GGG! Got the Grantsville Goods. 8-16-2006

[Josh Shirley]

Set the alarm for 6am to check the windmeter, woke up saw that it was blowing, packed the quickee kit (100 liter board, 3 sails, 2 masts, 2 booms.)

I arrived at the lake about 7:20am tailing Ken O (Utah's marathon sailor.)
Quickly rigged my 5.8 and starting a non stop jibing fest with a few yards of screeming planers inbetween.

About 9:15 I starting waking up and goofing off. After my best atempt yet at a willey skipper I jump back on a plane stoked, pump the sail, and get catapulted. 30 mph gust. My Ezzy Wave SE now has a hole in it for my head and arm; which really really slows ya down.

Even though I wrecked a really good sail I feel great that I have completed a windsurfing rite of passage. 6 years ago I purchased my first board for $100 bucks at a garage sail and this is my first crowning. Now I can change my windsurfing status from intermediate to experienced.

Future milestones yet to be acheived:
- mast break in middle of lake followed by long swim.
- major board ding or break
- lossing board off the top of the car
- any break down followed by drifting out to sea in an flow tide. (mostly applies to San Fran)
- attend the annual gorge tiki party
- and carpal tunnel syndrome
If I am missing any other windsurfing rites please advise.

[JeffGerke]

As soon as I find a couple more pieces of gear I'll be up for the Grantsville dawn patrol. I better quit looking at the Grantsville wind meter in the morning until I get hold of a couple sails and a harness. I'm so close.

[kenonstott]

Yes, what a great sesh. +20mph all morning, great speed runs on the 85L board, getting to watch Josh trying some great freestyle moves, and George showing up to try out a new board. After the rip and schlog of Sulfur it was great to be back in the smooth winds. Josh did try something a little unconventional; if you are overpowered just put a hole in your sail. At 1:30 Grantsville Res was at 30mph, maybe we should have stayed. As for rights of passage add, washing up on the NE side of the bay at Sulfur and having to walk back to the road, sailing into a tumbleweed (or carp) and getting catapulted (Rush or UL), having to swim from Wells's Island to the Hook when the wind dies at Hood River, trying to sail down a wave face in Maui like the pros and having the tip of the board pitch-pole you (that was 15 years ago and I still remember it), having to turn the boom over when it breaks on an outside turn, and having the board separate from the sail (speed swimming to try and catch up with a baord surfing down wave faces isn't my forte). You have to have the right attitude for this sport.

[Emmanuel Pons]

You guys think tomorrow morning would be a repeat?
I'd love to get a few rides in but am playing with a tight schedule so I am not to enthusiastic about getting skunked!

What do you you think?

[Kevin Simmons]

Magic 8-ball says there will be planable conditions in the morning.

[Sarah Ranes]

What equipment are you looking for...I have lot's around, let me know what you are looking for. You can call me on my cell if you want 209-4315 Sarah