Day 28 of the 2014 season: Summer begins at Empire Beach - Classic Empire Beach Day

Four and a half hour drive from St Clair Shores to Empire got me on the water by 4:30.
Arrived at Empire beach and quickly rigged the 5.5 with the 100 liter board and at 4:30 was on the water.
Non-stop action until 6:00 when inside winds became gusty.
Good day - many hero jibes on the moving moguls outside and hero jibes on the smooth inside swell.
Got some of the best jumping action this year with the 3-4 foot swell.
Just as I was packing it up a kiter was launching - so time to rig the 11 meter and ride with someone else. The 11 meter was a bit to much, fully depower most of the time and still felt to much at times. Did get some good turns on the smooth inside swell but some of the time it was a struggle due to the gusty winds. Later I found out Russ was on a 9M kite and he was doing fine.
The day was almost a carbon copy of 6/2, Wednesday at Lexington.



Empire wind date 6-29-14

Highlight of the day:  Hero jibes windsurfing and carving the smooth swell kiting
TOW:   Windsurfing 1.5 hours, Kiting 1 hour
Gear:    5.5 Ezzy SE and 100 liter RRD FSW. 11 meter kite with 140 Mako
Conditions:   South winds to 25-30 from 4:30 till quitting time.
Weather:  Summer conditions - finally. Mid 70s, sunny, water temp upper 50s
Wind:    Appeared mostly south 20 plus mph
Schooled:    Hero Jibes and carving the waves



Blue water of Northern Lake Michigan