Compliments of Sandy

Milner Beach 10/28/12

Decided not to head up to Lexington with gusting north winds at 40+ and air temps in the low 40s.

It 's way to cold for me to even consider windsurfing but the temptation was there.

Got some help from Keith and Dave as Keith was all gung-ho to sail.  We met up at Milner Beach and Keith rigged and I watched him go out and figured if he can survive I could.

I was hesitant but since I had someone to sail with I'll give it a try.

Rigged the 4.5, 85 liter combo and headed out to fluky overpowered one second and then to lite the next second.

Winds were flopping between north and northwest slightly off shore and it made for fluky conditions on the inside.

Dave showed up and ended up on his 5.5 and Bic Astro Rock.

Overall not my type of day, to cold with fluky winds and shallow fin scrapping water  levels.
Keith made the best of it with a decent session for him on his 5.5

Sail Time: 1.0 hour from 3:00 - 4:30

Gear: 4.5 85 liter board

Conditions: Fluky 4.5 conditions some decent swell  with a lot of confused swell

Weather: Air lower 40s water lower 50s.
Wind:  NNW gusty winds maximum of 10-35

Schooled: Survival sailing

Pre Sandy, Blue Lagoon, Saturday 10/27/12

On a cold grey late October day full of household chores to accomplish. I was surprised to see the sun come out and raise the temperature up to 52 degrees. With a stiff northwest wind blowing it was time to head over to Blue Lagoon. Once there I found Harry 6.5  and Steve 6.0 sailing.

Rigged the 5.5 with the 100 liter board and was on the water by 3:00 sailed non-stop to 4:30.

Fun session but difficult on hands with all the coldness surrounding them

Sail Time: 1.5 hours from 3:00 - 4:30

Gear: 5.0 with mostly the 100 liter board

Conditions: Blue Lagoon with mostly onshore winds to 25

Weather: Air lower 50s water lower 50s.

Wind:  NNW winds maximum of 15-25

Schooled: Just blasting conservative style.

Third time at this once a year sailing site

 

 

Marysville Again! Third time this month

10/25/12 Tuesday, Marysville

Formally know as the once a year launch, this year has been different with a lot of warm southerly winds and good timing with the work schedule. South winds that funnel up the river and intensify creating some great river sailing. Other launch sites today were to lite for windsurfing so Marysville is the natural call.

Another beauty of a day 70+ degrees bluebird sky and decent 5.0 conditions with south winds up to 30.

With S winds to 10-30 I rigged the 5.0 with the 100 liter RRD and 85 liter JP and was on the water by 2:30.

Mostly planing conditions with a jibe clinic on the launch side flat water and some decent swell to play on in the middle. 

Eight of the local crew showed up, Ric, Mike, Keith, Craig, Millard, Gerry, John and myself.

Sail sizes ranged from 5.0  to 6.5 for the big boys.

Sail Time: 3.5 hours from 2:30 - 6:00

Gear: 5.0 with mostly the 100 liter and some use of the 85 liter board

Conditions: St Clair River sailing at it's best 3-4 swell at peak with ripple flat on insides.

Weather: Air 70s water 50s.
Wind:  South winds maximum of 10-30+

Schooled: Jibe clinic on the inside

Images: Wind data of the day (St Clair Airport)

Video: You Tube "Hero Jibe Clinic"

Video: You Tube Millard's "4 days at Marysville"

Dawn Patrol at Metro Beach scores a session

 

10/18/12 Thursday Metro Beach

This is the way to start your day!

Early morning session at MB - the van was still loaded with wet gear from MV 16 hours ago.

Checked the forecast and local conditions all look positive for an early morning session at MB. Radar showed rain heading to the area so had to get going before the rain. Hopped in the van and headed out at 8:30, no breakfast just a couple of cups of coffee to get me going.

Sent out a message that I was headed out and needed someone to join in the fun.

Got to the launch site and knew what to rig immediately, with the WT reporting  a steady 23 from the SSE, I rigged the 5.0 with 85 liter.

