The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

Just when you think you've got it all figured out: Northwest Delights at Sebonac!

The traditional wisdom has been

Sebonac isn't good for NW (Meschutt is)

The Peconic at high tide isn't good (low to mid incoming is).

But it was blowing NW Saturday, and Artie reported that swimming ropes at Meschutt have nixed that launch until the fall.  Christian and I discussed Tiana "but that will be flat water sailing" Christian texted.   "Let's try Sebonac."

There was the issue of the incoming tide well past half way, but what the heck...let's get some terrain.   We arrived to a beautiful field of whitecaps...it looked 4.7 but can it be?   I announced I was rigging 5.4 but another eyeing of the bay caused me to switch to a 4.7/medium board strategy.  Also, did our eyes deceive us?  We were looking at rolling swell coming through!   Christian put a 5.0 on his midsize, I popped the 4.7 on my 93 and we were off to the races.   Good jumping on both tacks, jibing off of swell was workable, and while the wind wasn't steady (the gusts lead me to board down to 77, and the lulls back to she of 93) the fun was excellent.   Massimo joined us for his maiden 2022 session, struggling a teense with the shore break but still he broke the seal.

After two hours I had to leave.  Christian and Mass called it a day about the same time and so we left.   But check it out:  Sebonac on NW at high tide!    

h/t to Frank for the post title.

 

First Attempt at Wing Foiling (with some 5.5 windsurfing on the side)

I had my first taste of wing foiling.   Caught some quality time with Andy Brandt and Jon Ford at Napeague last Thursday...winging is all kinds of new!   Did I get up on the foil?  Three or four times.  Did I STAY up on the foil?   No (not yet).   While catching my breath watched Jon wing jibe, and Andy do all sorts of stuff as usual.

Must try again.   You should too.   Go check out Andy at an ABK clinic.

To remind myself that I can learn these things, I also got some 5.5 windsurfing in.   Sails, fins, longish boards.  Old tech but still fun.

Wing Foil Clinics by ABK

Andy Brandt will be teaching wing foiling at Napeague Thursday May 26th and Friday May 27th.  1-6pm, $300.   Sign up at ABK Boardsports.

 

Swap Meet Long Island!

The week-long formula at Hampton Watersports has been working, and they'll be at it again starting Sunday May 14th.  From the shop:

"May 14 - May 20. Week long swap is back. People loved the fact that they could stop by whenever it was convenient for them. Buy or sell used and closeout Foil, Wingfoil, Kite, surf and Windsurf gear.

Sellers - please drop your used gear now thru 10 am 9/18

Buyers - Come by and check it out . Note: Anyone looking for anything specific, please let us know before hand. We can shop for you if needed."

I know I'll be checking it out!

 

East Beach

Far far away in the distant town of Port Jefferson (far for me anyway) is a Sound launch known as East Beach.   Private.  Invitation only.  Very hush hush…only the finest people launch there.   Then Artie let some of us in!   Rolling swell and starboard ramps greeted us in the 4.7-4.2 winds (I think Chris rigged a 4.8 for a little extra.).  The guests included Chris, Jonathan, Scott, George, Joe, Cyrus, Dilay and your editor.

It's been a couple years since I’ve had an ocean sesh, and while this wasn’t exactly one coming in just behind the big swell was the ticket to getting out of the water.   On the water there were ramps to jump (Scott got some exceptional air before coming down in an exceptionally flat landing.  He complained…I admired the altitude!).  George was seen throwing a classic wave jibe, complete with a carved/surfed accelerating exit.   Me, I had my worst jibing day of the year, but I still had fun!

East Beach…catch it if you can.

(George liked East Beach.  You would too!  Photo by the Art of Windsurfing)