Friday Freeze

Friday 11/18/2011, Metro Beach

Arrived at 2:00 with an onshore south wind with a bit of west, already there were several windsurfers on the water with small gear.
I rigged the 5.0 and went out and quickly found I was way overpowered. Good steady, strong winds drove me back in to rig the 4.0 and to warm up. Rigged the 4.0 as the wind was upping it's anny. I spent some time warming the hands and headed back out with the 4.0. Still the wind was overpowering I knew I should had rigged the 3.5 but I held on and sailed the steady conditions for a half hour before the cold took it's toll on my hands - came in to warm up and maybe call it a day but once I got warmed I headed out for one more quickie half hour session in which frozen hands forced my in.
One thing good about Windsurfing, it gets the adrenalin flowing and all other aches and pains seem to subside but the cold hands remained cold with a numbing feeling to painful to enjoy for me.
It was the coldest session of the season for me somewhat below my limit for coldness but still it beats the "Honey Due" list.

I know the season's last dance is near. It's been a great season with 39 sessions. I enjoyed every tack, wave, swell, jibe, jump, attempted new moves with the resulting crash and every aspect of the sport in this my 22nd season of windsurfing.
Also I am really thankful for all the enjoyable people involved in this great addiction of ours. Looking forward to next year with a newer 84-85 liter board.


Session: 1 hour of time on the water between 2:30 and 5:00.
Gear: 5.0, 4.0 Ezzys, 84 liter JP.
Conditions: Strong Steady onshore winds with small Lake Huron style swell.
Weather: Air 40's, partly cloudy, water 45 degrees.
Wind: S-SW up to 40 estimated.
Schooled: Staying warm.
Images: Metro Beach Weathertalker Data and Iwindsurf GPYC Data

Michigan River Sailing At It's Best

Sunday 11/13/2011, Marysville, Michigan, St Clair River

River sailing at it's best in Michigan.
When I arrived on site at 10:00, Chris was on the water ripping and looking good with his 4.7.
With a warm south wind blowing directly up the river and the river current heading into the wind the resulting swell is a rarity that is available only once or twice a year for me.
I decided to rig my 4.5 with the 84 JP, got on the water and had a decent session with overpowering gusts now and then. After about an hour the wind gusts notched up a tad so I came in and rigged the 4.0 it worked decently for about an hour when the wind dropped off considerably. I came in and rigged the 5.0 and back on the water in 10 minutes with the best non-stop session of the day the rangier 5.0 handled the lulls so much better than the smaller 4.0. Sailed the 5.0 until the wind notched up so got back on the rigged 4.0 and gave one more tired try but with gusty conditions I decided to call it a day.
Sailors were doing the rigging dance with a lot of variable conditions, sail sizes ranged from Jeanne’s 3.5 to Jerry's 7.0.
Another fantastic late fall session with 60 degrees air temperature and water temperature at least 50 degrees, very comfortable conditions for this time of year.


MB's "Riding the River" some of the Marysville action.



Session: 11:00 – 4:00
Gear: 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 Ezzys, 84 liter JP.
Conditions: River sailing in Michigan South winds right up the river with decent swells.
Weather: Air in the lower 60s mostly light overcast, water 50 degrees.
Wind: South up to 35 mph.
Schooled: Playing in swell and jibing on perfectly flat water on each side of the river.
Image: A happy camper, St Clair AP data, Freighter heading up.

November Bonus

Wednesday 11/9/2011, Metro Beach

Arrived onsite at 2:00 with an onshore wind, already there were several windsurfers on the water all with 5.5 to 6.0s.
Kind of strange such big sails for the wind at hand. Lesson 1: Onshore winds always look and feel windier.
I figured a 5.5 would work for me so I rigged the 5.5 Ezzy with the 101 RRD and went out for a spin. Good consistent wind kept me planning decently for about 45 minutes. At that time the wind picked up a notch and I felt the 5.0 and 84 liter kit would work. So I came in and changed kits the 5.0 combo was slightly marginal at first but I had a feeling the wind would increase.
As a big black cloud came in from the south it made for a dramatic sunset. At the same time the winds steadily increased to perfect 5.0 conditions and I was finally able to make it to the outside. The low sun produced a beautiful color and as the water spray blew up it the air beautiful rainbows formed all around me.
Wind steadily increased and I sailed as long as I could see. A post sunset cruise with the sun way below the horizon by the time I got off the water.
Luckily I came in when I did the wind ramped up quickly with the Weather Talker reporting gusts of 40 to 50 miles per hour soon after 6:00 pm.
A fantastic late fall or early winter session with 60 degrees air and water at least 50 degrees very comfortable conditions for November.



