12:45pm: Strong westerlies meant not much wind at Surfdale, so I drove to Whakenewha Park and went out on my own (I texted Marc to let him know the conditions were good). I took the trusted 125 L Fanatic Shark with pointer fin and the 5.4 m^2 sail. The wind was steady inside the bay, but it was a good 10 kts stronger (20 gusting to 30) in the open channel and stayed strong on the mainland side. So I made 5 laps (10 crossings), including a break for a freshwater shower at the yacht club at Mareatai on the last crossing to the mainland (I was quite thirsty and salty). Upon returning (4:45 pm) Marc, Jens, Hermano, and a couple others were in the Whakenewha Park bay--Marc was on the 5.7 and his friend on a 6.5 on an obscenely wide Mistral board. Ole showed up at the end but did not put in--he's such a wind snob. I do admit it was a bit disappointing in the bay after being in the open channel all day!
