Day 72 of the 2015 season: Back to Blue Lagoon with the original WS group - Windsurfing and Kiting

Back to Blue Lagoon with some of the original WS group, Larry, Steve, Dean, Jeff, Dave and Myself Windsurfing. I have not been here in a few years due to the ban on watersports. But we are now allowed back in on a limited bases to pursue our watersports.
So I got a welcome back with strong on-shore winds, voodoo chop and a shard of glass in my foot, welcome to Blue Lagoon.
On this rare occasion WS was much better then KB. The wind down low was steadier and stronger or so it felt.
Had a good WS session got dialed in with some new, longer harness lines. Winds were mostly steady from NNE probably 15 to 30 mph. A few kiters came out and had complaints about the wind up high. They were trying to make 14s and 15s work but onshore winds were fluky. So I rigged my 11M rally and went out for an hour to tough, challenging conditions. Although the wind up high seemed ok it was the onshore direction and the resulting voodoo chop that made conditions for KB challenging.

SANG wind data

Gear:   4.5 Ezzy with 100 liter RRD
11M Rally with the140 Mako Twin Tip
TOW:  2:00 - 4:30 WS / 5:00 - 6:00 KB
Water Conditions:  Voodoo chop, onshore winds usually make for bad water conditions
Weather:  Low 60s some clouds
Wind:   NNE to 30 plus
Highlight: Windsurfing 2.5 hours and the windsurfing conditions were better then the kiteboarding conditions.

Lexington / Blue Lagoon Marginal sessions

Lexington / Blue Lagoon Marginal sessions: Day 30

Day 30 of the 2013 season
Lexington/Blue Lagoon 9/13/2013 Friday

The forecast promised big winds I even packed my 3.5 sail expecting an epic fall classis nor'easter. Well it didn't quite go as planned. Arrived at Lexington by 11:00 in a rain squall which appeared to kill what lite winds there were. Chris already arrived early for dawn patrol,  he was rigged and has been playing the waiting game all morning. Jerry was on a 6.0 catching the NW offshore winds a half mile out and doing well.
Waited out the rain along with several others. Finally the rains moved out of the area with a few promising north wind puffs appearing. Anxious, Chris took off on his 85 liter 5.4 sail and put on a show which got everyone stoked I quickly rigged my 5.0. As I rigged Chris was still ripping it up with the exception of a few lulls on the inside...hmm not a problem I take out my bigger board.
Got on the water and slogged out in slightly side off, swirly inside winds. Once out the wind was obviously side off, but not bad the further out the steadier it was.
Had at least an hours worth of decent in and out sailing with nice jumping swell heading out and smooth swell on the rides in.
After an hour or so the winds lightened up which made getting in difficult at one point. I couldn't water start so I had to pull on the up-haul line to get the sail up, (felt and looked like a beginner, thanks Craig). Finally slogged in downwind and made a short walk of "had no choice" shame.
Day over at Lexington, I wasn't going to do that again so I decided to head to Blue Lagoon.
Millard bailed out of Lexington earlier and headed down to BL. His message from BL was good, he was rigging a 5.0. So I headed down to BL got there about 4:30 rigged the 5.0 during a 5 minute continuous gust. On the water by 5:00 having a decent session with 5-25 mph N-NW winds. It actually felt good to be on some flat water a chance to renew my old school freestyle favorites.
Looking back I actually had a nice wave sailing session although short and then topped it off with some flat water jamming. Definitely a counter...

  

Sail Time:  Lexington, 1:00 - 2:30. BL 5:00 - 6:30
Windsurf Gear: 5.0 with 100 liter RRD
Conditions:  Lexington, Side off swirly inside conditions, decent 5.0 conditions outside with fun swell to jump and smooth waves on the ride in.
Weather:  Cloudy, air 50s water 70s
Wind: N-NW to 5-25 mph
Schooled:  Lexington welcome back to jumping and BL Flat water old school
  

Cancel Lexington, Hello Blue Lagoon

Cancel Lexington, Hello Blue Lagoon

Day 15 for the 2013 season - Blue Lagoon 6-13-2013 Sunday.

