Endless Supply of Wind-Seneca Lake 5/9/19

[Scott]

(starting to feel like my own personal blog..)

The phone rang early on Thursday, the voice somewhat familar…OMG it’s Joe! He’s back! “Where we sailing? Looks like Seneca…OK see you there!”. The iwindsurf forecast looked awesome, a hard blow of prefrontal wind out of the south east AND 70 degree temperatures!  A great Seneca Lake forecast.

I had packed my gear the night before, stuffing pretty much everything I own in the old Volvo wagon. Two boards on the roof, a 110 and 95 liter. Inside eight sails and a 125 and 85 liter board along with the foil. The supply bag had  two sodas, one beer, a towel and first aid kit (including sunscreen…SPF 15, 30,50 and 100).

I checked the wind on my phone. There wasn’t any! A quick post to Groupme to feel out the community, “Weathermen blow the forecast? Seneca 6mph!” A reassuring response immediately pops up, it’s Keith, “Watch the air temps! The fronts not through yet.” Sounds good. Maybe later then.

Heading down to Seneca, I pass by the local Wendy’s, I haven’t had fast food in months, why I haven’t shed any weight is a mystery. Maybe my special Craft Beer diet isn’t working. IDK. I stop at Wendy’s to kill time while the winds build and load up on carbs. If the forecast is right, albeit late I’ll need them.

Keith is at the marina launch in the park at Seneca, he’s “working” taking a conference call while waiting for the wind to arrive. I’m the second to arrive and with no meetings scheduled I start analyzing the conditions knowing that they’ll most likely chance.

I decide to rig a 6.1 and maybe one of my bigger boards, the wind is building. Surprisingly the lake water is still very cold so I play it safe and don my 5.4 rubber. The wind is filling in and I change my mind and fin up the 110 Fanatic Bell board (aka Jimmy Bell’s old board). Popping up onto the board, the wind fills the sail and the adrenaline surges. There’s a lot of wind. I punch out into the lake and immediately it is apparent that it’s howling. Deceiving in that the lake chop hasn’t built up yet, I make the jibe and head back to shore.

Keith and I both rig our 5.3’s, and jump on smaller boards, my 85 Goya seems right. Back on the water, I’m still overpowered but I’m overheating in my heavy rubber and reluctant to go back to re-rig. I’ll ride this out. And ride we did, it was ripping all day long! Joe finally arrives, then Corey and Dan. Eveyrone gets their fill of wind. Even when the Genny Ruby Red runs out the wind is still blowing. The kiters even left wind on the water! On the ride home the rain came down and the front has arrived. Wicked goood day.

[mihelbergel]

Sounds great! Wish I could have joined you. I’ve got another week or so still waiting on a sprained ankle to heal. But I was watching the meter yesterday and thinking of you guys. It looked like a solid Seneca day.

[Author]

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