July ____________________________________________________2001
http://cg.thedepot.com/windsurf
Please contribute to the
newsletter by sending in articles and information. It can be anything such as a
trip you took (even if you didn’t windsurf), a great windsurfing session you
had, a lesson you took, windsurfing gear purchasing experience, equipment
tests, pictures, video review, equipment for sale, great web sites, etc.
Please send your photos in
jpeg format. I need more photos from folks besides myself, Mark Pace and Rob
Cornwell. My new email address is mbarnhardt@triad.rr.com.
I would like to thank Shelley
Carter, Jim Crawford, Mark Pace, and Debbie Wrenn for their very creative
articles & reports. Both Shelley and Mark contributed stories about the
Club Spring Trip to Emerald Isle…Shelley’s has the beginner’s point of view,
while Mark’s describes the advanced sailor’s perspective…both are very funny
and interesting! Jim contributed reports from two different coastal
destinations….one that’s very familiar and one that’s not so familiar. Debbie, as
well as myself, provide reports from Hatteras Island on Memorial Day weekend.
I’m looking forward to more articles from these four as well as other club
members!
Also, Thanks to our Club
President, Jeff Shanklin, for his words of wisdom in “From the President”.
This is your newsletter so don’t be bashful – Contribute!
Also, this newsletter will be distributed via email to all members who have email addresses in order to save on postage, mailings, etc. Plus, we want to have more pictures in the newsletter and they turn out better in digital format on your computer as opposed to copied b&w print. When you print this out yourself, it looks much better than the copied version that gets mailed out. Attached with this newsletter is the latest member contact list. For those of you who received this edition in the mail, it’s because we don’t have your email address. Please send me your email address by emailing me at mbarnhardt@triad.rr.com and I will get you on the subscription email list. If you don’t have email, you’ll continue to get the newsletter in the mail.
Attached with this newsletter is the latest member list. If you don’t have an “X” by your name, you haven’t paid your annual dues. We have some new members and will profile them in the next newsletter.
IMPORTANT: The next newsletter will only be sent to members who are current on their dues. Please send your $80 to Keny Kirschtein, our Club Secretary/Treasurer. Keny’s address is 3102 Ardoch Court, Greensboro, NC 27410. Phone: 854-9057 and email: keny@elsouth.net
Club
Web Site –
Don’t forget to check out our web site. Articles from newsletters are also going out on the web as well as web links to other good sites. If you have some good windsurfing photos, please send them in “jpeg” format to Rob Cornwell, Club WebMaster, at mbandrob@mindspring.com. To access the web site go to: http://www.thedepot.com/Groups-windsurf. Or http://cg.thedepot.com/windsurf
For all the members with email addresses, we will soon be sending you an email from the web site to join as a member of the BCCW page. By accepting the invitation, you will be given access to certain sites that other (non-members) will not be able to see. Once we get everyone on the web, this will make it easy for anyone in the club to send out notices to members.
Equipment
For Sale –
Mistral Competition 12' 4"
Great beginner board, stable and fast.
5 sails, 2 masts, 2 booms
All for $550
Contact Jeff Shanklin
887-4928
Orca Landsailor - $100,
only used 2-3 times, like new. Land Sailing is a great light wind way to work
on your sail handling skills. Call Mac Barnhardt at 545-6355 or email mbarnhardt@triad.rr.com.
If you have equipment for
sale that you want listed in the newsletter, send Mac Barnhardt the details via
email mbarnhardt@triad.rr.com.
Debbie Wrenn is working out the final details & dates of the club Fall Trip to Emerald Isle. It will be either the last weekend in September or the first weekend in October. Another email will be sent out to current club members as soon as the details are worked out...so stay tuned. Check out the Spring Trip stories inside this edition to see how much fun this trip is.
Some of the club members take day trips to the coast when
the wind is good. If you would like to be on the “Day Trip” email list, please
send me an email to mbarnhar@cisco.com
(I use this email address constantly at work and can respond much quicker since
this topic is more time sensitive). When the wind looks good for a particular
weekend day, we’ll chat over email to decide which beach to drive to based on
wind directions and forecasts. There’s nothing like a convoy of wind-starved
crazies driving to the coast.