All reports pointed to a Lexington day but messages coming back from Lexington said wind was offshore so stayed in town and went to Blue Lagoon.
When I first arrived the wind was lite so I rigged the 6.0 and sailed it from noon - 2:00.
Intermittent planning puffs turned into steady NNW winds and eventually higher steadier NNW to the point where I had to rigged down to the 5.0. Back on the water by 2:30 with the 5.0 but it wasn't quite enough, wind speed dropped slightly so came back in and rigged the 5.5 sail and back on the water by 3:30. Sailed till 5:00 when wind became holy so came in and called it a day.

Sail Time: 4.0 hours from 12:00 - 5:00
Gear: 6.0, 5.0, 5.5 with 100 liter board

Conditions: Fairly flat conditions

Weather: Sunny Air 70s water 60s.
Wind:  NNW to 30 mph
Schooled: Downwind 360s
Image: Selfridge wind data

Day 11 - Finally scored some warm weather windsurfing

Blue Lagoon 5-15-2013 Wednesday.
Day 11 for the 2013 season plus it's finally warm out.

Finally some warm weather windsurfing with warm winds although the water still felt cold.
Big crowd gathered at BL today with the forecast calling for west winds 15-25 most were satisfied with the results.
Rigged the 5.5 on the 101 liter board - Gusty conditions with a mix of wind speeds. I would say 5-30 mph were the norm.
Most sailed on 6.2 down to 5.0.
Nice session over powered with the 5.5 during the gusts but it all worked out well.
Some occasional voodoo chop but for the most part I was happy with the rare organized swell and as usual flat hero jibing on the inside.


Sail Time: 2.0 hours from 12:00 - 2:00

Gear: 5.5 with 100 liter board

Conditions:  Gusty - some voodoo chop among some organized swell. 

Weather: Air 75s water 50s.
Wind:  NW to W 5-30 mph

Schooled: Hero jibes on the swells and inside hero jibes on the flats.

Image: Skull - found this guy hanging around I wonder what he was?
St Clair Shores wind data

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.

Nice after work session

9/18/12 Tuesday

Blue Lagoon was the call for today. The marine forecast called for 10-20 from the NW.

Got there at 3 and quickly rigged the 5.0 as others were out on 5.5s rippin it up.

Took out the 85 liter with the fun fin but to my dismay to many weeds to have a fun fin on.

Came in changed to the weed fin and sailed away for about 15-20 minutes when a lull hit.

Headed in and got the 100 liter board and use it for about a half hour when it really got light and unplanable.

Worked on some light wind tricks, I am working on the nose sink tack. Hitting them 8 out of 10 times.

Finally came in and decided to rig the 5.5 I don't know why the wind was dead.

Stood around with arms crossed talking to the guys when I noticed some rain squalls on the horizon thinking these could create some squally conditions.

Ok, again I went out did light wind stuff more nose sink tacks and sail/body 360s - easy stuff.

Finally at about 6:00 the wind kicked up as the squall line got closer - suddenly over powered on the 5.5 but with the flat water and organized swell it was almost perfect overpowered conditions. The wind was so strong at times I was pushing the sail instead of pulling on it.

Had about 45 minutes of full throttle sailing when it gradually lighten up and that was it for the day.

Sail Time: 1.50 hours from 3:00 - 6:30

Gear: 5.0 and 5.5 with the 85 and 100 liter boards

Conditions: Flat water, side shore to side on, small organized swell on the outside.
Weather: Air 60s, some clouds, water mid-70s.
Wind:  WNWwinds maximum of 30 estimated. .

Schooled: Nose sink tacks, sail/body 360s and downwind 360s

Images:  LSC Bouy

Video: During a lull in Da Action - Nose sink tack

Double Header MB and BL

8/5/12 Sunday

Thursday and Friday's forecast promised big winds all over the place for the up coming weekend.

But as we often know early forecasts change and usually not in our favor.

On Sunday by 11:00 I was rigging a 6.0 at MB with SW caps appearing all over the place. A few minutes later fully rigged and on the water it died out, squally winds I'm guessing.

So went back in waited it out for awhile and by 12:00 it perked up directly from the west. Went out and had some fantastic runs in the overpowered 6.0 conditions. The flat water in the small bay was the flatest I've ever sailed in so being overpowered was a fun thing. I was able to produced some long wide drawn out fully high speed planning hero ducks on the inside.