Session: 2:30 – 5:45
Gear: 5.5 Ezzy, 101 RRD and 5.0 Ezzy Free Wave, 84 liter JP.
Conditions: Onshore winds with small organized swell.
Weather: Air 60 degrees, partly cloudy, water 50 degrees.
Wind: S-SW up to 30 estimated.
Schooled: Playing in and out of the tiny somewhat organized swell.
Image: Gear for the day and Metro Beach Weather Talker Data.

October Surprise Session

Monday 10/24/2011, Blue Lagoon

Arrived at 3:30 with Larry, Harry, Steve and Jeff on the water all with 6.5s.
Steve came in and reported wind conditions on the outside were huge for his 6.5. Millard and I couldn't figure out what sail size to rig with big inside gusts and reports from the outside.
I ended up rigging the 5.0 and 5.5 went out first with the 5.5 and 100 liter RRD board figuring the inside was lite and I needed volume to get out to the wind. Millard rigged a 5.0 and easily made it work.
After an hour with steady strong winds on the outside and sailing the 5.5 I came in and exchanged my gear for the sportier smaller gear.
Sailed and played on the small well organized swell for about 1.5 hours until the wind got less consistent.
Another great October sunny bluebird 60 degree windy day, not many like this left so you got to grab these days at whatever the cost.

Session: 4:00 – 6:30
Gear: 5.5 Ezzy SE, RRD 100 liter. 5.0 Ezzy Free Wave, 84 liter JP.
Conditions: Inside, flats with fluky side shore winds. Outside, organized fun swell with winds to 30 mph.
Weather: Air 60 degrees, Bluebird sky, water 55 degrees.
Wind: NW-W up to 30 estimated.
Schooled: Slashing the swell, hero jibes on the smooth outside swell.
Move of day: Fully planning duck jibes on the outside.
Image: Gear for the day.

October at it's finest

Monday 10/17/2011, Metro Beach

About as good as Metro Beach can get.
Rigged the 4.0 and on the water by 3:00. Controllable 4.0 conditions allowing easy play on the swell without fear. Easy flats on the inside for hero jibe and crashes. Banging off the swell and hopping over the next into the trough of another - rare day for sure.
Sunny bluebird 60 degree windy October day, not many like this left so you got to grab these days at whatever the cost.
At least a dozen or more sailors throughout the time I was there.
It was good to see Brian and Dan.
At about 4:30 the wind lightened up so I put up the 5.0 with same results mostly steady planning until 5:30 when the inside shut down and outside got gusty.

Session: 3:00 – 5:30
Gear: 4.0 Ezzy SE, 5.0 Ezzy Free Wave 84 liter JP
Conditions: Inside flats filled until 5:00, outside organized fun swell, easy for playing on.
Weather: Air 60 degrees, 100% sunny, water 55 degrees.
Wind: WSW-W up to 31 mph as reported by the weathertalker
Schooled: Banging the swell, hero jibes/crashes on the inside flats.
Move of day: High wind helitacks.
Image: Heading out through the weed field. Thanks Chris

Hard Core Survivor Sailing

Saturday 10/15/2011, Metro Beach

Mostly survival sailing with overpowering WSW winds to 40 mph. Winds were more consistent with a tad of south in it which made for better conditions on the inside.
All the hard core sailors showed up rigging 3.2s to 4.0s.
I rigged my 4.0 Ezzy SE with the JP 84 liter board. Way overpowered and uncontrollable for the entire session with the exception of the inside being butter smooth in the shallow bowl area. Made for some wide drawn out jibes.
Late in the evening I ordered a new much needed 3.5 sail.

