The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

Meschutt (Not Symbolic Inlet) Happened on Monday

The texts said we were sailing "Symbolic Inlet".  Methought this was Sebonac mangled by a spell checker, so there I went.

Nobody.

They were at Meschutt. 

The thing about most 4.2 windsurfing is that the water is too choppy to get up to crazy high speed.   But not on the inside at Meschutt.   I went out thinking "I want to have some good jumps" but then next thing I new I was FLYING across flat water, going faster than I cared to for a jump attempt.

So I picked my moments.

So did Jon Ford, Frank, Fisherman, the Wolf and Scott.  I was last to arrive but still had a nice little sesh.  Particularly since it was my 23rd wedding anniversary.   At one point I was talking to Scott in the shallows, explaining that even a short sesh was a get since it was my anniversary.  He agreed.   I said "it's our 23rd anniversary and it's on the 23rd!".

Scott's face fell.  "Today is the 23rd?"

Yes.

November 23rd was Scott's wedding anniversary as well.  Oops!   Well now he at least was able to plan a comeback when he got home.  

New Suffolk Thirteen

When was the last time we had thirteen sailors?  When was the last time we sailed at New Suffolk?  Yesterday was something!   Windsurfers foilers wingers a kiter...it was quite the crowd in the sun and warm air.   Alphabetically as best I can:  Artie, Bruce, Christian, George, Fisherman, Frank, Frank, Jan, Jon, Marty, Scott, the Wolf and your editor were there.   The wind...yes and no.    I was mostly doing fine on a 5.4 and my 109 (a cheater board in these conditions) but generally 6 meters was the best call.   Behind the magic sandbar the water was super flat, disturbed only by the occasional school of bunker beneath the surface.  The mogul side of NS never really went off, so I hung out in the table flat water, messing with duck jibes.    It was good fun in the gusts for those who went out.

(George Pav inbound.  Photo by Artie.)

Better Late and Rigged Bigger

I arrived late at Mattituck.   Such a sweet spot for SSE!   I pulled up to see a bunch of sailors shlogging or on the beach with their 4.7's...the wind had dropped.

So I rigged 5.4.   Planed half the time.  Great half!  Only Christian sailed with me (on a 5.7).   I know that as winter approaches some are loathe to rig anything larger than 4.7, but sail we must.  Me I put my 7.5 away as of October, but otherwise I'm ready to sail.   

On the water before me:  Artie, Scott, Joe Natalie.   Never launched:  The Wolf.

(Photo:  Scott inbound.  Pic by Artie)

What lurks beneath the surface at South Jamesport?

"There's something out there" Scott said, pointing at a spot about 50 yards out at SJ.   "Look at the hit my board took!"   A sharp gouge about six inches long could be seen on the bottom of his board.   He was planing when he hit it.    It had to be narrow...like an iron rod...because his fin didn't hit anything.    The theory is that the very low tide we had Saturday brought the bay to the point where the Gouger was just under the surface. 
So we moved west about 50 feet to launch.  Heck it was a 4.2 day!   Me Christian Zee Artie Scott the Wolf Joe...guys from Brooklyn and Queens and Heckscher all showed up to catch SJ glory...at least ten windsurfers on the water.   Joe says that at a previous session he once saw something poking out of the water...the spot seems to be straight out from the beach if you line up with the road, and Scott places it 50 yards from shore.  I wouldn't want to fall on it.  Be wary!

(Photo:  Scott, Christian, Artie and the Wolf discuss the perils of SJ)

Andy Brandt One Day Foiling and Windsurfing Clinics

Three one-day clinics:

October 10th Foiling only
October 11th Windsurfing
October 12th Windsurfing

Each clinic will be limited to six students. Andy Brandt teaching. Get good while the getting's good!

Register at the ABK web site.