7/3-7/4/2011 Corolla

2 Days of really the first SUP surfing sessions with enough success to report on. Thigh high and clean all day for both days. Especially Sunday AM. FUN. Hung out on beach all day with LJM, Agnes, Matt, and the girls. Several sessions per day.

6/25/11 Avon

Picked up Rob at 11ish AM and headed into OBX traffic. After checking the wind every 15 minutes for 3 hours we arrived in Avon around 3pm. It was SSW at around 20. We decided to check the waves at ramp 30. Not much. Almost got stuck but careful driving and 10lbs of tire pressure won out and we made it off the beach. Swung into the turnout and after making fun of the people who were there (kiters,) we rigged our 6.0's and 100 liter boards.

It was flat as hell for the first 1/2 hour or so as we stayed close, getting our timing back and making sure there really was wind. Rob tried a few vulcans, I slammed into as many laydowns as I could and then we went to the Reef. The REEF is VERY close to the turnout, like a mile straight out, in case anyone was wondering. Rob mooned me on the way out, he's got great tan lines.

For the next couple hours we hit every possible wave getting as much air as possible off the port ramps (or as much as one can with a 6.0 off a 3 or 4 foot semi steep wave.) The jibing on the outside was nice and there was even some decent wave rides on the way in.

We then took a break, drank 2 liters of water each, checked in with almost all of the Tidewater windsurfing crowd at the HOLE, left 2 or 3 messages for Contos (or so we thought) and then jammed our 7 boards and gear back onto the truck and headed out to Ramp 34 for an ocean session.

By this time it was pushing 5.0 on the sound and was solid 6.0 on the ocean SSW. There were waist high peelers coming in and we drove north of the ramp a mile or so and found a nice bar that looked like it was working. Rerigged the 6.0's and 100l boards (our idea of strapping them rigged on top of our other gear for the ride to the ocean didn't really pan out) and hit it. The sailing was fantastic. Solid 6.0 with BEAUTIFUL swells on which to jibe. Saw Rob hit many a sweet duck before picking a nice swell to ride back to the break. The wave riding was F-U-N. EASY. Classic down-the-line wave sailing, but on small waves with little or no impact zone. We each had many great rides. Just pulled into one after another.

Then the wind started getting questionable. Normally this would have been the end of the session, but thanks to Kung Fu Jack and Billy, Rob and I now own SUP's. Popped those 6.0's onto the big boards and wave sailed till dark. For those of you who have never considered getting an SUP, get one for times like this: ocean sailing when there is wind less than 18. Nothing but fun. These boards are so at home in the waves. Very relaxing to sail, easy to turn, and hard to fall off of (at least when sailing them.)

After a few cold ones on the beach we re packed the truck (this took like 45 minutes), and headed up to Nags Head to get dinner at Tortuga's. I was thinking about ordering a nice piece of grilled Mahi with a side of rice and beans and a little salad. Maybe some steamed shrimp as an appetizer. I think Rob was thinking Tuna, but whatever, Mahi's better. We passed Tortugas by mistake, so we pulled into Goombays. Kitchen closed. Lame. Ended up at what used to be Hooters eating a cruddy sandwhich after an even cruddier app of crabmeat over french fries (Rob's idea.) Rob had fish tacos which he complained about. I had a beer and a coke to drink and Rob had-get this: a diet Red Bull and vodka. He actually asked the bartender if they had the diet Red Bull. And they HAD it. Weird. Made it back to ORF without incident. Parked the car at Rob's for unloading in the AM.

Moral of this story?

Go to Hatteras whenever possible.

CRL

4/16/11 Buckroe

Forecast was for SE 25/Big rain in the afternoon. The air temp was high 60's-low 70's. Me, Raav, Kung Fu, Knight, Derek, Carl. Launched from playground at Buckroe, north of pier. First went out on Acid w/ 5.3. Got blown off the water so switched to 74/4.4. This was the wrong thing to do. I did need a smaller sail, but the wind was unbelievably gusty. It would blow 35 for 10 minutes, then 20. Towards the end of the day I put the 4.4 on the acid and had a decent end of session-session. When the wind was up, we had some decent wave riding and some decent port jumps. Raav and Carl getting nice jumps on starboard. I really only had an OK session. Need to get back on the water and get my timing back.

4/2/11 Avon

Contos/Jack. Contos' van. Windsurfing Magazine test cottage. Lots of 105-125 l boards all over the place. Met editor of Windsurfing Mag. West wind. Anywhere from 18 to 40. Temps water and air low to mid 50's. New suit and booties worked well, no gloves. Looking back the best setup would have been the 101 and the 5.3 all day long. Leaving the 101 in Norfolk was possibly a mistake. Started the day powered on 74/4.4, got off the water for an hour or so, then rigged 6.2/86 and ripped for the rest of the day. 6.2 is actually too big for the Acid, despite what "they" say. Squall came through and it ripped my entire rig out of my hand while I was adjusting outhaul, rig flew up at least 30' into the air and 50' down wind. Fucking spectacular. I laughed, and started trudging after it. When the squall died down there were enough decent ramps to catch some 6-8' jumps for about 15 minutes. Saw Deja that night at Lazy Horse in Chesapeake. I don't know anyone besides Ted and Contos who would set foot in the bar. It was great.

3/19/11 Aydlett

First session of the year if you can call it that. Some not very satisfying ENE 6.0/101 conditions. At least I got to try out the new Pro Motion wetsuit. Nice and comfy, just like the man says. Air:65, water low 50's.

Aydlett 11/7/2010

5.3/86. N 25-30 Gusty. Contos, Jack, Billy, Chad, Chuck Rhodes. Best session yet at Aydlett with lots o' ramps and tons o' air. 4/3 full with Etan boots (1st session with these). 53F. Hands were OK, but much colder and would need gloves. Water in the high 50's. Need to order some padding for the Acid.

Ted's Visit and Bachelor Weekend

Ted arrived on Thursday night (Plastic's birthday) after we both drove through the remnants of Nicole, Ted getting the worst of the weather. Closed down Cantina. Met Rob for breakfast at Charlies, then sailed at Aeries (N 5.3/Acid) for several hours with Jack and Carl. Following cheeseburgers we then shot over to first landing and sailed (N 6.2/101). Tango was experiencing failure to launch, Raav and I sailed out past Cape Henry for some fantastic jumping and wave riding, head high ramps and waves, along with dolphins and a tremendous smack to my balls on a mid-air bail out. Almost passed out. Sailed back to first landing and Raav scurried home while Contos lumbered out and sailed with the now successfully launched Tango for another hour of 6.0 fun swell sailing immediately in front of the launch site. Plastic cooked dinner and we had the fire department called when Huck thought our London Broil was a fire in the Temple.
Saturday was a formula day with Chad contributing a rig to me and Kashy a board. Kashy was holding a regatta a lots of local sailors and visitors were there including Contos, Hooper and others. Formula beckons.
Drank our faces off all night. Plastic, Pat, Ted, Rob, Jack, Contos. Everyone home safe.