Well summer is officially here, and you know what that means…….NO WIND! Well normally that is true but so far, I can’t complain. We have had some fairly windy days as of late at Belews Creek, and Lake Norman. We had absolutely perfect conditions on our Learn to Sail day with a steady onshore wind. On fathers day weekend, I was slogging around Lake Norman and cussing myself for even rigging my biggest sail for a monstrous 7 mph breeze when all of a sudden, I was planing and in the straps. The wind kicked up with a nice stiff breeze, and I enjoyed a good 2 hours of racing back and forth, passing as many sail boats and slow pontoon boats that I could find. I desperately wanted to give them the “Debbie Wrenn finger” as I went by them but I didn’t think they would understand. All of you who have sailed with Debbie know what I’m talking about. Hopefully we will have a few more of these type days to hold us over until the fall. Speaking of which, the last couple of years we have experienced some great sailing days in Hatteras during the week of 4th of July. There is a fairly large group of us going down if anyone is interested. As a reminder to all beginners, Hatteras continually ranks as one of the best places in the world to improve your sailing with its steady wind and shallow waters in the sound so try to make a trip down there if you can. If you are interested, just contact any of your officers for more information.
Below I have listed by category, miscellaneous notes of interest for your reading pleasure. As always, I look forward to seeing everyone on the water this summer, and at any of the upcoming events. I hope to see you soon.
Jeff
Learn to Windsurf Day Report - June 2nd
This year we approached the Learn to Sail day a little differently than in the past. We actually held back in some of our marketing efforts since we were not sure if we were going to be able to be able to pick up the trainer boards that are donated to us every year by Fox Watersports. As a result, our members brought all of their beginner gear plus we rigged the beginner gear that we have in the trailer. The crowd that attended was smaller than usual as we expected but nevertheless was a huge success. The weather couldn’t have been any better as we had steady on shore “Hatteras like” wind conditions for the entire day. During some slow periods, some of our regulars couldn’t resist getting on the water. Mac was seen racing back and forth, blowing by everybody with his 15.0 sail. Of all the Learn to Sail days that I have been involved with, this day had the best conditions by far. All attendees learned to sail and were able to spend a lot of quality time on the water. As a result, we had several people ask to join the club with the possibility of others joining later.
I’m happy to introduce one new member who is a good friend of mine, Fred Mcfalls from Greensboro. Fred attended our Learn to Sail day last fall and did very well much to my disappointment. I was looking forward to a little payback for some of the impossible golf courses that he has made me play on. Anyway, he tried it again this spring and decided to join. Fred’s main hobbies until now have been playing golf and working out at Fitness Today. He is single so all you single windsurfing ladies, might want to introduce yourself. Baaaahaaaaa…..Yeah, I know guys, just play along. There are some other new members in the process of joining so we will try to introduce these new members in our next newsletter.
Thanks!!!!!
I would like to thank Don & Debbie Wrenn, Karol Wolicki, David Brown, and Charlie Prewett for going out to the site on cleanup day and getting the site ready for our Learn to Sail day. Without these guys, we would have had high grass, glass on the shoreline and an unorganized dirty trailer. Can’t have that. Thanks a lot for your efforts!
Also thanks to Don & Debbie Wrenn, Mac Barnhardt, Karol Wolicki, Rob Cornwell, Mark Pace, Charlie Prewett, Valarie Scott, and Adam Wrenn for helping out with the learn to sail day. It takes quite a few people’s involvement to make this day a success so your help was greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to Jan DeLooze and Pam Landsteiner. Jan and Pam were married recently in MN and will now be residing in MN. Pam as you know was our past president, and Jan as you remember was the guy that used to make the wind die. Just kidding Jan. We now know that Keny was actually the mole the whole time. We will miss you guys but hopefully we’ll see you again soon on one of our club trips.
Best Wishes!
Lately, we have had to replace several locks at the site that were either cut with bolt cutters, or left unlocked. The locking pin mechanism at the gate was stolen along with the lock. This lock would be near impossible to cut with bolt cutters so it appears that it was left unlocked by one of our members. Please make sure that when you enter or leave the site that the gate is locked securely and that the numbers to the combination are spun completely. I have notified the police to look out for any suspicious activity, so please also be on the lookout for any stray people down there.
