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Post by Windydoug on Dec 20, 2009 21:54:07 GMT -5
Rick and I got out on the NE corner of Irondequiot Bay this afternoon for some freeskate (ice windsurfing/skate sailing) action in about 13mph of wind. The ice was quite smooth at our regular spot, and upon repeated attempts to break through near shore with a big boulder we figure the ice to be nearly 3 inches thick.
We got in a couple hours of sailing before darkness came. As we were riggin up, the ice motorcycle guys were just finishing up a little further to the east. Some fishermen were out as well.
So if you have any interest in giving a freeskate a try, or you have one of your own, get on down to the Bay. As long as the snow doesn't pile up significantly and the wind is blowing 10 mph plus I will probably be heading out each day beginning at 3:00 or so. The location we launch from is about 200 yards past the outlet bridge heading east. Pass all the boats on land at marina, then an open view of the Bay, followed by some trees, a utility building and then parking lot. Leave a post or e mail me if yo uare interested.
rochesterwindsports@yahoo.com
Windydoug
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Post by Windydoug on Dec 21, 2009 21:30:15 GMT -5
Again today for an hour and fifteen minutes on the glassy ice of Irondequoit Bay. Could happen again tomorrow...........
WD
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Post by gotwind on Dec 22, 2009 11:19:50 GMT -5
Is the ice too smooth to use a snowboard and kite?
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Post by Windydoug on Dec 22, 2009 13:00:35 GMT -5
I would say yes, it is too smooth. Would work well with skates I would think.
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Post by gotwind on Dec 22, 2009 14:01:58 GMT -5
I bet I could really get moving with skates! Might have to find some on craigslist....
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Post by Windydoug on Dec 23, 2009 12:33:56 GMT -5
Looks like this afternoon should be spectacular on Irondequoit Bay. I will hope to be there by 4 p.m. as sail till dark. Any interest, join me/us, dress warmly and bring a helmet. Leather work gloves work best for holding boom, and arm fatigue. Also bring harness. Looks to be 3.7-4.2 conditions.
Happy Holidays,
Doug
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Post by mike on Dec 25, 2009 17:45:14 GMT -5
Do you have some info on the boards you are using on the ice? thanks!
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Post by technocj on Dec 25, 2009 17:47:07 GMT -5
Do you have some info on the boards you are using? Thanks!
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Post by waterauthorityrick on Dec 26, 2009 21:14:20 GMT -5
These boards we are all using for the most part are home made. I made mine some 25 years ago from a direct copy of a guy in Bushnell Basin who was making and selling to other sailors. If anyone is interested they can look at mine and we can even get some measurements off of it.
In short the board consists a piece of plywood, large skateboard trucks and four 12" blades.
H2O Rick
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Post by gotwind on Dec 29, 2009 13:11:01 GMT -5
Is there still ice on the Bay or is it too soft from the meltdown over the weekend?
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Post by Windydoug on Dec 30, 2009 21:52:08 GMT -5
H2O Rick did a drive by and saw some people out playing hockey. He described the ice as being half snow and half ice, with an area that looked doable but small out in the middle. I'm gong to drive over tomorrow if I have the time and the wind. I'll try to update here.
WD
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Post by Windydoug on Dec 30, 2009 22:06:02 GMT -5
Hey TechnoCJ, Glad you found the Forum page and decided to join. Plans for the ice boards, freeskates, skate sailers..many names, are at the link below. www.amcboston.org/windsurf/iceboardinfo/I built my board following these plans, but as h2o Rick mentioned not more than a board, skate trucks, blades and bolts is required to have a good time. Check the pic below for a photo of our two board together. They are a bit different but are fairly equal the whole way around.  I can do up a bunch of construction pics if anybody is interested. Doug |
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Post by Windydoug on Jan 1, 2010 21:56:34 GMT -5
Ice Update:
I drove do to the Bay this afternoon to check the ice conditions and things looked decent. I didn't sail, since the mostly exposed ice was also covered with a watery slushy top, but it was solid to walk on and withstood the 5 pound rock throw test pertty well. I would estimate the thickness of the ice at just under three inches. For things to look good in the future we would need the ice to refreeze before any substantial snow, and then hope we don't actually get any substantial snow. At any rate, the temps. are looking good to get some serious ice forming on the Bay and perhaps other places. Anybody checked Long Pond or Cranberry Pond? Or even Mendon Pond?
Doug
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Post by waterauthorityrick on Jan 2, 2010 11:19:03 GMT -5
Ice update 1-2-10 Didn't walk out onto it and as Doug mentioned yesterday it had a slight slush top. As I did a drive by after ice hockey this morning even after the 2" of fresh snow last night there were what seemed to be slush spots. The good news is that there is still snowless spots also good news is the air temp 11 degrees. I watched as one either duck hunter or fisherman headed out into the open water in his small boat from the launch on the north end. It looked to be freezing over quickly as I could see where the other hunting/fishing enthusiasts carved a channel thru the fast freezing ice. Hope the one guy makes it back before it freezes. Also the attached is a cool link to some ice video: Bill we need your camera for our own future ice sessions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU8DghPDHasH2O Rick |
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