Session: 12:30 - 3:30
Gear: 4.0 Ezzy SE, 84 liter JP
Conditions: Inside flat filled in most of the time, outside organized swell for the most part but generally to windy for me to enjoy.
Weather: Air 55 degrees, partly sunny, water 55 degrees.
Wind: WSW-W up to 40 mph estimated.
Schooled: Swell riding when manageable and hero jibes/crashes on the inside flat shallow bowl area.
Moves of day: Sticking the clew end into the mud after a blown duck jibe then having the board blown over it cartwheeling 2 times before stopping.
Image: Iwindsurf LSC Buoy

Had to be patient for this session

Friday 10/14/2011, Metro Beach

Had to work very hard and be patient to get this session in. Many lulls of 0 wind with many 30+ blasts thrown in.
Forecast was on as winds from the west were gusty. Big crowd at the time I arrived with sail sizes 4.0 to 5.5.
I rigged my 5.0 Ezzy and since the wind was very fluky I took out the 101 RRD for the flotation in the lulls.
First quick runs out, the wind was way overpowering for my 5.0 so after about an hour of that I came in to rig the 4.5. Just as I did that of course the wind came back down so I stuck it out with the 5.0 and 101 liter until sunset. At times way overpowered and uncontrollable and other times barely a breeze.
MB is my my favorite venue for ducking the jibe. Two fully planning duck jibes on the inside flat water. Had to hit it just right, no weeds on the fin, wind just right and water nice and smooth.

A good productive happy hour thanks to Craig and John and then derigging in the dark, hoping nothing was left behind.

Session: 3:30 - Sunset
Gear: 5.0 Ezzy Free wave, 101 liter RRD
Conditions: Gusty, Inside flat, outside confuse swell 50% of the time.
Weather: Air 55 degrees, partly sunny, water 60 degrees.
Wind: WSW-WNW between 0-30 mph estimated
Schooled: Practice on the downwind 360s batting .333 with them. Pulled off all of my repertoire of lite wind moves during the many lulls.
Moves of day: 2 overpowered duck jibes resulting in tremendous splashdowns when the sail was yank from my control just at the right moment.
Image: Derigging after hours

Made it Work

Sunday 10/9/2011, Empire Beach

Tried hard to get a session in this weekend. With the forecast downgraded to 10-20 from the SW. Down from earlier forecasts.
Saturday was a miss as the winds were marginal and not quite enough for consistent planning.
Early Sunday it was blowing directly side shore maybe a little side off by a few degrees. I went to the beach to sip on my morning coffee when it looked windy enough with blowing sand covering any tracks in the sand. Hey this is windy enough if the sand is blowing I can sail. But there were very few whitecaps on the water, wonder why?
It was one of those mornings with a very warm wind blowing, about 72 degrees at 8:00 in the morning. This is October 9th and this isn't normal.
I had to rig my 6.0 and try it since it was a warm bluebird morning.
Put on the steamer wetsuit and headed out to a decent 2.0 hour pre-breakfast session winds were slightly side off so the further out I went the steadier it was.
Conditions were fairly flat for Lake Michigan maybe this was a localized wind coming off of the sand dunes?


Session: 8:00 - 10:00
Gear: 6.0 Ezzy, 101 liter RRD
Conditions: Inside flat, outside flat with small rollers.
Weather: Air 70 degrees, bluebird morning, water 57 degrees.
Wind: S-SSE between 10-20 mph estimated
Schooled: Fun session pulling off some downwind 360s on the inside with helitacks on both tacks.
Moves of day: 2 360 downwinders on thr inside sand bar
Image: 3 hours after the session a hike up to the top of Empire Bluff to see the venue below.

It actually happened on the weekend Part II

Sunday 10/2/2011, Blue Lagoon

It actually happened on the weekend!
For me day 2 of sub 5.0 conditions. For some day 3 of small gear conditions.
Started out with the 5.0 but after an hour the winds of change made me rig to my rarely used 4.5.
It looked like the early 1990's on the water I had to constantly watch out for other windsurfers. So many on the water at one time it reminded my of the early 90s. Through out the day I suspect at least 20 windsurfers made an appearance.
Welcome the Cass Lake speed crew, a few notched some "unthinkable" speeds on some of the voodoo chop.
Almost a "Copy and Paste" from Saturday. With the exception of more west appearing through out the day.
Another blockbuster almost epic day for the Lagoon with the steadiest 4.5 conditions I have ever had at the Lagoon. A tad lighter then Saturday still had non stop action.
Some voodoo chop with the slightly on-shore conditions but also to be found were some great little meaty swells for carving up.
Rigging was consistent for the up to 20 windsurfers 4.5s to 5.0s sail sizes.
I rigged my 5.0 then down to 4.5 with my 84 liter JP, I got to use my favorite wave fin due to the weeds "not a problem" day.
Suited up with the O'Neill "Boost" drysuit, I love this drysuit. Several catapults and head first plants and again barely a drop trickled in through the neck seal.
The sessions had non-stop action from locating tiny swell to slash and bash to heading out with a slight wind direction change to hit the chop head on resulting in some decent hops.

