July
_______________________________________________ _2002
What’s
Going On:
1) Dues,
Dues, Dues...You know who you are…your annual $80 club dues are overdue to
Keny Kirschstein, our club Treasurer. Keny’s contact info is 854-9057 keny@elsouth.net. You can mail your check to
Keny, made out to Triad Windsurfing, at
2) Thank you to all the folks who joined us at
the Learn to Windsurf Day. We had 19 folks who came to sail with us. Fun was
had by all and I saw a lot of smiling faces. We hope you enjoyed your time with
us. And thanks to all the members who were there to help…..Don/Debbie/Adam
Wrenn, Rob Pohlmann, Karol Wolicki, Keny Kirschstein, Jeff Shanklin, David
Brown, Mark Pace, Jason Wohlgemuth, Charlie/Kelly Prewett, and Jim/Angela
Crawford. Apologies if I left someone out. Don’t forget our next Learn to Sail
Day on Sept 14…mark your calendars.
3) Upcoming events:
Labor Day Weekend (unofficial club trip)
Learn to Windsurf Day Sept 14
Club Trip to Emerald Isle, Sept. 27-29, Contact Debbie Wrenn
Club Christmas Party (TBA)
4) Thanks to Mark Pace,
Charlie Prewett, Jeff Shanklin, Rob Cornwell, Debbie Wrenn and Don Wrenn for
contributions to the newsletter via stories and/or pictures. This edition
couldn’t have been done without their contributions. I encourage all club
members to send me material. It will get used at some point or another….I’m
always looking for more. Send all stories, reports, pictures, and whatever to: mbarnhardt@triad.rr.com
President’s Corner
The latest from your club president – Don Wrenn
Triad Windsurfing Club
Do’s and Don’ts
We are entering the season that that our lakeside site sees the most use from our club members. We feel it’s a good time to remind members of some of our club rules. Please obey them, and if you encounter any problems at the site. Please notify a club officer so that it can be handled.
Mowing Schedule
We have tried several ways in the past for keeping the site mowed. Last year it was left up to whoever was there when it needed it. It didn’t get done as often as it needed it. This year I would like to go to a schedule. The way it will work is volunteers will take a month at a time to look after the mowing. This doesn’t mean you have to mow every week, only when necessary. (and with our rain situation it may not be). So contact me if you would like to take a month. I’ll go ahead and take June to get us started and we should go ahead and schedule until Oct.
Thanks,
Don Wrenn
June Don Wrenn
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Club President – Don Wrenn 869-6256 iidbis@mindspring.com
Club Vice-President – Karol Wolicki 545-8391 ktw@infi.net
Newsletter Editor – Mac
Barnhardt 545-6355
Send all stories, reports,
pictures, and whatever to: mbarnhardt@triad.rr.com.
Club Treasurer/Secretary –
Keny Kirschtein 854-9057 keny@elsouth.net
Club Web Site - http://www.triadwindsurfing.com
If you have some good
windsurfing photos for the web site, please send them in “jpeg” format to Jason
Wohlgemuth, Club WebMaster, at jason@wohlgem.com
, or to Mac Barnhardt at mbarnhardt@triad.rr.com.
Feel free to send us other suggestions for the site too.
Trip Coordinator – Debbie
Wrenn 869-6256 iidbis@mindspring.com
- Equipment For Sale -
1) Mistral
Explosion 288, 130 lts., Good Condition, $200.00
Includes fin and footstraps.
Contact David Lee at
336-662-9646 or email dlee@compuconusa.com
2) 1990 Fanatic Ultracat (According to Jim, you won’t believe the
price! It comes with it’s own board bag, cool graphics, great shape with no
dings, and you’ll get a free beer!)
Contact Jim at
336-969-6141 to check out the board
3) 98
Pro Tech Convertible 273 93 lts. Good
Condition
board, board bag, & fin $400
94 Mistral Shredder 298 128 lts VGC
board, board bag,
fin, & mast foot $400
Contact Don Wrenn 869-6256 iidbis@mindspring.com
4) Fanatic Mega-Cat board; 250 litres flotation, in great shape, $350.00
North Sail; Infinity, 6.0 meters, good shape,
$55.00
North Sail; Spectro, 7.0 meters, good shape,
$75.00
Gastra Sail; 8.0 meters, like new, $50.00
Contact David Johnson, xantos@ols.net
, 727-5174 (day), 983-3606 (night)
5)1999 Neil Pryde Sails-
4.7NR (Like New)
$250
5.3MPR (Like New) $250
5.7MPR (Great Condition)
$225
6.5V8 (Good Condition)
$200
7.0V8 (Like New) $300
7.5V8 (Fair Condition)
$150
1999 Neil Pryde Masts
(Fiberspar)…
430CM (55% carbon) $125
490CM (55% carbon) $150
Call Keny Kirschtein
854-9057 or email keny@elsouth.net
6) Mistral Competition 12' 4"
Great beginner board, stable and fast.
