Tale of Two Wednesdays

[1footwilly]

Not many reports being posted so I thought it was about time to ante up with a dual Hamburg review.
First last Wednesday. A nice solid 5.2 for yours truly, a handful of windsurfers there, Wet suit Mark, "Slim" Jones, "Pain Killer" Kinger, a few others. Anyhow a great day, in fact I was seduced into believing that I was finally learning how to jibe, both directions none the less.
Big Mistake.
Hamburg a week later...
Gusty side shore winds and a lot more traffic in the water. About a dozen windsurfters...that Guy with the Quatro mobile store, the two brothers, of whom I only remember Steve. Sunchip Jimmy, some guy named Jeromy, Exocet Greg, Mark H. again, da Slim man Jones, Jimmy K, the guy with the Heater business, and at least 14 kiters.
Anyhow a different day, a different challenge. I rigged a 5.8 which worked fine for the most part. Couldn't jibe on the inside to save the live of a gnat. Serious ADHD problems with the traffic on the water, the swimmers, Kite groupies on shore and those breaking waves which magically appeared just as I went to flip the sail. Results, uglier than lycra on an old man's ass.
I need not dwell on the details. I think the wind was much more side shore than the previous Wednesday and that DUH you make adjustments...clearly I did not.
Bottom line, back to Jibe 101, and reality. Anyhow that's my technical review of 2 days in Hamburg.
I also would like to know what happen to our illustrious contingent in the Gorge. No news? No postings? Does this mean I'll have to walk away AS they're telling me how awesome it was out there instead of me just refusing to read the reports? Please.

[2footTillie]

Since no one ever commented about the Gorge postings no one bothered to send them.

[Windydoug]

Oh 1foot...the potential of your screen name is endless. I'm not the kind of guy to compare, but I fall short of your 1' measuring stick.
Your extensive and in depth review of Hamburg is much appreciated. It was thorough and colorful...I could picture all of the characters" that you were talking about. I don't know Exocett Greg, the heater business guy or Wetsuit Mark, but I feel like I could give them a high five after a good Hamburg session if I were there. You should meet windkid......or perhaps you already have.....over a beer or six.
I too have missed the Gorge updates....Mark filled us in last summer and replaced our wonder (usually after our daily IWind check of no wind in WNY and nukin winds in the Gorge) with confirmation of awesome conditions and good adventures. I spoke with Joe and Mark around mid July and they reported only one day of non sailing. 4.2 had been the sail of choice most days. Mark has gone skinny (not Ontario Buoy skinny, mast skinny) and got his masts hand delivered by the Ezzy rep. in the Gorge, who Steve Howie called on has behalf.
Joe called minutes before I left the U.S.A. for Canada last week so I couldn't talk, but he did mention that they would probably head this way sometime this week.

I tried and failed to sail at Long Pond last Wednesday....windy but wrong direction till I was leaving. Met a newer Kite guy named Don, he is a buddy of Long Pond Steve's. It looks like Steve is thinking of moving down the road to a Lake Ontario facing house and his place is up for sale.....hopefully he will mention to the new owners that we are a good bunch of people who will respect the yard/rigging area.
Again, thanks for posting 1footwilly...it takes time to type, but it is making this windless day a little more tolerable.
windy(twofoot)doug