Day 17 of the 2014 season: The last Hurrah! (20 days of OBX)

Friday 4-25-14 the last day in OBX for this group of tired sailors.

More then expected, heavy off shore winds with tornado warning in effect.
Started with 5.5 at 1 pm and by 4 pm I was on the 5.0.
Nice rides in with the swell  - some rough rides into the chop heading out, occasional finding a smooth spaced out swell to turn on.

20 days of OBX:
Officially sailed 17 of 20 possible days. Missed 1 day of non-sailable winds and 2 days of extreme winds.
Sailed 100 and 85 liter board, used 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.5 sails. 11 meter and 9 meter kite. Used every piece of gear I owned for this trip.
Used the dry suit, the thicker wetsuit and the summer wetsuit.
Winds up to 50 mph with temperatures from 45-70 degrees.  Sailed in bluebird sun, heavy downpours, and foggy conditions.
It's going to be hard to top this 2014 version of  3 weeks of OBX.

Highlight of the day: Strong and wild off shore SE winds
TOW:  3.5 hours (Windsurfing) 1-3 and 4-6
Gear:  5.5 - 5.0 with 100 liter board
Conditions: Flatwater inside some organized chop outside
Weather: Sunny, temperatures in the 60s
Wind: Mostly SE 15-35 mph range, gusty inside
Schooled: Hero ducks inside and good chop hoping on ride outs
Image: wind data and the crews
VIDEO:   Video from Chris of the week in OBX

The Senior Crew Members, Tom, Larry, Dean, Mick, Ron, Harry

The entire crew L to R, Doug, Dean, Tom, Rick, John Z, Captain DB, Chris, Mick, JAB, Ron, Keith, Larry, Harry

Day 16 of the 2014 season: Forecasted dawn patrol, that is 9:00 dawn patrol. (video)

                              Learning the carve turn

A quickie 2 hour morning kite session - forecast was right on with 10-20 north winds dying off  at noon. Got the best of it in spite of temperatures in upper 40s to start.


Highlight of the day: 9:00 AM start of kite session
TOW:  2 hours (2 Kiting 9:00-11:00)
Gear:  11 meter kite
Conditions: Flatwater kiting
Weather: Bluebird morning,  AM temperatures in the low 50s
Wind: Mostly N 15-25 mph range
Schooled: carving turns.
Image: wind data and tracks

Day 15 of the 2014 season: Wind forecast spot on, Early AM winds dying off in the PM

Hooked up the GoPro to the photo op barge 2 tenths of a mile offshore for some close up images.

AM session prove to be all there was for the day.
It was fun while it lasted.


Highlight of the day: getting out in 4.5 in flat water conditions
with camera photo op.
TOW:  1.5 hours  ( 1.5 windsurfing ) 11-1:30
Gear:  4.5 meter sail with 100 liter board 
Conditions: Easy chop outside with heavy wind outside.
Lighter winds inside with nice organized swell.
Weather: Bluebird day, Temperature near 60
Wind: Mostly N 15-30 mph range
Schooled: Riding, slashing the swells on the windsurfer.
Image: wind data, ollie up and barge



Photo op sunken barge about 2 tenths of a mile from shore
 

Day 14 of the 2014 season: Celebrating my birthday with my favorite passions

The OBX we come to expect finally showed up  - sunny, warm, SW kiting winds early, building to 5.0 Windsurfing conditions by 6:00.
We watched as the calm morning slowly morphed into a lite-medium kite session by 1:00. By 2 o'clock I was on the water with the 11 meter. At first the lite winds required some working of the kite but the wind soon developed into a steady parked the kite position.  Staying between the barge and Liquid Rush riding all the way to shore making hero carves in front of the house.
The water was deep all the way in.
By 4:30 the SW winds picked up and the kite was fully depowered. Came in took a break, rigged the 5.0 Freewave Ezzy and back on the water by 6 PM sailing until 7:30.
Great sessions!

