Belews Kayaking & Windsurfing May 16th

Leah and I got to Belews around 3pm for some pretty good SSE wind. Leah is looking good tacking out and back- that SSE is a little tricky close to the cove and she did very well handling the gusts and lulls. The tack execution is getting better too since she is starting to put more foot pressure on the board. Maybe next session she can work up to using the harness lines...

Moses Adams came out so after the windsurfing we went kayaking. It was Leah's first time and Moses had her set in no time! We headed out for Carolina Marina by way of the scenic shore route. Lots of flowers are blooming so the coves are gorgeous. If you have thought about trying kayaking or want to give it another go Moses is the man to hook you up.

Tony Lombardo also came for a visit with his daughter. Tony has been an active windsurfer in the area for many years but took some time off when she was born. Now he is back and ready for action! We should have a lot of new faces around this spring since quite a few are getting back to this awesome sport. If you haven't got your gear ready to go GET ON IT!

OBX 5/8-10 !!!!!!!

I missed all of April at the OBX but I made up for that this weekend. The wind has been solid the past couple of weeks and Friday - Sunday was no exception! Friday was building through the afternoon and I ended the day on a 5.2 after dropping down from a 5.8.


Saturday was 20s-40s but averaging 25-35 mph. I picked up an 85L RRD FSW from Andy at Sailworld Hatteras Friday and used it sunrise to sunset Saturday on a 4.2! The water is warm and the day was sunny so swim trunks were in order. If you like bump & jump it was fan-frick'n-tastic stuff with lots of looping and tail-grabs all around. Watch Andy's vid of wave sailing Saturday at ramp 34.


Sunday the wind went NE so I sailed a 6.5 on the 106L from early morning to around 1pm. I got some good vids of this action. I will try to get some footage on the 85L next time- this weekend I was worried about breaking equipment Saturday... Check out my video on youtube if you want to see what it is like. Click the HQ to watch it high quality.

May 4- Inland Wind. What more can I say?

Folks I had to try. Sunday was a skunk for windsurfing but kayaking with Moses was great. Barry and I hit the lake yesterday about 2pm and the SW wind was churning up some fair chop. It was blowing SW in the upper teens to 20's in Greensboro but was maybe 10-15 at Belews. Go figure. The edge of the front is hovering a little too close to us- an hour south of here is the place to be. Jordan, Badin and Norman are probably well lit. I came very close to heading to Oak Hollow lake in High Point but I'm not sure how it is in SW and where to launch. Anyone had any experience there?

At any rate, it was a bit puffy but it was still a good lunch session. Barry is getting much more comfortable using the harness and staying up wind. He is also pushing the nose while sheeting in during the gusts and not rounding into the eye of the wind. Way to go man! I took some video using the gopro camera- not too bad if I do say so myself...

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!