My awesome wife surprised me with this birthday gift, a Live2sail flag.
Only in Assateague
Full post tomorrow from todays action
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Trick or Treat?
Assateague is always a treat
My awesome wife surprised me with this birthday gift, a Live2sail flag.
Only in Assateague
Full post tomorrow from todays action
My awesome wife surprised me with this birthday gift, a Live2sail flag.
Only in Assateague
Full post tomorrow from todays action
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Happy Halloween
Saturday is Halloween, and that also happens to be my birthday. I’m hoping for a repeat of last year's epic session on my birthday.
and looking at the forecast, saturday is gonna rock, so bring it on...
Here is the coolest house decorated for Halloween that I've ever seen. If I was a kid, that would scare the heck out of me!
Leatherface
Some random shots from Deleware:
Looking forward to the next year of my life full of travel, adventure, and lots of windsurfing!
Question is, will the weekend forecast be a trick or a treat?!?!
The forecast is actually looking really good. I'm all over that....
Looking forward.............
and looking at the forecast, saturday is gonna rock, so bring it on...
Here is the coolest house decorated for Halloween that I've ever seen. If I was a kid, that would scare the heck out of me!
Leatherface
Some random shots from Deleware:
Looking forward to the next year of my life full of travel, adventure, and lots of windsurfing!
Question is, will the weekend forecast be a trick or a treat?!?!
The forecast is actually looking really good. I'm all over that....
Looking forward.............
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Graveyard Of The Atlantic
One of my favorite places in the world, Cape Point, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Diamond Shoals in the background, ominously dubbed The Graveyard Of The Atlantic
David Stick writes in his book, "Graveyard of the Atlantic: Shipwrecks of the North Carolina Coast" the following: "You can stand on Cape Point at Hatteras on a stormy day and watch two oceans come together in an awesome display of savage fury; for there at the Point the northbound Gulf Stream and the cold currents coming down from the Arctic run head-on into each other, tossing their spumy spray a hundred feet or better into the air and dropping sand and shells and sea life at the point of impact. Thus is formed the dreaded Diamond Shoals, its fang-like shifting sand bars pushing seaward to snare the unwary mariner. Seafaring men call it the Graveyard of the Atlantic."
Note: these pictures where taken on a "calm" day, with zero wind
In 1794, Congress saw the danger to Atlantic shipping due to all of the ships foundering off of the coast in this area and approved the construction of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Hatteras is a magical place. If you've never been, why not?
Diamond Shoals in the background, ominously dubbed The Graveyard Of The Atlantic
David Stick writes in his book, "Graveyard of the Atlantic: Shipwrecks of the North Carolina Coast" the following: "You can stand on Cape Point at Hatteras on a stormy day and watch two oceans come together in an awesome display of savage fury; for there at the Point the northbound Gulf Stream and the cold currents coming down from the Arctic run head-on into each other, tossing their spumy spray a hundred feet or better into the air and dropping sand and shells and sea life at the point of impact. Thus is formed the dreaded Diamond Shoals, its fang-like shifting sand bars pushing seaward to snare the unwary mariner. Seafaring men call it the Graveyard of the Atlantic."
Note: these pictures where taken on a "calm" day, with zero wind
In 1794, Congress saw the danger to Atlantic shipping due to all of the ships foundering off of the coast in this area and approved the construction of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
Hatteras is a magical place. If you've never been, why not?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Lewes Dawn Patrol
Well, I woke up super early Sunday morning to knock out the post covering Saturday’s action. I knew the wind was gonna be up, and with most NE blows, you needed to get on it early, cuz it would probably die off by lunch time. I really had no intention of sailing. But the wind was strong, and the sun was shining bright. Around 9am, it had shown no signs of easing, blowing in the mid to upper 20s. So I suited up in the garage, and cruised down to the main beach in Lewes.
I tell you, after living here for several years now, I’ve got the Delaware bay unlocked. Lewes is definitely the spot to be on a NW or even WNW. It was absolutely fabulous conditions Sunday. The waves where nicely shaped and vertical, and the NW wind gave you the easy angle to bust out big floaty jumps. Ahhhhh I love Lewes on NW.
