Post by ibex on May 14, 2009 19:09:30 GMT -5
Yesterday's tale left off with my wetsuit hung up to dry in the shower, and a forecast for today of 28 S with gusts up to 45.
I heard through the grapevine that the Rochester A-team was going to be at Seneca the following morning, and when I got up today, the first thing I did was check the winds, and the iWindsurf weather station on Seneca was down, but the two nearby stations were rocking in the 30's with gust in the 40s. The forecast was like some massive inkblot test, but in deep purple (a color we rarely see) centered directly over the finger lakes.
There is a ridge that you cross in a little town called Ovid, where you get your first view of Seneca lake (when coming from the SE) and from 4+ miles away, I can already see the powerful, white-lipped swells stacking up on their journey northward. Since I had to drive by Seneca anyways on my way to school I decide to pull in, with continuing on to Canandaigua as my backup plan in case it was blowing too strong.
A quick bit of background, mostly for the Ithacan's reading this. In our small windsurfing community, one could count on one hand the number of folks who have 10+ yrs of experience, with skills, motivation, and gear to match. By contrast, just up the road in ROC, they easily have 20+ people like that, and lots of folks in between. Suffice it to say, that if you ever want to connect with the broader NY sailing community, get yourself over to:
rochwindsports.proboards.com/index.cgi
or show up to Seneca when its blowing 30 out of the South. There is ZERO shortage of used gear for sale, experienced sailors to learn from/sail with, or people that are willing to drive an hour for good wind in our area. Simply put, these folks are great. nuff said.
When I roll in everyone is piling out of the water after their first session, most rigged on 3.7's and everyone looks beat.... like a scene from Band of Brothers, one at a time Mark, Bill, Joe, Art, Doug (and I think I am forgetting someone) all haul their tiniest gear back to the grassy rigging area, to re-rig in the 4.5 - 5.0 range now that the wind has come below 30mph. Everyone is exceptionally welcoming despite the clearly epic session that is underway, and its great to finally put faces with the names of some of these folks.
I pull out my 4.7 - the only new sail I have ever bought, that truthfully doesn't get used a ton - but has a special significance as one of the first real purchases I chose to make when I regained a large measure of autonomy in my life a few months ago. With the wind hauling in the high twenties, and as the first person to head back to the water, I have the "oh... do NOT catapult right here in front of everyone" feeling - then I think - what the h*ll does it matter, these people know I catapult dozens of times in a session.
Pushing off into the rolling waters, mercifully, it only takes until only my second run to be able to get back in the straps. Feeling much better that the "time to regain the last high point" of technique has shrunk to just 10 minutes. I enjoy several nice planing runs, and even though I am consistently getting blown downwind of the 2-3 other sails that are now on the water, its nice to be able to comfortably play in the high winds.
Back on shore, Joe gives me some gear pointers (moving the mast base back for high winds) and then he says "you need to get those gloves off" (insert quizzical look from me) "really?" "oh yeah, you are going to have much better control of the boom and your forearms aren't going to get pumped, none of those other guys out there have gloves on today". I figure that its worth giving a try - as there is something to be said for the comforting feeling, when plunging off a cliff, of knowing that at least you are nose to *ss with the other lemmings in front of you. The gloves come off, and I head back into the water in a nice long gust that is pushing 30 mph.
What followed was a pretty transformative moment - while in the straps and on a beam reach, I felt the "pre-catapult sensation" but the power was coming on too fast for the usual antidote of sinking into the harness. Without many good options, I press down hard with both heels, the board rounds sharply upwind and accelerates up the face of a big 4 foot swell, and for the first time in my 8 month windsurfing career - the wind touches the underside of my board - and I am airborne.
On touchdown, I feel the fin strikes first, then the board in a mighty curtain of spray, but I am still hooked in, strapped in, and still planing. There aren't words to describe how I felt at that moment, the only thing I can say, was that it was a true "moment of grace" (not so much on my part, but simply due to the providence of the occasion). I previously had viewed these waves as something to be feared, as cold icy demons that filled the neck of your wetsuit with paralyzingly cold water. In that moment - everything changed.... These swells were now one huge playground.
And for the next 40 minutes, it was recess.
It is hard to describe to someone the point at which one gains "agency" over the challenge of fighting with strong winds and big-ish waves, but an interesting milestone is when (funny enough) that its easier to attempt a gybe - with FULL knowledge that you aren't going to make it - but knowing that its faster and less effort to waterstart after the attempt, than it is to try and tack. The best part is when you are bobbing in the water, trying to waterstart and you look longingly at the big waves that crash over you - and instead of being scared - you think d*mn! I missed another good one.
A few runs later, and a few smaller jumps, and its time to bail and get to school. I quickly thank the guys and head out in the steady patter of rain that is now falling around us. Today was an incredible day - my first real success with higher winds and bigger waves. Munching my sandwich as I head westward, I marvel to myself that Mother nature gives us a pretty amazing place to play. Now we just need another good S day....
Have a great night everyone!
