旋风von

We don't have a category for "warm water sailing" on the Puffin, but we could have with sessions like yesterday's.  When signs of a thermal began popping up the texts went out, resulting in a small turnout of Scott, Artie, and your editor.   Sceptical Scott sat in his pickup saying "get me excited before I rig".   Artie and I had no time to waste...it was HOT out.   Artie only brought his 6.0...the perfect choice it turned out.  I rigged 6.3 and a 100 liter board, and down to the beach we went.   Once we figured out how to launch in between the two dozen people swimming (walk all the way upwind, shlog most carefully) we were on it.   There were lulls but there were also speed patches, and soon SceptiScott was out on his 5.8.   The forecast was for it to build, but after 90 minutes it seemed to be dropping, so in the interest of spousal points we wrapped it up.

(Top:  Artie jibing on the inside.  Bottom:  Me happy to be hiked out.  Photos by Chris.)

Friday at South Jamesport:  I arrived to find only Scott and his 4.7.   I rigged 5.4 and the easy breezy planing began.

Soon the Wolf arrived, followed by Christian and Artie.  And more wind...4.7's for all!   By the time Pav and Joe Natalie were ready to rock 4.2's were being sailed.   I had to leave by then, but returning home saw some texts about 3.7's.  Wow.

Sunday at Mecox:   Massimo arrived first, then Sally and I pulled up in the van.  My wife hadn't sailed in two years but got a good run in on the 4.7 whilst Mass and I were sailing 6.2's.    Warm and sunny again.   Easy windsurfing!

We were all wired for disappointment.   Saturday had been forecasted to be a beautiful southerly shredfest, but the forecast unraveled the day before, and all that appeared to be left was catching a bit of breeze in front of a thunderstorm.

Massimo and I chose Mecox.    It looked like we might plane in the occasional gust on 7.5's so that's what we rigged.

For ten minutes we marginally planed in the gusts.   Then we planed in the gusts.   Then the wind filled in and we were flying.

Thinking to myself that the 7.5 rig felt a little wobbly, I noticed that the boom head connection between the boom and the clamp was loose.  VERY loose.   First I thought "relax, sail easily, enjoy.   Also I have no other boom that will fit the 7.5.    Then I thought "it's going to be a long walk/swim back if this thing explodes on me."   So I gingerly sailed back to the launch.   Session over.

But the wind came up more, I rigged the 6.2, Massimo came in for a smaller board, and it was back to the races.   A fine Mecox day!