July 4th 4th of July in Hatteras
Aug. 4th Fun Day and Open Sail Day
Aug. 13 Next Board Meeting
Sep. 22 Learn to Windsurf Day
Sep. 28 -30 Emerald Isle Trip (This date is tentative and subject to change)
I have listed a brief description of each of these events below. Please mark the following upcoming events on your calendar.
Quite a few members will be making the annual trek to Hatteras for the week of 4th of July. Hope to see you all there. The sailing has been great the last couple of years during this time.
I’m not sure that I can explain this day and do it justice. It is basically a day when we all play goofy windsurfing games invented by the field marshal or should I say lake marshal Don Wrenn. Last year it consisted of all of us chasing strategically placed balloons around the Lake in a stiff 1-2 mph breeze. Cheating was not only allowed, but encouraged. I was cheered, jeered, and even whistled at by passing boats as I had two Dolly Pardon size balloons stuffed under my shirt racing towards the finish line. I felt so cheap but didn’t care, as we are competitive bunch no matter what we do. Jan swam most of the lake, not by choice I might add, and won the iron man award. It was pretty hard to stay on our boards for all of the laughing. Ten minutes into one race, we had all moved about 10 feet. By the way Jan, I did not cheat! We have decided to combine this day with our Open Sail Day which is basically designed to give some of the learn to sail attendees another opportunity to come visit the club and experience another day of sailing. We have also decided to have an informal cookout at the end of this day. Everyone will need to bring whatever they would like to put on the grill. Other than that, we will provide the grills, coolers, all of the condiments, drinks, chips, etc. Just let Debbie Wrenn know @ 869-6256 if you plan to attend so that we will know how many people to expect.
Board Meeting – Aug. 13th
This is a meeting for board members but guests are welcome to attend. Contact Jeff Shanklin at 887-4928 if you are interested in attending or becoming more involved with BCCW.
This is one of two days a year that we invite the public to come try the sport of windsurfing. We provide all instruction, equipment, sun, and fun for free on this day. Please support the Learn to Windsurf Day by spreading the word. As we get closer to this date, please pick up flyers from one of the board members and pass them on to people that you think might be interested.
Emerald Isle Sep. 28th – 30th (date is tentative at the moment)
This is a club-sponsored trip and if you haven’t attended, you are really missing something. We usually have around 18 people staying in 3 houses over the weekend. Two of the houses are right on the sound and are designed with windsurfing in mind. The water is shallow and we have had a good variety of wind conditions in our last couple of trips. We have our annual Margarita party on Friday night, and go out to dinner one night, but basically we have a blast all weekend. The houses are very nice, and very economical. Contact Debbie Wrenn @ 869-6256 if you are interested.
Jeff Shanklin
We will soon be conducting a brief survey in-order to better serve our members. Please help us out by participating in this survey. It is important that all voices be heard.
Web
Site Profile –
http://www.sailusa.com/outerbanks
This site was built by
Brett Landry, Manager of the SailWorld shop in Avon, NC on Hatteras Island.
Brett has been a long time Hatteras sailor who put this site together for the
person who wants to know “everything windsurfing” about the Outer Banks. In my
opinion, the most useful part of this site is the list of launches. Brett
covers all the sound-side and ocean-side launches on the entire Outer Banks.
There is a detailed description of each site, the preferred wind directions,
sailing level recommendations, and other important things to know. There is
even a map. Check this out before heading down to the Outer Banks. There is a
ton of great sites that most of us haven’t even considered.
Traditional thought propounds that duck jibes are not normally part of a beginner’s windsurfing curriculum. However, if you are the fiancée of John Anderson, you are thinking outside of the box. If it’s easier to flip the sail holding the clew, then do it. That’s what Amanda decided to do on Saturday in the light winds that provided her and our other new friends the opportunity to learn how to sail. Although it seemed that someone had drained Bogue Sound on Saturday morning, it didn’t prevent Amanda, Valerie, Jonathan, Shelley and Teresa from practicing in the warm southwesterly breeze. Bright sun, warm water, a beautiful soundfront home, shrimp burgers from the Big Oak Drive In … what else can you ask for? How about grilled chicken, a full moon, margaritas, watching windsurfing videos. This is what the 17 or so members and friends of BCCW enjoyed on the Spring Club Trip to Emerald Isle this May. Thanks to Don and Debbie for organizing this semi-annual event as they always have.
