I Love Those Southern Breezes

I did a solo session after work. Got there about 3pm expecting to just schlog around some until Leah got there. Turns out I spent about half the time lit up and in the straps planning! My 7.5 and a 155L was solid gold. I tried out the new camera if you want to see the conditions. Good times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STw_h4P6GR0&feature=email

Happy Birthday Don!

A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both.
-L. P. Jacks






Don Wrenn and Don Bowers.
Demonstrating windsurfing concepts such as: know when to hold them,
know when to fold them,
know when to walk away and
know when to run.

SW, W, NW, N !!!! 4/22/09

Pick your direction. We had it all! Barry Stakely, Dave Crook, Don Wrenn and I took in an afternoon session at Belews and had a blast. The wind was up, down, shifting but the lake is warm and we got quite a few planning reaches.

Barry got comfortable enough to use harness too! When the wind backed off in the evening I worked on pivot jibes in the cove. I'll post some of this later.

Stand Up Paddling on Belews

The best thing in the world for curing a stressful day is fresh air and time on the water. There was a steady NNW breeze and the coves near the launch site were like glass. Belews is as clear as an aquarium so you can see over 15ft down. I saw plenty of bream, bass, turtles and one big carp that was right next to my board. You don't need any special equipment- I just use a kayak paddle and a floaty beginner board.

As the sun set I paddled out toward the north end for the great view of Hanging Rock. If I get my hands on a waterproof camera I'll post this view- it is really something. Here is a tailgate shot after sunset. It looks like the lake is running down a steep grade but turn up the volume and prepare to be relaxed anyway... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

Easter Epic Session! 4/11/09

Ahhh. Nothing like that fresh out of energy feeling after a full day on the board. I met Tom at Belews at 10:30 while the wind was still W and turning NW. Gusty but we got some good runs in until he broke his universal within 15 minutes of hitting the water :[ Not to fear since a couple very kind fishermen gave him a slow ride back up to the point.

He brought his lab out with him and the dog actually tows him back to the point when he hits the N wind line! You just can't beat man's best friend.

Moses came out too with 4 other kayakers. Great to see so many bodies at the launch having a blast. There was enough air that they had to keep the bow and stern against the eye of the wind so they made a run to the dam and back. I wish I had a pic of the kayaks and windsurfers on the water...

Sailing on Easter Weekend

This was another excellent day to work on intermediate skills. Leah is getting up wind and out/back in the gusts without the dagger board! I made a vid to show her progress- hopefully you'll enjoy it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHt10lzICyw&feature=email

After Work Bliss 4/8/09

I'm glad Belews is so close. This turned out to be one of the best sessions of the year. Lots of time in the straps planning with my 106L board and 7.5 Gotta love that S wind blowing up swells for bump and jump. Belews is warm enough to sail comfortably barefoot and the launch site is green- it's Spring time at the lake!

Surprise Stokage for Sunday!

Leah and I made it back to Belews Sunday for some standup paddling. A south wind changed our plans and we had a great day of windsurfing! From 3pm to after dark the wind was averaging > 15mph- I spent lots of time planning and in the straps overpowered with a 7.5 sail. Early planning boards are the ticket to light air- some of the time earlier in the day I was planning with a 5.0 and a 4.7 in the gusts...

Leah was on the Starboard GO and had trouble holding the 4.7. The forecast called for 9-12 mph which would have been a good choice but the actual wind called for something more like a 3.5. Good thing we have training sails in the container on site!

Beautiful Spring Day at Belews

Leah and I got out to the private sailing site yesterday for some spring windsurfing. She did an excellent job with her new 166L GO! She is sailing up wind and tacking very well without the dagger fin.

The water stays above 50F year round and it won't be long now when you can be comfortable in a spring suit. We hope to see more folks in the warm weather to come!