Day 85 of the 2015 season: Harsens kick-ass, marathon, multi-sports water day

A few days before the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald windsurfers and kiters enjoyed a November blow on Big Muscamoot Bay on Lake St. Clair, Nov. 6, 2015.

A Millard Berry Production

Mark is ecstatic

Started the day with the 5.0 Ezzy and the 100 liter board. At first it wasn't enough, the winds were not cooperating. So I came in and rigged the 11 M Z kite and of course the wind pick up while doing so. Anchored the kite down and went back out on the 5.0. Good solid 5.0 conditions for the next 2 hours. Played in the OBX style conditions with the best windsurfing conditions I've had this year locally for me by far. Paul and I headed up to the middle-channel slick and along the way I found plenty of flat water venues across the bay in amongst the weed beds. Better than OBX conditions, with the wind direction coming right down the shoot all the nooks and crannies were filled in. Once at the slick there were some river swells to play on. Enjoying the moments when suddenly the wind shut down. Yes it was a tough slog back. Trying to head downwind in light air was a workout but managed to get back with no harm done.
Now it's time to take the kite out, it's rigged and ready. Started out a little light for the kite, played near the launch for awhile to gain confidence in the wind. Saw Eddie and Craig heading upwind to the slick and decided to head there too. It was a struggle, winds weren't solid enough to beeline upwind so it took quick awhile and eventually I gave up as I lost confidence in the wind. Craig and Eddie were already heading back.  As I headed back out of nowhere the wind speed spiked up to well overpowered conditions. Full depowered mode and unable to let the bar all the way up because of the new harness I was trying. To much throw and at times the bar got away from me so I had to jump up to grab it before the kite started crashing/looping. So sat in the water for awhile hoping it would lighten up a bit and finally it did but still overpowered. Tried to head in to land the kite but decided it was to dangerous it was safer to stay on the water and kite. So that I did and eventually it lighten up to where it was safe to kite as I know it.

Gear:  5.0 sail/100 liter board and 11M kite with TT board
TOW: 12:30-3:00 WS and 3:30-5:30 kiting
Water Conditions:  Seemed like flat water after the last session at Metro Beach
Weather: Near 60 degrees, nearly a bluebird day
Wind:  Mainly WSW 15-25 MPH then WNW to 35
Highlights: a large contingent of WS 'ers and 20 or so kiters