Sailed that way for an hour before the NW became the predominate wind direction.

Time to repack the gear and head to BL.

At Blue Lagoon by 2:45 where I found the crew fully engaged. I rigged the 5.5  and back on the water by 3:30 only to find wacky winds and chop. So many boaters partying -  their parked boats caused a wind shadow and the chop was horrible due to boats traveling in the water.
Finally about 5:00 it switch to a more solid NW, boats were leaving and the small swell and northwester wind became organized and steady. Almost perfect 5.5 until 8 pm when I had to drag myself off the water fully drain of energy.

Sail Time: 6.0  hours from 12:00 - 8:00
1 hour at MB and 5 hours at BL.

Gear: 6.0 at Metro Beach and 5.5 at Blue Lagoon with the 101 liter RRD.

Conditions: Side shore to side off at MB, winds of 5-30 the flatest I've ever sailed on at MB. At BL side to side on with flat on inside and slight chop on the outside.

Weather: Air mid-80s, Bluebird, water mid-70s.
Wind:  SW - NW winds 

Schooled: Plenty of hero ducks, downwind/upwind 360s. heli tacks, swell slashing.
Images: Typical wind data of the day, Lagoon scene late in the day.

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

Effortless Sailing

Blue Lagoon, Monday 6/25/2012
Arrived on site at noon with everything loaded in the van.  Current reports indicated a strong north wind with a good potential for the winds to continue through-out the afternoon.
Found the regulars on the water armed with 5.5s to 6.5s. The winds felt strong blowing a few degrees west of north a little bit side on.
Rigged the 5.0 Ezzy with the 85 liter JP along with my favorite fin. Took it out and struggled to get out far enough to catch the big wind. Weeds were catching on the fin and causing me to struggle even more. Finally made it out but the weeds were not playing fair, catching and not releasing from my favorite wave style fin. Ok, head back in and change to a weed fin. I decided to also change to my 100 liter board to help get on a plane earlier.  It was about 1:15 and the wind kicked in to perfect 5.0, 100 liter conditions with occasional higher gusts that you could head off slightly down wind and slash some chop. It was an effortless windsurfing day I could do no wrong type of day, ducking, jibing, slashing, helis and fast tacks all working perfectly. 
At 3:00 a lull hit and the kites dropped, windsurfers slogged. I came in and decide to rig the 5.5 thinking the wind was dropping and not heading back up. After rigging the 5.5 the wind again picked back up to 5.0 conditions. That was easy the 5.0 is rigged and ready so back out on it for another effortless session sailed until 6:00 when the winds got lighter.  So time for a break which also ended up as the end of windsurfing day.  

Sail Time: 4.0 hours between 1:30 - 6:00.
Gear: 5.0  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.
Conditions: Slightly side on NNW, steady as this place can get, winds of 15-30 nice predictable swell with some flat water on the inside.
Weather: Air mid-70s, sunny sky, water mid-70s.
Wind: AS steady as it gets here NNE
Schooled:  Just plain old blasting along, fun chop hoping, swell slashing and hero jibes.
Images: Selfridge wind chart

Flick on the wind switch

 
Tuesday 6/12/2012, Blue Lagoon

Arrived on site living dangerously with only the 101 liter board and the 5.5 and 6.0 sails in the van, the small gear stayed home, luckily I got it right. Winds were fluky from the west to northwest gusting to what felt like 25 mph. Rigged the 6.0 by 3:30 and on the water by 4:00.

Craig was contemplating if it was worth it to rig the kite due to the nature of the wind but as always he rigged the kite and went out. All around waterman John stood down a kite session and rigged his 7.0.

Larry and Harry the day crew had been sailing on big stuff for hours and ready to call it a good day. But when the fluky wind fill in they took another shot at it. The results were a broken mast for Larry and luckily just a short walk in.

By 5:30 the fluky winds died off with a lull that dropped the kites and caused the windsurfers to slog in. By 5:45 the wind direction switch to northeast and quickly ramped up to a respectable steady 16-22 mph. Just in time for Millard and Jeff’s arrival.  We sailed with steady northeast winds until a lull hit around 8:00 at that time I had to wrap it up and head home. It ended up being an excellent session with some long runs out to the Clinton River and back.