5 sails, 2 masts, 2 booms
All for $495
490 Fiberspar 4200 mast, EC $125
7.0 Gaastra 2X, Very good condition $125
Contact Jeff Shanklin
887-4928
7) F2 Ride 282 – great slalom free ride shortboard in
excellent condition, early planer, and very fast. Board, Board Bag, straps
& fin - $600
F2 Phoenix 340 – great lake
& coastal sound longboard, can pull up centerboard to sail like a
shortboard in heavier winds. Excellent condition – Board, Board Bag, straps,
and fin - $600
World Sails 5.6 sail $200 –
This is a great sail for slalom, bump & jump, or waves. It has an optional
camber for those gusty days, has a lot of range, and is in excellent condition.
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.
New Member Profile – Mike
Foust
Please welcome our newest member to the club, Mike
Foust. Mike is 41 and is originally from Cherry Hill, N.J. He came to NC to go to school at UNC-G. He graduated in 1986 and has been working at
his current company TTC - The Telephone Centre (a market research firm) since
graduation and is a senior partner in the company. Mike played rugby for 13 years and is now the
President of USA Rugby South and a USA Rugby BOD member. Mike used to windsurf in the late
eighties/early nineties and is eager to get back into the sport. Mike demonstrated his eagerness by helping
the windsurfing economy and buying a new Mistral Prodigy with a complete rig.
We’re glad to have you back, Mike…Welcome to the club!
- Web Site Profile -
http://www.the-search.net/content/index.html
Bjorn
Dunderbeck, 11 Time World Champion, has embarked on a series of windsurfing
adventures around the globe with his closet friends. They go to Fiji, Bali,
Sumatra, Chile, and Cape Verde. This is the kind of stuff most of us can only
dream about. The site includes detailed accounts and pictures of their
adventures. Some of this has already been in some magazines and now a video is
for sale on their web site. Check it out to see how the other half lives. For
us mere mortals (Keny not included), we always have our coastal day trips to
fall back on. The following is a nice reality check from Don Wrenn about our
local adventures.
Day Trips – Don Wrenn
Since we choose to participate in such a finicky sport, I have found what seems like the most effective way to deal with it. Day trips. Windsurfing unfortunately requires wind, Which is usually hard to predict. And when predicted sometimes it still doesn’t blow. The advantages of a day trip allow you to plan on the forecast being correct, but being able (with the use of the internet) to access the last minute forecast and even the current conditions to make a last minute decision on whether to go or stay home. I have been day tripping for many years now. And most of my best sailing has been done on day trips. By using the computer to keep up with the forecast s and conditions, my percentage of successful day trips has dramatically increased. There are still a few skunks, but they are usually questionable calls to start with…days when you are either desperate to sail, or the forecast is too good to be true, and you know what a great day you’ll miss if you don’t go.
Usually these day trips have been organized by phone calls or more recently e-mails. However, the new club website has the potential to make it easier to organize. With a single post to the websites “forum” section, you can see how many people might be interested in a day trip. You can also discuss the forecast with others and make a decision on the best destination for the conditions. You can also work out sharing a ride to the coast. The benefits of that are cutting the cost of the trip and cutting the time that you spend behind the wheel to get there.
There are several very good web sites for long range weather predictions now. We usually know by Wednesday whether or not there may be wind for the weekend. This is a major advantage for sailors with families who need to plan their weekends in advance. The two main sites I like to use are http://www.intellicast.com and Robs forecast at http://65.108.254.13/
Robs forecast is very good because it explains why they expect the weather is what they are forecasting. A friend from Charlotte just sent me a new one which seems to be good also: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/mhx/gfe/griddext.html .
So give it a try. Watch the forecast, or keep checking the club website. Besides the worst that usually happens is the wind doesn’t blow and you relax on the beach for the day (don’t we all need to do this more often anyway?).
Trip Reports
Windfest
Report 2002
By Mark (White Men Can’t Jump) Pace
Frisco Woods Campground’s 7th Annual Windsurfing Event, Windfest 2002 was a total blast. The conditions during the week were ideal, SW winds, temps hovering at 80 degrees, warm water (no wetsuits!) and plenty of sunshine.