Shawn
I heard through the grapevine that the Rochester A-team was going to be at Seneca the following morning, and when I got up today, the first thing I did was check the winds, and the iWindsurf weather station on Seneca was down, but the two nearby stations were rocking in the 30's with gust in the 40s. The forecast was like some massive inkblot test, but in deep purple (a color we rarely see) centered directly over the finger lakes.
There is a ridge that you cross in a little town called Ovid, where you get your first view of Seneca lake (when coming from the SE) and from 4+ miles away, I can already see the powerful, white-lipped swells stacking up on their journey northward. Since I had to drive by Seneca anyways on my way to school I decide to pull in, with continuing on to Canandaigua as my backup plan in case it was blowing too strong.
A quick bit of background, mostly for the Ithacan's reading this. In our small windsurfing community, one could count on one hand the number of folks who have 10+ yrs of experience, with skills, motivation, and gear to match. By contrast, just up the road in ROC, they easily have 20+ people like that, and lots of folks in between. Suffice it to say, that if you ever want to connect with the broader NY sailing community, get yourself over to:
rochwindsports.proboards.com/index.cgi
or show up to Seneca when its blowing 30 out of the South. There is ZERO shortage of used gear for sale, experienced sailors to learn from/sail with, or people that are willing to drive an hour for good wind in our area. Simply put, these folks are great. nuff said.
When I roll in everyone is piling out of the water after their first session, most rigged on 3.7's and everyone looks beat.... like a scene from Band of Brothers, one at a time Mark, Bill, Joe, Art, Doug (and I think I am forgetting someone) all haul their tiniest gear back to the grassy rigging area, to re-rig in the 4.5 - 5.0 range now that the wind has come below 30mph. Everyone is exceptionally welcoming despite the clearly epic session that is underway, and its great to finally put faces with the names of some of these folks.
I pull out my 4.7 - the only new sail I have ever bought, that truthfully doesn't get used a ton - but has a special significance as one of the first real purchases I chose to make when I regained a large measure of autonomy in my life a few months ago. With the wind hauling in the high twenties, and as the first person to head back to the water, I have the "oh... do NOT catapult right here in front of everyone" feeling - then I think - what the h*ll does it matter, these people know I catapult dozens of times in a session.
Pushing off into the rolling waters, mercifully, it only takes until only my second run to be able to get back in the straps. Feeling much better that the "time to regain the last high point" of technique has shrunk to just 10 minutes. I enjoy several nice planing runs, and even though I am consistently getting blown downwind of the 2-3 other sails that are now on the water, its nice to be able to comfortably play in the high winds.
Back on shore, Joe gives me some gear pointers (moving the mast base back for high winds) and then he says "you need to get those gloves off" (insert quizzical look from me) "really?" "oh yeah, you are going to have much better control of the boom and your forearms aren't going to get pumped, none of those other guys out there have gloves on today". I figure that its worth giving a try - as there is something to be said for the comforting feeling, when plunging off a cliff, of knowing that at least you are nose to *ss with the other lemmings in front of you. The gloves come off, and I head back into the water in a nice long gust that is pushing 30 mph.
What followed was a pretty transformative moment - while in the straps and on a beam reach, I felt the "pre-catapult sensation" but the power was coming on too fast for the usual antidote of sinking into the harness. Without many good options, I press down hard with both heels, the board rounds sharply upwind and accelerates up the face of a big 4 foot swell, and for the first time in my 8 month windsurfing career - the wind touches the underside of my board - and I am airborne.
On touchdown, I feel the fin strikes first, then the board in a mighty curtain of spray, but I am still hooked in, strapped in, and still planing. There aren't words to describe how I felt at that moment, the only thing I can say, was that it was a true "moment of grace" (not so much on my part, but simply due to the providence of the occasion). I previously had viewed these waves as something to be feared, as cold icy demons that filled the neck of your wetsuit with paralyzingly cold water. In that moment - everything changed.... These swells were now one huge playground.
And for the next 40 minutes, it was recess.
It is hard to describe to someone the point at which one gains "agency" over the challenge of fighting with strong winds and big-ish waves, but an interesting milestone is when (funny enough) that its easier to attempt a gybe - with FULL knowledge that you aren't going to make it - but knowing that its faster and less effort to waterstart after the attempt, than it is to try and tack. The best part is when you are bobbing in the water, trying to waterstart and you look longingly at the big waves that crash over you - and instead of being scared - you think d*mn! I missed another good one.
A few runs later, and a few smaller jumps, and its time to bail and get to school. I quickly thank the guys and head out in the steady patter of rain that is now falling around us. Today was an incredible day - my first real success with higher winds and bigger waves. Munching my sandwich as I head westward, I marvel to myself that Mother nature gives us a pretty amazing place to play. Now we just need another good S day....
Have a great night everyone!
Shawn
, just as I am about to put my foot on the board to do a beach start, I realize the neck seal on my dry suit had ripped wide open 
just kidding man I friggin' love you!)
Don't tell my advisor 
