It doesn't matter who you are...you want to know how fast you're sailing when it feels really fast. So come get your fast on at the East Coast Windsurfing Festival on Saturday! The organizers are happy to announce that they'll have GPS's to share (courtesy of Ocean Air in Hatteras) so everyone who wants to can join the speed contest. Mike Burns reports:
The East Coast Windsurfing Festival Festival takes place Jun 7-8 at Hecksher State Park...skippers meetings for racing and freestyle start at 10AM. How about directions? Here is a link to directions from the Long Island Expressway. The parking lot is Field #7.
How do we get these things to get a higher number on them? First off, move those footstraps out and back. The less board in the water, the faster your going to go. Second, head off the wind!!! You go way faster going downwind than straight out and back. Third, carry as big a sail that you can control. Control is the key. If you're barely holding down your 7.0 and starting to tailwalk, your going to get smoked by someone with a 6.0 that's in control. Also try and pick a path through the chop with as little bumps as possible. Sailing smooth is sailing fast. We have tons of people signed up for the GPS speed competition, so your time will be limited. Get your gear tweaked before you pick up the GPS to make sure you get your best runs on the GPS.
The East Coast Windsurfing Festival Festival takes place Jun 7-8 at Hecksher State Park...skippers meetings for racing and freestyle start at 10AM. How about directions? Here is a link to directions from the Long Island Expressway. The parking lot is Field #7.
I wish I was over in your part of the world right now to join in the fun. Have just come up from a real crap hour on the water. It was odd cos it looked really windy but wasn't and was very very gusty and wind all over the place. Oh well - got wet and it's lovely and warm too, don't even need a shorty really. 3 weeks to go and I will be in the States but not near your end unfortunately cos it would have been fun to turn up and meet a fellow blogger. Doing a trip from Michigan down to S. Carolina. If it's windy hoping might be able to scrounge a ride somehow. Will see.
Posted by: Bunty | June 04, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Summer isn't the most predictable time for wind on Long Island, Bunty, but if you're in the neighborhood let me know!
Posted by: Michael | June 04, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Got some friends that I am trying to get interested in the sport. Any chance that anyone will be at this festival with beginner equipment to rent/demo???
Posted by: Joel | June 05, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Hey forecast should be more accurate now. It says 10-15 mph from SW and very hot(above 80) on Sat.
According to Mike's thermals-pumped-up-by SW-breeze theory (see some posts ago) it's going to blow us off! Yeahhhh!!!
I'm going to bring the 7.4 just because I'm too cautious ;)
Posted by: Tony | June 05, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Guys,
I have a starboard Hypersonic 105 2003 on sale that I may use for the speed trials this weekend. Anyone interested?? It's in very good shape, no repairs.
Posted by: Tony | June 05, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Joel, as far as I know there isn't going to be any demo gear this year, though for future East Coast Windsurfing Festival events I believe there will be.
Tony, I think you're right about the thermals...from your mouth to the wind gods' ears!
Posted by: michael | June 05, 2008 at 04:41 PM