Although it was held at Frisco Woods Campground, of course, that didn’t keep the five occupants of cabins 9 and 10 from seeking the windiest spots on the island during our stay. When I arrived late Tuesday afternoon, I stopped at Barton Decker’s shop, Hatteras Island Sail Shop in Waves, and found Robbie (not Naish) Cornwell on the beach, trying to spread his hands open from the fixed eagle claw condition they were frozen in. He had been sailing there since Saturday! With a long southwest fetch, this is one of the best spots on Hatteras, especially late afternoon when the wind seems to fill in and the water flattens out. As the sun sets over the sound, the experience is heavenly. This would explain the pained look of exhilaration on Rob’s face as he examined the shredded blisters on his palms as his hands slowly opened. It was too late to start rigging, so I headed for the campground. As I pulled away, Rob was peeling strips of DUCT TAPE from a roll in order to patch the holes in his hands. I had no pity for Rob… one more run, said that crazed look on his face…one more run…
On Wednesday, the wind was SW, so Rob and I headed for Waves. The water is deeper here in a southwest, so you don’t have to walk as far as you would at Frisco to reach water deep enough to sail. Fifteen to twenty mph winds kept us stoked all day! We were joined after noon by Mac (this year’s Cabin Boy) Barnhardt, who had been keeping abreast of the current wind conditions via cell phone on his way to Hatteras. By coming to Windfest, Mac had taken a tremendous chance that he would miss the birth of his son, Jake, who was born just 2 weeks later. Ultimate sacrifice, dude! Congratulations Mac and Kris! Mac’s enthusiasm for windsurfing is infectious. This is evidenced by his quest to constantly test and, subsequently, procure leading edge sailing stuff. Windfest is the place to do it!
Thursday was the first day of Windfest. Overnight, the campground had seen an increase in campers. The waterfront is filled with sponsors during Windfest; AHD, Fanatic, Bic, Mistral; North, Gaastra, Neil Pryde, Aerotech; Windsurfing Mag, Ride Hatteras: Budweiser, etc. The goal is for vendors to make their latest equipment available to everyone in an effort to seduce you into purchasing said equipment. This technique works! Windsurfing technology evolves constantly. It certainly is better than ever and will continue to improve. It seems that you can’t go wrong buying new equipment, however, you must personalize that equipment purchase to your specific needs and abilities. Kiteboarding is growing rapidly and was well represented, with clinics and demos daily. Other clinics by ABK were offered for windsurfers. Ted Fox put on a board repair clinic. Beginner lessons were available, as well. Lunch and dinners were catered by Bubbas Barbecue next to the main tent.
The wind was fifteen to twenty again, Thursday, so we went back to Waves. Somewhere along the way, Jeff (Shiznet) Shanklin joined the party. All I really remember at this point is that we sailed, and then sailed some more. Also, Jeff (255 litres) Clark showed up with his new Mistral Prodigy, a highly touted big board with a wide range. It should be noted that Mr. Clark was equally heroic in his efforts to attend this Windfest, as his wife Kelli gave birth to son Scott less than three weeks later! Congratulations Jeff and Mac, you guys belong in a Miller Beer commercial!
Thursday, Charlie (let’s dance) Prewett showed up with his family, Kelly, Roy and Maggie. Apparently, they left Greensboro after midnight and arrived at the coast at dawn, whereupon they climbed the dunes and watched the sunrise. They camped waterfront at Frisco Woods and enjoyed the convenience of sailing on demand; easy on, easy off with no lugging equipment back and forth to the water. Charlie finally picked up his new F2 Phoenix, which he had been pining for, from Fox Watersports.
Friday was the best wind day as it blew twenty plus all day. Our group stayed at Frisco and sailed amongst the thousand or so sailors and kiteboarders who were ripping, snorting, screaming and slurping up the chop. Go Pro Video shot hours of video and each night showed highlights on the big screen set up outside their mobile studio. Everyone who sailed by their boat, which they anchored in strategic spots near the largest swells, would end up on their video. The exciting thing about Windfest is that you have a chance to meet and sail amongst pros, sometimes without realizing it. Jeff Clark placed second in the board toss Friday night. No, this is not an eating or drinking game. This is a test of skill, whereby you hoist a used, fairly old, waterlogged shortboard, and attempt to hurl it as far as you can without hurting yourself or the spectators as they politely applaud your less than stellar performance.
Saturday was another SW day, fifteen mph or so, with more of the same. As Windfest began to wind down, I was thinking that this would be a tough act to follow. I don’t know how many people attended this year, but I can’t imagine any of them were disappointed. Jeff Shanklin commented that his trip to Bonaire just a few weeks earlier was a disappointment in comparison to this Windfest. I believe him. If you ever play Indian Poker with him you’ll find that his face tells no lies. Thanks for helping to finance my trip this year, Jeff; you are the Shiznet!
In conclusion, Windfest is just one excuse to pack up your stuff (family included,) and head to the beautiful North Carolina coast to pursue a sport that:
1) Excludes nobody
2) Harnesses the power of nature and,
3) Is cheaper than therapy.
