Utah Windriders Association

Sulfur lived up to its reputation this weekend. Started up both days pretty normal having to chase the elusive wind lines while waiting for it to build. And by the 3:00 both days it was like someone flipped the fans on. Went through 3 boards both days and 2 sails Saturday. The strong winds came in so late Sunday I just rigged the 86L on the big sail and kept going. The new 86L iSonic is a rocket. Steve? used a 5.3 the whole Saturday sesh while John was the strong man using his 6.5 right through the 5.3 sesh(he had to leave early and didn’t want to rerig). Trip and Judy joined me Sunday but, having just been to South Padre island, the cold water and gusty winds of Sulfur brought them back to the reality of Utah sailing. A fine weekend to celebrate my KUC mine-slide induced retirement. Wish we had taken the motor home for the weekend but Penny still needs to regain some strength. She did go with me Sunday and it really boosted her spirits being outdoors.

We arrived Saturday about 3:00 or so and I was just amazed at the furious gusts that Ken, John and Steve were weathering in some fine style out on the water (John, 6.5 with an 85 liter board? Really?! Wow!).

Happily, I had to put a bunch of stuff together after the SPI trip and didn't get out in it until it calmed down to merely overpowered on a flattened 5.7 and 105 board. Sailed for about 1.5 hours. Fell in and immediately wished I was back in the Laguna Madre. Just click my bootie heels together and say, "I wish I was in the Laguna..." Yipes, those guys are tough! Can't believe how good they were all sailing and how long they stayed out! But, as Ken said, the water's merely cold, not icy. And, as the sun lowered, I had to admit that sailing with a view of the snow-capped peaks of the Uintas does have its charms.

But did y'all know that beer, wine and alcohol are cheaper in SPI than even in Wyoming?