Live to Sail

Jaws Is Going Off

2009-12-09T15:26:00.003-05:00

If you visit this blog often, you probably already know that the north shore of Maui is being hammered by monstrous surf. Check out this story in the Maui News.

Our forecast is rockin too, although with more modest 7-10 foot waves, not 30-50!It’s gonna rock right thru the weekend, so come on out and join me!

Cya in the straps

Cast Your Vote!

2009-12-07T13:46:00.002-05:00

OBX Bill’s annual photo contest is now underway. There will be three heats, along with a final round for the top choice.

Please take a moment to review some of the most radical OBX action of '09, and cast your vote for the best OBX shot of 2009!

It Just Gets Better And Better Here

2009-12-06T06:52:00.051-05:00

So it’s the weekend, and another low pressure system serving up great sailing here on the Delmarva. It just keeps getting better and better. While most of Maryland was hit with the first major snow storm of the season, I was blessed with some fine wavesailing in Assateague.

Juiced 5.0, and shoulder to head high surf. Some 3-4 turn waves, and the wind NNE, at times a smidge side off. On top of that, we must of caught the only window of precipitation free weather in the entire state.

I’m telling you it was spitting rain in Delaware, and snowing all over inland Maryland. But Assateague was dry, with a low cloud ceiling, and steady wind. Sweet!

smackin it!

I did downwinders all day, as Janis followed me south, photographing me the entire way.

I was getting hits like this all day

The first session I wore my gloves, but that basically kicked my a$$, and was wearing out my forearms. So I took them off and sailed gloveless.

The Atlantic waters here are still quite warm, and I was stoked to have no problems going bare handed, despite air temps in the lo to mid 40s.

Nice tube eh?!

Here is the beginning of the sequence which was my best wave of the day.

couple of S turns before the...

wave hits the sand bar

throwin some spray

go backside again and slow it down to let that wave jack back up

now we're talkin

nice!

one last turn

Shore break was challenging today. You had to swim your gear out just past the shorepound. But still, had no troubles getting out, and was not denied a single time.

challenging

but just depower and let it detonate in front of you before popping up an over the soup

Another fun wave, not Maui, but fun none the less! 3-4 turns yeehaa :)

Last wave of the day

gonna hit it

Nice!

This is a shot of the work being done to repair some of the Damage from the recent epic storm on Friday the 13th, Nor-Ida.

pack it up jack it up

Some of the wild life here on the island. Funny, it’s the first time we didn’t see a single wild pony

Mid week forecast looks great. Come out here and join me!

Wavesailing Assateague

2009-12-05T19:07:00.003-05:00

While most of inland Maryland today was dealing with the first snow storm of the year, I was wavesailing Assateague. Not the Gale force i was expecting, but juiced 5.0. Some big boys rolling thru out there, head high, with some kick to em.

No time for a full post now. Check back tomorrow for more shots from todays action, need to get my rest for a dawn patrol tomorrow, Lewes will be firing.
Live2sail

Rockin Weekend Forecast!

2009-12-04T09:09:00.004-05:00

COASTAL WATERS FROM FENWICK ISLAND DE TO CHINCOTEAGUE VA OUT TO 20 NM-
SAT
NE WINDS 20 TO 25 KT...BECOMING N 25 TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON.
SEAS 5 TO 7 FT...BUILDING TO 7 TO 9 FT. RAIN.
SUN
NW WINDS 20 KT...
I'm all over that Assateague forecast for Saturday, seas builiding to 9 feet, aw yeah!

Will be just a tad bit colder, and a heck of a lot bigger and windier than this day back in August.

Sunday Lewes will be looplicious.

Cya out there......
Live2sail

We Support Each Other's Passions

2009-12-02T20:12:00.004-05:00

You know my wife, Janis! As Mac says, she's my secret weapon when it comes to the photography on this blog. She tirelessly takes windsurfing photos, in nor'easters, she gets sand blasted on the north shore of Maui, she wraps up like an eskimo in the winter at Assateague, she drives up and down the beach during down wind'ers. All to get great shots of a sport we love. She's always been supportive of my windsurfing passion and never complains; yet ecourages me to get out there and strive for the next move; whether it be looping or wave riding.

