Yuba 9-14-06 all day

[Josh Shirley]

Rick H and I had been debating for the last couple days on which lake would serve up the most planers, and we finally settled on Yuba. The central and southern Utah forecasts seemed strongest.
I dragged a newbie friend of mine, Wes, along for the ride. We arrived to the sand storms blowing off the north end of the lake and parked on west beach. I decided to rig my trusty 5.2 and Rick his 4.7 and for Wes, his first time on the water a 4.2. We enjoyed a southwest wind for about two hours fully powered and even overpowered.
Right as Wes was blown to the north beach the wind switched to the southeast and gave us a very powerful southeast Gunnison wind. I held on and got to the shore. Grabbed a drink and waited for Rick to get in so I could run down the beach and help out Wes. But because the wind changed direction Wes wrestled that 4.2 up and did a downwind reach to get back to the cars. Very impressive for his first day.
After a break and cranking my 5.2 down hard I went out in the 4.5 onshore conditions. That was the most fantastic session I have had in months. Rick and I stayed roughly 30 to 50 feet offshore and enjoyed the breaking waves. Great wave rides and prefect ramps for air. I even took a ride in the swell on Wes's beginner rig (start board, no straps and a 4.2.) That was scary racing down the swell with no straps, but absolutely hilarous jumping on a plane riding down the swell. Very fun.
Wes had the best observation of the day. "When the wind picked up the lake and conditions turned into utter chaois. I thought getting on the board and sailing through this would be impossible, then I saw Rick and Josh sailing around making it look easy. I thought this was just like life and how life gets chaotic and sometimes we don't know how to get through it. Some people dance though the experience and others struggle." Very thoughtful Wes, you must have hit the mast with your head.
Looking forward to Saturaday morning at the Harbor. Chocolate love.