The Sun Also Sets: Chasing the sunset at Rehoboth Bay

[Leo Chan]

Today, the heat was unusually intense in Delaware for this time of the year. As I was on the computer in an air conditioned house most of the morning, I didn't know how hot it is outside. I recall the forecast is calling potential of 10 to 15 mph wind at the beach. The water is the ocean is still cool and there is a good potential for some thermal wind late in the day. I have had two late afternoon sessions last week. In one of those sessions, I had to do the walk of shame 3 times due to lack of wind to get me upwind. With the new bigger board I got, I am determined to not walk again. . .

As I was leaving the house around 1, the trees are showing signs of potentially stronger wind further south. However, as the road took me further south, the temperature starts to go up. It was triple digits for most of the road. With such high heat, not much is going to happen. Arrived at the beach to find light breeze coming from southeast. Not a good sign. But I was the beach, and the southeast wind brought some cool air, so I took out the towel and Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises and headed to the beach for some summer reading. As I was reading, the wind got hotter and hotter. The wind had changed direction to southwest, brings with it the hot, humid air from the mainland. The short walk to the car made me sweat like an old dog. Determined, I headed towards the bay side to check the wind condition. It was marginal when I arrived. But there was enough to get the kite off, and with the big board, I should be fine, I said to myself. As I was pumping up the Mega Kahoona, the wind got a little more steady and a little stronger. By the time I finished setting up, I knew I will be more than fine. With the exception of a brief intermission, I was well powered on the Mega Kahoona and my Custom 144. Two other kites joined me briefly. But for the most of the session, it was me, the birds and the sunset. Two hours of chasing the sunset, jumping off the water to play with the birds and seeing my board cutting through the smooth water were more than enough to put a big smile on my face. When I was done, only the horseshoe crabs that were having an orgy at the beach kept me company.

What a beautiful session!