The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

The Death of Jeff's SUP Board

Apparently I missed quite the session at Ditch Plains...head high+ SUP sailing with P-Jeff, Jon Ford and Andy Brandt.   When the wind died Jeff grabbed his paddle and went out for one too many more.  Read all about it.   Truth be told the last time I looked at his board it occurred to me that it wasn't much longer for the waves.

The board is not truly dead, though.  Get it fixed Jeff will, and then retire it to a peaceful life of flatwater ease.

Outlook for Memorial Day Weekend? Bud Tuggli

The forecast is not pretty.   Classic jinx...I've bought some new equipment, therefore there are no waves or wind.   Waves knee to waist choppy crapola, and the wind...oy.  In the history of this blog I don't think I've written "oy" before.   Bud Tuggli (personal makeup artist for Car Talk...)

If we could only add five knots to the forecast, maybe we'd have a prayer

You can just imagine the agony.  Sun sets on Sunday, THEN it starts to blow.  I'm hoping it comes early.

(Thus spake NOAA:

Sat E winds 5 to 10 kt. Seas 1 ft or less.

Sat Night Se winds 5 to 10 kt...becoming E after midnight. Seas 1 to 2 ft.

Sun E winds 5 to 10 kt...increasing to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 ft.

Sun Night  E winds 10 to 15 kt with gusts up to 20 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. )

ABK Long Island Clinic Nearly Sold Out!

ABK windsurfing clinic at Napeague is almost sold out.  Yes ABK's website and Facebook said it was sold out, but a small window of opportunity has opened.  Jump! 

To the poor slobs who miss the chance, we say Sign Up for the September clinics.  To the lucky few who are in, have a great weekend! 

(Andy teaching the basics.  In order to be on top of the water...direction indicated by his thumb...attach a windsurfing board beneath the sail.)

Fun Wavesailing Video For Friday

This is the weekend I'd like to have:

Keep Windsurfing in the Olympics! Sign the petition.

What are those Olympic people thinking (a proposal to replace windsurfing with kite stringing)?    Support your sport's Olympic status and sign the petition.   Please.

Swap Meet This Saturday

You gotta go if you need windsurfing equipment (or need to get rid of some). Kiting and SUP too.  Here are the Peconic Puffin's top tips for the Spring Edition of Hampton Watersports' swap meet:

1.  If you want to sell it, don't overprice it.  Nobody comes to a swap meet willing to pay what something is worth...they're looking for good deals.  Figure out a fair price, deduct for all the fun the gear gave you, and let someone else get some more life out of what's already served you.

2. If you're going to buy and have specific needs, get there early...9AM.   Every year it seems there's lots of some kinds of gear but very little of something else.  If you're lucky you'll have lots to pick from.  If you're looking for what's rare this year, be there in the morning.

3. If you're not sure what you need or how to evaluate a piece of used equipment, ask the helpers.   Even your humble editor will opine away should you ask his assistance (he'll probably just walk up to you and start blabbing.)

4.  If you need something and can't find it used, buy it new.   The shop usually has sales (and boards too...ha ha) no really there is usually some stuff left over from the previous season available at a discount, and even if you have to just buy something new, remember:  Thou Shalt Windsurf.

If you've got questions about the swap, like when it starts (9AM Saturday) where it is (Hampton Watersports, 1688 CR 39 in Southampton, 11968) what the store policy for sellers is (if your gear sells you get 100% value to swap for other used gear, or store credit, or 80% cash) or something that only proprietor Jonathan Ford can tell you (like what the best gear for you would be) give the shop a call at 631-283-9463 (631-283-WIND).

Helipad Suppin'

Twas a weekend of modest conditions east of the Helipad.  I caught some with the Wolf and Jeff on Saturday, and on Sunday Christian took my place.   My dinged elbow is still holding me back...I can not push or pull hard with the paddle, but I still get some waves.  If this injury behaves anything like the deep thigh bruise I acquired SUP surfing a couple of years ago (and so far it has been behaving like it) two more weeks should mean considerable improvement.

(Photos from Sunday's session by Jeff Schultz).

Saturday...a little ocean potential?

Thus spake NOAA:

Sat:

NE winds 5 to 10 kt...becoming E with gusts up to 20 kt in the afternoon.

What say ye, men of wind and waves?  Ponquogue?