Highlight of the day:  Typical OBX carving the kite board and sailing one of my favorites sails.
TOW:  4.0 hours  (2.5 Kiting and 1.5 windsurfing )
Gear:  11 meter kite, 5.0 meter sail with 100 liter board 
Conditions: Slightly choppy conditions with kite but super smooth near shore for hero carves. Windsurfing, nearly as good as it gets nice swell riding in with smooth inside conditions.
Weather: Sunny, beautiful, warmer, Temperature upper-60s
Wind: Mostly SW 15-25 mph range
Schooled: Riding, slashing the swells on the windsurfer and kite carving turns.
Image: wind data, inside smooth as silk

Day 13 of the 2014 Season: Here comes the SUN! Windsurfing and Kiting

44 miles of windsurfing and kiting

Monday, April 21, 2014


Here comes the SUN!
Day started out cold and foggy and very windy. Sun was forecasted for the afternoon with strong winds from NW. Sure enough forecast was right on and by 2:30 I was on the 3.5. By 4 PM I was on the 4.5 with perfect powered up conditions. Sailed the 4.5 until 5:45 when winds lightened. Then rigged the 9 meter kite rode for an hour ending by 7:00PM.

Highlight of the day:  Sunny skies with northwest winds 20-30 MPH. (44 miles total for the afternoon)
 TOW:  4.0 hour in windsurfing  (3 windsurfing and 1 Kiteing)
Gear:  3.5, 4.5 with 100 liter board and 9 meter kite
Conditions: Early on hard chop heading out but nice chop riding in
Weather: Sunny, beautiful, sun made it feel warmer then it was. Temperature mid-50s
Wind: Mostly NNW 15-35 mph range
Schooled: Just general fun doing all the windsurf maneuver's that I know and kite carving turns.
Image: GPS data, wind data

Day 12 of the 2014 Season: Weather, as ugly as it gets, windsurfing, nearly perfect

 

An ugly Michigan November looking type of day, a cold 54 degrees, foggy, misty, raining and windy, 20-30 mph NNE winds.
A fast paced non-stop hour on the water traveling 17.8 miles in an hour.


Highlight of the day:  Perfect 4.5 windsurf session
TOW:  1.0 hour in windsurfing (3-4 PM)
Gear: 4.5 with 100 liter board
Conditions: Predictable chop and smooth on the inside
Weather: Ugly as it gets, foggy, rain, mist couldn't see the horizon. Temperature mid-50s
Wind: Mostly N-NNE 15-30 mph range
Schooled: Hero duck gibes on the inside
Image: GPS, wind data and vista of conditions

Day 11 of the 2014 Season: Finally a sane day amongst he last 3 insane days

Finally a sane day amongst he last 3 insane days.

AM session:11:30-1:00. 9 meter kite in fluky conditions, mostly in fully depowered mode. Got a good session in with carving turns, many not pretty but getting them down.
PM session: 1:30-3:00, Perfect 4.5 conditions with the 100 liter board. Predictable chop and hero smooth on the inside. Perfect to head up wind and catch the tiny swells for a downwind ride back. Nice and easy conditions.




 Kiting with the 9 meter

Highlight of the day:  Perfect 4.5 windsurf session
TOW:  3.0 hour in 1.5 kiting and 1.5 windsurfing
Gear: 9 meter kite and  4.5 with 100 liter board
Conditions: Mostly N winds in the 15-30 mph range 
Weather: Mostly cloudy mid-50s 
Wind: N-NNE 15-30 mph range
Schooled: kiting, learning heel to toe and toe to heel not pretty but getting them done.
Image: Kiting with the 9 meter and data

Day 10 of the 2014 Season: Crazy winds keep on coming

Thursday, 4/17/2014




Wednesday 4/16/14: Only a 15 minute session, too cold too windy.
First time I skipped a session in OBX due to weather extremes.
 

Crazy winds keep on coming - 3 out of 3 days with crazy winds, 10-40 MPH, Tuesday, Wednesday, (too windy and cold) and Thursday.