There were several other sailors out. James was alone up at the secret spot. Then there were those three guys that sail just downwind of the secret spot. I don’t know who those guys are, but they were having a blast. I saw one of them, some guy with a yellow helmet on, bank a really sweet turn off a long period swell on the outside. I noticed the board had a lot of rocker, and thought it was probably a fun board to ride in these powered up wavy conditions. This picture here is one of those sailors. Don’t know if they follow Live2sail, but if they do, I’d be stoked if they left a comment. Hey guys, I thought to come into the beach when I saw you resting to introduce myself, but was having too much fun to stop! I’m sure you understand :)
It was rockin! Easily 5.0, but I rigged my 5.8 in anticipation of the drop off that never came! So I held on in the gusts, and blasted thru the lulls.
I really didn’t expect to be sailing much past noon, but it kept blowing, and stayed strong well past 1pm. So I kept sailing. Was one super long-several hour session. As I said, the jumps where heavenly, especially out near the jetty next to the ferry. In fact, blasting past the jetty, into the ferry channel heading toward the light house, it was really cranking so I’d blast into the channel, just lit up like a Christmas tree, totally in my element and content.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Stoked!
ps: its early, but this coming weekend looks to be quite fun, and just in time for my birthday on Halloween. Assateague anyone?
Live2sail
I tell you, after living here for several years now, I’ve got the Delaware bay unlocked. Lewes is definitely the spot to be on a NW or even WNW. It was absolutely fabulous conditions Sunday. The waves where nicely shaped and vertical, and the NW wind gave you the easy angle to bust out big floaty jumps. Ahhhhh I love Lewes on NW.
There were several other sailors out. James was alone up at the secret spot. Then there were those three guys that sail just downwind of the secret spot. I don’t know who those guys are, but they were having a blast. I saw one of them, some guy with a yellow helmet on, bank a really sweet turn off a long period swell on the outside. I noticed the board had a lot of rocker, and thought it was probably a fun board to ride in these powered up wavy conditions. This picture here is one of those sailors. Don’t know if they follow Live2sail, but if they do, I’d be stoked if they left a comment. Hey guys, I thought to come into the beach when I saw you resting to introduce myself, but was having too much fun to stop! I’m sure you understand :)
It was rockin! Easily 5.0, but I rigged my 5.8 in anticipation of the drop off that never came! So I held on in the gusts, and blasted thru the lulls.
I really didn’t expect to be sailing much past noon, but it kept blowing, and stayed strong well past 1pm. So I kept sailing. Was one super long-several hour session. As I said, the jumps where heavenly, especially out near the jetty next to the ferry. In fact, blasting past the jetty, into the ferry channel heading toward the light house, it was really cranking so I’d blast into the channel, just lit up like a Christmas tree, totally in my element and content.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh Stoked!
ps: its early, but this coming weekend looks to be quite fun, and just in time for my birthday on Halloween. Assateague anyone?
Live2sail
Now, Is A Great Time To Be A Windsurfer
Packin a punch!
Saturday we scored a really fun day at Assateague Saturday. Kiters and windsurfers both shared the waves. Windsurfers out with me were Ken Kellar, Bob Ramsay, Sam Postlethwait. Kiting was Steve Sabia, Sam Postlethwait. and a couple others I’m not familier with. Everyone was respectful out there, and there a great vibe and lots of positive stoke. Cheers to more of that!
The day began with us hooking up with my friend Sam. I met him in the main parking lot.
We walked up to check out the conditions, and were pretty excited to see a nice bump out there, even at hi tide. We knew it was going to get pretty good as the tide went out and wind filled it. You simply cannot pass final judgement on the conditions, labling it disappointing, when you’re several hours away from prime time. Patience, optimism, and a positive attitude is a must to wave sail Assateague. If you don’t posses these, you may as well just stay at home.
From left to right: Bob Ramsay, Ken Kellar, Myself, Sam Postlethwait
The waves today where simply fun! They had some size, and at lo tide, packed a nice punch. Perhaps head high, maybe a little bigger on some sets, and consistently spaced, and easy to catch. They were mostly one hit wonders, with a few two turn waves. But where surprisingly groomed, with a nice big face that gave you something to work with. So much fun. And it was so warm today, temps mid 70s. I love Assateague.
Sam loaded his stuff into my truck as I gave him a lift out onto the beach. He brought his 5.8, his super sweet pro edition JP 84 liter (So freaking lite!), and his 10 meter kite. There, I said it. I had a kite in the my truck (better than thru a windshield right?). I even helped him launch his kite, not bad for a card carrying member of RFKA, Recovering From Kitemares Anonymous huh! ;) I had no problem launching the kite, but thankfully Bob was there to help land him. I’m still frankly terrified of those things on the beach, but I’m coming around. You’ll never see me on anything but a sailboard, I can promise you that, but life is too short, and I’m tired of sailing Assateague alone.
