The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

Too Much Wind? And the Death of My 3.4

Thursday we turned up at North Sea Road.  Both Jon Ford and I were on 4.2's (it's wrong when I'm on the same size sail as Jonathan) and between the tailwalking and the bumps I was just about out of control 75% of the time.  Scott and the Wolf watched from inside the Wolf's warm pickup.  But after 90 minutes the decision was to try elsewhere, and in the end the day was done.

Which was good for saving one's strength for Saturday!   Napeague was LIT...most everyone overpowered on 3.3's and 3.4's.   Jeremy Hulse Jonathan Scott the Wolf Frank and others toying with the idea of crossing to Gardiners Bay (not me!)

“This is the most wind I’ve sailed in a long time” said Scott.

It was nuking.   Two foot chop at this flatwater haven, winds 35 gusting to 45.  One knucklehead out there with a kite who thankfully didn't get killed.   I was mindful of the old Jason Voss quote "nobody actually WANTS to sail in 30+, but we're windsurfers.  We can't say 'it's too windy'".   So while a few attempted to sail Gardiners, the Wolf Scott me and others contented ourselves with speed and survival runs on the shallow bay.    Just as I decided "one more run, then I'm done" I got catapulted through my 3.4.  A one foot hole now graced the sail.

It made things a little easier to manage!   "Not a 3.4 anymore" Scott cackled.   T'was true.  Also a teense sad.  I'd had that sail for almost 20 years (a Naish Session).   Now it's in a dumpster.  C'est la sail.

My Worst Jibe Attempt of All Time

It was a windsurfing party at Meschutt.   A dozen or more windsurfers on 4.2's or thereabouts (Hulse Scott the Wolf Frank Sky King another Frank Jan Fisherman Joe Nat Jon Ford Bruce etc) tearing it up on a warm day, the Peconic ramp and chop machine in full effect.  Fantastic!   But on one outbound run I found myself wanting ready to jibe, looking for a spot, and looking...looking...looking.  After a solid minute of nothing suitable I had the following thought:

"I don't need a flattish patch...if I bend my knees enough I can jibe anywhere."

This was not true.  I didn't know it yet though.

Unhooked, hung from the boom, got down low and stepped on the downwind rail to initiate a solid aggressive carve.   As I hit the first big bump I got thrown off the board backwards and UP...then landed with my back on the top of a steep piece of chop so my head snapped back.

I felt an electric jolt.  Then my left arm went numb.  Then I felt burning.

"I'm f***ed" I thought.  With one arm I slowly swam to my board and hung on.   After 20 seconds feeling came back to the arm (also pain in quantity to my neck).   Floated there for a couple minutes, then managed a waterstart, managing to sail back to the beach.   I told Scott my story.

"You have a stinger" he said.  And he proceeded to describe my symptoms perfectly, and told me stories about his own stingers.   Well if he lived to tell the tale then so will I.  "When can I sail again" I asked.  "Take a day off."   Sounds good.  Back to the water Sunday!

Week Long Swap, Used Equipment Week!

This is a new one!   From Hampton Watersports' website:

"Sep 21-28: Weeklong Swap Meet

Customers have asked for a longer event - here it is. Two weekends and during the week. 8 days of swapping. Buy or sell used Foiling, SUP, Windsurfing, Kiteboarding and Surfing gear. Deals on 2019 equipment, and loads of used gear to choose from. Drop your used gear off at the shop from now thru the 21st(swap day) before 11am."

So go check out used windsurfing equipment, kiteboarding equipment, SUP gear and foil stuff!  And sell yours!

 

Light Wind Wave Sailing At Ponquogue

"I like to work on my light wind skills" said John.

There had to be an explanation.  This was John Natalie talking, John "he only goes out when it's perfect" Natalie.   Conditions were marginal 5.4, waves 2-3 feet.   I stood on the beach, modeling Indecision and Lack of Commitment.

"I can't wait until it's blowing 30 and the waves are eight feet before I go out in the ocean" he continued.   He hadn't wave sailed in many months.  For me it had been a year!  

So after hemming and hawing and driving to Tiana to see if it was better (it wasn't) I joined him.   And had a very good time!   Put a 5.4 on my 109, planed some of the time, caught a few waves.   Best was tacking onto a wave (never done that before)...thought I didn't have enough time but tacked anyway, put my front foot in front of the mast and pushed down (Fisherman's tip* thank you) and away I went!

With the water so warm and friendly now, I don't want to pass up such conditions again.   Good times!

*Fisherman is no longer a commercial fisherman.   I don't know what I'm supposed to call him now.   I know his name but I never hear anyone call him by it.   And he always calls me Puffin so there's that.

ABK Returns to Tiana

Andy Brandt and company will be working their magic at Tiana Bay September 27-29.   Teaching windsurfing at every level and YES FOILING.  Last year the low tides at Tiana interfered with foiling instruction, but this year they are adding shallower foils so they can teach us to fly!    Go to https://www.abkboardsports.com/camps   to register.

(photo courtesy Markus Marschall, borrowed from Andy's Facebook page.)