Well, she's at it again! My awesome wife is following her passion of scrapbooking and I fully support her in her new Villa Scrapbook Studio venture. She's created a new website featuring her scrapbooks, which will quickly grow as we add more and more photos. She has created custom scrapbooks for weddings, graduations, birthdays and these are the gifts that stop the show. They are the envy of every event. These scrapbooks are heirlooms that will be cherished by future generations and passed down to children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. You should see all of my windsurfing scrapbooks. I'm the luckiest windsurfer alive to have a library of beautiful windsurfing scrapbooks documenting my adventures and progression in the sport.

After WaveJam 2009 , Janis made a sample scrapbook of one of the contestants, Ian Stokes. Click HERE to check it out. This is a slide show w/ music and should definately get some good memories firing up.

Outside of her creative life, she's now working with a very reputable eMarketing / eSurvey company called Constant Contact. If you or your company could use seriously affordable eMarketing solutions, this is the ticket. It's only about $15/mo.

Sign up for a FREE 60-Day Trial today.
Explore Email Marketing with no risk. No obligation.

Trusted Email Marketing

and Online Surveys

Its Been Really Good Here

2009-11-29T05:32:00.033-05:00

It’s just been so good here on the Delmarva, the best November I can remember, and perhaps the best 8 week stretch ever. Every weekend we score multiple nukin bump-n-jump sessions on the Delaware Bay. Sprinkle those with the occasional Assateague wave sailing sesh, and I'm pretty sore.

Nor’easters, low pressure high pressure squeeze plays, and strong cold fronts have been working like clock work.

Wind was strongest on Saturday, and the sun was shining so the light for the photo shoot was superb.

The jumps where much bigger on Friday, but I was still tweaking out my aerials Saturday.

Stan getting on it

Tweaked

I don’t know how, but I sprained my finger last week during the assateague session. The finger is swollen to twice normal size, and the flexibility is nowhere near what it should be. That said, it didn’t keep me off the water though, and it didn’t affect my performance either. Aleve was a major part of the après-sesh regimen.

Tide was super lo today

Layin it down and……….

Layin it out

Stan was ripping today

splash down

Nice duck gybe sequence

Great shot!

My harness broke, on the outside no less. The webbing on the fixed side of the harness hook strap simply failed, and the wipeout could have been significant because the hook continued to hang on to the harness line as I went down. As it was, I only had to sail back about 1-2 miles. My forearms where burning and there was no way I was gonna be able to hold my position and point back to the spot I launched from. I wound up a few hundred yards downwind. No worries, and the only regrets where that I had to leave wind on the table because I didn’t have a back up harness in the truck.

So I unrigged and watched Stan tear it up. Man it was good!

I didn’t have a back up harness so my day was finished.

Lewes Fires Again!!

2009-11-28T17:33:00.007-05:00

It just doesn't stop blowing here in Delaware. Blessed with another awesome day of sailing in Lewes. Wind was steady west, lit to overpowered 5.0 on the small board. No time for a full post now, just a few teaser photos.

Just ripping!

My friend Stan Immamato missed Black Friday, but was there today to enjoy the fabulous conditions with me.

Stoked! Check back for pics covering all the radical action.

ps: Assateague should be working tomorrow. I'm hoping to hit it early.

Black Friday

2009-11-28T05:43:00.026-05:00

Was crankin!

My daughter Kristin Markopoulos was behind the Nikon 300mm today. She has a talent for photography

This fall has just been amazing: 5.0 or better conditions every weekend. I sailed the Lewes main beach today, juiced 4.5-5.0 conditions. I first pulled into the Secret Spot to touch base with Dave. He’d just blown out his 4.5, so I knew it was firing.
But when I pulled into the main beach, it looked a little light so I rigged my 5.0. That proved to be just right. I was lit!

Told ya’ll I was getting good at these high altitude ejections. So much fun, and they always prove to be a spectacular photo, and I was stoked to see that Kristin had caught the shot! I had to swim quite a long ways for my gear this time.

Look at that sky!

The sand bar was working too, and with a good bit of west in it today, you could actually go down the line occasionally.

Love this shot.

WNW is a port jumpers dream at Lewes

Really nice sequence of a duck gybe

Gybing on the outside

Man, it was epic to have been in positions today to throw down moves that resulted in a broken board was awesome. I'm still buzzing, no doubt will find it difficult to sleep..

Time to retire her with honor. She's lived a full life, traveled the world, even made the pilgramage to Maui several times. Time to put her our to pasture.

More on tap for tomorrow, and sunday Assateague should set up nicely.
Stoked!