Ken on a nice one
Sam again
getting over some big white water. lift up on the booms and get that nose up
nice jump Ken
For me, the there were several moments that stood out. I was water starting in the impact zone, got up just in time, I look upwind, and see Sam drops into a nice head high wall, the same one that I waterstarted just in front of. The wave was oh so groomed, and he lays into a bottom turn. Was a beautiful view up the line. Whoot! The other time was where I think it was Steve Sabia kiting on the wave behind me, well I lay into my wave ride, go down the line, come up off the top turn, I look out behind my wave and I see Steve riding the wave right behind me. Man oh man, we both were hooting and hollerin! The other moment was me getting smacked by a close out on my top turn, Steve was headin out, as I came up for air with a big smile, Steve was screamin yeah--yeah!!, oh man so much fun!
Get it onnnnnnn!
Sam in fron of a close out
waves had some size
just snuck over the shoulder of that one!
So much power in those kitess, makes it easy I think to throw some serious spray!
Sam getting over it
Ken in front of the froth
there is no worse way to fall on a bottom turn than into your sail, but i came away unscathed
Bob Ramsay bought his ORV pass today and is officially a member of the Assateague crew now. He struggled with some serious shorebreak today. Bob, there is no shame in trying. You frankly have to pay these dues.
I’ve surely paid mine, and shoot, I still do. Sure you could have probably scored a 4.0 day at Pewey with the rest of the crew up there, but I think you’ve seen the light, and baffing at the baby pool just doesn’t do it for you any more right? Keep your chin up and keep at it pal.
Yeah!
Well Sam is a very accomplished kiter who is making the transition back to windsurfing. I’m very impressed with him, and he does both sports very well.
I got tumbled once, and lost my beanie hat. It was off for at least a minute, and I was resinged to the fact that it was gone forever. Then I find it like right next to me. I was shocked. Hahahaha. Getting tumbled is fun, and if you can't find enjoyment in being down in the water with waves bearing down, well, you need to be. Its a prerequisite imo. Relax, keep the heart rate low, and take your time, enjoy the beauty of the ocean and the waves that are rolling under you. You'll get your stuff lined up quicker that way, and be much more relaxed both before and after the sesh. No worries, and its all good.
Surveying the lineup
Ken
Yah!
After days like this, I have difficulty sleeping. I usualy wake up at 3.11 am. yes, 3.11 am (at least last night it was 3.11) lol, and I can't get back to sleep. Then I'm giddy for the next 24 hours, acting like a kid. dancing around the house, doing the electric slide and generally acting like a fool. Its all good, and I CAN'T WAIT to get back in even bigger waves.
I don't think you'll see this anywhere but Assateague.
Fall colors are honkin
We were very bummed that the Nikon zoom lens died today. The auto focus wasn’t dialing in, and the manual focus wasn’t working either, Don’t ask me why, frustrated. All the shots on this post are using the 50m lens, so not what we’re used to here at live2sail. No worries, that zoom lens has lived a full life. Probably over 100,000 photos, three cover shots, pics in Windsurfing, and a soon to be released story and accompanying photos in the International Windsurfing magazine. Stay tuned later this week for our story on the magic of Cape Hatteras.
Bill scored down at Coquina, so check out his report here.
Ok, Lewes is crankin 25+. Time for a dawnpatrol. Where is my drysuit.
Perpetually stoked.
Live2sail
Saturday we scored a really fun day at Assateague Saturday. Kiters and windsurfers both shared the waves. Windsurfers out with me were Ken Kellar, Bob Ramsay, Sam Postlethwait. Kiting was Steve Sabia, Sam Postlethwait. and a couple others I’m not familier with. Everyone was respectful out there, and there a great vibe and lots of positive stoke. Cheers to more of that!
The day began with us hooking up with my friend Sam. I met him in the main parking lot.
We walked up to check out the conditions, and were pretty excited to see a nice bump out there, even at hi tide. We knew it was going to get pretty good as the tide went out and wind filled it. You simply cannot pass final judgement on the conditions, labling it disappointing, when you’re several hours away from prime time. Patience, optimism, and a positive attitude is a must to wave sail Assateague. If you don’t posses these, you may as well just stay at home.