Side note: The weather channel is
airing an episode called the “Street Sailor” on Sunday, Sept 15th at
5PM and Wednesday, Sept 18th at 8pm and 11pm. I’m told that this is
an “Atmospheres” presentation about a windsurfer who sails from Mexico to
Canada.
Another side note: If you are looking for a Wind Glider check out this site:
http://www.arkatents.com/. They have a basic Wind Glider and hull cover for $350.00 plus shipping.
The semi-annual club trip to Emerald Isle was a blast as usual. Our group this trip was small (9) compared to our usual 20 or so, but the wind was great, the sun was warm, and the margaritas were flowing. Friday brought light winds for the beginners and anyone wishing to play around with sail handling. The rest of us played it lazy and soaked up the
sun and shopped. We enjoyed a great seafood dinner at one of the club's favorite restaurants, Tortugas. Plenty of margaritas finished out our day and a visit from Val Wolicki and her gal pals livened up our unusually tame group. With unkept promises from the visitors to come by the next day for lessons, we all turned in for the night.
Saturday brought gray skies and lots of rain (hard at times), but plenty of wind to satisfy the more expert sailors in our group. Except for not being able to see much in front of you at times for the rain, the day of sailing was great. After a long, exhausting day of sailing, a couple of us headed out for another great seafood dinner, while most of the group opted to call for pizza delivery. I'm not sure if Keny Kirschstein’s new drink, mind benders, (or was it mind erasers??) had anything to do with the decision or not. Our unusually quiet or exhausted group settled in for late night movies and more drinks and bed.
Sunday brought little of the promised wind. We all hoped and prayed for most of the day for the wind to come through without any luck. The air was on the chilly side, so everyone leisurely headed home by early afternoon with visions of our next club trip already forming in our heads.
For those of you who missed our
trip, the next club trip to Emerald Isle is scheduled for Sept. 27-29th. Hope
to see you there! Reservations will be
accepted beginning August 1st. Contact Debbie Wrenn 869-6256
iidbis@mindspring.com
My Good Deed For the Day
By Mac (Jacques Cousteau, not Cabin Boy) Barnhardt
I want to share a short story about an experience I recently had at Emerald Isle. My wife, 2 kids, and I spent the week of 4th of July at the Sound Sailors house. It was hot, humid, and windless most of the week, but I lucked out with some light winds for a couple of days thanks to my trusty 9.6 sail and 149 lt board. Anyway, our last full day there had wind out of the Northeast and stayed close to a solid 15mph for most of the day. I was cruising along on the North side of the sound when I spotted a couple of buoys close together. I was going to sail in between them (bad idea). As I got closer, I noticed the buoys were connected by a line. It was too late as I realized at the last split second it was a fish net. I launched my board and myself from the board so that my fin would clear the net. It didn’t hurt to have a weed fin either. I came up out of the water to discover that I succeeded in saving my rig and didn’t tear the fish net. But something else caught my attention out of the corner of my eye. Right in front of me was a sea turtle….a loggerhead turtle with the diameter roughly the size of a steering wheel. I wondered why it didn’t take off until I realized it was caught in the fish net.
I was in close to chest deep water, so I walked up to it and examined it. The netting was wrapped around its head and all four flippers. He had somehow managed to get himself to the surface so he could breathe. My first thought was to get back to the house and call the wildlife service folks to come rescue him. Then for some reason, I grabbed him. I pinned him against my waist with one hand and used my other hand to unwrap the netting. I tried to keep my fingers away from his mouth for fear of him snapping at me. He remained calm except for a few wiggles. It took me about two minutes to get the netting unraveled, as it was a twisted mess. I had to rearrange how I held him several times, including spinning and flipping him around to get the net off his extremities. I was doing this all while also trying to keep my rig from blowing into the fish net and getting ensnared itself. Finally, I was holding a sea turtle with no fish net….success. I looked around and there wasn’t a soul in sight and no witnesses to my good deed.
I held him as I walked away from the net. I wanted to release him on the leeward side of the net so he would swim away from it with the current. I had my back to the net and he wiggled his way out of my grasp. He bolted into the water and swam into the windward side of the net. I cursed thinking that if he wasn’t careful, he would end up right back in that net again. But he was gone…and quick I might add. I continued sailing. For the next hour or so, I came back to the net several times to check and see if he had gotten caught in it again, but I didn’t see anything. Hopefully, that turtle learned his lesson and got away from that spot for good. Maybe the local fishermen would have released him when they came to empty the net…who knows. I felt good about what I had done and was glad I was there to help.
Sometimes you never know what
you’ll see or experience out on the water when windsurfing. I’ve encountered
dolphin and seen other turtles while sailing, but never this up close. It was
one of the coolest things that have ever happened to me while sailing and I’ll
never forget it.