Sailed  Time: 4.0 hours between 3:30 - 8:00.

Gear: 6.0  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.

Conditions: Side to side on, W-WNW-NW winds of 5-20, then on shore northeast winds steady 16-20 mph with predictable swell.

Weather: Air mid-70s, sunny sky water mid-70s.

Wind: Gusty W-WNW-NW to steady NE

Schooled:  Just plain old blasting along, fun chop hoping, swell slashing and hero jibes.

Images: Jabster catching the newly formed northeaster.

Weekend of Windsurfing

                                

Sunday 6/3/2012, Blue Lagoon 

 

Took it upon myself to head to the Lagoon with winds nicely gusting around the house I felt it would be worth the trip. Loaded the vehicle with the big gear even so much as taking the 85 liter board out of the van figuring there will be no need for it according to the latest forecast.

On the way there got a call from the Master Wind Hog Larry, he mentioned the wind was gusting at his house and was packing it up for the Lagoon.

Got to the Lagoon to see a freshly mowed lawn and a couple of amigos, nice job on the lawn Harry and Jeff.  Next  time lets pick up the clippings they stick to my wet sail, board and feet..

The 2  amigos were hanging watching the white caps come and go, as I watched I ate a quick lunch and decided to rig the 5.5, no make that the 5.0.

Got on the water at 2:00 and blasted off to fun land. For the next half hour it was overpowered 5.0 conditions,

Jeff rigged down to 4.5 and other wind junkies were also rigging small gear.

I don't recall the wind forecast forecasting 5.0 conditions but we'll take it any day especially on a weekend.

Ended up with 10 plus windsurfers and a few kiters.

There were some rain squalls that appeared out of nowhere with them the winds were reinforced with the exception of one lull where the wind practically shut down completely. That only lasted 5-10 minutes then it was back to 5.0 conditions.

It was a quick 2 hour non-stop session that was enjoyable. I felt it was better then Saturday's session at Metro Beach due to the fact the swell was predictable.

Sailed 2.0 hours from 2:00 - 4:00.

Gear: 5.0  Ezzy and 101 liter RRD.

Conditions: Side to side on, W- WNW - NW winds, 10-35 mph, mainly predictable swell with an exception of big cruiser wakes the inside had hero conditions.

Weather: Air mid-70s, sunny sky water mid-60s.

Wind: W-WNW-NW 10 to 35.

Schooled:  Just plan old blasting along, fun chop hoping, swell slashing and hero jibes.

Images: Sail Flow at Belle River and the scene at the Lagoon

3 in a row - Getting Greedy

 

Monday 5/21/2012, Blue Lagoon,

Got the call from Captain Bastard at 5:30, it looks like an after work, after dinner session is to be had.

Threw the minimum gear in the van 6.0, 5.5, 100 and 85 liter boards. Rigged and got on the water by 7:00 with the 5.5 and 100 liter RRD.

Three in a row and that's rarity for me in Michigan.

The cold front passed and brought cooler weather and an el norte wind to the Lagoon.

Conditions were on-shore winds to 25 mph with voodoo chop in and out. Eventually the wind clocked more east and the inside improved to the best almost down the line riding I've ever seen at this spot.

A 2 hour session, mostly perfectly powered with the intermittent lulls as expected from this spot.

Sailed through a bright red sunset seen below the clouds at the horizon.

About 6 kiters including Craig with Larry and Harry representing the day crew.

Sailed 2 hours from 7:00 - 9:00.
Gear: 5.5  Ezzy SE and 101 liter RRD FSW.

Conditions: Swapping N to NNW to NE onshore winds some voodoo chop at the beginning of the session. Then for some reason the confused chop got organized and the last 45 minutes were as close to down the line sailing as you can get.

