at the causeway everyone was finishing up. The wind was blowing out of the south, it was mostly sunny and the tide was very low. I rigged a 5.2 on an axxis 258 and sailed for an hour and a half. Then I rigged a 6.0, put on a shorty wetsuit and went out on the same board and sailed almost till sunset. James was still sailing and Don was streaking about. The spring cool front that provided all this wind just blew through about an hour ago.

Stuart-20110404-00381.jpg

SSE 26mph winds at the Causeway. Sail range from 4.8m to 6.5.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

East Winds on a Busy Weekend

Sunday's forecast called for higher winds in the afternoon which never materialized. The flat water made it nice for few people learning to windsurf on the South side of the causeway. Dave, Ron and I opted for the Formulas with 8.4m - 10m sails and cruised the channel dodging all the boat traffic. By staying closer to the sand bar where the water is flatter anyway it's easier to stay away from the boats. We sailed all the way to the inlet and headed up toward the ocean, but to try and sail all the way out the inlet would have been risky to say the least.
20-30 SE forecast for Monday and Tuesday!

Two Days of Strong SW/West Winds

James got caught on the North side of the Causeway after the wind completely died off.
Earlier in the day the winds were from the SW gusting to 40 at times. It's not often we get such strong winds and usually they last a bit longer, but with the cold front looming just north of us, the winds started to shift to the W/NW and most of us switched to the north side of the causeway and larger sails.
The SW winds started on Wednesday and while I was on the 7.0m, most used sail was in the 6.0 range. Thursday the winds kicked up a notch and 4.0 - 4.5m was what most of the sailors opted for. I decided to go home and get my sinker wave board, which proved to be a mistake since, by the time I got back, the winds were shifting and the lulls would have made it very difficult to get back to the causeway. After sailing thru the bridge on the 5.0m/92l board, I had a few good runs to the Jensen Bridge and was joined by Art, James, Ron and Canadian Dave who happen to have the correct rig and board, because he was able to plane by me on the few runs we made, while I schlogged thru the lulls. Ron and I rigged the 6 meter sails and made one run when the winds shut off and while Ron was able to barely uphaul his 6.6m sail on his sinker board, James was not so lucky. A boat anchored just off the causeway had a dingy they used to tow James back to shore.

Dude it was blowing today

The last forecast I saw for Sunday showed 13 mph from the SE. When I arrived at 2:00 today it was mostly sunny and the wind was blowing out of the south and the river was covered in white caps. At 2:30 the wind line said 24 - 28 mph. I rigged a 6.0 on my 118L Bic and I had plenty of power. Art was already at the House of refuge and Dorean was packing up. Dino, Ron and I headed up to the spoil island and had a blast up in the flatter water. I was out almost three hours and was pretty fatigued coming back. Jon and James showed up about this time and Brandon showed up a bit later.

Sailing Center Windsurfing Event

Click here for more information regarding event.

Sarah takes pictures of our playground

Saturday I drove up to the Ft Pierce inlet at 3:00. It was a bright sunny day and the wind was out of the NE. I rigged a 7.0 on on my 118L freeride and was under powered. The kite boarders were packing up as I went out so I guess I got there to late. Their was another windsurfer from Canada and he rigged a 7.5 and he was under powered as well.
Tuesday the wind was out of the SE and I arrived at the causeway after work and rigged a 7.0. Most everyone was packing up so I had the river to myself. I was very well powered and had a good session.

Sailing Center Windsurfing event

On April 9th the sailing center will be hosting a windsurfing event that will feature demos and a swap meet. Click here for all the info.

John Jupiter Inlet from 3/2/11

Mike and John Jupiter Inlet from 3/2/11

Another good day at the causeway

Dino said it wasn't quite as good as yesterday so when I arrived after work I rigged a 7.0 on my Bic and had a pretty decent sail. Dino, Ron T, Clark, Dennis and Mike C. were finishing up. I saw Brandon and Alex but I am not sure if they sailed. I was out about 45 and sailed with Mike. Tammy and Willa came down and we ate dinner and watched the sunset.

Drag racing at the causeway

It was a fluke that I was even able to get there but at noon time I was able to go sailing. Wind was out of the east 22 - 25 and it was nice and sunny. Dennis, Dino, Ron T., James, Connelly and I were racing up and down the channel south of the Stuart causeway and it was a blast! David was out at the House of Refuge and it was good to see Clark get out on the water as well.
Yesterday at lunch I went down to the Jupiter inlet but I didn't rig because it looked marginal. John and Mike showed up and went out and seemed to be doing fairly well. Mike pointed out that I should put my 6.0 on my 118L freeride board but I had to get back to work. So after work I went back and rigged what Mike suggested and it was doable. By this time the tide was up and some large swells were coming in and it made it interesting.

Great Weekend!

