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I thought I was gonna be out of luck for getting on the water today, but when Seneca turned on early (and J GO groupme’d conditions) I jumped on a quick session before I had to be home mid afternoon.
Since it was a SE wind I opted for the newly and exceptionally well done renovated launch at the Geneva Visitors Center/Castle Creek. The fences are down, the pedestrian bridge and board walk are in place, and it is sweet! With the newly constructed boardwalk over the water near the Ramada I was able to come in really close (think Hatchery in da Gorge, or Andrew at the Ramada) and lay down some jibes right in front of the pedestrians. Besides getting me pumped about some great jibes, I have to believe it gets people all “whoa. that’s awesome! I want to do that”. The parking is paved, the beach has been regraded (though the glass needs to be weeded out) and the grass will grow back when it rains. Really nice Geneva, pat yourself on the back.
Andrew was the lone kite that ventured to the western shore (I think he launched from near the boat launch) while I was on the water, and he was doing his thing along the pier. Anywhere from 4-7 kites were out of the park, but the wind was good enough on the western shore that I didn’t get over to say hi.
I opted for a 6.6 and my 115L board and was smiling ear to ear and was the lone windsurfer. Joe and Scott arrived and rigged up 5.8 and 6.9. Joe hit the water first and got some before the wind lulled a bit. Scott (so sick of getting skunked!!) brought 5 boards, and seven sails and was going to sail damn it, and did that at about the time I left the date for home. Art M. and One Foot Willy Bill rigged as I left, and I’m curious how the did on the newer boards they are getting dialed in. Saw Freaky G ripping from the park, and passed Ted B. on the Thruway when I was headed home.
Hope everybody got some today.
Windydoug
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Scott, you left your UJ in my mast after using the 7.5. Hope you’ve got a spare for today!!
As to yesterday…
Had chores to do and saw it had turned on by 11:00. Got there about 12:20, saw a lone white sail…guess it was Doug. By the time I got out (6.7/117 Aero), Scott was out and we passed many times. Wind was a bit holey, but mostly powered-up and for about 30 minutes it got really powered and I got some inside small waves and a few small jumps….wasn’t really windy enough for that. Contrary to what Doug experienced, the wind was fluffy on the western shore and more filled-in over by the park…so we all ended up over there (maybe a dozen kites, Scott and me). Finally, Joe came out and at the end of his first run to the park, it died down for a good whole. Hmmm. I’ll resist making any conclusions. Just about everyone came in except for a couple of kites.
Scott came over to the east side, noting that the wind had shifted over there and that it was more free of weeds. After a bit and a snack, it kind-of came back, even more to the SW, but was really turbulent/difficult wind – Cayuga-like. I’ve seen that many times this summer, it just gets too hot and then the thermal heating over the land just makes the boundary layer thick and the wind doesn’t fill-in down on the water. Better riding earlier, before the thermal distortion sets in. The kiters have a better go of such conditions, getting wind up off the water. At one point, it came in really good, prompting us to rig 6’s, but it died down before we got out. Ultimately rigged 7.5s and were either getting hammered in the 6.0 gusts or trying to nurse the plane in 8.5 lulls…finally the lulls got longer and longer so we packed it in. Not sure how many other windsurfers got out…didn’t notice anyone…we left shortly before dusk.
As to bringing the whole kit, I learned that long ago and is why I have the truck. Prior to that, I kept my SAAB 900 fully loaded all the time. On smaller inland lakes and a long drive to the launch, you’ll often get skunked if you don’t have a wide range of gear. That’s why I think a longboard / windSUP has to be the core board for inland windsurfers.
Let’s hope this is the beginning of the windy season….long overdue.
PS – if you want to carry your masts and sails without having to load and unload the car each time, check out my Quiverack for sail…I finally posted pics.
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