You've been with us all this summer and it's probably been the best summer for winds since I started windsurfing.

You know I normally use a 6.2 sail and a 136 L board to get going in about 12/13 knots of sea breeze, but this summer it's been the 5.9 and the 115 L board that have been used first off, so the starting wind speed has been around 14/15 knots. It's also been remarkable how quickly you have built from around 6/8 knots in the morning to the 14 knots when you arrived in the early afternoon. I even began to rig the 5.9 in anticipation of your arrival and was rewarded by you on most occasions. Remember when you didn't stay at 14 knots, often quickly building to 19 and 20 knots, allowing even smaller sails and boards? It was a joy to change down, thanks.

Sadly, all things must pass and this last week was disappointing. From Big Thursday to virtually nothing over Easter and then last night you faded from 20 knots to 10/12 knots just as I arrived after work to play with you. Oh, you fickle hussy!

The forecast for the next 7 days is poor and it looks like you've gone and left your Autumn friend behind. We know from experience that he's pretty lame and if we get a sail one day of the weekend we'll be doing well. Is there any chance that you are playing with my emotions and you'll spring up from nowhere, confounding the metior, métier , meteorilogists , weather people?

On top of this, Daylight Saving will end, so there's no hope for a sail after work for me.

I know you'll come back and all I have to do is wait patiently until the middle of June. You'll come back, but you'll be COLD. Oh well, as long as you are strong, I can put up with the discomfort.

Thank you for your presence last summer, old friend. You've made this windsurfer happy.

"Goodbye, Old Friend" I thought maybe your favorite squeegee had died

Bring on winter and N-NW winds at Rye!

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rick77 said...
Bring on winter and N-NW winds at Rye!

I have never been able to manage the cold. Any advice on this? I can't even think of windsurfing in winter. . .

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Sputnik11 said...

rick77 said...
Bring on winter and N-NW winds at Rye!

I have never been able to manage the cold. Any advice on this? I can't even think of windsurfing in winter. . .

Good wetty around 5mm.... it really is a great time to sail!

Good cafe down Rye too.

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K Dog said...

Sputnik11 said...

rick77 said...
Bring on winter and N-NW winds at Rye!

I have never been able to manage the cold. Any advice on this? I can't even think of windsurfing in winter. . .

Good wetty around 5mm.... it really is a great time to sail!

Good cafe down Rye too.

Everyone talks up Rye in a big northerly. Will have to jojn some of the Parkdale boys for a trip down. A good wetty is on the list though, booties too? Gloves? Hat? Dry suit?

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Sputnik11 said...

K Dog said...

Sputnik11 said...

rick77 said...
Bring on winter and N-NW winds at Rye!

I have never been able to manage the cold. Any advice on this? I can't even think of windsurfing in winter. . .

Good wetty around 5mm.... it really is a great time to sail!

Good cafe down Rye too.

Everyone talks up Rye in a big northerly. Will have to jojn some of the Parkdale boys for a trip down. A good wetty is on the list though, booties too? Gloves? Hat? Dry suit?

Rye is fun, less gusty than Green Point but you can get skunked :(

If you stay between the sand bars and you fall in it is only waist deep water so a quick easy water start and you don't have time to get too cold...

A 4/3mm wetsuit, a 1 mm neoprene vest and a helmet works for me... booties are a good idea, I have had numb feet before :)

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Rye is fun, less gusty than Green Point but you can get skunked :(

Yeah I reckon! I made a new years resolution in 2012 not to go the Rye again because of the skunk factor.

Only seems worth the trip when there is a slight ne gradient wind otherwise if its n or nw Green point or BonBeach are my prefered locations.

But fair enough if you are learning to water start or like on shore slop head down to rye

Ryes good! You just need to know the rules of wind. I do wonder sometimes on the days people drive down from the city...
Basically the easiest way to look at it is if it is warm don't bother. There seems to be a thing where the heat pushes the wind up so the kiters are fine but us down low have no wind. If you get down early before it gets too warm it's ok but normally dies around 12, whereas up in town it continues to build.
Winter is normally ok because it's cold!
But just remember before you come down if you think it's unusually warm you might be better off going to keast park or somewhere further up.
But don't write it off, it's a really fun spot. Just don't steal my carpark!

I think Jman finds it difficult to get out past the slop

In 2013, Peninsula link will make it more appealing.
I've been on it a few times for supping down the peninsula and it is awesome.

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Bondalucci said...
In 2013, Peninsula link will make it more appealing.
I've been on it a few times for supping down the peninsula and it is awesome.

Under an hour to Pines now... if you go early.

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windjunky said...

Bondalucci said...
In 2013, Peninsula link will make it more appealing.
I've been on it a few times for supping down the peninsula and it is awesome.

Under an hour to Pines now... if you go early.

Did the Gunnamatta drive today. Under an hour from Chelt.

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Jman said...
"Goodbye, Old Friend" I thought maybe your favorite squeegee had died

Hah!
I thought maybe he'd had his permanent parking spot at Pt Perve-mond taken by the Ice-Cream Van!

Dead calm again this morning. Its quiet, maybe too quiet.