The Howling Holiday Season Is Upon Us

2009-11-25T11:27:00.005-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We each have much to be thankful. I’m especially thankful for my loving and supportive family, and the rockin holdiday forecast.
Check it out:

GALE FORCE WINDS ARE POSSIBLE FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE HENLOPEN TO FENWICK ISLAND DE FRI
W WINDS 20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT. SEAS 4 TO
6 FT. SAT
W WINDS 25 TO 30 KT...DIMINISHING TO 15 TO 20 KT. SEAS
4 TO 7 FT...SUBSIDING TO 2 TO 4 FT AFTER MIDNIGHT.
SUN
SW WINDS 15 TO 20 KT

BRING IT ON!

Faith, Wind, Water, Waves

2009-11-22T16:40:00.025-05:00

Well, the Dallas Cowboys played the skins today, and I broke with tradition. Last year, I can’t tell you how many times I blew off wind for football. Every single time, they let me down. This year I made a vow that if it was blowin, I was goin. Well, I made the right call sunday, and scored a great day of wavesailing Assateague, and the Cowboys scored just enough points to win. Course, when you’re playing the lowly skins, you don’t need many points to win. Lol!
Blessed with another solid day at Assateague. Powered 5.0 on the RRD.

After church today at The Lewes Church Of Christ, we cruised drove down route 1, hugging the coast the entire way. Beauitful scenery, the dunes are still there, white caps on the ocean, music blasting (Third Day), stoked!

Surprising shorebreak actually, but no problems getting out.

First run out, powered 5.0

Sweet!

Ocean water is still very warm, didn't wear gloves

first going back side on....

...some sloppy waves

but fun

Surprising amount a of current today, so I switched fins, and that proved to be the difference.

Burned up wind much better with this blade

Side on is a tough direction for wavesailing

Big wind in the extended forecast. Thanksgiving is always windy.

Live2sail

Sunset Training Sesh

2009-11-20T19:08:00.004-05:00

Sometimes, its just good to get a sail in your hands. The wind was less than 10 knots, but i was itching to get on the water and work on my transitions. No need to wear a harness, and the water is still very warm.
Spent about an hour on the water just tacking, sailing backwinded, and watching a beautiful sunset.

Sunday, Assateague should be fun. Looking forward...
Live2sail

Hatteras Wave Jam 2009 - Reliving The Main Event

2009-11-19T06:22:00.013-05:00

The Beast of the East Wave Jam competition is covered in Windsurfer International, 3rd edition, which hit cyberstands today and what awesome coverage we've received! Click the link to check it out. It's amazing.

It was really hard holding back on the photos, but necessary. Links to the photos are now available. Ian, this is the day you've been waiting for! Everyone else too!

Venue: The Bath house south of Frisco

The format was four man heats last 20 minutes each.

Judging was based on the number of waves ridden, number of turns on a wave, wave transitions, aerials ON the wave (proved to be my undoing) as well as wave size.

The wind dropped significantly just as my heat was about to begin, so I pulled out my trusty ole’ light wind board, however I choose to remain with the 5.0.

Kav and Ian checking out the action

Ken with a view to kill for

John Waters drove all night to get here

This was a nice little jump I popped during my heat, but It didn’t score any points because its wasn’t off of a breaking wave, but rather outside swell. And that doesn’t count! Oh well, chalk it up to a learning curve.

Ken, on the other hand, hit this sweet backside aerial. Regardless the fact that wave was perhaps ankle high, it proved to be the difference in the amatuer division contest-thats how critical aireals ON the wave are.

The Man: Keith McCulloch

My best wave of the day

Mac Barnhardt

Judges where perched high above on the dunes. That spot proved to be an excellent vantage point from which to watch the action!

We waved a large towel to indicate the end of a given wave heat. Ironically, it was a "Shark Week" discovery channel towel ;)

I’m telling ya the spot reminded me of the bluff at Hookipa.

There were over 20 sailors present, conditions were not too big, yet not so small, and the day really was extraordinary. It was reminiscent of The Loop-fest Main Event
Coming in after my heat

Hi five from Ken

my shoulder was still hurting

Donald Obst and Mac Barnardt

Ken Kellar with a beautiful turn

.

Jesse Waters

Bill Bell

Donald

Janis and I really enjoyed meeting the Charlotte crew. Mac, Rob, Mark, Alain, Ralph and Donald. Some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.

