Monday, August 29, 2011

Hurricane Irene-Day Two Full Report

Day two in Delaware for Hurricane Irene began for me at Lewes main beach in stormy seas. It was howling!
I was a little concerned about the police and/or national guard telling me I couldn’t sail. I mean, technically we probably weren’t even supposed to be out driving around! So when we first pulled up to Lewes around 10am, I hastily carried my stuff out to the waters edge, and clandestinely rigged on the other side of the dune, a bit of a pain in 40 knots, but a necessary hedge to ensure I could get on the water. ;)
I gotta say for Lewes, it was the first time I was ever blown off the water.  I can sail a 4.2 in 50 knots at the baby pool, but not in side off conditions at Lewes. It was blowing WSW, which is very off shore, in the direction of the break wall and the ocean beyond. It was blowing steady 40, gusting to 50. Ramps where vertical and short spaced. Every aerial was a nose dive waiting to happen. Gybing was possible in the beginning, then next to impossible when it got super windy. In the offshore conditions, I wouldn’t have been able to paddle back if something went wrong.  On one bail out, way on the outside my stuff flew away from me, in a direction away from the beach, and I found that I  could barely swim to catch up to it, I knew it was time to hit the baby pool. That inner voice told me it was time to step away. So I sailed back to the beach and unrigged, while Janis admonished for leaving good wind on the table at lewes


Nice to sail with Jake Agoos today down in Dewey
The entire day I was on high alert for floating debris, which is always a risk when sailing in, and after, big storms. Didn’t see much however, though I suspect it will take a few days before flotsam begins to show up?
Big aearials
Switched to 28” mono lines this weekend, and love the way my rig handled.
Gybing on the inside thru the pyscho chop 
Jake getting his groove on
Jake was crankin on his 4.2

Time to pack it up 

In hindsight, the sesh Saturday at slaughter was my favorite. Well powered the entire time, and character of the water was much more organized. So nice.

Irene was fun, but I’m glad to see her leave. I don’t think I’d want to go thru anything stronger than a Cat 1. From Saturday 6pm thru about Sunday 4am was the most intense times I’ve ever experienced. Tornados bearing down on my home. Yikes. That said, the sailing was indeed epic. Hope those folks in Hatteras heal up quick, they took quite a pounding


***END OF SEASON USED SUPS FOR SALE AT DELMARVA BOARD SPORTS***

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Hurricane Irene Day 2

....and it was a two venue day......full recap coming later so check back.....
live2sail

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Hurricane Irene Day One

Windsurfing comes with no strings attached.
Day one of the event known as Hurricane Irene was for me bi-polar. Janis and I first arrived at Slaughter around 1pm, to find driving rain and ENE wind at about 35. Just as i finished rigging, thunder and lightening cracked what seemed like right over head, and I could hear Janis screaming over the gale that there was tornadic activity 20 miles south in Lewes. Damn! So close. Well, she pulled the plug on me, and I resigned to conceding day one to dangerous weather. Went home, showered, and had lunch. Lo and behold around 3.30 pm the tornado warnings were dropped, and the sky was clearing....somewhat. Took a bit of coaxing and arm twisting, but I climbed back into my wet shortie, and Janis and I jumped back in the truck for the 7 mile trip to Slaughter. Threw down a lightening re-rig of my 4.2 vogue and 75ltr RRD Wave Cult Quad, and hit the water..
I was LIT 
 Really fun ramps
and super strong wind = floaty jumps and soft landings 

nice backside rollers
Dont ask 

Caught a nice window in the storm, with a period with almost no rain 



Splash down 
On shore at this venue is super smooth,  much more fun than Lewes on N
With nice rollers to gybe off of
The quad is such a smooth gyber, lots of grip gives you the confidence to set the entire rail in the water
Started to get really dark
 with spitting rain
so i took a couple more runs and then called it a day
More on tap tomorrow when the wind will clock around to the NW 
time to pack it up jack it up!
Secret Spot will be going off tomorrow!
Live2sail

Used Standup Paddle Boards For Sale-Delaware & Maryland

Here at Delmarva Board Sport Adventures-our rental season is winding down, and we are selling our rental/demo fleet:

2011 Bic ACS 11.4  $499 +paddle (only 5 left)
RRD Wassup 11 convertible $650 + paddle (only one remain)
2010 RRD Diamond Classic 11.2 $1,100 + paddle (only one)
Angulos 10.6 soft top $499 + paddle (two boards remain)

***paddles are $50***

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

I Always Liked The Name Irene

Hurricane Irene is bearing down on the East Coast. Its gonna be an interesting weekend
The hope is for a near miss
Safety above all else, and a new 75ltr Quad ready and willing....

Monday, August 15, 2011

Few More Shots From Hood River

Thanks Allen!
I like this one, Alain was following me with a Helmet Cam

Cool shot

Ahhh Hood River......

Monday, August 8, 2011

Hood River, Oregon

Here are a few shots from the Gorge. Action shots from Thursday at The Wall

Stoked!
Thanks Alan!