...in which we get even further from the Rule of 100, and begin to learn the ways of sailing around and through ice.
With air temperatures in the mid 20's, we knew today could be a challenge. Arriving at Mecox Bay, the sight of the southeast corner frozen underscored the situation. But the sun was shining, there were whitecaps, and neither Jeff nor I had ever sailed on Long Island in February, so it was time to get down to business.
A preliminary run (6.2, JP 109 "Calamity Too") found beautiful steady wind, and a few hundred yards out: floating patches of what looked like iced water. But how much ice? I sailed alongside one patch, and it looked like snowcone slush with a few small slabs in it for fun, so when a white bit of bay appeared in front of me a moment later, I decided to sail right through it. No problem...the fin sounded like it was negotiating a frozen drink. Back in all liquid water everything was gorgeous...sun shining, some puffins flew by...conditions were just about perfect so I jibed to go back in and give Jeff a report.
I came up to a new patch of ice, and snapped a photo of it before I went for another margarita reach.
This was a mistake.
I couldn't really make out the slabs until I was practically on top of them, and apparently I imagined that I'd gone through some on the last reach. My fin hit the first one and I was nearly thrown. Then I hit another and again almost flew off. Sheeting out until I was doing more of a power-shlog, I cleared this patch, made my way back to shore, and advised Jeff thusly:
Slush good. Slabs bad.
I checked my fin for damage, but it was fine, and went back out. I should have also checked the bottom of my board, which in fact was not fine, instead sporting two long thin slices through the skin (my JP is a "pro edition" which means it can not take any hit of consequence.) Anyhow I noticed the slices later, and the board is now thawing in my living room so I can later drain it if it proves to have taken on water.
I'd like to compare notes with the Turnagain Arm windsurfers in Alaska, who sail across the backs of whales and salmon (the whales are said to be fine with this, the salmon not so much.)
What else did we learn? The icey patches get blown downwind, so the beam reach that was no hassle last time may now require some pinching and bearing off (bearing off in a gust to thread your way through ice...this is not boring!)
Also tried out Dermatone for the first time, as a lower hassle and nicer smelling alternative to the neoprene face mask (see Adventures in Cold Water Windsurfing, Part One). It seemed to work well, but the sun was shining brightly, so even though it was colder than last time, it may have not been colder than last time.
About that:
Old record temperatures: Air: 31, water: 35.5. 66.5 total.
Today: Air 29, water 35.7. 64.6 total...a new personal record.
Jeff goes back for more of that slushy stuff.
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