Today the wind came in much better than predicted. It was blowing out of the SE and it was mostly sunny. I rigged a 7.0 on my 118L Bic and put on a big fin (52 cm) because the wind was a little light. It was tough heading towards the House of Refuge because of the current, chop and boat traffic so the fin was a big help. Once out there the wind really filled in and it was good. I sailed with Art and Ron T made his way out on his "new ride". It's a 115L RRD X Fire and he had a 7.2 Neil Pryde race sail and this rig is definitely fast, watch out Dino! Eduardo and Dino made there way out and we had a great time on the water.
Saturday we had a real nice turnout at the causeway cookout. There was plenty of great food to eat, a gentle cool breeze and time to chat with everyone. The only thing missing was a tad more wind. Although that didn't keep people off the water, Art and Glen were on SUP's and as the evening progressed the wind turned south and came up a bit so Ron T and Dino rigged a 10.0 and an 8.4 and went out on the formula boards.

Causeway cookout

We are having a cookout at the causeway February 26th. So bring your family, friends, your favorite cookout food and beverages. This will take place on the Stuart causeway east island and start at 2:30. I will bring charcoal, ice, plates, cups and eating utensiles.

I was able to sail after work today. The wind was out of the SE and it was nice and sunny. When I arrived at the causeway Art was packing up and he said the last 45 minutes of his session was good on a 7.5. I rigged an 8.5 on my formula board and sailed till sunset. It was good, but frequently I had to hunt for a gust to get back on plane after jibing.

I sailed south jetty at Ft Pierce inlet on Saturday. I rigged a 5.2 on a 92 L wave board. There were some holes and some huge gusts, so I guess I rigged right. It was a beautiful day, sunny with a cold wind from the north. I sailed with Norm and another windsurfer. There was 6 - 8 kiteboarders on the water as well.

Yesterday a front was slowly moving down the state. early in the morning it was blowing SW and clocked around to the North late in the day. When I showed up James was packing up and the parking lot was deserted except for a few fisherman. Their was heavy cloud cover and the wind was really filled in. I rigged a 7.0 and was nicely powered. I had the whole river to myself and didn't see a single boat. Jibing was nice on the west side up near that catamaran and on the east side once you got into the flatter water the wind was a bit lite. All in all it was a decent sail.

Wind was blowing hard today. From 1:00 to 5:00 it was 25 - 35+ out of the SSW. I got there right at the tail end of it. I rigged a 5.2 on my sinker board and south of the spoil island it was flat with huge gusts coming through. I was out a half hour and then limped back in and changed to my 118L board because the wind was backing off. I stayed out till sunset and had a pretty decent time.
Saturday the wind was out of the south and wind line was saying 25 - 30. There was very little wind around the causeway but you could see white caps out at the House of Refuge. I rigged a 7.0 and a huge fin so I could make it out to the wind line. Once I got out there I downhauled the sail but the fin was a problem. Dino and Ron were out buzzing around but I didn't want to follow them south of the spoil island because of the shallow water. So I was making runs from the House to the north side of the spoil island. Jibing in the flat water by the spoil island was great until I clipped the sandbar and snapped my fin off.

No Cold Spells Here

On Tuesday and Wednesday we experienced unseasonably warm days which combined with the 5.x to 6.5 winds made it a great time to be in Florida. Warm Southeast winds continued to build from noon until about the sunset. Very clear and somewhat shallow water made it for some exciting speed runs over by the House of Refuge. I underestimated the winds upon arrival and rigged the 7.2 sail. I managed it OK while sailing the flat waters, but the trip back to the causeway sure was one "hang on for your life" ride.

Weekend sailing

This weekend provided some windsurfing opportunities. Saturday the wind was out of the NW and it was mostly cloudy in the low 60's. I rigged a 6.0 and followed Art up north of Joes point. Some of the gusts would blow deep into the cove and it made for some nice planning jibes. I had never sailed the cove in that wind directions before and it was fun.
Sunday the wind shifted to the north and the tide was right to sail Ft Pierce inlet. I got there at 1:00 and the wind was blowing 15 - 19 and it was in the low 60's. By the time I rigged the wind had dropped (or shifted west slightly) and I couldn't get powered on my 6.0. I was bummed because it was so nice out there. I Should have brought some free ride gear. I talked to Ron T. later and he was on the river nicely powered on his 7.2

Dave and Ron make it look easy at Jupiter Inlet Thursday

Jupiter inlet

I was able to go sailing today. I met up with Ron at the Jupiter inlet. It was mostly cloudy and the wind was out of the north. I rigged a 6.0 on my 92L synchro and had a good time. We launched on the south side of the inlet close to the jetty and it was easy getting out. When I was bringing my gear in Dino showed up and he did some sailing with Ron.

photo album 1/8/11

2011_01_08

Great day for sailing on Saturday. Wind was out of the west so you could sail bridge to bridge and it was mostly sunny. I rigged my 7.0 on the 118L Bic and was well powered. Twice I sailed under the Stuart causeway down to the spoil island and both times on the way back I hit some pretty amazing speeds in the flat water on the west side of the channel. Art, David D, Jerry, Jon, James, Greg, Dino and Ron were on the water.

photo album 1/1/11

2011_01_01

Sail in the New Year!

The three day New Year weekend provided some great sailing! Wind was out of the south with mostly sunny skies which made for some nice sailing. Friday I was out on a 6.0 and Saturday on a 7.0 with a big turnout of sailors on both days.