Early Bird Catches the Worm

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    • #3490
      Geoff
      Participant

      Problem with days when it goes off early and then gets still or stormy, is that for those of us who don’t live near the spot you’ve got to get up and outta there in order to get any TOW. So it was today…I woke up, having gone to bed exhausted and still not recovered from travel and a week of 0600-2230 days at a conference in Boston. But the HWS buoy indicated 11 kts and I knew I had to get to Geneva. Arrived at about 0850.

      RxBob was there, I rigged as fast as I could (I can imagine Bob wishing that I’d just come help him get his kite launched, but he waited patiently for me). Went out and really had too much fin for the gusts. It was pretty wild, I’d say 5-25, big holes, but sustained and really strong gusts. I was on the 7.5 / iSonic and big fin having lots of trouble in the swirly gusts. After 45 minutes or so of getting knocked around, I came in for the easiest adjustment (smaller fin). RxBob came in too, as it was a little wild and there was a squall about to hit.

      After the fin change, we went back out and – boy, what a difference. I also lowered the boom, made for a little less back foot pressure, and I was in better control. We sailed a bit more Brad stopped by (having launched from the Town Dock area), and then a bigger squall line came up so we came in to avoid getting into trouble. That was about 1130, after which it died down and then the serious squall lines started coming in, so we packed it in.

      Water is about 65ºF, according to the HWS buoy. I wore a shorty with sleeves and a hood (odd combo that I’ve never tried before, but it was good – no shock and awe when falling in…didn’t even feel cold).

      Best outing of the year for me, so far, but it’s only my 3rd session…the wind has been awful so far, I should be at least on #7 or more!!

    • #3491
      windydoug
      Keymaster

      I got there just in time to see both kites come off the water.  Nuts!!!

      I furiously rigged, but it was all for not.  I sat through a few squalls and left town around 11:30 myself.

      Glad you scored.

      wd

    • #3492
      Geoff
      Participant

      Oh, sorry Doug. Hate it when I get skunked like that. Hopefully you can get some of today’s wind…it’s not a great direction for Ithaca.

    • #3493
      PharmaBob
      Participant

      The early Sunday session on Seneca was indeed a couple of hours of pre-frontal fun. Enjoyed it on my 10.5 Jekyll and a couple of different sized boards. A few bombs and lulls here and there and some small wind direction variations in an otherwise surprisingly good session despite the forecast. Local venue and weather knowledge coupled with a few phone radar consults and dumb luck resulted in a session score for Geoff, Brad and myself…got to get up earlier WD. Tough spring season so far…taking what we’re given. See you on the water.

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