Is
the Wind Going to Blow ANY this Winter?
Of course it is. Just like it has the last two weeks. We've
had 5 good days in the past two weeks that were suitable for
the wind snob and soul-windsurfer alike. That's 5 out of 14
days, or 35.7% of the time.
OK,
OK...so 4 of those were week days. Can't help that, but
I feel your pain if you couldn't wiggle out of the various
life obligations. Let's don't get into all that. Anyway,
these have been 10 to 20 mph days that ANYBODY could enjoy.
The snobs on light boards and their souped-up high performance
sails could rip; the soul surfers could relish the brilliant
sunshine, fall colors, and the fun of going a little further
a little faster.
So,
what can we expect the rest of this winter? LOTS OF GOOD
BREEZY DAYS. How do I I know this? I asked Ed Gould, the
"Stoked One" himself, of Columbia, SC. to reveal the secrets
of his Lake Murray windsurfing journal in which he has kept
records of each sailable day for the last 14 years. We looked
back only 3 years, the la nina years, known to moderate
the cold fronts in the SE states. All the hard core regulars
have been bummed about how sorry the wind has been during
this stretch. But, what we found out is that EVEN WHEN IT'S
BAD, IT'S PRETTY GOOD. Dec. '99 thru Feb '00 -- 22 days
total of sailing. (25% of all days) Dec. '98 thru Feb '99
-- 15 days (17% 0f all days) Dec. '97 thru Feb. '98 -- 21
days (23% of all days) (My journal shows simlar #'s at Clark
Hill, about 5% less due to all the travel I do.) Some months
had 8 or 9 days. These are the BAD years. The GOOD years
should be returning, starting now, say the meterologists.
I know you can't schedule wind for the convenient days,
but opportunity to "do it" compares favorably to just about
any other outdoor sport --exceeds most in our climate (except
mountain biking, I admit). So take heart (and a good semi-dry
or dry suit) and
Welcome
to a New Boardhead...
Alan
Biebeshhiemer of Aiken who had a very successful first day
on Nov. 11th under the tutelage of Doug King. From Doug's
report, I don't know who was more stoked, teacher or student.
Wind
Indication System at Clark Hill (Lake Thurmond) Yes, Virginia,
there is a Santa Claus...and a windtalker at Clark Hill!!!
Well,
anyway, the hardware is installed! Really. I ain't lying.
Did it on the 28th and the 30th of Nov. with the National
Weather Service guy. Phone company will hook us up Tuesday,
the 5th of Dec. The NWS will have the web pages ready to
post wind info soon after that. I'll send out a special
announcement when it's up and running. Remember, it will
only be internet accessble, but later we may be able to
add voice so we can just call it up on the phone from anywhere.
Thanks for believing. Your faith has been rewarded -- allmost.
Low
Water Creates Opportunity
Under
the "Look on the bright side" department, the extremely
low water levels ain't all bad for us. There's a huge play
area of smooth water in our predominant W to NW wind at
Scott's Ferry Landing due to the exposed peninsula that
is usually covered by water. This is a great opportunity
to learn new stuff. The best point-of-sail feeds you right
into this area. I mean, if Roman can nail his duck jibe,
as he did last week, then ANYBODY can learn a new move here.
Windsurf
Cam at Station 29 -- Sweet!!
All
you ocean sailors got to check this out >> Sail Sullivans (www.sailsullivans.com)
For those who don't know, Station 29 on Sullivan's Island,
Charleston area, is the most popular ocean sailing spot
within reasonable drive time. All conditions: smooth, chop,
waves. Lots of current but always lots of really great regular
windsurfers there who welcome new faces. For a nifty, very
informative chart of the numerous sailing spots around the
Charleston area, go to www.egroups.com/files/CharlestonBoardsailing/
Christmas
and Hanukkah Wish list for windsurfers:
(Definition
of "gift": something worthwhile, but not necessarily essential,
given to you because YOU NORMALLY WOULDN'T BUY IT FOR YOURSELF.)
Misplace this list under the nose of your significant other.
Windmeters (analog) -- $47
Windmeters (digital: most useful -- it averages) -- $75
videos (instructional, inspirational, and/or extreme) --$24
Rigging tool, deluxe tug tool w/screw driver and socket
(very nifty) -- $18
Downhaul "Rigmaster" tool (super easy rigging, saves your
spine) -- $57
Fin bag (protects, removable compartments) -- $44
Safety pak (for harness includes knife, whistle, etc) -
$28
Cold gloves / hoods -- $22
helmet, dense foam (looks cooler than the bucket kind) --
$35
Gear bags, many sizes and kinds -- $45 up board bags (we
HATE to pay for these, but they're so needed) -- $75 up
W.H. "Feetbelt" foot straps (repalce those ratty staps!)
-- $16.50/ea.
Windsurfing Hawaii "GSX" harness (ultimate thermo-formed
comfort) -- $89 (Note to Significant Other: call Chuck
for advice and more info on above: 860-0639 )
Local "e-Swap Meet" is coming
Yes,
we all know there's numerous sites on the web for used windsurfing
gear where you can sell your stuff. So why aren't you? You're
not because YOU yourself wouldn't buy used gear from some
dude in Cape Cod or the Gorge who swears, "Trust me, I've
only rigged it 3 times!" So you figure why bother. How's
he gonna ship a board? Who wants to horse trade across the
continent IF you can get good exposure and trade among friends...well,
at least among friends of a friend? Exactly, that's what
I'M saying. So, I figure let's have an ongoing "e-swap meet"
in our neighborhood. I have visited my web masters, Elizabeth
and Chris Campbell and got the training so I can maintain
a "Local e-Swap Meet" on the Whitecap's website (www.whitecapwindsurfing.com)
When it's set up, it's going to be an active list that I
will maintain as a service for friends of Whitecap. I think
I have figured out how to be effective with it and avoid
overly burdening myself with detailed maintenance. It will
be an easy-to-read chart organized by equipment category.
Besides my ever-growing e-mail list of windsurfers, the
list will be promoted regularly to the Atlanta, Charlotte,
and Charleston ws clubs' e-mail groups and web sites. It
is a front-burner task on my to-do list. Before we reach
2001. I'm open to your thoughts on this. I mean, do ya care?
Dry,
Semi-dry suits for Women (and little men) -- stupid cheap
$200 off MSRP -- can you believe it! Neil Pryde just sent
a list of '99 closeouts that are mostly women's suits --
all kinds and most sizes -- at stupid prices. (For example,
a Jenna dry suit that cost $340 in '99 I can do at $139.)
Also lots of S, XS, and XXS in men's suits so cheap you
could consider suiting up your kids in these. Spring Windsurfing
Trip, Anyone... Any of you KNOW you're interested in a spring
trip? I'm sure I'll do one. There's always Hatteras, but
I'm thinking about Corpus Christi, even Venezuala or some
other exotic locale that offers a super-special air/windsurf/
hotel package. If interested, let me know your opinion.
Till next time...