Friday afternoon was light SW, which gave Rob Pohlman a perfect opportunity to sail his new Mistral Vision and Neil Pryde 8.1 sail. He and David Johnson sailed the late afternoon breezes before most of us arrived.
Dinner at the new seafood restaurant, Tortugas, was Friday night’s highlight. I had crab cakes and they were delicious. I don’t remember what everyone else had, so you’ll have to ask them. The restaurant had excellent reviews in a Greensboro paper and the owner was proud to provide copies of the review to his patrons.
Back at the new Sound Sailor, after-dinner libations and tuneage were hammered out by Mixologist Jeff. Armed with the SECRET MARGARITA RECIPE, Jeff dutifully produced mood altering frozen beverages to a thirsty crowd.
Saturday’s breeze was perfect for learning, practicing free
style moves or screaming coast to coast if you had the latest hi tech equipment
such as Mac’s AHD Free Diamond 77 coupled with an Aerotech 9.6. I’ve witnessed
enough of Mac’s light wind sessions sailing with this combination that I would
say that he has gotten maximum holler for the dollar. With the latest wide
style boards, planing in 8-10 mph winds is now easy to achieve, thus increasing
your PROBABILITY FOR PLEASURE on any
given windsurfing excursion. There may be a drawback to this, folks. Mac’s wife,
Kris, has been observed heading for the gift shops while Mac planes in marginal
winds. Exercise caution!
Don practiced fin first sailing and helicopter tacks while Valerie’s skills improved thanks to her new sail. Rob and Jeff and John spent a good amount of time coaching anyone who would listen. Others just hung out on the dock slathering meat tenderizer on their bodies. Lunch for most was carryout from the Big Oak.
Saturday night’s focus was dinner. Jonathan grilled chicken. There was salad, fresh bread, vegetables, and dessert. And margaritas.
The forecast for Sunday looked good: NE @ 15-20. Everyone turned in fairly early Saturday night. Meanwhile, over at the Cool Breeze, not everyone had a good night’s sleep. While watching TV late that night, I turned to see Jan shuffling into the living room carrying his sleeping bag and pillow and what might have been a toothbrush.
“He snores!” Jan said with a dazed look. He headed for the sofa and folded it out. Jan’s roommate apparently had rousted him with a few stanzas of discordant sinusoidal snorts.
“I’m going to bed right after this fight,” I told Jan after he had settled in to his new cocoon. No reply from Jan. He was already asleep. Someday, there may be a cure for Jan’s insomnia.
Sunday morning started out with a nice northeast breeze that enticed everyone to the water. I hit the water with a 7.8 Aerotech. Henry took off toward the island flying a large Aerotech sail and wasn’t seen again for hours. Lisa looked like a pro on her Seatrend board with Gaastra sail. Debbie was observed hanging tough during the increasingly gusty conditions. Jan and Jeff and John provided more on the water instruction to the tenacious ladies, Amanda and Shelley. Mac sailed the whole morning before packing it in around noon. The winds had increased by then to 20mph and gusting higher than 30! Shelley and Amanda refused to give up. It was time to refuel and re-rig.
As the wind literally howled, it was also time to introduce the FLYING WALLENDAS featuring DON, JAN and JOHN. Jump jibes, duck jibes, body drags, they did it all. As I carried my small board into the water, David exclaimed, “It just hit 40!”
My 5.6 North Infinity vibrated. This was awesome. A steady 25mph plus breeze, the water was high, no weeds. Lisa was still shredding. The flying circus continued unabated. We sailed until mid afternoon. During a refueling stop, Don noted “It’s starting to fill in now.” Lisa implored anyone to re-rig for her. Jeff said he “Got his butt kicked.” Henry found his way back. It was a great day, end of story.
