The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

The Swap is On...right now!

(word from the shop): The swap is on at Hampton Watersports, but it's taking place in the back shed as rain is expected. People have been dropping off gear for two weeks so there's plenty to pick from. The gear will not be laid out on the ground. Swap is on!

Swap Meet Coming 9/23!

Swap Meet and sale at Hampton Watersports Saturday September 23rd. From the shop:

 

"Sept 23. Buy or sell New, used and closeout Foil, Wingfoil, Kite, surf and Windsurf gear.

Sellers - please drop your used gear now thru 10 am 9/23

Buyers - Come by and check it out . Note: Anyone looking for anything specific, please let us know before hand. We can shop for you if needed."

https://hamptonwatersports.com/

Swap Meet!

You've been waiting for it.  I know I have!

Hampton Watersports will bring it live Saturday May 20th.  From the horse's mouth:

"Buy or sell used and closeout Foil, Wingfoil, Kite, Windsurfing and Surfing gear.   

 Sellers:  drop your gear off Monday 5/15 through Saturday 10AM

 Buyers:  Come check it out! "

The shop says if you're looking for something specific, let them know before hand.  They'll help you shop if needed.

See you there!

Watersport Gear Sale Saturday

Stuff is on sale Saturday at Hampton Watersports.  Wind, wing, kite, paddle, da works.  The store is marking down all sorts of things you want, and they will be selling used equipment belonging to other waterpeople.

But don't call it a swap meet!

Do you know LL Cool J's song that begins "DON'T CALL IT A SWAP MEET!"

Or something like that.  Anyhow Jonathan isn't calling it a swap meet, though if it walks like a puffin and squawks like a puffin it just might be a weird bird if you get my drift.   I'll be dropping off a near-mint wave 5.0 myself, and looking for deals for moi.

Maybe we'll see each other.

Swap Meet Long Island!

The week-long formula at Hampton Watersports has been working, and they'll be at it again starting Sunday May 14th.  From the shop:

"May 14 - May 20. Week long swap is back. People loved the fact that they could stop by whenever it was convenient for them. Buy or sell used and closeout Foil, Wingfoil, Kite, surf and Windsurf gear.

Sellers - please drop your used gear now thru 10 am 9/18

Buyers - Come by and check it out . Note: Anyone looking for anything specific, please let us know before hand. We can shop for you if needed."

I know I'll be checking it out!

 

February Watersport Outlook (don't be a weenie!)

When I think about winter and water time (when I don't have tickets to fly to Bonaire) I worry.  What if there are no good days?  Silly me.  Just because it's freezing cold and miserable doesn't mean there's no fun to be had!  A review of Peconic Puffin articles from past Februarys offers up a catalog of sessions at Sebonac, Meschutt, the Bowl etc, and a fair amount of wave SUPping (by paddle and by sail).   This Friday already shows some promise...otherwise I will simply bide my time and mind the Long Island Rule of 100:

Air temperature + Water temperature + Wind Speed = 100 or higher.

Or be like Arctic Artie* and get a bit more technical, and windsurf when:

Air temperature + Water temperature + Wind Speed + Weeks since last session + 5 (if it's sunny) = 100 or higher.

* I don't know that The Art actually applies this formula, fine geek though he may be.  But he sure as sugar sails like he does!

SUP Surfing with Dolphins at Ponquogue

I've seen a shark on Long Island.  I've seen a whale breach, and I've seen a whole lot of seals.  But I'd never seen dolphins until today.  SUPping in messy 3-4 foot waves at Ponquogue I was paddling out when ten feet in front of me a dolphin crested riding a wave in.  I started to yell "Yeah!" when a second dolphin did the same.  I was thrilled.

I haven't SUPsurfed in 2+ years.   I did not catch a wave today.   But I'd have traded many waves for the dolphin experience!   Hope to catch some waves soon (and more dolphin sightings!)

On the water SUPping with the following usual suspects:  Peconic Jeff, Christian, Joe Nat, and George Pav SUPsailing.

Frank Announces the 2019 Gilgo Park Beach Cleanup

Frank is a man who cares about his beaches.  Access rights, cleaning them up, you name it.  This year's annual Gilgo Park Beach Cleanup takes place Saturday September 21, starting at 9AM.  Bring your smiles!  As seen on the Long Island Windsurfers group on FB August 11 post.

There Be Whales Here!

