While most of Long Island's Craziest were windsurfing at West Meadow, Jeff, Billy, the Wolf and I made a beeline for Sebonac Inlet, for the mighty western winds forecasted. It was a typically fine high-wind Sebonac session (4.5 to 4.0 for me...adjust as necessary for the other gentlemen) with the one new wrinkle being when the wind swung WSW late in the afternoon. Some beautiful half-pipe ramps set up at the sand bar just north of the launch, making big air easily attainable to the masses (Jeff and I). Jeff reported his "biggest jump ever."
But that's not why Jeff is crazy.
Actually I have no idea WHY Jeff is crazy, but I'd like to enumerate some evidence establishing his "crazier than me-ness" from yesterday.
Item one: With only four of us on the water and the winds very up-and-down, Jeff windsurfed all the way to Robin's Island to take a photo of a giant osprey nest (a nest discussed in a previous mystery post.) He was on his 70 something liter storm board...not ideal for shlogging 2 miles should the wind drop. It may be warm for February, but the water temperature is still less than ideal (38.4). The grandmother in me says "sail closer to the launch!"
Item two: After the first snow squall blasted through (providing the aforementioned WSW ramps and 4.0 winds) we all sailed back to shore (the wind dropped and the sun was getting low.) Fifteen minutes later a second, windier squall came through, and I walked over to the Wolf's truck to watch the snowy madness whilst cowering in the lee. John was there, but no Jeff. "Jeff isn't out there, is he?" "Oh yeah, he went back out," the Wolf noted calmly, "I know where he is."
"I know where he is" was good to hear because visibility had suddenly become quite limited by the snow, and...oh yeah...it was frickin' nuking. Whatever sail Jeff was on, it was too big. He was still on his 4.2. When I finally saw him (in the water...not on it...during a massive gust) I stepped out into the wind with a meter. It was blowing 39 on the beach.
In a lull, Jeff got back to the launch. He was of course delighted to learn of the 39 mph reading.
(Top: Jeff's 70-something storm board on the southern tip of Robins Island. The only way back to shore is to sail.
Bottom: The Wolf ventures forth into the howling snow on a 3.8. The island in the distance to the left is Robins Island. Photos by Crazy Jeff.)
HARDCORE - no matter how you look at it!
Posted by: Jon | February 11, 2008 at 09:00 AM
you guys are crazy
Posted by: Mac | February 11, 2008 at 10:24 AM
At least you are getting some sea time! I am still waiting here. Though I did actually miss some wind on Friday cos I was away. Typical eh?!
Posted by: Bunty | February 11, 2008 at 02:03 PM
For those who remember last month's post on crazy persons (James Is Crazier Than I Am please note that I haven't started a series of reports on windsurfers who I think are extreme. No. But I HAVE started a series of reports on windsurfers whose name begins with "J" who I think are extreme. I may expand in the future.
Hey Jon...those ramps on WSW were worth returning for! Sebonac on WSW!
Posted by: Michael | February 11, 2008 at 02:27 PM
I just uploaded photos from the day to this Flickr set: Arctic front blasts Sebonac. There's photographic evidence for item one (fully/over powered on 4.7), but nothing for item two -- I was too busy taming my bucking board and sail!
BTW, quite different from what we were doing one year ago today, eh?
Posted by: Jeff | February 11, 2008 at 10:53 PM
I can't wait till our ice melts here in Alberta, Canada. 32.01 Fahrenheit here I come!
Posted by: Webby | February 13, 2008 at 12:49 AM