Session: 1:00 - 5:00
Gear: 5.0 - 4.5 Ezzys, 84 liter JP
Conditions: Inside some organized swells, outside almost the same with occasional confused swell.
Weather: Air 50-55 degrees, bluebird most of the day, water 57 degrees.
Wind: N-NNW between 20-30 mph estimate
Schooled: Slashing and bashing small thick swells.
Moves of day: 2 big time catapults, high wind helitacks.
Images: On the Inside (Photo by Ron) and Lac St Clair Buoy (Iwindsurf.com).

It actually happened on the weekend Part I

Saturday 10/1/2011, Blue Lagoon

It's been over 2 weeks since I've been out sailing. A nice sweet start in September but it ended mid-way through the month. September is normally the best month of the season for wind.
October started out like September, blockbuster almost epic day at the Lagoon with the steadiest 4.0 conditions I have ever had at the Lagoon. Some voodoo chop with the slightly on-shore conditions but also to be found were some great little meaty swells for carving up.
Rigging was consistent for the 12-15 windsurfers 3.5s to 4.5s sail sizes.
At 1:00 I rigged my 4.0 with my 84 liter JP, I got to use my favorite wave fin due to the weeds "not a problem" day.
Suited up with the O’neill "Boost" drysuit, I love this drysuit. Several head first plants and barely a drop trickled in through the neck seal.
On the first session I was on the verge of overpowerness but then I got dialed in I felt comfortable being overpowered. Making regular jibes without a problem. Normally I do the 3 stage duck jibe but today I stuck with mostly the 12 stage normal jibes.
Second session same gear with what felt like gustier conditions but nothing to keep me off a plane.
Both sessions had non-stop action from locating tiny swell to slash and bash to heading out with a slight wind direction change to hit the chop head on resulting in some decent hops.
Session: 1:30 - 5:00
Gear: 4.0 Ezzy SE, 84 liter JP
Conditions: Inside some organized swells, outside almost the same with occasional confused swell.
Weather: Air 50-55 degrees, nearly bluebird, water 60 degrees.
Wind: N-NNE up to 38 mph estimate
Schooled: Normal jibes slashing and bashing small thick swells.
Images: The gear of the day - where else can you park and rig on grass 30 feet from the launch. Larry heading to the outside. Lac St Clair Buoy.

Blue Lagoon - expected more but it turned out all right

Thursday 9/15/2011, Blue Lagoon

Arriving during a lull in the action, most of the morning crew had all but given up due to the big lulls that were occurring. I had mostly higher wind gear packed in the van expecting strong north winds.
Around 2:30 I got out on the 5.5 101 RRD not exactly high wind gear but it work because there wasn't high winds.
Slogged around at first hitting a few puffs from the NW that got me planning. Eventually the wind did pick up substantially and steadier from the NW making the 5.5 and 101 RRD feel just right. It got steadier as time went on and this session that I thought was going to be a non-logger ended up being a decent 2.5 hour session.
Working on the 360s I seem to be going retro with them making less and less of them.
Big turnout at least 8 windsurfers through-out the day. Some of the morning crew that stuck around got the afternoon reward for waiting. Unfortunately the 3rd shift came late and missed the wind.

Session: 2:30 - 5:00
Gear: 5.5 Ezzy SE, 101 RRD
Conditions: Inside flat, outside occasional surfing small swell.
Weather: 60, bluebird, water 70 degrees.
Wind: NW-N up to 30 mph estimate
Schooled: Downwind 360s
Images: The gear of the day.

Sunday 9/11/2011, Glen Lake
Lite south winds on Lake Michigan but the inland lakes were lighting up.
Great conditions for a small inland lake surrounded by hills and dunes. Warm south winds to 25 mph with shallow flat water "Bonaire" conditions.
Pulling off hero jibes on all tacks, slashing some nicely formed tiny swells, chop hopping on the Hatteras style chop and working on my 360s.
Forecast called for 10-15 but it was 10-20 most of the session.
I get at least 2 outstanding sessions a year on this inland lake.
Two others windsurfers, Mike and Amy and one kiter from Minnesota.