Of course, the toughest part comes when you must pack up and go home. The sheer exhilaration of wind powered propulsion across water is what keeps us coming back for more thrills and spills. We’ll be back!
It was all thanks to Keny Kirschtein that we found ourselves on the way to Emerald isle one fine Friday afternoon, "You should come!" the normally taciturn Keny had gushed.
And here we were on our way. "Thank goodness we at least know one person, " I told Teresa happily, "Good old Keny". My moment of smug joy and satisfaction at the known was shattered in an instant by the bitter news from Teresa that the infamous Kenny was not even going to be there.
"For shame!" I gasped; He had stood us up.
The knowledge that we were now on the way to meet a group of total strangers silenced us into morbid contemplation. Horrible images of us hovering around like unwanted fools alone and ignored, making nuisances of our selves festered in our imagination.
We arrived at last and parked our sedan somewhat nervously among all the brawny SUV's bedecked with windsurfing paraphanelia. We got out of the car, pretending
to know what we were doing. We were just about to saunter in acting cool, like old salty seasoned windsurfers when the magnificent figure of Jeff came sailing down the steps of the mansion to greet us. We were very thankful to see his friendly face and he guided us like nestlings inside to meet a band of margarita toting joyful individuals who shouted at us to grab ourselves a margarita and join in the flushed merrymaking.
"It's included in the price", they yelled happily.
I didn't drink margaritas but I put my contribution down to a charitable act to the happiness of my fellow humans. We had brief grandiose illusions that we too should be sleeping in the mansion before these dreams were shattered by Jeff leading us instead to the sidequarters, where we were shown our bunkbeds for the night.
Jeff and Mark informed us that we were lucky we had not been put in with them as they occupied the barbaric backquarters that according to them was a dim slumbering den of iniquity and sin.
Our fears of being seen as tiresome and insufferable beginners vanished for good as Jeff and Don and others made sure our every beginners need was met. They set up boards for us and lent us equipment and Don with extreme patience went over a tremendous series of technical details involved in assembling the sail. As I frowned, grunted and nodded my head trying to appear intelligently receptive, my non-technical brain weaved and balked and hoped that there would be no tests on these important matters. Even though the wind was probably quite boring for the non beginners it was great for us and possibly for Mac who had a sail the size of a hot air balloon.
It was such great fun that Teresa became carried away, decided that turning around would spoil it all and she disappeared into the distance, headed for Jamaica. Great thanks to Jeff for heading the two hour rescue and managing to persuade Teresa to turn around. I must thank the club for being so great to beginners. There aren't many sports who take such good care of their fledgling members.
The next day arrived with a wild wind of unknown Knottage to me. The windsurfers began frothing at the mouth and gibbering with excitement like a bunch of ravenous baboons. They were like wolves who had just sniffed the new moon or a desert survivor with eyes gleaming at the sight of water.
I gained a new appreciation of their skills as, armed with a minute sail I decided I too would like to tackle the wild beast of a wind. Hauling the thing up was like an act of God and once the thing was up, it was like a wild bucking billowing demon. If I managed to seduce the rabid animal into the correct position, the board would careen off like a manic colt in the wrong direction crashing into the waves with the sound of thunder and the excitement of wild energy. This was awesome. It felt like the clash between the human soul and a primal universal energy celebrating with the arc of the howling wind and the surge of storm tossed waves. It was an ancient connection with our spirits, our essental nature before society dragged us kicking and screaming to the numbness of gas bills and chlorinated pools. This was life in it's purest form.
And so it was with a smile on our faces, wild hair and skin tossed with sun and salt that we pulled out of the drive , vowing to be back, thinking fondly of the resurrected and forgiven Keny for inviting us on the trip and the windsurfing club for it's jokes, warmth and laughter.
We would definitely be back!