After party at the Charlotte crew's house on Sunday night. A great time was had by all! Good memories for sure.

Here are the Picasa links to all photos taken by Janis. We apologize for the long, anticipated wait but we wanted to give WI first rights to publish these awesome photos.

LINK 1

LINK 2

LINK 3 - BEAST OF THE EAST!

Have fun reviewing the photos. Pick your top photos and let us know! Janis will prepare a beautiful personal and customized scrapbook just for you. These treasures (as seen in Hatteras Island Boardsports) can be created for anyone interested. Her scrapbooks are heirlooms that you can pass to your children and their children and so on. To see a sample of the awesome scrapbooks she's made for me, click HERE.

IAN - Janis is already working on your scrapbook. Cost is merely materials + a small labor and shipping fee. Anyone else intersted? You won't be disappointed.

Epic Event At The Zamboni Cave

2009-11-16T19:07:00.006-05:00

So recently the stars finally aligned, and we were all able to gather at the Zamboni Cave for gourmet food and libation, good tunes, and great conversation. Janis brought a few of her scrapbooks, she enjoys showing every little detail.

***More on her scrapbooks coming soon***

Blog author and his most amazing wife

I’m blessed to have some great friends, they surprised me with a birthday cake. Every time we visit, its world class treatment. Totally blessed.

Linda Pierce and my wife Janis. Linda, Janis is very fond of you, although I’m personally disappointed you didn’t bring any baked goods ;)

Andy and Linda Pierce.

Kathryn and Linda. So glad to hear you’re finally over that cold Kathryn.

Heather and Lu. Lu was great seeing you again, and a pleasure to meet you too Heather.

Blog auther and Andy Pierce. Andy, you an the Zamboni WILL be learning to wavesail next year.

I found my self quite comfortable in the captains chair.

This is the Andy Peirce suite of the Zamboni cave. I've had the honor of staying here on more than one occasion.

No pictures available of the mysterious Zamboni, he was last scene blasting on the water

Friday The 13th Noreaster-The Damage

2009-11-14T13:42:00.018-05:00

The storm definately came at a price. Here in Delaware, we had severe flooding and massive beach erosion. Many of the waterfront homes in Broadkill lost their boardwalks and deck. Assateague looked like a war zone too.

The ocean destroyed the boardwalk, and the fencing along the top of the dunes.

Waves in Assateague on the 14th looked dooable, but there really was zero wind.

Half the time, they were closing out top to bottom, with extreme violence.

Lots of shell was ashore after these big storms

This is photo of the ORV access ramp, closed till Monday the 16th due to flooding.

I can just envision the angry sea, tide higher thans its been in 10 years, crashing over the dunes

The road that runs down the middle of the park was covered in sand, this is perhaps 150-200 yards from the waters edge.

The bath house had to be dug out.

This is a photo of the soundside at Assateague. The water, at low tide mind you, comes all the way up to the road. Ordinarily there is about 500 yards or so of grass and trees

The Mispillion River overflowed into downtown Milford. Looks like a great venue for the kiters ;) sorry Sam, I coudln't resist

The dunes along Broadkill beach took a big hit. Lots of lumber laying around from the destroyed decks and boardwalks.

Here is a link to a slide show of some of the damage down on the Outter Banks-I can't beleive the danage to the dunes at S Turns.

Nor'easter Day Two

2009-11-13T17:06:00.024-05:00

Wow, blessed with yet another day of epic conditions.

What a fall this has been!

This storm is simply amazing, its been blow 40+ knots since Wedensday afternoon.

I’ve named her the Friday The 13th Nor’easter of 2009. Yesterday was survival 3.6 sailing. Today was dialed 3.6. I tell ya, what a difference 10 knots makes. Yesterday the wind averaged in the lo to mid 40s. That was manageable, but it was the gusts into the mid 50s+ that made it challenging. Today the wind averaged in the upper 30s, with gusts only into the mid 40s. Perfectly dialed 3.6 conditions. Yehaaa! On top of that, there was no rain today, just the relentless Gales of the Friday the 13th Noreaster!

The wind had a lot more north in it today, so I sailed Broadkill beach. The wind was side on, and the conditions could be described as very ocean like, especially on the outside. Don’t let anyone tell you Broadkill doesn’t have a breaking sandbar, you just have the desire to sail to an outer bar.

I’d say the perfect direction for Broadkill is NNE. Just remember, when the wind goes too onshore in Lewes, Broadkill is the venue. You can find me there every time.

