Debby Downer

Tropical Storm Debby didn't do her thang and the wind forecast is bleak. We're coming up for a family vacation to Oahu. I decided to take a board and couple of sails. Lets see how that works out with airport parking, windsurfing kit, luggage, two kids and all that. You never know I might get to sail some conditions like this:

If I do, for sure I will be bloggin!

Music To My Ears

Synopsis...ALL MARINE INTERESTS IN THE WESTERN GULF OF MEXICO NEED TO MONITOR THE TRACK OF A TROPICAL DISTURBANCE LOCATED NORTH OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA. THIS TROPICAL DISTURBANCE IS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED TO STRENGTHEN AND BECOME A TROPICAL CYCLONE WITHIN THE NEXT TWO DAYS. WHILE THERE STILL REMAINS QUITE A BIT OF UNCERTAINTY WITH THE FORECAST TRACK...THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS DISTURBANCE TO AFFECT THE WESTERN GULF DOES EXIST. EITHER WAY...LARGE SWELLS WILL BEGIN TO IMPACT THE COASTAL WATERS BY MONDAY OR TUESDAY AND INCREASE EVEN FURTHER BY WEDNESDAY. PLEASE STAY TUNED TO THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FOR FURTHER UPDATES ON THIS TROPICAL DISTURBANCE.

Quest Video Analysis

Bird was really good yesterday. Best day in a long time for me with a handful of people out. I got quite a few decent grubby attempts in, keeping my hands closer together and focusing on sweeping that back leg round, and Julie got a couple on video. Happy Fathers Day to me! Here they are:

Grubby Attempts June 2012 on Vimeo.

I watched the footage on the beach and whilst I thought I was going off the wind, it actually looks like I'm on a beam reach. So I went back out with one objective, to try them further off the wind.

First attempt: Virtually on a run. Got good slide but the sail pushed me onto my back leg.
Second attempt: Did a perfect grubby into no wind. "Nooooo.....glug." Oh. Man. So. Oh. So. Close.
Third attempt: The wind died. Next time.

So. Grubby tip of the week. If you think you are going off the wind, go further, till it feels like you are on a run.

Light Wind Levee

I sailed last Sunday at the Levee but didn't think it worth blogging. My recollection was that I barely planed. This morning I was playing with the camcorder and magically found some footage. Drumroll please....Ta Dahhh!

And it actually looked a little better than mediocre. One of the things I like about freestyle is that you can turn mediocre conditions into a fun and challenging session.

The Bay, Just Because

Wasn't really feelin it Sunday at Bird. Grubby butchering. Then got this:

So headed to the Bay. Had a fabulous time.

Grubby Tips

Solid wind at Bird (over powered 5.3). Took a step backwards with the Grubbies on account of the strong wind. In fact, after 4-5 back slapping half loops I decided to do the real thing instead and tried a couple of speed loops. Post sesh I got a couple of tips off freestyle meastro Randy.

1. Keep the hands close together in strong winds, reduces the tendency to loop
2. REALLY REALLY kick that back leg round, it can't go half way

Can't wait to try em. I get #2 already. When it's strong I'm quite passive, expecting the tail to come round on it's own. Whilst when it's light I really kick it. So, I'm thinking it's not the wind but my approach that is the difference in light vs. strong winds.