Memorial
Day Week in Salvo, Outer Banks – by Jim Crawford
Ed Notes: The
following is a brief report from Jim Crawford on his excellent week in Salvo on
Hatteras Island with his wife, Angela:
Angela and I arrived Sun night and stayed in "Small House" which is a great little white house with a neat front porch to catch the breeze facing south. It is clean, well decorated, just off the beach, allows pets and smoking, and definitely an old style beach house which we like. Monday I got up and rode my bike to Pea Island and came back in a 15-20 mile south head wind, which loosened me up for some great 5.5 and 262 sailing at Barton's (Hatteras Island Sail Shop in Waves). The ocean was flat. Tuesday it nuked and I started out on what I thought was my 4.7 and it turned out to be my 4.2 (excitement combined with age = blurred vision). Anyway I could have gone to 3.7 but just kept downhauling. I am convinced that the most crucial winter gym exercises to do are those that develop downhauling skills (power squats and tying a rope to the rear bumper and have your wife slowly drive off while pulling back as hard as you can). Barton and I went out for an evening sail on the reef, highly recommended when it blows. Ramps are great (actually waves), you can "wind-surf" waves, and coming back, WARNING, Barton goes straight down wind (real thigh burner and several drinks of scotch recommended to calm the nerves when you arrive). Not much but fishing and bike riding and just enjoying the beach happened until Sunday. That day started out with a great bike ride to Pea Island, breakfast, and 5.5 and 262 sailing over at Bartons but the later afternoon brought 5.5 and wave board sailing on the ocean. I should have been on 4.7 though but the "bumper work-outs" have been helping a lot. Evening dining at the Tiki Bar was fabulous, highly recommended. The Clutch Tuna Burger is a must in a persons lifetime and Angela's oysters were tops. We also had a good meal earlier in the week at the Boat House. That's about it.
Once again, Cape Hatteras has lived up to its reputation for unpredictable weather and winds. Over Memorial Day weekend, we experienced one of the squalls that the island is famous for. We were at Canadian Hole checking out the sailing conditions when, suddenly, the skies darkened, the rain began, and the high winds kicked in. From the safety of our car, we watched as entire rigs flew across Hwy. 12 and over the dunes to the ocean. Two boards flew across the parking lot---one landing through the windshield of a car.
As we were waiting out the storm , we watched as a car, that apparently was left in neutral, was pushed by the wind across the parking lot. We watched as people huddled between cars, some lying on top of their equipment in an attempt to anchor it down.
Then, as suddenly as the squall began, the skied lightened, the rain lessened, and the winds came to a halt with not even a breeze.
Hatteras continues to amaze us with its uniqueness and unpredictability. Once again, the island leaves us with memories that we will never forget.
Memorial
Day Weekend in Avon, Hatteras Island – by Mac Barnhardt
Friday – My wife Kris, our daughter McIntyre and I had arrived the night before to check into the house we had rented for a partial week over Memorial Day weekend. We lucked out with a very nice house located in the “Island Creek” section of Avon just behind the Windsurfing Hatteras shop. Even though we were across the street from the sound, we still had very nice sound access. Friday produced no wind but that was OK since I ended up playing on the beach and spending quality time with the family. Mark Pace arrived in the afternoon, then Todd Morris and his friend Camie showed up just in time for dinner (take-out from Froggy Dog). Rob & Mary Beth Cornwell arrived late that night just in time for the cigar and hot tub party.
Saturday – Started out slow with trips to the beach but the afternoon kicked up light winds in the 10-13mph range out of the South to Southeast. It was time for my giant 9.6 race sail. Rob grabbed his 7.8 and we were off on our high volume shortboards. Rob and I got some planing time that afternoon. The Wrenns, Morgans, and Jeff Shanklin showed up for a late afternoon impromptu get-together on the deck of the house. Our house went out to Mad Crabber for a huge seafood feast….Mmm Mmm!
Sunday – Started out light again so we took advantage of non-wind activities such as trips to the Lighthouse and/or Ocracoke Island. Thankfully, the forecasted pm winds kicked into high gear. We started out on 7.5s and worked our way down to 6.5s….could have gone to 5.5s but were having too much fun to come in and re-rig. We sailed for approx 4-5 hours that afternoon in great southwest winds. It was sunny and warm. The only complaint was the jellyfish that were taking over the sound. Some people braved it in their shorts, while others wore their wetsuits. I opted for a new pair of stylish “water pants” from the nearby shop, made popular by wakeboarders and kiteboarders. They worked great, except for my ankles which were still left bare. Sure enough, I got jellyfish stings on my ankles. Mark Pace got some good stings on his upper thighs…ouch! It was worth it!
