5/28 Yuba 5.3
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 10:35 amWe arrived to Yuba and a lot of very gusty wind. We had to go into the main campground to get water for our trailer, and the wind was cranking. I pulled out my wind meter and got gusts up to 33 clear up in the parking lot. We finally got down to the west beach, and setup our camp spot. the water line was a lot further down that I expected for this time of year. what I could tell right away was that we were in a huge wind shadow, and the wind was coming at a weird angle, with a lot more west in it than usual. It seemed to be quite a bit lighter than it did at the campground. June made the trip with us, and started rigging a 5.8, but as soon as she hit the water, she got hit with a monster gust, and came in for something smaller.
I decided to try a 5.3 and 92 ltr board to get through the light area, and out to the wind line. As soon as I got a bit away from shore, and hit the wind line it was so westerly that I was sailing almost parralell to the west beach, in some nasty gusty wind. I had to get more than half way across to hit the real wind line, but then it was so strong that I was so oped, and the psyco chop was so bad. that I could not even think abougt gybing. even water starting was difficult. I did my best to do a couple of runs hanging on for dear life. Tail walking one minute, then out of the straps the next. After a bit, the wind mellowed just enough to get some good rides in the steadier wind on the far side. the mini swell started to organize, and gybing was possible, I had a few pretty good runs. then making it back to the beach was another rodeo ride, and I was happy to reach shore. We'll see what today brings. at least this morning it is sunny and warm, with just a few clouds in the sky. Come on down if you have nothing better to do.
I decided to try a 5.3 and 92 ltr board to get through the light area, and out to the wind line. As soon as I got a bit away from shore, and hit the wind line it was so westerly that I was sailing almost parralell to the west beach, in some nasty gusty wind. I had to get more than half way across to hit the real wind line, but then it was so strong that I was so oped, and the psyco chop was so bad. that I could not even think abougt gybing. even water starting was difficult. I did my best to do a couple of runs hanging on for dear life. Tail walking one minute, then out of the straps the next. After a bit, the wind mellowed just enough to get some good rides in the steadier wind on the far side. the mini swell started to organize, and gybing was possible, I had a few pretty good runs. then making it back to the beach was another rodeo ride, and I was happy to reach shore. We'll see what today brings. at least this morning it is sunny and warm, with just a few clouds in the sky. Come on down if you have nothing better to do.