9/5, Sunday, Pelican, 6.7, 120l (briefly)

[DimitriMilovich]

Missed the several hrs of 5.5-5.0, I heard about before 4:30 when it backed off and I went out on 6.7 for some runs between the big chop. Mattie got just a couple on her 5.2 and we came in when it was all over, (we thought) about 6:00 or so. Chatting with Melinda who suddenly pointed north, exclaiming "Look at the dust!". Far away at Point of the Mountain we could see a dust cloud. The prelude started about then. Grabbed Mattie's 5.2 but one short tack convinced me I was oversailed and overboarded. Then the wind hit...

Melinda led the charge and she, Darren, and a couple others headed out into the teeth of the front's real arrival. As we de-rigged (nothing small enough on board) I could see the cloud halfway down the lake and closing fast. Couldn't believe Melinda and Darren went even further out. The cloud came in, the far shore faded, the sun behind us got blotted out, and I could barely see the those little sails through the haze. Darren just hit his stride, clearly in his element, and treated us to an array of slashing cut backs off the tops of the growing swells, throwing spray way into the air, easily visible from shore, and kicking some big airs right into the wind, seemingly saying "More, more!", then ripping long deep jibes on his turns. Melinda just disappeared into the distance. And the cloud enveloped 'em all. Incredible scene. Wow, great show, high wind stars!

Later saw that Pt of the Mtn was 45 mph gusting to 52, probably when the dust cloud exploded.

[jimhornbeck]

fun blast of wind late. smoothed out very good 5.0 84l 7:00-8:00. great close to a fun day.Darren was the shred king on his 4.5 during the blast.

[darrenfowler]

Melinda and I arrived @ the lake around 3. Pretty sad up and down sailing til the front hit, then it went ballistic. Melinda was ripping it up on her 3.7, (she told me later she was totally OPed) It was a really fun session even though I was seriously over-powered on my 4.5(should have been on my 3.5). It back off a bit after about 45 minutes or so, and JIm went back out and was killing it on his 5.0. Boosting big airs, and smooth swell rides til dark. Here are a couple pics of Jim in the twilight. (Sorry Jim, kinda crappy shots)