Session: 2:00 - 6:00
Gear: 6.0 Ezzy, 101 RRD
Conditions: Flat, shallow, last of the warmth
Weather: 80, bluebird, water 70 degrees.
Wind: South up to 25 South
Schooled: Downwind 360s
Images: Little Glen Venue.

First time at Milner Beach in 2 years

Tuesday 9/6/2011, Milner Beach.

NNE winds Compliments of TS Lee spinning over Alabama.
First time out on my home turf in a long time NNE winds were near perfect side on conditions, flat on inside and nice rolling swells on the outside.
Pulling off hero jibes on the inside, slashing some nicely formed swells heading out and hero duckin on the outside swell - felt good to be back on home turf.
Forecast called for 10-15 but it was 15-20 most of the day allowing the swell to get well organized on the outside.
Only negative was the weed factor.
Session: 6:00 - 8:00 Wind slackened and turned slightly offshore.
Gear: 6.0 Ezzy, 101 RRD
Conditions: Inside flat, Outside nice rolling swells
Weather: 60, cloudy, water 70 degrees.
Wind: Up to 25 NNE
Schooled: Downwind 360s
Images: All the necessary gear on the beach at Milner. Iwindsurf GPYC

BIG

Sunday, 9/4/2011, Empire Beach.

Forecast called for good winds all day long - it finally showed up at 4:00 after an ugly storm cloud changed everything. It was a pretty good beach day big swells breaking, people enjoying the sun and beach conditions. Then suddenly an ugly scary storm cloud came in from the north west and scared everyone away with sandblasting winds and a heavy downpour.

The few that stuck around were there for a reason. A dozen surfers, 3 kiters and 4 windsurfers enjoyed the newly formed playground.

I rigged my 5.0 and went out for a few runs way over powered came in and rigged the 4.0 and went out again. The wind picked up to an estimated 35 mph and the 4.0 was better and manageable although I wasn't comfortable.

Some of the biggest swells I've every seen on Lake Michigan, probably the biggest I've ever seen anywhere! The outside was gnarly the inside had the smoothest well spaced big swells some probably 10-12 feet from trough to crest, big for this flat water boy. But they were fun they also put you in the impact zone so if you crashed and couldn't get back up quickly you were at the mercy of the crashing waves......ouch!

Session: 4:30-6:30 - dead tired

Gear: 4.0 Ezzy SE, 84 JP

Conditions: Outside BIG, GNARLY, inside BIG, SMOOTH going downhill at mock 1, do not crash conditions.

Weather: 60, cloudy, water 70 degrees.

Wind: To 35-40 from NNW

Empire Beach Compliments of Irene

Saturday, 8/27/2011 Empire Beach.

Forecast called for North winds compliments of Hurricane Irene.

About 4:00 it finally came through with side shore wind and swell I rigged the 6.0 with the 101 RRD. Sketchy conditions on the inside but perfect on the outside eventually the inside filled in with hardly a white cap to be seen, making for excellent smooth swell surfing just aim the board off a wave and one quick pump got you going effortlessly, but beware of ending up downwind very quickly.
Biggest windsurfing crowd of the season at Empire Beach with Duke showing up to enjoy the conditions.

Session: 4:30-6:30 Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther, 101 RRD .
Conditions: Another easy sailing session with rare side-shore wind and swell
Weather: 70s, sunny, water 70 degrees.
Wind: To 25 from North

Schooled: Effortlessly wave riding.

Image: Beach looking toward Pt, Betsie

Only 2 -3 days like this happen per year at MB.

Wednesday, 8/24/2011 Metro Beach.

Loaded the van with everything, the forecast looked promising 15-25 from the SW with temperatures in 80s. Forecast held true and it was a great day. Rigged the 5.5 Ezzy SE at 2:00 and sailed it with the 101 RRD until 5:00 in mostly steady south winds up to 25. The water was unusually flat for the wind speed and direction. At 5:00 re-rigged the 5.0 Ezzy as the wins switched and turned SW along with an increase in wind speed.

Biggest windsurfing crowd of the season hopefully signaling the start of the windy season.

Session: 2:00-4:30 Gear: 5.5 Ezzy SE, 101 RRD .

Session: 5:00-8:00 Gear: 5.0 Ezzy 84 JP.

Conditions: Easy sailing warm mostly flat water.

Weather: 83 degrees, sunny, water 70 degrees.

Wind: To 30 from S-SW

Schooled: Flat water hero jibes, helitacks and 360s.