3 sessions today with the 3.5

First session: 12:00-1:00, overpowered conditions. (Used GPS to track my speed and distance).
Second session: 3:00-3:30, overpowered conditions.
Third session: 5:30-7:00, finally dialed in - wind lightened up a bit and windsurfing was the way it should be, controllable and fun.

Highlight of the day: Crazy wind speed, voo-doo chop on way out nice swell heading in.
TOW:  3.0 hour in 3 sessions
Gear: 3.5 and 85 liter board
Conditions: side off NNE winds in the 30-40 mph range 
Weather: Pure sun, mid-50s 
Wind: NNE 25-40 mph range
Schooled: survival mode most of the time
Image: GPS Data of 1st session

Day 9 of the 2014 Season: High wind warning posted by NWS

Tuesday 4/15/14

First session: sail size, 4.0 down to 3.5. Sailed from 10:00-11:30 in survival mode. SSE winds to 40 MPH.
Second session: sail size, 5.0, finally felt in control with winds 25-30 MPH. Sailed from 3:00-5:00.

Wind Advisory

Statement as of 5:27 AM EDT on April 15, 2014

...Wind Advisory now in effect from 4 PM this afternoon to 5 PM EDT Wednesday...
* winds...north 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.
* Timing...tonight and Wednesday.
* Impacts...strong winds will blow around loose objects.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Wind Advisory means that sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph or gusts in excess of 45 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult...especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

 

Highlight of the day: Crazy wind speed, voo-doo chop on way out nice swell heading in. With voo-doo wind on the inside.  
TOW: 3.5
Gear: 4.0, 3.5, 5.0 and 85 liter board
Conditions: side off SSE winds in the 10-40 mph range
Weather: cloudy, some sun, rain, 70s 
Wind: SSE 10-40 mph range
Schooled: survival settling down to fun 5.0 conditions
Image: Data and vista of Michigan kiters and windsurfers.

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Day 8 of the 2014 Season: Repeat - Kite - Windsurf - Kite

Monday at Liquid Rush  4/14/14 OBX

Almost a carbon copy of Sunday 4/13.  Kite - Windsurf - Kite

1- Kited for first session, 10:00-11:00 slightly offshore SE medium winds.
2- Windsurfed for the second session, 2:00-3:30 slightly offshore, SE 5.5 winds.
3- Kited third session, 5:30-6:30. Marginally slightly side off SE winds.




Highlight of the day: gaining ground on toe side turns 90% success rate.
TOW: 3.5
Gear: 11 meter kite, 5.5 and 100 liter
Conditions: side off SE winds in the 10-28 mph range
Weather: generally partly cloudy, mid 70s 
Wind: SSE 10-28 mph range
Schooled: toe side turning
Image: Data and rigging the kite

Day 7 of 2014: Kite-Windsurf-Kite

Sunday 4/13/14

Kited for first session, 1:30-3:00, Windsurfed second session, 3:30-5:00, Kited third session, 5:30-7:00.
Didn't care for the slightly side off wind direction for kiting but made it work.
Windsurfing with the 6 meter sail and new harness lines that were too long.

Highlight of the day: Kiting with all the Michiganders
TOW: 4.5
Gear: 11 meter kite and 6.0 sail, 100 liter
Conditions: Typical OBX winds although fluky winds on the inside.
Weather: Sunny and 70s
Wind: Generally SSE
Schooled: Kite, more toe side
Image: Data

 

Day 6 of 2014: Kite lite winds in AM and Windsurf big winds in PM (Carve turn video)

Friday 4/11/14

AM Kite session from 10:30-12:00.
Sunny, mid 60s perfect kite conditions for this newbie.
Putting together a few carving turns.

PM Windsurf session from 3:00-5:00
Sunny, 70s, big wind windsurfing conditions 5.5 down to 4.5.