Weather: Air mid-60s, cloudy sky, water mid-60s.
Wind: Mostly a few degrees either side of North, 5-25 mph estimated.
Schooled:  Just plan old blasting along and  down the line swell riding on the inside.
Images: Wind from Belle River

Instant Replay of Easter Sunday

MB's Rockin at the Lagoon

Monday 4/9/2012, Blue Lagoon

Arrived at Blue Lagoon about 3:30 only to see cloudy, calm conditions. Every where else was windy except the place where you want it to be windy - figure that one out.

Hung around and talked to the other desperadoes for awhile until more desperadoes showed up and then we all hung around talked for a while with our arms folded across our chests.

Finally the winds started whimpering and suddenly the sun came and all the caps were showing white caps. Hmmm...

Some guys rushed to rig big gear most of us played the wait and see game.

At the same time I rigged a 4.5 and a few unnamed guys laughed at me wondering WTF I was doing rigging such small gear.

I looked out and the big-riggers were visibly OPed, so I took that queue and headed out to a little light on the inside 4.5 conditions. After heading out 50 yards or so the steady trades hit me and I never looked back 2 hours of rockin the Laguna. Came in after 2 hours to add a little downhaul to my 4.5 to help with the tired arms then another half hour with the wind seemingly switching to a tad side off.

Almost as good as the Lagoon can get conditions for the second day in a row.

The mostly steady winds were mainly from the WNW. It came up quickly around 4:30, up to 35 mph estimated speed.
The 4.5 Ezzy Freewave handled it well.
The windsurfing crew of 8 t0 10 were sailing 4.2s to 5.5s.

Session: 2.5 hour of time on the water between 4:30 and 7:00.
Gear: 4.5 Ezzy Freewave, 85 liter JP FSW.
Conditions: Fairly steady side shore winds with small smooth swell in some spots.
Weather: Air 55s, mostly bluebird sky, water 50 degrees.
Wind: WNW up to 35 mph estimated.
Schooled: Same as previous post - catching up to where I left off late last season Duck jibes, fast tacks heli-tacks, and some nice jumps.
Images: Monday's SailFlow Data from across the Lake in Belle River.

Video: Hot off the web MB's Rockin the Laguna.

Happy Easter Sunday

Happy Easter Sunday 4/8/2012, Blue Lagoon

A short session between Easter brunch at my beautiful daughter's compound and dinner at my hospitable in-laws.
After leaving my daughter's house, getting home, loading up with minimum gear, driving to Blue Lagoon, (all lights were green and slow drivers moved out of my way without a toot or a flash). Arrived at the Laguna around 2:15 rigged the 4.5 with the 85 liter got the rubber on and got on the water by 2:30. Wam bam thank you mam...
Well worth the extraordinary effort of racing to and fro just for an hour and a half of TOW.
Felt good to burn off some excessive sugar calories and at the same time have some endorphins populate my bloodstream.
Much more confidence built up with this being my second session along with very comfortable air and water conditions. I didn't mind trying more difficult moves, knocking off some full planning ducks on both tacks with one very tight jibe in between the tight swell. The new board can be a tight forgiving turner, that is poor technique can still get you a nice tight jibe.

The mostly steady winds were from the WNW, 10 to 40 mph estimated speed.
The 4.5 Ezzy Freewave handled it well.
The normal crew were there sailing sub 4.5s to 5.5s.

Session: 1.5 hour of time on the water between 2:30 and 4:00.
Gear: 4.5 Ezzy Freewave, 85 liter JP FSW.
Conditions: Fairly steady side shore winds with small swell in some spots.
Weather: Air 60's, bluebird sky, water 50 degrees.
Wind: WNW up to 35-40 mph estimated.
Schooled: Catching up to where I left off late last season Duck jibes, fast tacks and some nice jumps.
Images: Gear of the day 4.5 Freewave, JP 85 and MB's action photo.

Happy New Year - Opening Day 2012

Wednesday 3/28/2012, Blue Lagoon

After 10 days of record heat more typical of the July doldrums then mid March. Cool weather fronts finally moved in and cooled it down to a normal March even bringing some much needed spring winds.
Although to cold for me throughout the week Wednesday saw some sun and temperatures in the mid 60s.

