Driving to Ponquogue I had two thoughts. The first, as I drove by North Sea Harbor (partially iced over) was "Geeze it's really winter...sail as often as possible before it's too cold!"
The second thought was "Why are we sailing Ponquogue on SW?"
We never sail Ponquogue on SW. With waves on the brain everyone usually wants to go to Cupsogue (except for Peconic Jeff and I, as we lack 4WD vehicles needed to drive the last quarter mile.) And if not Cupsogue, then Tiana, which is 2WD accessible. But I wasn't going to make a peep about the Ponquogue call (Jon Ford and John V got it going). I love Ponquogue, and if it's no longer strictly reserved for E and ENE, that's fine with me. (Read Jon Ford's comment for the particulars on when Ponquogue works during southerlies.)
Ponquogue was beautiful...no shore break, shoulder-high swell generously spaced, clean and...clean and what? "Mellow" said the Wolf. And he was right. It was clean and mellow.
Sailing a 5.5 on 93 liters I began to make good on one New Year's resolution as the friendly conditions made for some easy backside wave riding. For whatever reason (the mellowness?) wave sailing seemed to come naturally today. I conferred with Scott on the beach (Scott's taking a break while his wrist is on the mend) who confirmed that I was in fact riding the waves reasonably well. I hope I didn't jinx myself by writing that, but there it is.
Also on the scene: George Pav, Jeff, the Wolf (who launched a beautiful jump right in my face...I howled,) and Jon Ford. The wind died mid-afternoon, but it was sweet while it lasted.
So: Ponquogue can work for SW. I need to update the windsurfing map.
(Photo: George Pav works a wave down the beach at Ponquogue. Photo by Jeff.)
Ponquogue will work on a wsw and a low tide. Good ramps and backside riding. A true sw and your sailing along the edge of the sandbar, more onshore and more difficult to get out - waves constantly coming from the side and you need to always be pinching upwind. WSW and low tide is always a good call. Sail powered, the current does run here. Good time yesterday!
Posted by: Jon | January 05, 2008 at 08:38 AM
Hey Pec. Need some advice. I am going to be visiting my cousin who lives in Michigan. We are going to drive down to Charleston in S. Carolina to visit her son. This will be first week of July. Do you know anything about if its possible to rent equipment there just incase we have a windy day?? Also what chance is there do you think of getting wind at that time and do you know anything about conditions? Sorry to pile you with questions. Maybe you have a good site for me to go on.
Posted by: Bunty | January 05, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Bunty, I did some quick googling and came up with the Charleston Boardsailing/Kitesailing club. They have a bulletin board online but it's members only (there's a similar one for Long Island). I'm sure if you email the contact ( crnajet@yahoo.com ) someone will get back to you.
Posted by: Michael | January 05, 2008 at 01:42 PM
Thanks. I have registered on a Yahoo based bulletin board which I think is the same thing. If I don't get any feedback I will contact that email address. Thanks.
Posted by: Bunty | January 05, 2008 at 02:32 PM
Wow they certainly reply quickly on that bulletin board! Literally within minutes I had replies. I think there won't be any chance of windsurfing - I thought it would have been quite cool to have been able to have done some in the US - expanding my list of destinations I have windsurfed in. If there is a bit of a breeze maybe some kind soul will let me just steal a couple of reaches on their equipment! Thanks for your help.
Posted by: Bunty | January 06, 2008 at 03:29 AM
Where are the pics? You can't tease us like that...of course you can, it's your blog.
Are you still using the mast cam?
Posted by: Joe Rouse | January 06, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Joe, Most of the photos I run are taken by Peconic Jeff...Jeff arrived at this session late and the wind died before he could get much sailing in, much less take photos. Yet when I told him about your comment he quickly hit me with what he had (I'm amazed he took any!) I've added the single image...we all wish it was larger.
Ah, the mast cam. The original mast cam is sitting at the bottom of the Great Peconic off the South Jamesport launch...I had devised a mast mount that I thought wouldn't fall off, and I neglected to attach an emergency tether.
I've replaced the camera, but have yet to build a new mount. Maybe this week I'll get it done, or at least strap the thing onto the boom...some video would liven things up.
Posted by: Michael | January 06, 2008 at 05:08 PM