Image: LSC Bouy

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Monday, 8/22/2011
Empire Beach, Lake Michigan.

All I know is it was a great day at my favorite sailing spot even though the forecast called for 5-10. I was all set to complete some honey-dos when the wind clause kicked in totally unexpected.

SW warm winds at 15-25 appeared out of nowhere churning up the swell for a fine day of riding the swell.
Rigged the 6.0 Ezzy Panther and the 101 RRD at 12:45 and sailed solid until 4:30. Some overpowered moments but no way was I going to waste time to re-rig. Breaking waves on the inside with nice swell on the outside.

I've only had 1 bad day here in 15 years of sailing and that was an onshore westerly 25 plus day. Learned a lesson that day.

Session: 1:00-4:30 Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther, 101 RRD
Conditions: Fun breaking swell on the inside with large far apart swell outside.
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny, water 70 degrees.
Wind: Estimated to peak of 25 SW.
Schooled: Riding the waves, hero jibes on the far apart spaced smooth swell, helitacks and attempts at riding the swell backwinded.

Bat Street Launch - Favorite Spot

Saturday, 8/13/2011

Sleeping Bear Bay, Glen Arbor, Lake Michigan

Another cold front passing through brought some decent northeasters to Sleeping Bear Bay.

Started our with the 5.5 Ezzy and the 101 RRD and soon after went down to my 85 JP.

Nice side shore location with flat water on the inside and fantastic well placed large swell on the outside.

First use of the 85 liter board in awhile it felt so good to get on the small board especially in the outside swell great fun riding the swell.

Session: 3:00-6:30
Gear: 5.5 Ezzy, 84 JP
Conditions: Small organized swell on the inside with large far apart swell outside.

Weather: 72 degrees some sun, water 70 degrees.

Wind: Estimated to peak of 25 NE.

Schooled: Riding the swell, doesn't get much better on Lake Michigan,

It's been awhile and I feel the aches and pains

Wednesday, 8/10/2011, Blue Lagoon.

Finally a cold front came through and the forecast held true. The biggest crowd of the season appeared at the Lagoon. Good to see some folks I haven't seen in a while.

When I arrived a few were in rigging bigger up from their 5.0s rigging to 5.8s.

I rigged the 5.5 with the 101 RRD and got on the water by 3:30. It worked perfectly blasted off from the shore and enjoyed the next 4 hours of non-stop action.

Session: 3:30-7:30

Gear: 5.5 Ezzy, 101 RRD

Conditions: Mostly flat on the inside with unusually small swell outside.
Weather: 75 degrees sunny, water, 75 degrees.
Wind: Estimated to peak of 25 -30 WNW-NW.
Schooled: The downwinder 360. A least 30 tries with my average dropping, some tips from Chris helped as I finally got the wind angle figured out.

Images: St Clair Buoy and mid-360.

The LSC Anomaly

Tuesday, 7/26/2011, Blue Lagoon.

After local optimistic on site reports I loaded the van with 2 boards, 85 and the 100 liter, 3 sails a 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0. Local on site reports mentioning the 5.0 word.

I was a little bit more optimistic compared to the last few sessions .

Arrived on site at 3 and saw a few puffs and everyone warned me that it is dying off. Rigged the 6.0 anyway and went out by 4:30 on the 100 RRD. An easy slog with a lot of light wind maneuvers, heli-tacks, pushtacks, nose sink tacks, upwind 360s and sail\body 360s and clew first sail\body 180 to backwind side with a back wind jibe returning to normal tack.

Around 6 gave it up due to almost zero wind. Waited around and got sucked out a few times when some puffs would come by only to die off in a few minutes.

Time for happy hour, Craig was already well into it so he offered me a beer and I started happy hour. Derigged and put all the gear back in the van. As I was putting the gear away the wind picked but after being suckered out a few times already I wasn't going to fall for this.

Three minutes later I was pulling my gear back out and rigging the just derigged 6.0.

Got back on the water at 8 and sailed marginal winds to sunset.

Session: Officially 8:00-9:15 PM.

Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther, 101 RRD FSW boards.

Conditions: On shore NE winds brought confused choppy conditions.

Weather: 80 degrees sunny, water, 75 degrees.

Wind: Estimated to peak of 25 on-shore NNE.

Schooled: 1 for 19 on the downwind 360s.

