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The family and I headed to the beach on Sunday. Bob Hall Pier, on South Padre Island. What a fantastic beach! I loved it, it was clean, uncrowded (even on Labor Day weekend) and the smallish, erratic waves were fun to play in. We had a good time.
Unfortunately, during this good time, I should have been out sailing. That's right, I should have blown off the family, but I didn't. So, I arrive at BIB for my second day on the water since I've moved here about 2 hours late. The wind is still blowing, about 7.5 - 8.5 weather, but all I have is a 6.5 and a 100 liter board. Oh, well, I ain't gonna sit on the beach and complain. I rig up and slog for about an hour. Just like Montana! I got up to speed a couple of times, but nothing major. The wind would just shut off -- 20 mph to 5 in a heartbeat. I find out later that it'd been doing solid 6.0 for a couple hours there. Arhhhgh!
There were a few pluses: I managed to uphaul the sail once. I wanted to try to see if I could on the small board and I didn't really have much trouble. Added confidence for those light wind days, or when the wind is dying, the tide is going out and it's getting dark. I also fought for a bunch of really light air water starts. Coming from Montana, I've become quite proficient at those.
I also was able to rig the 3 cam sail quicker -- about 15 minutes from arrival to water, not bad. And, I saw my first kiter up close. He looked to be pretty good, but it was hard to tell. He came in shortly after I arrived. One mystery to me about the kiting was how the wakeboard style riders turned. It looks as though they have to come to a complete stop, while the kite starts powering in the other direction. Looks fun, though.
I also now have my very own vehicle again! I bought my wife a new minivan and I get the old one to stuff my gear in.
All in all, it was much like a Montana Epic Day, but just another crappy day in a place where the wind really blows. I'm gonna hit this thing one day. I'm itching to pull out the 5.1 or 4.7!
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