Utah Windriders Association

The south winds at Lindon own me. I got worked... again. I guess I am just a casual plane guy, but I can see the potential fun of strong wind and swells. Lots of terrian to carve, jump etc. I am just not ready yet. You are right Leo I must get the waterstart locked in to progress. Oh, and brrrrrrrrr!

also, get a smaller board. something in the 120L range would help a lot in this type of condition.

Leo Chan wrote:also, get a smaller board. something in the 120L range would help a lot in this type of condition.

Once the air and water warm a little more I will break out the 122L Hopefully soon!

Those boards are close in size. I would go with something smaller like 100 to 110 depending on your weight and get those water starts dialed in.

My board quiver. 85L 102L 122L 138L certainly some overlap. (I Just picked up a used/demo 2009 GO 122) could be a mistake, then again the 138 is starting show its age. At any rate I have had some success waterstarting, but definantly not dependable. My attempt to success ratio is not good. I guess I just need to bear down and focus on it. So far Its been soo much fun to uphaul and go on Utah Lake and DC in large sail conditions (7.5) without fighting to get the sail in position etc. When the water is warm I will be spending some time on it. Its become a priority for sure if I want to move forward. I hope to make a trip up to Grants to watch small gear riding and give it a try. maybe mm19 on a front, but Grants sounds pretty sweet with the calm-ish water. 90 miles and awful early for me but I think it would be worth it.

Unfashionable though it may be, a PFD makes water starting MUCH easier, especially while you're learning. And it provides a little extra insulation. And it has no significant downside (except its modest cost.)

JimSouthwick wrote:Unfashionable though it may be, a PFD makes water starting MUCH easier, especially while you're learning. And it provides a little extra insulation. And it has no significant downside (except its modest cost.)

Great idea Jim I have a PFD so may as well give it a try.

Just for reference, I find it much more difficult to swim (fast) in a PFD. Like when you get separated from your rig, and the wind
and waves are moving it away from you (like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqjM68ZRg70). They do help while learning to waterstart, and they do actually make PFDs that address the swimming thing (not coast guard approved)but even they aren't great.

-Craig

JimSouthwick wrote:Unfashionable though it may be, a PFD makes water starting MUCH easier, especially while you're learning. And it provides a little extra insulation. And it has no significant downside (except its modest cost.)

Come out to Grantsville its safe, but cold. Great place to learn waterstarts, jibes and just about every freestyle move you can think of. MM19 has the largest swell in utah when its going and I would not suggest going there until you have a good waterstart in over and under powered conditions. Grants may happen Sunday & Monday, if you make it and its windy I would more then happy to give you some free advice

PFD is da shizzz. Use it!

Craig, I guess you would have to write off your gear at that altitude. I don’t know if Phelps could catch up. I suppose I should wait for onshore wind to use the PFD and be sure not to jump 50’+

Mike, I will take you up on your offer. Ever since seeing some photos last year of jibes on what looked like grants glass. I have been salivating to get up there. (even if only to watch) I made the trip once. Up at 4am drove up, rigged by 6am but of course the wind didn’t cooperate. I ended up Slogging around watching people fish. I Would love to get any pointers I can, but I might want to wait a bit for the water to warm up… Just don’t laugh too much when you see me sail.

Leo, I tried my PFD once, but it made it difficult to hook in. I will have to figure that one out, or just dedicate a session or two to waterstarts and leave the harness out.

heh! maybe I could practice at lincoln beach in the the shadow of the Jetty. Only problem is when the wind is good that territory fills up with lots of kite looping psycho's!!!


Thanks, Shawn

Shawn:

In light to medium conditions I doubt your gear will fly away. Anything is possible though. On Utah Lake I have seen lots of gear fly away. Last trip out to mm19 a few weeks ago my gear launched and I had to swim fast to chase it down. With a PFD and/or baggy drysuit swimming gets pretty slow.

There are vests made specific to windsurfing. Kayaking vests work well. A typical vest is going to push your harness hook down which makes it difficult to use.

Look for a used kayak vest and that should do the trick.

Oh yeah, Leo 120 liters is considered a big board by most people. I use 100 liters for my 6.3m. Some days a 120 would be better. Come start sailing with Mike E and I then we will get you up to speed.

Will do, Josh. When the water temp is warmer than 60, I will be in Grantsville.

The Rock Star and I were at Doug's that day (Sarah and Linda also I think). It's somewhat humbling when you're just trying to survive a
trip across the river and maybe pop off a 10 footer in the lulls and Dale amps into a big swell and takes off like a missle getting air
even a Kite Boarder would appreciate. He's mortal though, I saw him limping up the beach later that afternoon saying the landings from
50 ft are kinda hard. ;*)

-Craig

p.s. Wearing a PFD really really helps get the sail out of the water and flying on a water start. Once you get your waterstart down,
it opens up all sorts of possibilities for wind and water, and really boosts your confidence. I've taught people how to do it in a day
with the proper wind and gear. If you get up to Hood River this year, I'll dedicate a couple of hours to your confidence.

Shawn Henderson wrote:Craig, I guess you would have to write off your gear at that altitude. I don’t know if Phelps could catch up. I suppose I should wait for onshore wind to use the PFD and be sure not to jump 50’+




Thanks, Shawn