Tower Road Was Nukin!

A storm warning is in effect, and the first monster gust just rocked my house. I'm headed down to the paved lot, so come out and join me for the insanity!!

COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE HENLOPEN TO FENWICK ISLAND DE OUT 20 NM-
318 M EST WED DEC 31 2008

STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EST THIS EVENING
Today
NW WINDS 30 TO 40 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 55 KT...DIMINISHING
TO 25 TO 30 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 45 KT LATE. SEAS 9 TO 12
FT...SUBSIDING TO 5 TO 8 FT LATE.



Look at that spike around 1pm!!! Lemme tell you it was pretty intense.

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Wow! What a great way to wind up the year. Blown away on my 3.6 today. Nukin storm conditions. And warm! temps in the mid 40s.

Meanwhile, here are a few photos for you reading/viewing enjoyment. EPIC EPIC YEAR!

All picutres courtesy of my daughter Kristin! Not bad photos for her first time huh!




Are you really going out into that Dad????

Yes indeed!






Just getting my kit to the water proved to be a challenge!








Without a doubt the heaviest conditions I've ever sailed.


Some of the windblown chop on the outside was easily four foot.

When we get these big conditions, the kiters are no where to be found, so I get the entire place to myself with no strings attached!

Flight in these conditions was out of control! You'd lift off, and these wicked gusts would just rock you!!

Most of the landings where back splats, but I also sailed away from a few too.


Park police stopped in between the first and second session to ask the standard questions.....


Nukin!!


Sheeting out during a huge gust!







Just trying to keep from exploding. I have NEVER seen Tower Road looking like this.
Click on the picture to see the full screen view. Absolutely EPIC!



These where taken from inside the van.






Liquid Smoke!









So December goes out with a big bang. 3 out of the past 4 days have been <5.0 conditions, and above normal temps. Awesome year to be a windsurfer!

Theres more wind in the forecast, bring on 2009!

ps-Andy, Friday and Saturday looks pretty good!

pps--Check out Bill's blog for the results of the 2008 photo header contest. The winning shot was announced last night. The picture came off of my camera and it captures a moment from an epic session during Tropical Storm Hana back in September

Another Warm Day At New Road!!

Another warm day of sailing on the Delmarva today. Temps approached 50, and the wind was WNW lit 5.0 91ltr conditions. Fun!

Bring on those colder temps. My drysuit can take it. So long as its sunny, temps dipping as low as 30 are entirely doable. No place I'd rather be. Beats sitting around the house baking cookies or being lazy.


I met Tom Hazel (spelling?) today. He is from Lakes Bay, Jersey. After seeing the colors he was flying today, I think he was one of the sailors out there on sunday.

Tom mentioned to me that he has taken several ABK clinics. After watching him sail, I'm inclined to sign up for the next one! Tom has a wide aresnal of tricks and transitions. Very good sailor.







Stretch:


Hands free:



Beautiful light showcasing this gybe



Nice meeeting you today Tom, and sorry I had to cut my session short. Hope to see you again soon. See my email on the upper right corner of this web page to stay in touch, or leave a comment on this post.

Looking forward.......

Skate Sailing Sesh

No school this week, so one of the skate sailing venues I use for a NW, Fulton High School parking lot, is available.

Pictures courtesy of my daughter.


Forecast for the remainder of the week is amazing. Looks like I may get another day in for 2008! Bring it on.......

COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE HENLOPEN TO FENWICK ISLAND DE OUT 20 NM-
346 AM EST TUE DEC 30 2008

GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST TODAY

...GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

Wicked Warm Day At Tower Road!!

Wow, just an amazingly warm day for late December. Had to be pushing 70. No gloves, and no Hat! Every one showed up by 1pm, but for the first session around 10am, it was just James and I.

Wind Graph from Dewey. Lit 5.0 conditions.

Here are a few shots of the action before the wind filled in. We are riding our big boards for this sesh
James Roe



We both rigged 5.0 and they happen to be identical colors. I love my RRD.


Still working on those heli-tacks. Not so dialed today


Time to come in and get the smaller board

Change of fin too

When the wind filled in, these guys got their strings all jimmy jacked up

Windsurfing on the other hand comes with no strings attached. Sorry, had to get that dig in.


Beautiful Light

2nd session on smaller boards! Rock N Roll!




I was sailing out of my gybes clew first today. Its alot of fun!


Stan Iwamoto showed up just in time for the fun



James


Stan and James




Stan was ripping today


Stan Again

So much more fun when there are others out to share the wind!

I watched a Peter Hart Freestyle video last night so today I.....

worked on letting go with the front hand during gybes


Tons of port ramps.....my jumpin side





Clew first again












fully layed out swan dive

I wore my drysuit, and lemme tell you, i was way overheated. In fact, i looked forward to the times I'd fall in, and i was purposely dunking my head to get a flush of cold water thru that suit. Amazing.








A few others showed up, that i don't know who they where.

I think this is Jules. I believe his wife Donna was out there too

It was easily 4.0 at this point, and pushing 70 degrees, on December 28th!









So all in all, a fantastic day of winter time sailing here on the Delmarva. Full on stoked to get back out here again this week. New Years Day historcally has been a pretty windy day, so I'm anxious to see 2009!

Actually, Tuesday and Wednsday look insane! Bring it on.