I thought this would be my first wavesailing session since 1995, but I just could not wake up in time to meet everyone down in Port-A. Work wiped me out Friday, and that evening I had a late night with kids and basketball.

I heard the wind howl during the night, so I wondered how much would be left on Lake Travis this morning. When i got there, folks coming in were rigged in the sixes, but it looked good enough for me to rig a 6.2m2 Blade and pull out the Cross 117.

The wind was great! My fingers started to get cold after 45 minutes, as I had not fallen in once. I was planing out of practically all my gybes. The gear was feeling great. I guess I was worried how cold I would get if I fell in. NOT VERY. I finally started to try harder things like Ducks and JJs. The water was so warm and felt great. The hands heated right up. I got a few nice jumps, but mainly just had a great time freesailing a beautiful day. I never felt tired, and sailed pretty much straight for three hours.

I left early (missed my friends), and caught Owen's BB game just in time. He played great. I was so proud. Awesome day.

131- Signficant tropical cold front started about midmight and blew 30-40 until mid morning.  First out on the 4.7 for some short mostly planing but limited power runs.  Rigged 5.8 and had a full plane session walll to wall ending occasionally overpowered.  Made several round trips to the KRS working upwind on the return to the boat ramp and out the channel a couple of times.  Lots of weeds across the IWC and disorganized swell but good cruising.  Last out on 4.7 was better than earlier and tack changed to SI#1.   

This was one of the least fun days in recent memory, but luckily, I still ended with a good feeling because it's just so great to get out there and enjoy the gulf and the weather. The wind was about as squirrely as I've ever seen it here. I dont think I had one jump, not one smooth jibe, not one freestyle attempt of any sort, and I even got worked in the shorebreak for a while....I cant remember any one of those things happening recently, much less all four, in a single session. Oh well, it happens, and it makes me appreciate the good days. the good friends , warm water, and beautiful blue sky still made it worthwhile.

Tried to sail Packery in the morning, but didn't get past the shore break.  Only tried once and felt like I had no energy to try again.  I'm not sure me being healthy would have made much difference though.

2nd session at Bird was okay.  I was picking up lots of weeds, but that forced me to kind of bounce (vulcan practice?) to clear them off.  Rigged too big, so mostly did jibes, a few ducks.  Did try a shove-it which Mike caught the end of on video.  I am definately not doing them correctly.  It looked more like a shove-it table top, as my board was completely upside down.  Also tried a DW360 that came closer than I expected.  Brian says I have to push my hip forward to try to finish it off.

Wind was side off  and super light on the inside.  I got pounded forever trying to get out.  Once down it was hard to waterstart with the light wind and the waves were close together.   Wind was up and down but mostly filled in good on the outside.  Waves were nice and steep but  comeing in at an angle so if you got a good ride you would end up WAY downwind.  It was a Beautiful sunny day and we shared the waves with a huge pod of Dolphin.  They hung out for a long time I suppose feeding on something.  I think I sailed out further than I ever had just trying to get back upwind.  It wasn't as smooth on the outside.  Lots of people out. Lots of work but it was a windy sunny day on the water.

Venue 1 of 2:

A really tough day. Not the best day to return from a 13 year wave hiatus, if anyone was considering such a thing. Mike has a valid point though about this venue, in that the waves here pack more off the lip aerial potential than anywhere else in the vicinity. Still waiting for Mike to call me live from the Madonna concert...

PSG: Can't say. Too ashamed.

Venue 2 of 2:

A nice surpise of fully-powered super-planing wind in the afternoon. Gobs and gobs of vulcan attempts on the inside.

PSG: Chicken pot chicken pot chicken pot pie @ B, J, and M's.

Waves 4-6'.  Choppy Chop on the outside with the side-off wind and little jetty protection @ S. Packery.  Once inside the waves cleaned up considerably but, were still breaking in sections.  Steeper and bigger than Port A is typically, which is a plus.  That also made getting out from the inside more challenging.  The wind range was large this day too. 

I might have had a better time if I had brought my 5/3 wetsuit.  I felt cold and stiff in the 3/2 layered with my surf top and squid lid.  There were numerous dolpins around.  I found myself altering course several times to avoid them.  It seems they're more comfortable brushing by me than I am them when on a full plane.  OTW-1:30    

Waves 2-3'  Glassy again!  Good form.  A mix of short and some longer rides.  A nice peak formed on the north side of the pier right at low tide.  Smooth take offs and some short hollow sections.  A beautiful sunny morning with only 6 people out.  OTW-1:17

Waves 4-6'  and Glassy!  The wind really was zero. Some big beautiful pitching peaks.  Not lined up perfectly, kind of disorganized at times.   But, a great day of surf.  I saw 2 dolphins jump and almost land on a longboarder.   Clear water.  A weak front came through and then it just wasn't as good.  OTW - 2:00