My wife takes such artistic shots. Mac, you coined it best, she IS my secret weapon! The best most supportive wife any man could have.

I sailed out into the middle of the Delaware Bay, and surfed very large breaking waves. One in particular, when it broke, the white water had to have been 4-5 feet high. Quite ocean like.

I saw on the news that one of the offshore buoys just off the mouth of Delaware Bay recorded a 26.7 foot wave during the height of the storm. Wow. I can tell you that some of the stuff I saw out there was definately spawned off of that giant stuff out in the ocean. Oh yeah

I like to hop off my board out in the middle of the maelstrom, and just listen to the wind and the crashing waves, watch the period swell roll under me, and see the spray flying off the top. Its sureal.

Awesome stuff. Andy in your honor, I chucked one today. Man you guys gotta come here some time. My home patch is quite fun! I've got Assateague for some worldclass wavesailing, and the Delaware Bay during a Gale is hands down epic.

Lit

Very ocean like

Throwin some spray

The jumps where unbelievable. Like I said yesterday, jumping in heavy wind is probably as close as I’ll ever get to a weightless environment of space. All you gotta do is pop a little chop hop and you easily go up 10, 15+ feet

and just freakin levitate up there!

Had my fair share of wipe outs. If you aren't getting wet..........

......you're not learning

Look at that shorebreak, that was pretty much a rogue wave, and not very representative of the shorebreak today. Still, you gotta respect it.

Stan launched from the Lewes main beach and sailed up to Broadkill to sail with me. I was going to sail back with him, but my awesome wife called and she was on her way to Broadkill for a photoshoot, so I had to hang around the area. Sorry I didn’t sail back with you Stan, but you know I just had to document the action for live2sail, and posterity.

I did this intentionally, and I'm getting quite good at it. Not quite as high as the one I did yesterday in Lewis. What do you think Stan? So much fun

Jumps on both tacks were epic today

At some point, I was on the beach adjusting my outhaul, Stan had already left to sail back downwind to Lewes (a 20 minute drive by car, but probably a 15 minute sail), and this guy came up to me. He’d heard a report of and orange sail going down, and staying down. I told him that was probably my friend (Stan was flying an orange sail today), so I got a little concerned. Having said that, I also knew that the wind was side on, so the worst that might happen would be a long walk. Plus, Stan is a great sailor, so I wasn’t too concerned. I fired off a text message, and a voice mail asking him to check in when he got back to lewes. Long story short, all turned out well. He did drop in to rest for an extended time, but it was nothing more serious than that. Reflecting back, I was glad that cop (he was in civi’s but had a handgun on his belt) didn’t force me off the water. I sail Broadkill a lot, and I suspect most folks with beachfront property have seen me out there before. So they probably weren’t alarmed to see me out there during the storm, “Ah Mable that’s that boy from Milford, he’s always out there”.

Tomorrow the wind should back down to about 15-20+, and with the surf quite sizable

SAT
N WINDS 15 TO 20 KT. SEAS 9 TO 12 FT WITH A DOMINANT PERIOD OF
12 SECONDS.

12 second period will make all the difference, so I plan to head down to Assateague. Definitely wont be mellow-yellow conditions, so I don’t expect to see Grendel, but you never know. I’m challenging him to come out and show me what he’s got.

Party tomorrow night at the Zamboni cave. Stoked, blessed, smile plastered on my face. I want more.........

Live2sail

***update***
Its been so windy, that my truck's alignment came unbalanced. Parking up on the beach over two days of gale force winds, sand had blown inside my wheels, so much had packed up in there that the wheels came out of balance. When i got up to highway speed, the truck starting shaking. I had to have the tires rotated! Lesson, always park your vehicle into the wind, i suppose pointing down wind so the sand also doesn't blow up into the engine, though i guess some sand up in there is inevitable. Just be mindful of the sand.

Noreaster Day One

2009-11-12T16:30:00.022-05:00

***************STORM SAILING**************

Today definately surpasses my previously heaviest day ever on the water, the epic New Years Eve Sesh from last year. My pal Stan and I sailed from about 11.45 to just after 2. Ironic that the meter went down almost for the entire sesh. You'll have to take my word for it, it was sick! In fact this storm is stronger than some of the tropical systems I've sailed.

When we pulled up, it looked reasonably sane. I mean look at this pic, you can't really tell its averaging in the 40s gusting into the 50s.