Got to Blue Lagoon about 2:30 with a WNW wind calling for the 4.0.
Got rigged with my new stick, 2011 JP 85 FSW board.
Up and down typical side shore wind conditions at Blue Lagoon. Perfectly powered when wind was up desperately under power when wind was down. Later on the wind did get steadier and gave out reward points for those who were rigged right.
Up to 8 of the regular windsurfers made an apperance throughout the afternoon.
Sail sizes ranged from 4.0 - 5.5.

The new board is an improvement over the 2005 JP 84 FSW. Shorter, slightly wider, felt lighter, a better jumper, but what really amazed was how easy it is to set the rails without burying them. On the small swell I was able to set a long length of the rail and turn without sinking it and slowing down. Kind of a new experience for me. Can't wait for some bigger smoother swell to see how it handles for me.

Session: 3 hour of time on the water between 2:30 and 6:00.
Gear: 4.0 Ezzy, 85 liter JP FSW.
Conditions: Gusty side shore winds with small swell in some spots.
Weather: Air 60's and dropping, partly cloudy, water 45 degrees.
Wind: WNW up to 35 mph estimated.
Schooled: First time out since November of 2011. Played it very conservative.
Images: My new stick

October Surprise Session

Monday 10/24/2011, Blue Lagoon

Arrived at 3:30 with Larry, Harry, Steve and Jeff on the water all with 6.5s.
Steve came in and reported wind conditions on the outside were huge for his 6.5. Millard and I couldn't figure out what sail size to rig with big inside gusts and reports from the outside.
I ended up rigging the 5.0 and 5.5 went out first with the 5.5 and 100 liter RRD board figuring the inside was lite and I needed volume to get out to the wind. Millard rigged a 5.0 and easily made it work.
After an hour with steady strong winds on the outside and sailing the 5.5 I came in and exchanged my gear for the sportier smaller gear.
Sailed and played on the small well organized swell for about 1.5 hours until the wind got less consistent.
Another great October sunny bluebird 60 degree windy day, not many like this left so you got to grab these days at whatever the cost.

Session: 4:00 – 6:30
Gear: 5.5 Ezzy SE, RRD 100 liter. 5.0 Ezzy Free Wave, 84 liter JP.
Conditions: Inside, flats with fluky side shore winds. Outside, organized fun swell with winds to 30 mph.
Weather: Air 60 degrees, Bluebird sky, water 55 degrees.
Wind: NW-W up to 30 estimated.
Schooled: Slashing the swell, hero jibes on the smooth outside swell.
Move of day: Fully planning duck jibes on the outside.
Image: Gear for the day.

It actually happened on the weekend Part II

Sunday 10/2/2011, Blue Lagoon

It actually happened on the weekend!
For me day 2 of sub 5.0 conditions. For some day 3 of small gear conditions.
Started out with the 5.0 but after an hour the winds of change made me rig to my rarely used 4.5.
It looked like the early 1990's on the water I had to constantly watch out for other windsurfers. So many on the water at one time it reminded my of the early 90s. Through out the day I suspect at least 20 windsurfers made an appearance.
Welcome the Cass Lake speed crew, a few notched some "unthinkable" speeds on some of the voodoo chop.
Almost a "Copy and Paste" from Saturday. With the exception of more west appearing through out the day.
Another blockbuster almost epic day for the Lagoon with the steadiest 4.5 conditions I have ever had at the Lagoon. A tad lighter then Saturday still had non stop action.
Some voodoo chop with the slightly on-shore conditions but also to be found were some great little meaty swells for carving up.
Rigging was consistent for the up to 20 windsurfers 4.5s to 5.0s sail sizes.
I rigged my 5.0 then down to 4.5 with my 84 liter JP, I got to use my favorite wave fin due to the weeds "not a problem" day.
Suited up with the O'Neill "Boost" drysuit, I love this drysuit. Several catapults and head first plants and again barely a drop trickled in through the neck seal.
The sessions had non-stop action from locating tiny swell to slash and bash to heading out with a slight wind direction change to hit the chop head on resulting in some decent hops.

Session: 1:00 - 5:00
Gear: 5.0 - 4.5 Ezzys, 84 liter JP
Conditions: Inside some organized swells, outside almost the same with occasional confused swell.
Weather: Air 50-55 degrees, bluebird most of the day, water 57 degrees.
Wind: N-NNW between 20-30 mph estimate
Schooled: Slashing and bashing small thick swells.
Moves of day: 2 big time catapults, high wind helitacks.
Images: On the Inside (Photo by Ron) and Lac St Clair Buoy (Iwindsurf.com).