Monday – Produced 20mph winds for 2 hours in the morning. We took advantage of it and sailed until lunchtime. Soon after, everyone left to go home but Kris and I. Early that afternoon, a massive thunderstorm swept across Hatteras Island, accompanied by a Tornado Warning. Kris and I watched a white wall of wind, water, and fury make it’s way across the sound and hit our house with such force that it pushed all the wooden deck furniture from one end of the deck to the other against the house. The house rocked back and forth! As Kris, our daughter, and I were making our way downstairs for shelter, we were paid a visit by Jeff Shanklin, who got caught outside in the storm. We all sat together on the floor on the lower level of the house keeping track of the Tornado Warning on the weather radio. I went downstairs to the garage to check on my rigged sails which I had tied down earlier. I got another surprise visit by a raccoon who had taken shelter in the outdoor shower. After the storm had left us, the Wrenns came by and described the chaos that occurred at Canadian Hole during the storm. Several rigs got picked up by the winds and were sent flying over the dunes into the ocean. One board ended up in the windshield of a parked car. Luckily, no one was hurt. It was a storm experience I won’t soon forget. That evening, I got in one more session for an hour in 15mph winds on my 7.5 as it was getting dark.
It was another great Hatteras Island trip that was especially nice since many of the members got together. We capped it off with a nice visit to the Manteo waterfront on the way back. I can’t wait to go back.
My daughter Courtney was married on the beach last weekend at Kiawah. I had never been, but had heard about the restrictions (no pets, trailers, riding bikes on the highway, scratching in public, etc.) but also was staying at a place (Mariner's Watch) with about a 3 minute walk to the beach. So this prompted me to throw my wave board on the car with a few sails (4.2 - 5.5). The day I arrived it was awesome, but a big thunderstorm came up and "daddy responsibilities" prevented my getting wet. Friday however I was told to disappear due to a bridal luncheon in Charleston until rehearsal at 5pm. An early morning ride all over the island on my road bike was wonderful. There are 25 miles of paved bike trails. My road bike was lethal with other people and families and I would recommend a cruiser next time. Coming back from the end of the island, I took the highway and was stopped by security at the other end and informed that I needed to stay on the trails (sidewalks).
So! Time to head for the beach. About 2:30 the wind kicked in at about 15-20 southwest (side on to side shore). Perfect launch with gradual beach decline and sets of small waves which became larger as you went out. I was the only one on the beach. As I approached the water a lady said, "looks like it's your day". It was but going out a wave hit me and I spent a few anxious moments in the rinse cycle. Experience tells me when they (spectators) are lining up on the beach and no other windsurfers are around, the site must be so terrible, that even grandfathers and or kids in preschool will soon be attempting rescue. So finally a successful water start and up and outta there. It was worth it because with the right wind and some steep faces I lifted a huge 10 footer pretty easy with a decent landing (Grandad went back to the cabanna). The rest of the sailing session was great and fun with the waves being small close to shore easy to ride and the swell off shore fun to jump and turn on. This really is a great place to sail, if you can stay here and be close enough to carry your stuff. By the way, Windwing has a great idea with their sail bags. You can put mast, bases, etc in the straps on the bags and carry the booms and bag with one hand and board with the other very easily. I am told that the wind is usually Southwest and is sort of like trades, picks up in the evenings. By the time I had to go to rehearsal it was 4.5 - 4.7.
The island is beautifully developed, caters more to tennis
and golf nuts, and access is limited. You must be a guest or owner to be here.
It is about a 4.5 to 5 hr drive from Winston. There is abundant wild life
(while sipping coffee I watched a 6-7 foot gator cruise up the creek behind our
deck). So if your daughter is getting married at Kiawah, be sure to throw a
board or two on top (for me, if I lived there, I would use my HiFly 272
120liter and 6.7 and wave with 4.2 to 5.5).
My daughter Courtney and son-in-law Lang Collis were married the next
day. It was a beautiful wedding. Happy sailing!