Its strange, I've seen much heavier shorebreak here, in much less wind. What made it difficult today was simply the wind strength and not having a sail small enough. Having said that, getting out wasn't that tough. What WAS tough was staying out. Just SOOO windy...

Here are some observations I’ve reflected on since coming off the water:

• Jumpin in conditions like this is a close as you can get to a zero gravity situation so close to the earth. In that much wind, you almost levitate in the air.
• Landings in that kind of wind is sooo soft. Its really amazing. I mean you’re up there, I don’t know how high, and you think oh boy, this isn’t gonna turn out good, and then the landing is so soft.
• When its averaging in the 40s, what ordinarily would be a 6-7 foot jump becomes a 15-20 footer, Wohoo!
• When its this windy, I think goggles would be extremely helpful. A lot of the time I could hardly see cuz the liquid smoke got into my eyes. Yeah, its disconcerting to have to let go of the boom to rub your eyes! I've seen those big 'ole goggles Dana wears, but i've never been able to find a similar pair. Dana, can you drop me an email and let me know where i can find a pair?
• When its blowing over 40, a 77ltr board, 8.25 cm fin, and 3.6 is way too big. We would have been powered on much smaller stuff.
• You can’t really wear winter time mittens in these conditions, you’ll fatigue in like five minutes. No worries, the water is still very warm.
• It IS possible to get comfortable out there in that kinda of wind and have fun. When I first hit the water, I thought there was no way I’d beable to keep the board on the water. But after getting out, I was able to get reasonably comfortable out there. Don’t get me wrong, it was very intense, and I’m not saying I wouldn’t have rather enjoyed a nice dialed 4.5 day. But its all good right, and was an experience I’ll never turn down. Good training as well, setting me up to really rip in the lighter 30-40 knot days.

After the sesh, I really kooked it up in the parking lot. I was unrigging on the leeward side of my truck. As I was sliding the mast out of the luff sleeve, the wind ripped the sail off the final 3 feet or so of the mast. The sail goes flying across the parking lot, and this fool all clad in rubber goes chasing after it. I’m sure the tourists who’d been watching thought I was a complete moron. Lol. I’m darn lucky I caught up with that sail. Phew. :)

Most of the ocean access spots were closed today. In fact, the ocean was breaching the dunes in several places along route one down by Key Box and Indian River Inlet, sand and foam blowing across the road. Wild stuff

ps-more on tap for tomorrow and saturday. Apparently this storm is just gonna park it self out there, extraordinary and not something that happens very often. Hopefully the ocean will calm down and we can get out in the ocean and ride some big waves. Assateague on satuday and sunday should still have pretty decent size surf, with a more manageable 20 knots. Niko, get your a$$ out here. On top of that, some of my Hatteras pose outta consider comin up this way. I've got lots of space and you can crash at my place. Bill? Andy? Keith? Come on man!

pss-watching the news, i love it how when the report on the storm, they warn you that its not a good day to go in the water. Hahahaha. riiiiiiiiiight.

cya out there..

Ida's Leftovers

2009-11-10T16:45:00.006-05:00

We have another multiday weather event approaching the Delmarva. Hurricane Ida has crossed over Florida panhandle into the Atlantic, and will redevelop into a powerful coastal low. Should be pretty intense. Could be another repeat of the one - two punch Noreaster weekend we had a few weeks ago.

Check out the forecast!

Windguru has it down as an epic weather event.

Tomorrow may be the sanest day, but also the might be the wetest. Wave height by Friday may exceed 15+ foot. In any event, its gonna be wild.

Stay tuned......

Magical Assateague Sesh

2009-11-07T21:49:00.028-05:00

Update:
Congratulations to my daughter Kristin and the rest of her team, who just won the gold medal to wrap up the fall season Volley ball rec league. Now on to MVSA tryouts this weekend:

***********************************************************************************
Oh man I must be living right, because I’m constantly blessed with incredible sailing. Today it started getting breezy around noon, and I hopped in the truck and headed down to Assateague around 2pm. Forecast was 10-15, waves 2-3 foot, lo tide around 3-4pm. A perfect set up. I was highly confident I’d score some fun rides. I didn’t expect what I actually got: Juiced 5.8 conditionst and clean side off wind, some waves head high, big open faces, with plenty of punch. I threw down a lightening rig, and was on the water just after 3. I sailed solo for about 2 hours.

