4/27 DCIB 7.0 122L

[Shawn Henderson]

A lousy day. I should have known better. Seems everyone else did. I didnt see any other sailors or Kites. On the water from 12:00-1:00 or so. Plenty of wind for about an hour, but very gusty. Overpower then slogg, rinse (often literally) and repeat. To much work for short rides, so I gave in. 122L was fun though, kinda squirrely compared to the wide Free formula 138. Things seem to happen much quicker on small sails and boards if you can even call 122 and 7.0 small. Wonder what 85L and 4.0 is like. I need to get my reaction time up to speed!

[Sarah Ranes]

Hey Shawn, All I can say is just stick with it. And even though the fun factor was not high, you always learn something, and get a little better. A 122 does feel way smaller than formula, and is a lot quicker. And when you get to the 85, you do have to be quicker, but it's almost natural. Since you will have a much smaller fin, sail, and width of board, it all happens quicker, and easier, (in the context of force that needs to be applied, not skills). So just keep at it. I've done many of the days that you describe @ DC, and you just have to feel successful at the fact that you got some rides in big gusts, and that you made it back to where you started from. And in many cases, you have sailed every direction of wind possible. Many of us have done it, many times.

I've sailed a lot of places now, and have realized that "if you can sail in Utah....you can sail anywhere" So just keep at it, and try smaller gear when you can. You will be amazed at what can happen, when you have day after day of steady 4.7 wind. Get to the Gorge this summer if you can make it. A couple of weeks there can be like a season here, in terms of what you can learn. I caution you though, that once you get to ride 85L, you may not want to go back, so you are warned. Good Luck, hope to see you out soon.

[Leo Chan]

Shawn, all I can say is: lighten up! As in foot pressure. Transfer more of your body weight to the rig and lay low.

[obzansky]

Shawn, sounds a bit like my experience that day at DC Charlestown launch. Except I called the sail size way too low.

Regarding board size: In most "normal" sailing situations there is a relation between board, fin, sail sizes and wind speed. More wind, smaller gear. DC is usually not "normal" especially on higher wind days. I find that the fun factor is highest at places like DC (where the wind can go from 4.0 to 9.0 from minute to minute) on larger boards. I love riding smaller boards but only when the wind is steady. So I always try to figure the variability of the wind into my decision of board size. As for DC, I never even take my smaller boards to the beach.