Wednesday, December 31, 2008

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

3 comments:

Janis Markopoulos said...

Great job on the photography Kristin! George's readers appreciate the pictures and I'm glad you could snap some shots while I was at work.

Andy said...

Lookin' solid!! Sorry I missed it, but I was having my own fun up in VT...

Love the new Header, that photo rocks!!

What a way to end the year- you're a lucky man!!

George Markopoulos said...

yah, the heaviest conditions I've ever sailed, and had to do it with mittens on. which was ok, its just that your forearms fatigue at least twice as fast (probably more like 4xs as quick) with mittens on. so it wasn't like I could stay out for LONG sessions. But still, it was pretty intense. I love jumping in heavy wind. Loops you ask? uhm,, no-didn't try any