Long Pond Session Report 6.20.16

[windydoug]

Thanks to all of the Groupme crew for texting in relevant info about conditions at the pond.  Re-energized Eric M. gave a goo report of 5.8 conditions and that got me pumped

I arrived after work to Eric on the water on 5.8, Art on 5.2, Joe on 5.2, and another sailor ripping on a small looking RAF Cam sail.  Folks looked to be doing pretty well on those sails sizes, and Eric looked to be having a pretty good go of his 5.8, so I rigged that and my 95L board.

As I hit the water, the conditions weren’t nukin slog gin, but it was classic Long Pond gusty with some direction changes thrown in to keep yo tense and on your toes.

I was overpowered on my moderately down hauled 5.8 and had the barn door open wide enough that you could see big sis with her boyfriend up in the hay loft. tisk tisk (a little Windkid Bill humor for ya).  But then I’d be in a barely planing lull.  I feel for Eric who seriously looked to be doing pretty well on his 5.8 getting everything figured out, Long Pond was not playing nice today.  He had to head early for a commitment, but the guy is tough and I witnessed him planing on his 115 Synchro and a 5.8 when Joe was blasting on his 5.2…Eric was holding down a big sail.

This session was the first one this year where I finally felt like things were slowing down.  I could think about what I was doing before entering a jibe and doing it.  I’ve been rag tag in that department this year and gotten the typical good advice about knee bend, jibing in the wind, and throwing/pulling the sail forward.  I feel like I made that work.

Joe was flying and seems primed for his July trip to the gorge.  If you jibe near him enough, his jibe might rub off on you, or you might learn something.  I had fun trying to go jibe for jibe with he and Teddy, who was on his newish Fanatic 105.

I was glad and surprised to see 3-4 other sailors give Long Pond a shot during my session, I’m not sure who they were as I didn’t get to talk with them, but everybody was working hard and having success.

Chris Joyce was the lone kiter at the Pond and seemed to be doing okay way upwind.  I’d be curious to know how kites handle the gusty Long Pond conditions.

Be well everybody.

Wd

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