The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

What To Do While At The Beach

If you’re someone who likes spending time outside and in the sun then it’s likely you enjoy being at the beach on your days off. However, you may be wondering what else there is to do while you’re there and ways for how you can spend your time besides just relaxing.

Be glad to know there are several options for how you can divvy up your time when you’re near the water. Keep in mind that you’ll also have a more enjoyable experience at the beach if you bring people with you who are active and like to have fun if you’re the same way.

Windsurf

While you’re at the beach, you might want to consider learning how to windsurf. This is a great way to stay active and enjoy being on the water. Be sure you have the proper equipment and outerwear, so you’re prepared to give this suggestion a try. You might want to take a course and learn more at How to Windsurf 101 or bring someone with you who knows what they’re doing.

Gamble

Another idea is to bring your phone with you and use your time at the beach to gamble and make a little extra money. For instance, a site such as Unibet has a wide variety of different games and options depending on what you’re good at and your preferences. It’ll be so much fun sitting back in your chair relaxing while you can have a real-life casino experience without ever having to leave the beach.

Play Volleyball

Gather a group of people and get a big game of volleyball going the next time you’re at the beach. It’s a great way to get to know new people and fit in a little exercise while you’re there. Instead of worrying about your volleyball skills, just do your best and remember to have a positive attitude and have fun while you’re playing. If you’re new to the sport, then take some time to read tips for getting started from Active.

Have A Picnic Lunch

Additionally, think about having a nice picnic lunch while you’re at the beach. Pack up your favorite foods and snacks or use a grill that’s provided and make some burgers and hot dogs. This way, you don’t have to break up your day by having to leave and get food elsewhere.

Suntan & Read A Book

It’s never a bad idea to use the beach as a place to work on your tan and get some color. Bring a good book and use this quiet time as a chance to rest and get lost in an interesting story. Keep in mind that you’ll want to bring along enough sunscreen and apply it often to keep your skin safe. In fact, according to the Greatist, you should wear some form of skin protection all year long.

Ups and Downs

Scott arrived first, rigged 4.7, and was happy.  Until the wind died.  We were at Sebonac for WNW, but when the wind clocked to NW it all dropped.

Until it came back.   I rigged 5.4, Scott now on his 5.3, and we were barely planing.

Massimo arrived, and rigged his 6.4 (he's big).   The wind began to fill in.

Philippe arrived in his shredmobile.   He hadn't sailed in a few years but he was eager to get out.  He rigged 4.2, which worked on his late '90's Xantos (20 year old board on 40 year old car).

Jan and Bruce arrived.

We all switched to bigger boards (except Phillipe who came with a big one) which did the trick of increasing the wind.   And had a fine time in 22 gusting to 27, until Mass got stuck downwind by Cold Spring, and Philippe got worked by the beach break.

Even Bruce managed to get himself worked.  I never see Bruce (or Jan) blow it, but Bruce was ambitious this day.  "I decided to try a new move...a really tight fast power jibe.  I started the turn flying really fast, then mid jibe I hooked in.  Kapow!"    

Then the wind dropped again, and we were all tired.  Homeward to continue Memorial Day Weekend.

Shredmobile

Arrive at the session in style!  Philippe's shredmobile, a 1972 Volvo.

Friday's Looking Good

Let's get this party started right!

Thus spake NOAA:  Friday NW winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt. 

Out east NW means Meschutt.   WNW means Sebonac.  20 means I'm on it!

 

There's a Great White Shark in the Long Island Sound

Fish.

There was and is something cool about watermen and waterwomen referring to sharks as "Fish".   The landlord, the man in the grey suit, Fish.

Yeah well...

OSEARCH (the talent agency that represents Mary Lee and a bunch of other Fish) says they've tracked a great white into the Long Island Sound, and this is apparently a first CBS News reports.   Surely they've made the rounds for years (centuries) but still we shall Take Note.  A ten footer is hanging locally.

Enjoy!

My First Sesh at Hart Cove

One of the things I admire about Scott, the Wolf, and the crowd of windsurfers who live in the Moriches area is how they will travel to get to the best possible conditions even though there is sailable water in their backyard...I am closer to the east end and North Fork launches than they are, but I'd never have discovered them if I didn't sail with those guys.    But on rare occasions they DO in fact sail at home, and yesterday I made the trek to shred their local waters at Hart Cove.

Artie (also a Hart Cove newbie) and I joined Scott and the Wolf at the end of Moriches Island Road, rigged 4.2's and took off.   There are three stretches...the first third is shallowish...I'd call it Mecox level (light) chop water.  Then comes the channel, where the wind jumps half a sail size.  HOLD ON!!   On the far side are super flat shallows (likely too shallow at low tide) ideal for hero jibes and conversation.

"I hit the best jibe of my life but there was nobody there to see it" Artie said.  I believe him.

It was super windy.  "Ludicrous" Scott declared.  We was lit, focusing on that next half second to avoid exploding.  Hart Cove is good for crazy winds!

Warm water, too.  Yesterday was bizarre for May...we were in drysuits for the 40-something degree air, while the water was a warmish 54.   I spent the day following others, as I didn't know where I was going ("That way" I was often advised) and the rain hampered visibility.  I worked it out to sail until I saw the buoy, then sail near the buoy and keep going.  In either direction.   And lived to tell the tale!  

Good times and a new launch on a windy Sunday.

Warp Speed on Tiana Bay

The water was fast.  Ef Ay Es Tea fast.

The wind was blowing 20-something from the east, and the usual crowd was out looking for an ocean launch to take advantage of it.   Me I had plans with my old sailing buddy Massimo, and we were looking for a Bay experience.   Tiana was pool table flat...it was full on 5.4 with no whitecaps!   We shared the bay with a couple sailors for half an hour when it was time to rig down (4.7) and a bunch of the wave chimps showed!  Scott Artie the Wolf the Joe Natalies rigged up, and we had a blast on the 4.7-4.2 jibatorium.    Scott later declared that he'd been a speed demon.  Anyone who has seen Scott sail in fifth gear (by which I mean anyone who has been passed by Scott in fifth gear) knows that if HE says he was going fast, it was nuts.  Warp speed!

We sail bump so often (and waves when we can) that perhaps we forget how great flatwater blasting can me on four meter sails.  Woo Ha!