From left to right: Bob Ramsay, Ken Kellar, Myself, Sam Postlethwait
The waves today where simply fun! They had some size, and at lo tide, packed a nice punch. Perhaps head high, maybe a little bigger on some sets, and consistently spaced, and easy to catch. They were mostly one hit wonders, with a few two turn waves. But where surprisingly groomed, with a nice big face that gave you something to work with. So much fun. And it was so warm today, temps mid 70s. I love Assateague.
Sam loaded his stuff into my truck as I gave him a lift out onto the beach. He brought his 5.8, his super sweet pro edition JP 84 liter (So freaking lite!), and his 10 meter kite. There, I said it. I had a kite in the my truck (better than thru a windshield right?). I even helped him launch his kite, not bad for a card carrying member of RFKA, Recovering From Kitemares Anonymous huh! ;) I had no problem launching the kite, but thankfully Bob was there to help land him. I’m still frankly terrified of those things on the beach, but I’m coming around. You’ll never see me on anything but a sailboard, I can promise you that, but life is too short, and I’m tired of sailing Assateague alone.
Ken on a nice one
Sam again
getting over some big white water. lift up on the booms and get that nose up
nice jump Ken
For me, the there were several moments that stood out. I was water starting in the impact zone, got up just in time, I look upwind, and see Sam drops into a nice head high wall, the same one that I waterstarted just in front of. The wave was oh so groomed, and he lays into a bottom turn. Was a beautiful view up the line. Whoot! The other time was where I think it was Steve Sabia kiting on the wave behind me, well I lay into my wave ride, go down the line, come up off the top turn, I look out behind my wave and I see Steve riding the wave right behind me. Man oh man, we both were hooting and hollerin! The other moment was me getting smacked by a close out on my top turn, Steve was headin out, as I came up for air with a big smile, Steve was screamin yeah--yeah!!, oh man so much fun!
Get it onnnnnnn!
Sam in fron of a close out
waves had some size
just snuck over the shoulder of that one!
So much power in those kitess, makes it easy I think to throw some serious spray!
Sam getting over it
Ken in front of the froth
there is no worse way to fall on a bottom turn than into your sail, but i came away unscathed
Bob Ramsay bought his ORV pass today and is officially a member of the Assateague crew now. He struggled with some serious shorebreak today. Bob, there is no shame in trying. You frankly have to pay these dues.
I’ve surely paid mine, and shoot, I still do. Sure you could have probably scored a 4.0 day at Pewey with the rest of the crew up there, but I think you’ve seen the light, and baffing at the baby pool just doesn’t do it for you any more right? Keep your chin up and keep at it pal.
Yeah!
Well Sam is a very accomplished kiter who is making the transition back to windsurfing. I’m very impressed with him, and he does both sports very well.
I got tumbled once, and lost my beanie hat. It was off for at least a minute, and I was resinged to the fact that it was gone forever. Then I find it like right next to me. I was shocked. Hahahaha. Getting tumbled is fun, and if you can't find enjoyment in being down in the water with waves bearing down, well, you need to be. Its a prerequisite imo. Relax, keep the heart rate low, and take your time, enjoy the beauty of the ocean and the waves that are rolling under you. You'll get your stuff lined up quicker that way, and be much more relaxed both before and after the sesh. No worries, and its all good.
Surveying the lineup
Ken
Yah!
After days like this, I have difficulty sleeping. I usualy wake up at 3.11 am. yes, 3.11 am (at least last night it was 3.11) lol, and I can't get back to sleep. Then I'm giddy for the next 24 hours, acting like a kid. dancing around the house, doing the electric slide and generally acting like a fool. Its all good, and I CAN'T WAIT to get back in even bigger waves.
I don't think you'll see this anywhere but Assateague.
Fall colors are honkin
We were very bummed that the Nikon zoom lens died today. The auto focus wasn’t dialing in, and the manual focus wasn’t working either, Don’t ask me why, frustrated. All the shots on this post are using the 50m lens, so not what we’re used to here at live2sail. No worries, that zoom lens has lived a full life. Probably over 100,000 photos, three cover shots, pics in Windsurfing, and a soon to be released story and accompanying photos in the International Windsurfing magazine. Stay tuned later this week for our story on the magic of Cape Hatteras.
Bill scored down at Coquina, so check out his report here.
Ok, Lewes is crankin 25+. Time for a dawnpatrol. Where is my drysuit.
Perpetually stoked.
Live2sail
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