Juiced side off, are you kidding me!? Get it on....

Nice long lines

Lets get it on

Here we go!!

When the conditions are right, side off, plenty of juice, wavesailing is so much easier. I was catching 4, 5, 6 turn waves today. I was out of mind amazed at how I scored.

I came in after one exceptionally long ride, just hooting and hollering at the top of my lungs. This fisherman just downwind of me no doubt thought I’d lost my mind, which frankly I had.

He looked at me incredulously as I walked up the beach laughing and talking to myself. I was sooooo amped.

You gotta be aggresive-do the hitting, don't let the wave hit you. Use a lot of body movement, twist the torso, sheet in and bank the board off the lip/whit water. I'm figuring it all out.

Alas, my rock star photographer wife couldn’t make the sesh, so I was resigned to blogging with words only, and try to paint the picture of the conditions with my prose, certain that a certain someone would receive the report with a grain of salt, the great fishing story. Enter Mr. Alan Yeck. I’m coming back in to fire off an email report to Grendel (inside joke), and I see someone parked close to my truck, leaning on the hood of his car watching me sail. I walk up the beach, put my stuff down, and he gives me the thumbs up. He was stoked on the sailing, very interested. I struck up a conversation with him. Really nice guy, works up in Aberdeen for the Army, and was down to the shore fishing and visiting his family in Ocean Pines. After a few minutes, I strike. The conditions today are absolutely fabulous, and the light is incredible. I’d be stoked if you would take 15 minutes and snap a few photos. I’ll even pay you twenty bucks…….Wohooo he was happy to, and don’t mind the cash, he was just enjoying the show. Ha! Talk about being blessed!! Alan, you took some great shots, almost looks like you’ve done this before? Very impressed, and very thankful as well.

Look at that wave!! 2-3 foot?! Are you kidding me!

this one is kinda funny cuz i'm out of the straps

I made it over though!

This is a smaller wave

but look how clean

When the wind is side off like that, the waves are held up by the wind, are oh so groomed, like a stick of butter waiting to be carved. Bottom and top turns are effortless, and the only question is how radical do you want to get with your approach to the lip, because you have complete power to go anywhere on the wave face.

Off the lips are so easy cuz you can hit that lip in the perfect spot. I’m learning though that you need to be aggressive when hitting the lip. If you’re timid, its gonna smack you. Also, I think the off the lip aireals turn out better when you land on the wave face off the wind, otherwise you pearl. At least I did today once. Got worked, and loved every minute of it. You gotta enjoy spending time IN the water. If you’re not comfortable with that, then its gonna be tougher for you to learn, because as they say, if you’re not getting wet, you’re not learning.

Headin out

Juiced

gybing on the outside

I love these sessions that you score that totally exceed your expectations, like the Hurricane Bill session that scored me a cover shot in the NEWJ. You just gotta have faith and a willingness to make the effort to get here.Passion and a love for the sport drive me.Luck has nothing to do with it. I’m telling you, if the timing of the tide is right, and there is anything above 2 or 3 foot forecasted with 10-15 knots, YOU WILL score. Andy, you should of come out today. Would have been perfect for you. Coyle, are you telling me you worked again today? The World Series is over. What’s your excuse? Ken, well....all I can say is I’m sure you aren’t surprised. I’ve got the spot unlocked, my own private wavesailing paradise. Assateague, Maryland.

I unrigged as the sun was setting and had a smile on my face as big as the State of Texas. It was a magical sesh, even spiritual on some level. I get so caught up in the beauty of being on the ocean, the simplicity of the sport, the power of the ocean, and I can't help but give the glory to God for this amazing day. I am so blessed and thankful.

Midweek forecast looks good. Can you sail tuesday or wedsneday Ken?

Perpetually stoked.
Live2sail

Solo Dawn Patrol Sesh-Lewes, De.

2009-11-06T14:36:00.013-05:00

Scored and absolutely fabulous morning on the Delaware Bay, Lewes. Conditions where basically hi tide, and heavy shorebreak. 4 footers routinely crashing on the beach, however getting out was no problem. Fully juiced 4.5 conditions on my smallest board. Huge rolling swell on the outside, especially as you approach the jetty. We're talking very ocean like, and quite clean and organized. I was boosting some big and floaty jumps. Ahh, the main beach in Lewes is so good on a strong NW blow. 4.5 conditions here are pretty epic. Kellar, you should of come out, it was a good one.