Hot Session

Thursday, 7/21/2011, Metro Beach.
I loaded the van with 2 boards, 100 and 109 liter, 2 sails a 5.5 and 6.0, and one mast. A "Hot Session" over 100 degrees the hottest weather I ever sailed in. Wind Forecast looked very marginal. By 3:30 I rigged the 6.0 Panther with the 109 RRD and went out in with no promises from the wind gods. Got lucky and a slightly side off shore puff came in and got me up on a plane. Further out the winds were steadier with an occasional blast of super heated air. Flat water ruled and for some reason a lack of weeds.

Sailed for about an hour and then came in for to rehydrate and also changed down to the 100 liter RRD. Went back out for another hour in some overpowering hot blasts of wind. Pulled of 50% of my downwind 360s. Perfect smooth conditions for practicing that move, also got some of the occasional hot air blasts on the inside where it was full planning hero duck jibe city.

About a dozen windsurfers showed up despite the marginal winds.

Session: 3:30 - 5:30
Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther, 109 and 101 RRD FSW boards.
Conditions: Flat on the inside and flat on the outside.
Weather: 100+ degrees sunny, water, had to be 80+ degrees.
Wind: 0-25 from the SW-W and WNW.
Schooled: Another day of downwind 360s, batting 500 on them. Still not pretty but getting better. Also pulled off a lot of hero duckins on the inside with the occasional hot air blasts.

Expected Session

Belle River Wind Graph

Wednesday 7/13/2011, Blue Lagoon

Again I loaded the van with the minimal amount of gear, 2 sails a 5.5 and 6.0, one mast, and one board.
An "Expected Session" Wind Forecast looked promising, all traffic signals were green and practically a full moon . By 4:00 the wind picked up and I was on the water with the 5.5 Ezzy SE and the RRD 101. Almost a repeat of Monday's session with the exception of higher/steadier wind speeds and less weeds.

Session: 4:00 - 8:00

Gear: 5.5 Ezzy SE 101 RRD FSW board.

Conditions: Flat on the inside and small swell on the outside.

Weather: 80 degrees sunny, water 75 degrees.

Wind: 10-30 from the NNE.

Schooled: Another day of downwind 360s, less successful then Monday but got a good one in, all the way around with hardly any backwinding. Still not pretty but getting better. Also pulled off a lot of opposite side helicopter tacks in the higher winds. Gotta love the flat shallow stuff for doing that.

Had a special Foxy guest show up during "cocktail hour"

Late Afternoon Surprise

Monday 7/11/2011, Metro Beach

I loaded the van with the minimal amount of gear, 2 sails a 5.5 and 6.0, one mast, and one board. Not expecting much although the Metro Beach Windtalker was posting 17 mph.

A "Surprise Session" after the storms moved east the winds gradually picked up. By 6:00 I was on the water with the 6.0 Ezzy Panther and the RRD 101.

Session: 6:00 - 8:00

Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther 101 RRD FSW board.

Conditions: Flat on the inside and small swell on the outside.

Weather: 80 degrees sunny, water 75 degrees and very weedy, we are in peak weed season.

Wind: 10-30 from the WSW to WNW.

Schooled: 3 in a row downwind 360s on one tack heading out. After the last one I topped it off by doing an upwind 360. Not pretty but getting better. Also pulled off some good feeling duck jibes on the inside flat water. Gotta love the flat stuff for doing that.

Iwindsurf Graph form Grosse Point Yacht club.

Playing in the smooth Lake Michigan Swell

Glen Arbor, Bay Street, Sleeping Bear Bay. Lake Michigan.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Session Description: Surprise Session NE up to 25 mph. All local buoys reported light winds. Forecast was 5-10 from the Northeast.
Session: 3:30-5:00
Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther and 109 RRD FSW.
Schooled: Smooth riding with nice smooth 3 foot swells for easy riding.
Weather: Sunny, 65 degrees outside - 80 degrees inside, winds NE to 25.
Water: 55 degrees, nice swells on the outside with flat water inside.
Wind: NE estimated to 25 mph.

Blue Lagoon - Marginal Northwesterlies

Blue Lagoon, 6-12-11 Sunday

Blue Lagoon session: Marginal NW’s up to 25 mph, cool air 60s plus warm water.

Larry 8.0, Harry 7.5, Tom 6.0

Session: 12:00-5:00

Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther and 109 RRD FSW. Schooled: reversed stance and downwind 360s. Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 60 degrees, winds NW to 25.

