8/27 Deer Creek Sailboat Beach, 7.5/102L

[Shawn Henderson]

I was desperate and took a chance. No go. Not much wind to log about. Just another slogger like 3 others over the past couple of weeks. The only bright spot was that I busted out the 102L. Time to get over my fear of sinking. I uphauled in light wind and put in multiple reaches/slogs without getting wet (I did get wet, but the first few went better than expected). The hard part was getting moving. Not easy, but doable. So if the wind dies and I am in the middle of Utah Lake at least I know It can be done (by a newb like me). I think the smaller board will work better in the Utah Lake swell when its a 6.0 or smaller day. I suppose I will skip on purchasing a ~120L and just jump down to 102L More money for sail upgrades or maybe a snow kite. Confidence is up, time to go get beat down again at Yuba I suppose. Oh and a Weird thing… I seemed to be able to slog upwind easier on the 102 than the 138. Fin? Technique? I would have expected the opposite.

[JimSouthwick]

Considering how light it was (at least at the other end of the lake) I'm amazed you were even able to slog:

Well done uphauling such a large sail on such a small board.

The wind peaked at 15mph a little after 5 on the Charleston end, but was mostly much lighter than that. Even with a mini Formula board (Starboard Prokids Formula) and a 9.5 sail, I was only able to get on a plane a couple of times. Still, given my very low expectations, that was a treat. One kiter at Barbed Wire Beach, who appeared to be working his kite for all it was worth.