It actually happened on the weekend Part I

Saturday 10/1/2011, Blue Lagoon

It's been over 2 weeks since I've been out sailing. A nice sweet start in September but it ended mid-way through the month. September is normally the best month of the season for wind.
October started out like September, blockbuster almost epic day at the Lagoon with the steadiest 4.0 conditions I have ever had at the Lagoon. Some voodoo chop with the slightly on-shore conditions but also to be found were some great little meaty swells for carving up.
Rigging was consistent for the 12-15 windsurfers 3.5s to 4.5s sail sizes.
At 1:00 I rigged my 4.0 with my 84 liter JP, I got to use my favorite wave fin due to the weeds "not a problem" day.
Suited up with the O’neill "Boost" drysuit, I love this drysuit. Several head first plants and barely a drop trickled in through the neck seal.
On the first session I was on the verge of overpowerness but then I got dialed in I felt comfortable being overpowered. Making regular jibes without a problem. Normally I do the 3 stage duck jibe but today I stuck with mostly the 12 stage normal jibes.
Second session same gear with what felt like gustier conditions but nothing to keep me off a plane.
Both sessions had non-stop action from locating tiny swell to slash and bash to heading out with a slight wind direction change to hit the chop head on resulting in some decent hops.
Session: 1:30 - 5:00
Gear: 4.0 Ezzy SE, 84 liter JP
Conditions: Inside some organized swells, outside almost the same with occasional confused swell.
Weather: Air 50-55 degrees, nearly bluebird, water 60 degrees.
Wind: N-NNE up to 38 mph estimate
Schooled: Normal jibes slashing and bashing small thick swells.
Images: The gear of the day - where else can you park and rig on grass 30 feet from the launch. Larry heading to the outside. Lac St Clair Buoy.

Blue Lagoon - expected more but it turned out all right

Thursday 9/15/2011, Blue Lagoon

Arriving during a lull in the action, most of the morning crew had all but given up due to the big lulls that were occurring. I had mostly higher wind gear packed in the van expecting strong north winds.
Around 2:30 I got out on the 5.5 101 RRD not exactly high wind gear but it work because there wasn't high winds.
Slogged around at first hitting a few puffs from the NW that got me planning. Eventually the wind did pick up substantially and steadier from the NW making the 5.5 and 101 RRD feel just right. It got steadier as time went on and this session that I thought was going to be a non-logger ended up being a decent 2.5 hour session.
Working on the 360s I seem to be going retro with them making less and less of them.
Big turnout at least 8 windsurfers through-out the day. Some of the morning crew that stuck around got the afternoon reward for waiting. Unfortunately the 3rd shift came late and missed the wind.

Session: 2:30 - 5:00
Gear: 5.5 Ezzy SE, 101 RRD
Conditions: Inside flat, outside occasional surfing small swell.
Weather: 60, bluebird, water 70 degrees.
Wind: NW-N up to 30 mph estimate
Schooled: Downwind 360s
Images: The gear of the day.

It's been awhile and I feel the aches and pains

Wednesday, 8/10/2011, Blue Lagoon.

Finally a cold front came through and the forecast held true. The biggest crowd of the season appeared at the Lagoon. Good to see some folks I haven't seen in a while.

When I arrived a few were in rigging bigger up from their 5.0s rigging to 5.8s.

I rigged the 5.5 with the 101 RRD and got on the water by 3:30. It worked perfectly blasted off from the shore and enjoyed the next 4 hours of non-stop action.

Session: 3:30-7:30

Gear: 5.5 Ezzy, 101 RRD

Conditions: Mostly flat on the inside with unusually small swell outside.
Weather: 75 degrees sunny, water, 75 degrees.
Wind: Estimated to peak of 25 -30 WNW-NW.
Schooled: The downwinder 360. A least 30 tries with my average dropping, some tips from Chris helped as I finally got the wind angle figured out.

Images: St Clair Buoy and mid-360.