Water: 60+ degrees, some nice swells on the outside with flat water inside.

Wind: Estimated NW-NNW 5-25. Belle River IWindsurf chart shown.

Metro Beach - 95 degrees with wind

Metro Beach Session, Wednesday 6/8/11.

SW hot winds up to 26 mph, warm air, 90 plus degrees, and warm water. About a dozen or so windsurfers.

Session: 2:30-5:30

Gear: 6.0 Ezzy Panther and 109, 101 RRD FSW.

Schooled: reversed stance on outside after jibing on nicely formed swell.

Weather: Sunny, 95 degrees, winds SW to 26.

Water: 70+ degrees, nice SW swells.

Wind: SW 8-26

Blue Lagoon Session 2 of 2

Blue Lagoon, Wednesday 6/1/11

Two session Day, Wrapped it up ay Metro Beach and headed to BL.

Session: 6:00-7:30

Gear: 4.0 Ezzy SE and 84 JP FSW.

Schooled: Finally some wave riding.

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees, winds west 10-35. Water: 60 degrees, about as good of swell you can get at BL.

Wind: Blue Lagoon IWindsurf Chart 17-30 West.

Metro Beach Session 1 of 2

Metro Beach, Wednesday, 6/1/11, Session 1

Over/under powered gusty voodoo westerly winds fun chop hopping if you could time it right. At least a dozen plus windsurfers. Wrapped it up and headed to Blue Lagoon to catch another session with the changing wind direction

Session: 2:00-5:00

Gear: 4.0 Ezzy SE and 84 JP FSW.

Schooled: Staying on and with the board.

Weather: Sunny, 75 degrees, voodoo west winds 5-35 very gusty. Water: 60 degrees, chocolate brown.

Wind: Gusty W 5-35

Memorial Weekend Glen Lake Saturday, 5/28/11

Surprise session light winds were in the forecast.

Session: 4:30-6:30

Gear: 5.5 Ezzy Freewave and 101 RRD FSW.

Schooled: Down wind 360s, succeeded at 1 out of 10 tries.

Weather: Partly Sunny unexpected wind, 65 degrees, south winds 17 -25. Gusty inland lake wind.

Water: Cold 50 degrees. Flat to small 2 foot chop.

Wind: South17-25 recorded at GTL Bouy.

Perfectly adjusted harness lines make for a relaxed session on L. Glen Lake the “Bonaire” of Michigan.

Metro May 23, 2011 Metro Beach Monday 5-23-2011

Metro Beach May 23, 2011

Intermittent storm winds – if you got there at the right time you were rewarded.

Session: 4:30-6:30

Gear: 5.0 Ezzy Freewave and 101 RRD FSW.

Schooled: Turning on perfectly spaced swell.

Weather: Up down Storm Winds, 75 degrees, partly sunny.

Water: Nicely spaced 1-2 foot swell.

Wind: Weather–Talker SW 5-30

Home opener – Monday May 16, 2011

Latest home opener ever for me.

Finally got out on a 44-degree, cold grey day at Blue Lagoon.

Was not the most enjoyable day with the 17-26 mph on shore north winds creating voodoo chop conditions on the inside. Some smoother organized swell could be found further out but still the swell was so close together it made jibing challenging. Half dozen windsurfers with sail sizes ranging from 7.0 down to 5.0 were out in rubber from head to toe.

I got there around 4 and sailed until 6:30 with the 5.0 Ezzy.

Gear: 5.0 Ezzy Freewave and 101 RRD FSW.

Schooled: Downwind 360s in the shallows.

Weather: Typical May 2011 weather, Mid-40s, grey sky.

Wind: On shore north wind 17-26.

Water: 50 degrees, voodoo chop.

Friday 4/29 Mellow Morning

Friday 4/29/2011.
Morning 5.5 session with 109 RRD.
Great pre-breakfast mellow morning flat-water session.
Started at 8:30 ended at 10:30 hungry for an Atlantic Café breakfast wrap with Larry.
Schooled at duckin the jibe, upwind 360s fast tacks and heli tacks.

Heading off the wind with the 5.0 Freewave and the 101 RRD. Light colored house on the right is where we stayed.

Thursday 4/28/2011
High wind day - my smallest gear, 4.0 with the 85 JP. With winds gusting near 50, it was way too much wind for me and a 4.0.
Schooled: Chicken jibes, staying with board, survivor sailing.