Highlight of the day:  Practicing the carve turns with the kite - feeling better at them
TOW:  3.5
Gear:  11 meter kite, 5.5, 4.5, 100 and 85 liter
Conditions: OBX typical conditions with South winds 10-20 AM and to 30 in PM session
Weather:  Sunny, near 70
Wind: Southerly lite- medium wind day to high wind windsurfing
Schooled:  Toe side riding
Image: Data and toe siding

Day 5 of 2014: Suprised by afternoon Kite wind

Thursday 4/10/14

Liquid Rush, Thursday 4/10/14

Forecast did not look promising for today. We watch as winds slowly ramped up thru-out the day and by 3 pm I rigged the 11 meter and enjoyed a steady lite to medium wind.
Sunny warm near 70 with SSW winds.

Near perfect conditions for me as wind became steady. Ollies to toe side were improving and toe side riding was getting better. Carving from toe side to heel side needs work as well as heel side to toe side
1.5 hour from 300-430.
Winds SSW 10-20

Positives: Highlight of the day -  Toe side riding, keeping the lines tight and edging hard.
TOW:  1.5 hours, 3:00-4:30
Gear:  11 meter kite
Conditions: OBX typical conditions with South winds 10-20
Weather:  Sunny, near 70
Wind: Southerly lite- medium wind day
Schooled:  Toe side riding
Image: Data

Day 4 of 2014: OBX Rigging game played out

Liquid Rush 4/9/14 Wednesday

Morning Windsurf session 10:00-12:30 on 5.5 100 liter board, 5.0 85 liter board, 4.0 85 liter board.
Strong NNE winds 30+ mph.
Bluebird cool day mid-50s

Afternoon kite session 3:30-4:30
Fluky inside conditions with slightly side off NNE breeze
11 meter kite, medium SSW winds, cloudy 60s

Positives: Highlight of the day -  Ripping on the windsurfer   - Toe to heel side turns - shaky at best.
TOW:  2.5 hours
Gear:  5.5, 100 liter board, 5.0, 85 liter board, 4.0, 85 liter board,  and 11 meter kite
Conditions: OBX typical conditions with north winds
Weather:  Sunny, mid 50s
Wind: Northerly high to medium wind day
Schooled: 
Image: Data

Day 3 of 2014: OBX Duel purpose day

Liquid Rush 4/8/14 Tuesday

Morning Windsurf session 9:30-11:00 on 5.5 100 liter board.
Cloudy, mid-60s, rain, SSW to 25+.

Afternoon kite session 12:00-1:30
11 meter kite, medium SSW winds, cloudy 60s

Evening kite session, 4:00-5:30, medium SSW winds, cloudy

Positives: Highlight of the day  - Learning toe side ollies on the water
TOW:  3.0 hours
Gear:  5.5, 100 liter board and 11 meter kite
Conditions: OBX typical conditions
Weather:  Cloudy, mid 60s
Wind: SSW Medium wind day
Schooled: Learning toe side ollies on the water, slide turns
Image: Data

Day 2 of 2014: Kiting day in easy OBX conditions

LQ 4/7/14 Monday
11 meter, kite about 2 hours total afternoon session.
Warmer, cloudy day, mid 60s.
Kited in some overpowered conditions, first toe side on water, learning slide turns well.

Positives: Highlight of the day  - Learning toe side ollies on the water
Sail Time:  2 hours total between 9:30-11:30
Gear:  11 meter. 150 board
Conditions: OBX typical conditions
Weather:  Cloudy, mid 60s
Wind: SSW Medium wind day
Schooled: Learning toe side ollies on the water, slide turns
Image: Data

Day 1 of 2014: OBX Windsurfing season opener

Liquid Rush 4/6/14 Sunday
4.0 conditions, sound side Windsurfing
Total time, about 2 hours 9:30-11:30.
Hazy sun 50ish degrees
Winds NNE 30+

Positives: Highlight of the day  - Still could do it after 5 months of winter
Sail Time:  2 hours total between 9:30-11:30
Gear:  4.0 and 85 liter
Conditions: OBX typical OBX condition
Weather:  50s hazy sun, clouds, lite rain
Wind: High wind day - 30+ at peak
Schooled: Doing fast tacks, heli tacks, ducks and jibes.
Image: Data