6/17/24, UL Saratoga, 4.2/4.7/86L

[kenonstott]

While Josh headed for the huge swell at Lincoln, John and I headed for the familiar launch at Saratoga. John’s meter reading seemed to be 24-26 although the dike seemed to be causing a little higher reading. We rigged the 4.2’s and 85L’s and headed out. While John had a good sesh I seemed to be suffering from 75-year-old brain. After returning from the launch to the van 3 times for everything I forgot including harness and vent screw, I launched into strong wind only to have the helmet I forgot to latch going flying off my head and float towards Provo. By the time I rescued the helmet I was so far downwind that I struggled even to get back to the boat ramp. Already dead tired I sulked a bit, rigged a 4.7, along with John, and headed back out for a great sesh on some huge waves (compared to Grants). By then the adrenaline had kicked in and I was almost young again. Finally, the wind became too much, we went in for 4.2’s, realized the wind was trying to tear the trees down and we bagged it. NOAA had predicted max of 20mph but by then Pioneer meter was reading 38 gusting 55. Wow, typical UL big air day. Saw some golfers at Saratoga trying to tee off into wind, probably didn’t go well. Salt Lake valley looked like Armageddon as I came over point of the mountain.