Looplicious eh?!

Juiced 4.5 conditions. Gybing on the outside in big swell is so easy and fun. When it gets that big, it pretty much is smooth in between the swells, and a pretty generous period gives you something akin to a freshly grooomed ski slope to carve your turn. Yehaaaa!

Looking upwind toward the secret spot

Lewes lite. Funny thing happened to me for the second consecutive week. I lost my hat and then found it. Today i was out with full suit on, and a helmet on as well in case the mood strikes me. Anyway, I notice something aint right, and figure out my helmet is missing. The genious forgot to tighten his chin strap. Oh well, i say to myself I have another one back home, so no worries. Bout 20 minutes later, i see it bobbing around in the rolling swell, so i sail over to it, hop off, and reclaim my property, remembering to tighten the chin strap this time.

I wrapped up the day on my 5.6 and 91 ltr. Still some big jumps to be had. Its funny, the morning sesh on the 4.5 was lit up full power. But perhaps the biggest jump i hit all day was with this setup. Man it was good :)

Dave Coyle showed up, but missed the prime window which was 9.30 - noon.

More action on tap for tomorrow. Wind will be light, but the tide and forecasted pickup in southerlies is lining up for a fun afternoon.

cya out there...

live2sail

Solid Weekend Forecast

2009-11-05T21:57:00.003-05:00

The weekend forecast has me up tonight tending to my gear.
Lewes dawn patrol Friday morning.......

and then a fun light wind wave sesh saturday afternoon

Stoked!

Are You Ready To Light It Up?

2009-11-03T17:15:00.004-05:00

Friday is Looking real good.

STRONG NORTHWEST FLOW THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY:
FRI
NW WINDS 25 TO 30 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 KT...DIMINISHING TO
20 TO 25 KT WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 KT IN THE AFTERNOON. SEAS 4 TO 7
FT...

Cya out there....

Birthday Sesh

2009-11-01T07:20:00.047-05:00

Scored another great day on Assateague. Wind was marginal 5.8, only planed up on the wave face, and had an absolute blast. The waves were pretty sloppy, mostly one hit wonders. But the occasional clean one would come thru allowing for 2 turns.

I hit the water around 11am, which was just about lo tide. No shorebreak, and no current. Also hardly any wind due to the temperature differential between the water and the air, mid 70s for late October! Sailed for about 5 hours, water is still quite warm.

I love this sequence, I caught this wave just right, and it felt soooooo good.

Beautiful

Note, this is one of my favorite pics from the day. It coincidently is photo 1111 hehehe

Of course it closed out, but still came away hooting and hollering

I don’t think the waves ever reached 5-6 foot, mostly waist to shoulder high. Period was quite short, and I gotta a lot of practice going over short period walls of white water. Love it! Training for those big days that are right around the corner

sloppy waves

but still fun to play in the white water

New Nikon 300mm lens! No more camera envy

Gimme a puff!

Ken, look, its a fin! I saw this pic and thought of you. Couldn't resist ;)

Fun sequence of setting up to

to go front side and..

come around

to go...

backside.

so smooth and effortless when you link the turns together correctly.

Stoked!

slow it down

almost there

sloppy waves but fun

they had some kick to em as well

I was out of position on this one

and it...

swept me off my feet

This one?

They where mostly closeouts

Mostly closeouts, but still fun!

Setting up

Keep it together now...

don't give me any lip cuz i'm in the wrong spot

Longer harness lines are the way to go. I've switched to 26 inch. Much better for wavesailing

Wild Ponies of Assateague island

Live2sail

Trick or Treat?

2009-10-31T19:21:00.006-04:00

Assateague is always a treat

My awesome wife surprised me with this birthday gift, a Live2sail flag.

Only in Assateague

Full post tomorrow from todays action

Happy Halloween

2009-10-28T18:21:00.001-04:00

Saturday is Halloween, and that also happens to be my birthday. I’m hoping for a repeat of last year's epic session on my birthday.

and looking at the forecast, saturday is gonna rock, so bring it on...

Here is the coolest house decorated for Halloween that I've ever seen. If I was a kid, that would scare the heck out of me!

Leatherface

Some random shots from Deleware:

Looking forward to the next year of my life full of travel, adventure, and lots of windsurfing!

Question is, will the weekend forecast be a trick or a treat?!?!
The forecast is actually looking really good. I'm all over that....
Looking forward.............