Trivia: Current Sailing Speed Record

windsurfer: 49.09 knots (56.5 mph, 90.9 km/h)
kitesurfer: 50.57 knots
(average speeds measured over 500 m)

http://yachtpals.com/boating/speed-record

http://yachtpals.com/fastest-sailboats-2079

http://yachtpals.com/sailing-records-3076

Friday the 13th: "All American Day" at Surfadale

Friday the 13th is good for wind. I arrived at Surfdale around 3pm to find a rig sitting on the grass, then Canadian Mike showed up saying he had just driven home for a smaller sail (a very good sign!). For an hour or so the two of us represented North American windsurfing. It was a bit up and down (gusts to 40+ knots, then a few big gaps)--the 125 L Fanatic with the 5.4 sail handles the gaps well, but I pay for it during the gusts when it is just too burdensome. Turns out Mike has Ole's old AHD board (70ish L) that I will test drive next high wind day. Ole showed up as Mike was calling it a day--a bit battered by the unsteady conditions. The day was characterized by a few storms that moved overhead bringing strong burst followed by weak drafts, then the SW trend would fill back in (more or less). Ole was on a 4.7 sail with his mid-size board (still sub 1o0L), but definitely not steady enough wind for his tri-fin Gorge board.

The SW flow should continue tomorrow, but looks to be weakening--I have to Skype in for a few meetings at USU (our Saturday is U.S. Friday) and have some grading and paper proofing to do as well...so unless it is blowing steady 25 kts I'll skip out.

Good way to start the week

Slightly overpowered on the 5.4 at Surfdale from noon until 2pm. Made my way to the mouth of the bay and into some very large swell. Excellent conditions. A smaller board and sail would have helped a bit. I found myself having to push the boom with my back arm while pulling with the front to prevent the high winds from backwinding the sail.

I dedicate this outing to those with regular 9 to 5 jobs, or who must be in school, or who have recently been attacked by a sting ray. I really enjoy jibing below my kids' primary school, Te Huruhi, that sits on the bluff overlooking Surfdale, knowing they are busy studying while I work hard on the jibes. But then again, the kids are asleep while I work on research papers into the night...


Waiheke is proving to be a good locale for windsurfing. No constant tradewinds, but as long as the southwesterlies continue we are in good shape.

Another 6.4 Surfdale Day--and some surfing / kayaking

Based on faith alone I rigged the 6.4 at a very calm Surfdale beach around 11am. With B and P visiting from AKL we made a day of watersports and brought the tandem kayak and an old beastly sailboard from the early Mesozoic period. Shortly after rigging a bit of the predicted SE wind began to fill in, allowing for some windsurfing lessons. Also had some fishing from the kayak (no bites). I met "David" who decided after moving to Waiheke 7 yrs ago that he should take up a wind sport, so he chose windsurfing and was planing nicely on his new wide-as Bic board. The trend to wide boards for early planing and stability is reminiscent of the revitalization of skiing with the introduction of shorter fat skis.

Kite-surfer man arrived after noon and had a few good runs on a 12 m^2 kite, but said it just wasn't enough. I had some fully powered runs on the 6.4, but it was a bit up and down and I never ventured past the point into Blackpool. I had a few successful fast "short-board" tacks and fully powered jibe transitions.

The highlight was the surfing of the shallow waves by Isaac on the prehistoric sailboard. We shoved a short aluminum paddle in the mast receptacle hole that provided a handhold. Every time a wave started turning the board sideways the 6-yr old surfer shifted his weight and straightened out, taking 50+ meter rides on the train of waves resulting from the onshore winds.

Rudy (Rudi) showed up in the early evening to see what the wind was doing--he'll be back out by next weekend--the leg is healing well, but there is still significant edema in his ankle and foot from an allergic response to the stingray toxins. I find myself dragging my feet instead of stepping down when trudging through the shallow water (just in case the Rays want to score another strike for their team). As the tide went out I misjudged the water depth a few times and dragged the skeg along the muddy bottom--maybe I scored a retaliatory strike?--I'll need to sand the fin.