Perfect call - on the water by 9:30 with steady winds and super flat easy to sail conditions. Sliced through the weed beds like they were not even there.

As time went on the rain came and winds increased and changed directions from SSE to SSW.  Sometimes way overpowered - a 39 mpg gust reported by the WT but most of the time perfect 5.0.

Finally wind slacked off slightly so I came in to take a break. Harry showed up a we discussed the conditions, he went home to get his gear. I went back out to finished up my session with rain and strong SSW winds. Sailed another 45 minutes before it started to slack off. Came in and Keith was rigging his new.. 6.5.

I derigged in the rain and headed home to shower up and go to work. A great way to start the day!

Hope every one else had as good of day as I had. I heard the sun came out later in the day with good winds reported.

Sail Time: 2 hours from 9:30 - 12:00

Gear: 5.0 with 85 liter board

Conditions: Fairly flat conditions, rain and south winds from 20 -39 mph.

Weather: Air 60s water 50s. Cloudy and rain
Wind:  South winds maximum of 20-39 mph 

Schooled: Speed sailing in flat water with speed ripples and easy hero power jibing at the ends of the speed runs.

Image:  MB data

MV Again

10/17/12 Wednesday, Marysville

Late in the day decision, Metro Beach with light unsailable winds, the forcasted small craft warnings never developed.
Decided to head up to Marysville for my second session there in less than a week.

Strong south winds to 30 with sunny warm temperatures I couldn't pass this up.

Got to MV by 3 and several  windsurfers were already there.

Craig on his 5.4 said it was not quite enough so I took his suggestion and rigged the 5.5 with the 100 liter.

On the water by 3:30 and had a good 1.5 hour of steady, that is for MV, south winds with both sides filled in for flat water easy  hero jibes.

Five of the local crew showed up, Mike, John Z, Craig, Millard and myself.

Sail sizes ranged from 5.4  - 6.0

Almost a duplication of the last MV session except slightly lighter winds and swells.

Sail Time: 2 hours from 3:30 - 5:30

Gear: 5.5 with 100 liter board

Conditions: St Clair River sailing at it's best with 3 foot swell at peak.

Weather: Air 60s water 50s.
Wind:  South winds maximum of 10-25 

Schooled: Hero jibes on the inside flat water and fun city in the middle with the river swell playground. Some heli-tacks
and backwind sailing attempts down a waveface.

Image: St Clair wind data

October as it should be

1011/12 Thursday , Metro Beach

Another October day with a guaranteed forecast. SW winds to 30 with sunny warm temperatures.

October is living up to it's reputation

With SW winds to 20-30s I rigged the 4.5 with the 85 liter JP and was on the water by 2:45.
Mostly planing conditions with the shoal showing what it can offer, nice smooth swell nicely spaced apart.

Most of the regulars showed up.

Sail sizes ranged from 4.0  - 5.5

Sail Time: 2.5 hours from 2:45 - 6:00                     

Gear: 4.5 with 85 liter board

Conditions:  Some times overpowered on 4.5 but held on and enjoyed.

Weather: Air 60s water 55s.
Wind: Southwest winds of 10-30+ 

Schooled: Hero jibes on the inside and swell slashing on the outside

Image: Forecasted winds, Data from Metro Beach and Belle River

Once a year sailing at Marysville

10/9/12 Tuesday, Marysville

The wind forecast looked good south winds to 30 with sunny warm temperatures.

Had a day to plan for this one so no excuses.

With S winds to 10-30 I rigged the 5.0 with the 85 liter JP and was on the water by 3:00.
Mostly planing conditions with some decent swell to play on. 

Six of the local crew showed up, Chris, Mike, Keith, Craig, Millard and myself.

Sail sizes ranged from 5.0  - 5.5

Sail Time: 2 hours from 3:00 - 5:30

Gear: 5.0 with 85 liter board

Conditions: St Clair River sailing at it's best 3-4 swell at peak.

Weather: Air 60s water 60s.
Wind:  Gusty south winds maximum of 10-30+ 

Schooled: Hero jibes on the inside flat water and fun city in the middle with the river swell playground.

Image: The crew