Flatwater Paradise

Monday 7/30/2012, Lil Glen Lake  

Found the Empire beach launch to lite to rig so headed over to my second choice of Lil Glen a flat water freestyle paradise.

Mike and Amy were there with Big Mike on the water tearing it up and Amy rigging her 5.5 and me rigging the 6.0. Saw a kiter east of our launch it looked like he was rippin it up also.

On the water by 2:00 with the 101 RRD. I enjoyed the next 3 hours of warm gustiness, with what felt like some record rippin speed runs on the flat water during the peak gusts.
I was able to perform every move I know how to do with ease thanks to flat shallow water.

Sail Time: 3 hours from 2:00 - 5:00

Gear: 6.0  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.
Conditions: Side on winds of 5-30 flat on inside organized tiny swell on the outside.
Weather: Air mid-80s, Bluebird, water mid-70s.
Wind:  SSW winds inland with plenty of gusts

Schooled: Plenty of hero ducks, downwind/upwind 360s. heli tacks, swell slashing.
Images: Empire Wind Data, Peak wind of 25 mph at 5:00, The scene at Lil Glen Lake.

Lucky Squally Session at Blue Lagoon

A small window of windsurfing opportunity if you were n the right place at the right time.
I just happen to be in that place at that time. Local rain squalls were all around the area producing some squally winds.
Arriving at 4 I observed the wind for 10-15 minutes and then decided to send out the alert message - rigging 5.5 at BL. Got on the water by 4:30 sailed in fairly steady W-NW squall winds for the next 1.5 hours.
A rain shower appeared around 6 so I raced in to close my car windows and then by the time I ran back to launch the wind lulled.
That was it a 1.5 hour quickie session with Larry. 4th session in a week not to bad.


Sail Time: 1.5 hours between 4:30 - 600
Gear: 5.5  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.
Conditions: Side shore,  squally winds of 15-20 flat on inside organized small swell on the outside.
Weather: Air mid-70s, cloudy with rain thrat, water mid-70s.
Wind:  W-NW winds fairly steady as the squalls formed and  passed overhead.
Schooled: Fun in the swells and hero stuff on the inside.
Images: Wind Data

A rare day of sailing at Lexington

Lexington, Tuesday  7/24/2012

A rare day of sailing at Lexington. Maybe once a year I'll get to enjoy this Great Lakes wave sailing spot.

Started with the 5.0 and 85 liter board, the wind was marginally so I switched to 101 liter board.

Much better on the 101 liter although I think the wind also became steadier.

Played in the outside swell and nicely organized breakers inside.

Captain B, Millard, Harry and myself enjoyed a midsummer norester at this fabulous site.

Launching from the south side of jetty there was somewhat of a wind shadow but the jetty organizes the swell and allows it to curl into the inside for some of the best breaking waves that I know of in the Great Lakes.

Sail Time: 3.0 hours between 4:00 - 8:00.
Gear: 5.0  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.
Conditions: Side on NNE,  winds of 15-20 swell  with organized breakers on the inside.

Weather: Air mid-70s, bluebird skies, water mid-70s.
Wind:  NNE  winds sometimes marginal 5.0

Schooled: Fun in the swells and wave riding on the inside.
Images: Lexington jetty, beach launch. Port Sanilac wind data (peaked at 13:30)

Video: Millard's video of some of the Lexington action.

Typical Metrobeach Day

Metro Beach, Monday July 23, 2012 


Almost a givein day at the Beach,  nearly 100 degrees with WSW winds forecasted. A day where you had to go at any cost. 
Typical MB conditions with a brief period of steady cranking 5.5 conditions. Perfectly flat conditions in the small bay upwind from the launch site. The outside was very confused due to all the windsurfers and kiters. Good swell was nowhere to be found and weeds sticking to the fin compounded the problem.

Sail Time: 5.0 hours between 2:00 - 8:00.
Gear: 5.5  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.
Conditions: Side on WSW, Erratic Metrobeach winds of 15-30, confused swell with flat water on the inside.
Weather: Air mid-90s, bluebird, water mid-70s.
Wind:  SW-WSW erratic Metrobeach winds.
Schooled:  Just plain old blasting along, and hero jibes.

Images:  LCS Buoy Data. 

Rare Day at my Home Spot

Milner Beach, Thursday  7/19/2012

Rare day at Milner Beach, I cannot remember the last 5.5 session at my home spot it's probably been years.
Went down to the end of my street and immediately decided to rig the 5.5. The current conditions were side on NE winds 17-20 mph local wind site verified this. This is the best direction for this spot shallow flat water on the inside and miniature Lake Huron swells on the outside.
Went out on the 101 liter RRD and never look back. Sailed in steady absolutely no lulls for 4 hours straight until I could no longer hold on.
After almost a month without a session to write home about this was the one of my best days since Hatteras with the steadiness of the NE winds and warm water.

Sail Time: 4.0 hours between 4:00 - 8:00.
Gear: 5.5  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.
Conditions: Side on NE, steady as Hatteras, winds of 15-20 nice predictable swell with flat water on the inside.
Weather: Air mid-60ss, cloudy/drizzle, water mid-70s.
Wind:  NE Hatteras style steady winds.
Schooled:  Just plain old blasting along, fun chop hoping, swell slashing and hero jibes.
Images: Milner Beach on the inside and LCS Buoy Data.