board: 246 JP FSW FWS         sail: 5.8 EZZY WAVE PANTHER

099 - Made up for yesterday's marginal almost dry run but was it was still light with lots of holes.  One trip to SI#3 where the outside was a little better.  Otherwise BAF on the drop-off with mostly slow planing with occasional bursts of power, always flat water.  Just never quite filled in but the wind is getting better every day.  Great week-end for Worldwinds annual BBQ,

board: 246 JP FSW FWS         sail: 5.8 EZZY WAVE PANTHER

098 - A little more east, less wind and more holes but still enough to take advantage of the very smooth water along the drop-off.  First few runs were south along the drop-off to Lookout Point and back to the Horseshoe Spoil.  A little wind shift and eventually just did shorter runs BAF along the drop-off between the launch and north end, had it alone for awhile in classic flat water.  Mostly able to stay on plane and fairly powered at both ends until the wind got a little less consistent.  At the last just stayed in the pit and practiced falling in and getting back up trying to sail backwinded.  Overall it was a light but good late afternoon session which ties this June with June 2008 for the highest number of days sailed since 2001 with 20 days.  June was also a milestone for Robert ending with 16 consecutive days sailed.

board: Starboard Kode 94         sail: 5.5 Nash Koa

Pretty much a carbon copy of yesterday. I smacked my jaw on the boom doing something stupid and could taste some blood. Luckily it was just a scratch on my gum and the welt is under my goatee :-). Still smiling!

board: 246 JP FSW FWS         sail: 5.8 EZZY WAVE PANTHER

097 - Surprisingly good considering that it was pretty lite but turned out to be peak time for the day and was fairly consistent.  Managed 3 trips between SI#3 and the north end then several more to SI#2.  Otherwise mostly along the drop-off both directions between Lookout Point and the north end.  A few more holes inside but generally enough to stay on plane.  The classic smooth water made if feel fast and had it basically alone for awhile so there was not even any board wake.  There were four others sailing at peak time on an quiet Monday.  Couldn't get it off my mind  "...time to kill, what a thrill, June and July..." by The Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmo6giEpgAg&feature=related 

board: Starboard Kode 94         sail: 5.5 Nash Koa

Rigged the 5.5 and at first had a hard time planing up. Bagged it to tractor mode and that worked but not much fun. Soon, things picked up and tuned the sail a bit more normal. Great session for about two hours, didn't want to come in since things were dialed in. At the end of the day things jacked up and flattened the 5.5, which worked but it was a bit hairy at times and I was too tired to deal with it. A good day.

board:         sail:

Finally wind at a windfest. Not the steadiest but most people got to get out on the water. I think the organizers were worried it would be too windy. In the morning I went out on a Naish All Terrain 115 along with a 5.6 Revolution. I'd heard good things about the All Terrain and was thinking about maybe getting it as my big board here. But it doesn't seem to have the volume in the right places. While shlogging my ankles were wet? And pushing it through the jibes was work, maybe because I'm heavy on the tail. Next session happened to be on a Kode 94 (familiar, eh?) and a Revolution 5.0. The Kode felt much, much better of course :-). But the wind petered out and I wound up slogging in. At the end of the day, the wind had lightened up and I took out a XCite Ride 100 with a Retro 6.5. This was the best session of the day, with the 6.5 filling in the lulls and the small board eating up the chop in the gusts. But my many sessions on XCites just never feel very exciting to me--always dependable but just not very turny. I really wanted to test a Hucker but never had the opportunity, a lot of people were on the water. A nice day without one bit of rigging.

board: '07 JP Freestyle 100         sail: '08 NP Expression 5.7

Fun day with frequent planing and hanging with the Campbells.

I wanted to rig the 5.9 Pinhead, but this dude got to it first: (Happiness is a what???!!!!!!)

board: Exocet Cruiser - beginner board, Starboard Carve 16         sail: Ezzy Wave 3.3, Ezzy Wave 4.7

Rigged up our smallest sail for my nephew to give it a spin and for me to do light wind practice.  The only problem was the wind was straight onshore and all the docks were board magnets.  Also the water was unusually rough, but I did managed my normal helitacks and SB360s and tried some backwinding, but I tend to go straight downwind and can't see the docks as well from that position.  My nephew did remarkably well and next time should take a bigger sail.  My dad was out a long time enjoying his "new" board and I took his kit for a ride when he was taking a break.  Was able to get the 160 on a plane a few times.

board: 246 JP FSW FWS         sail: 5.8 EZZY WAVE PANTHER

096 - Marginal forecast without big gear but managed to give it a go and did alright.  Mostly slow planing with smaller holes on the outside than on the inside.  Made half dozen round trips to SI#3 and once to Boom Point with a couple of returns along the drop-off.   On the inside it was a little more hit and miss but the water was flat making it worthwhile.  Believe the water temperatures are the highest I've ever noticed, even more theraputic than a hot tub.  This is likely the last day for this month, which ends up making this the second best June and the best year to date total since 2001.

board: JP radical wave 65L         sail: 5.2 Worldsail '05