Utah Windriders Association

7:30 arrival, but it took a little while to get the gumption to get rigged and brave the cold. Ken and John declared me wind dummy, so in I went. Glad I did. Rippin' 5.2 conditions until I got out at 10:00. Air was probably 20 degrees warmer by then. Looked a little lighter as I drove off to work (work!) at 10:30, but Ken said that would happen. Ken, John, Duane and George all sailing as I left. Yahoo G'ville!

(later) How late did it go? Whoa, just checked now around 6:00 and it's SW 42 gusting to 49!!!

Damn, 43 gusting to 49?!? I have a 75 ltr board and a 3.7 meter sail. Guess I can come hang with you guys at Grants now.

Then there's the 47G53 reading at 5:45 pm and 50G50 at 6 pm -- and there were guys sailing in that! I arrived at about 3:45 to find Gunars, Gary, Eric, and Larry and ??? mostly out of the water, some drinking liquid courage, and with lots of sails rigged. Reportedly it had been 5-6 m range through mid-pm, then dropped rapidly down to 3.x range. They took turns braving the gusts and lulls, cold water and occasional tail-walks on mostly 3.5's through 6 pm or so.

I wimped out as every time one of the monster gusts came through (and they were becoming more frequent as time wore on) I grew more discouraged and the quotient of fun/not-liking-to-freeze-my-arse-off became less appealing. But I am pea-green with envy for those that braved it!

As mentioned, we started the morning about 8:30 on 5.0-5.5, sailing until noonish. Took a break for an hour or so, and then sailed the 4.7's for another couple of hours... then it really started to crank. Ken, Eric, Gary, and I started flying around on 3.7/4.1. Ken and I left at about 5:00 as Gary and Eric were still going at it, with Gunnars rigging... From the wind meter, it looks like it really got wild. Great day!!!