5-16 DC Island Beach

[Josh Shirley]

I arrived late by DC standards but the lake was slight capping all over the place. Pulled in to see a few vehicles void of large sailing gear. Here is the list as I remember it: Gunnars, Jim H, Linda, Sarah, Jerry, the Bradshaws, me, and someone else that I am unfamiliar with. Of course if you want to be mentioned you either need to put your name on your sail in big letters or stick around so I can meet you.

Perfectly sunny, the water temp is pleasant, the wind was 7.5 Deer Creek style.

I used my beginner board Bic Nova 165, very large fin, and an Ezzy 8.0. Good combination for my fatness. Jim was using his 103 liter JP and 6.9 windwing. We might have been on the opposite ends of the spectrum. I think I planed 90% well above the %50 DC average.

[Shawn Henderson]

I was the new guy. Sorry to be anti social, but I had to lay low and stay away from shore. I was just slogging along when I felt a tug, then this fisherman started yelling like crazy! I will try to pay more attention to where I am at. I wouldn’t want to cause problems for other peaceful sailors. I did say hello to gunners, but quickly escaped to the safety of the water. Also the wind just kept blowing. I thought it was supposed to die out from the thermal thing, but I wore out first. Everyone was planing a lot more then me (because I suck), but it was the most plaining I have done in 20 years! Mostly I was just hangging on for dear life. This is my first season back and first trip back to Island Beach where my dad taught me to sail when I was 10 or something. Lots of fun! oh and holy crap some guy shot past me on what looked like a huge blue starboard start? he was really moving and dragging his back hand pop, pop ,pop! Someday I hope to figure this sport out and be able to plane upwind like that. Awesome!

Shawn
Red retro 7.5 free formula 138

[Sarah Ranes]

Planeage was good yesterday. It started a bit light but, turned out pretty good. Working up to the gap seemed to produce the most consistant planeing. Gunnars and Jim did well on their 103 ltr boards and 7ish sails. I used a 7.2 and 136, which seemed about right. Linda was the Plane Queen, on her 7.5 and 122. We stayed out about 3.5 hrs and rode about 30 miles. It was a fun day, and a good WS crowd, I hope we get to do it again.

[Marty Lowe]

Just an observation you guys may want to know,
as I kited up from barb wire beach to kite with you jibbers,
the water and wind both were quite smooth at the beginning,
the closer I got to you guys, the wind got more holes in it, and the chop got rougher.
No real points here, just observations.

Marty

[Emmanuel Pons]

oh damn. HOW did I miss that one. JOSH you are supposed to call me. That is YOUR responsability
Glad you guys had fun!!!!

[Sarah Ranes]

Hey Marty, I think it was partially timing, cause it was for a while very solid and filled in. Then about the time you made your way south, to the area that we were sailing, we started getting holes. I will agree, that the water, and air get a bit turbulent from the damn water craft. I was having trouble staying on a plane, and was thinking about heading in, but, it kicked in again and was solid for another 20 mins or so. I've sailed at Charlston a few times and it is definately smoother down that way. Hope to see you on the water again...soon