Saturday the plan was to SUP with Jeff at Ponquogue, but the annual Dance of the Documents to get a parking pass was a bust…I had everything needed for previous years but not this year.   As I protested I got a text from Jeff:

There’s a pod of whales off shore. Come quick.

This was the crushing blow. Not only was I not going to get to SUP this day, but I was missing an opportunity to see whales.   I’ve never seen a whale in my life, and I’ve tried! Whale watching boat rides for me have been a bust, and I’ve learned to keep quiet about this bucket list item of mine, because my luck has always been so bad.   I’m a loser baby.

Sunday afternoon Sally wanted to go to an ocean beach, so we drove over to Flying Point and set up near the water.   I’m not the biggest beach enthusiast…I see enough of them windsurfing!...but I thought MAYBE whales will come by again, despite my ridiculous luck.   There we were in our beach chairs, the wife reading a book while I scanned the waters.   And it looked like there was a school of fish out there!   I could see them occasionally jump, and I thought “they’re probably running from bluefish” but I double secretly thought “maybe these are the bunker that the whales have shown up to eat”.     I sat there like an eight year old staring at the spot where I saw the school of fish…perhaps 200 yards out…and mentioned it to Sally, when suddenly a blessed whale breached right in the middle of them. It was wonderful!   On the beach we could hear gasps in all directions, and people walked down to the water to look.   The whale was gone for 20 seconds, then we got a spout of water out of its blow hole, then it breached again, a bigger jump.

The beach cheered.

A sucker for applause, the whale gave us one more breach before it was time to go elsewhere to eat fish.   A day later and I’m still lit up!

(Photo:   A whale at Ponquogue on Saturday.   Pic by Jeff Schultz)

Return to SUP Surfing!

Ridiculously I did not paddlesurf once in 2018.   I SUPsailed in the waves a couple times, but no actual down the line (or attempted DTL) SUP action.  Recently while flatwater paddling I've assumed the surf position just to see what my balance felt like (not very good.)   Then Sunday I was copied on a text from Peconic Jeff (remember him?!) saying he was launching at K-Road.  "I'm on my way!" said me.

There was wind on the water, chop, but still the occasional 3-4 foot set, and while I fell off of half of them I caught a half dozen too!

Photo by Jeff Schultz

It's About Time For A Swap Meet

You know it is.  You KNOW it is!   Swap meet time, me droogs...Hampton Watersports is throwing the Spring Fling on Saturday May 18th.   Windsurfing swap meet, kiteboarding swap meet, SUP swap meet, surfing swap meet, and are you ready:  foiling swap meet.  

If you're selling used equipment, drop off your gear during the week preceding (or arrive early that Saturday morning).   If you're buying, bring your money.   If you're swapping bring both (it's what I do.) 

If you're looking for sails, it's helpful if you know what size masts you own, and what the minimum and maximum extension lengths of your boom is, to make sure you can rig what you buy.   If you need help evaluating the used offerings or what you need, there will be people there to help.  I will be one of them (apologies in advance!)

Rain or shine, buy or sell used standup paddleboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding surfing and anything you can slap a foil on gear. There will also be new 2019 equipment to covet and buy.  Specials on leftover 2018 equipment.    If you have questions, call the shop 631-283-9463.  See you there!

Swap Meet's a Comin'

Windsurfing swap meet.

Kiteboarding swap meet

Stand up paddling swap meet

Surfing swap meet

even Foiling swap meet (yes you heard right!)

At Hampton Watersports.

Saturday September 15th, 

Saturday, 9AM to 4PM. 

At the shop. Buy or sell used Foiling, Standup Paddleboarding, Windsurfing, Kiteboarding and Surfing gear. 

Buying - closeouts available, specials on closeout '18 equipment, and loads of used gear to choose from. 

Selling - Please drop your used gear by the shop from now thru the 15th (swap day) before 9am.

Rain or shine, windy or not, swap will run. See you then!

(The shop is at 1688 County Road 39
Southampton, NY 11968.  Phone 631 283-9463)

Jacksonville Surf Video by Dasher

In addition to being a brilliant windsurfing instructor (and the reason I can jibe) Dasher is a wonderful creator of water videos with soul.   He posted this gem earlier today, and I'm quick snatching it up to share.  Enjoy.

Jax Beach Pier from Dasher on Vimeo.

Swap Meet postponed until May 26th...

...too much rain in the forecast for tomorrow.  Instead, try and ride some of the wind today!