Surfdale 6.4 for 6 hrs

Managed to get the fatherinlaw up for 20 second runs starting @ 10:40am. By noon the wind was fairly consistent & I sailed into early eve
Rudy and Ole stopped by--Rudy's stingray wound required IV antibiotics. Ole doesn't own a sail over 5.8. So I was the sole windsurfer today. Marc chose to kiteboard along with a German visitor
Viel Spass

November: 100% success (2/2)

Book chpt semi-complete so I checked on Surfdale about 6pm. Colder as no sun. Right wind though. Sailed 90 min--arms tired early from yesterday's 4hrs. No sign of "Ray", but I minimized time in the water!

Succumbed to temptation--and worth it--but there was a stingray incident!

The problem with our house is I have a clear view of the ocean, and today the ocean called. The book chapter will have to wait until tomorrow (unless it really blows--which it just might do)

Arrived at Surfdale to see "Dad with daughters" rigging a 6.0. Found out he does indeed have a name. It is Rudy. Mark was in the van, but couldn't get in the water since he had to teach a class at the high school shortly (a windsurfing class? I'm going back to school!)

I went with my 6.0 "Twister" as well. Just as I was about to get in I saw Rudy flying along--we selected the right sails. But once I'm on the water I can't find Rudy. Then I finally spot his board on the rocky shore where the Esplanade dirt road juts out from Blackpool to Surfdale. Then I spot Rudy on the road with his sail with him. A problem with the rig that required such an emergency exit? Mark spotted him too and rushed over in the van. I'm flying along (it is FINALLY my day where the 125 L Fanatic and 6.0 sail are perfect). But no sign of them getting the rig back into the water. THEN the ambulance shows up! WTF?? Mark takes off in the van toward Blackpool and I race him around the point (the sail-powered craft wins as the van encountered a few pedestrians on the dirt road and had to slow down). I check back on the Surfdale side and the ambulance is going away. I go to shore to see what the boys are up to (see video for an idea) and talk with Rudy's wife who has arrived to pick up his shoes from his car to take to the hospital--she tells me he has a gash on his leg. I didn't ask how he got it, I figured a bad encounter with the skeg or a sumberged rock, or something inorganic. But it turns out to be a freak encounter with a stingray during a waterstart! WTF??? Details below

So after Rudy's wife leaves I talk with a newly arriving windsurfer ("the Calgary Kid") and a kitesurfer (the same one who was out last night--he did better today with the stronger winds). So the kitesurfer tells me that Rudy was impaled by a stingray, and in addition to the ambulance the local news reporter was there taking photos and interviewing Rudy. Crikey!! A f'n rouge stingray!!

So I windsurf for hours (taking a short break with the kids). Finally I'm done and as I'm heading to the beach I see Rudy's family van returning--In addition to watching the kids I've been keeping an eye on Rudy's car that has the hatchback partially open to accommodate his board and sails (Mark must have taken care of this). So I get out of the water to see Rudy, who has traded his boom for a cane and his wetsuit for a leg bandage. I tell him it is still really good wind and he can borrow my rig if he wants to head out (he is in good spirits despite the wound, but shivering and unable to put much weight on the leg--poor guy). The doctor was able to stick his finger about 4 inches into the wound while probing for a stinger. He'll get an ultrasound to be sure. Lucky the stinger didn't hit an artery. Rudy said it felt like a bite or being hit really hard. The water is very murky so you can't see your own feet in the shallows.

At the end of the day Ole showed up and he and the Calgary Kid took a few more runs. Ole was on an 80-something L board with a sub-6.0 sail and was unable to do much...a bit overly-optimistic Ole? Next high wind day I will try his AHD 80 L board that he no longer uses--I'm determined to have a small board for the next screaming southwesterly flow. Mark also is liquidating his gear. He is hanging up his hat on the Windsurfing-Waiheke Business. Apparently there is still an old web site out there that I need to check. Mark looked strangely at me when I told him I windsurfed Owhanake bay when the wind was from the west. Apparently there are better options and he highlights them on his web page. I may be the first and only windsurfer to take on the narrow Owhanake bay! (stupid American)

Finally, in addition to wishing Rudy a quick recovery I need to send positive vibes to dad who is undergoing open heart surgery on Monday for valve replacement--an operation that was always looming, and has now finally arrived. The outlook is good and we will see him here in Waiheke in March.

PS. "The Calgary Kid" has been on Waiheke since 1988, the Summer I spent on Oahu learning the fundamentals of windsurfing. So 21 years later...still learning!