lulls: 5
    average: 13
    gusts: 22

It was a beautiful and crowded day at BIB today. Lots of people there to take in the forecasted 15-25 that was more 15 than 25.

I got there early, about 10:45, and fiddled with gear. I bought a new 460 mast and a base and uni. I put some beating straps on the Equipe because I wanted to take it out and play around and see what I could do to learn on it a bit. I will be racing it in about a month, and I am not familiar with the board at all.

I also wanted to check out the water depth in some areas so I rigged up the 7.8 and put it on the Equipe and took off downwind (offshore). I explored the areas I wanted to check out (a crossing to some deeper areas so I can take my Carve out there when it's really windy and take in some more chop).

That done I played around for a bit, heading up and down wind and reaching a little, just trying to get comfortable. I'll say this: I can see why longboards aren't as popular, at least at planing speeds. They are slow and unresponsive. Even tacking is harder than on a shortboard because of how long it takes to get the front around, through the wind. Maybe the upwind performance is good, I guess, but the going is slow. If it's at all windy at the races, I'm putting my big fin on the Allstar and hope to go that way.

After about an hour I came in and put out the Allstar. I went out and immediately had some crazy pain in my big toe. The toe was all puffy in a small spot, probably and ingrown toenail (my wife thought). I also stubbed it on the Equipe during a tack. So, on the Allstar, I took off on a plane and got my front foot in the strap, then tried to put my back foot in and I stubbed it on the strap (somewhat common, if I'm feeling around to get in there). OWHWWWWWWHHHHH!!! Man did that hurt. It was just an insignificant little owie and it was killing my enjoyment. I didn't want to try a fast tack for fear of stubbing it, I didn't want to put it in the rear strap, I didn't want to do anything.

Instead of simply bearing it, I went ashore to take a look at it. I was able to break the wound and drain it a bit and it felt much better. I also fashioned a small splint out of some plastic and taped it to my toe, protruding out like a really long toenail, to prevent any stubbing from hitting it. Worked like a charm.

I headed back out and was able to get some great rides in. I started getting overpowered so I decided to come in and rig the 6.6 and put on the Carve with the 15.5" fin. I thought maybe the new mast would help the lowend, and the big fin would help me get up planing quicker. Then I could blast around and pull off some great jibes. Nope.

The wind had died to 10 by the time I got back out, so I played around for 30 minutes and packed it in. Hopefully my toe will be fine tomorrow, as the wind is supposed to be really good.

Sailed with Mike M., Thomas, saw Tina & Mia from Dallas again, met Matt & his friend from Houston, The Dog (on his big Start) and the Dallas boys, including Richard and Mike S. who just moved to town (Navy pilot). Decent day, nice weather, warm enough for a shortie again.