Just discovered Waddell, need advice :)

kevinkan · Joined: 07 Jun 2001 Posts: 1661 Location: San Francisco

Scott Creek is a popular kite spot... people used to windsurf there, but seems like most of the windsurfing crowd go to Waddell or Davenport... someone else here could probably explain why. Fantastic looking wave... i watched guys rip it up surfing one day

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

Scotts....
I've found THREE different dead bodies washed up on the beach there, so far.
LONG walk from your car, and back.
Wind is almost similar to Waddell, so DTL sailing takes a strong sheeted in cutback, as it's really suited to going left, or backside.
Yes, once every month, it goes sideshore, but then it's too light on the inside after kicking out.
One mistake, the left on the other side of the channel, to the S, can punish you like no tomorrow.
Little reward for windsurfing DTL on side onshore winds, after that long hike down.

xander.arch · Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Posts: 217

chris_keraly · Joined: 17 Jun 2014 Posts: 2

Thanks everyone for the advice! You'll see me out there for sure, hopefully it won't take too many skunks before figuring the place out Smile

zpp66 · Joined: 02 Apr 1994 Posts: 77

I'm 160 lbs and my main board for Wadell is 85l. I'd recommend getting a 5.2 or 5.4 if possible. When I used to sail there a bunch, often there would be some great lighter wind waves, but when there is some punch slogging out is very very difficult (and a good way to break a mast). Unless you live awfully close, you don't want to have to sit out a session because the wind is 2 mph too low...

At some point a smaller multi-fin wave board would be a good idea, as it is windy down there in the spring!

Lastly, some of my most memorable sessions in my life were on big fall days at Scott's - one in particular came to mind when I car pooled with Ian Boyd and had long mast-high rides until I got cocky and wound up washed up on the rocks!

Have fun, which I was still able to sail down there in a regular basis.

damel · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 247

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

I still recall one day I was down at the rigging spot, just out of the wind, when people were yelling up at upper parking lot, and pointing to the bridge parking adjacent to the highway. Someone was breaking windows in the cars along the bridge, some people were running around down near the bridge, and I was soooo glad I parked on the hill, where I couldn't see my trusty Honda Civic from where I was. Didn't go out that day, just too much excitement on the road after CHP, State Police, and some other uniforms showed up to double park on the S bound traffic lane at the bridge and completely divert traffic, into a one lane traffic jam.

prevett · Joined: 25 Jun 1997 Posts: 65

wavezz · Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Posts: 32

Here is how to dial the fog, after you learn the patterns, you can easily predict better than any of the forecasts. It is a very micro-climate, subject to subtle changes (htnx to Ranger Gary on this one)
http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/sat-bin/display10.cgi

Thefts - Gazos has had several, the rash of thefts at Davies and Scott several years back, the 'aliens' were caught and busted. Not a politically charged observation, just for info. Up from Watsonville, watched cars left by sailors, and then nailed them.

for reference, in town, at It's - Jan had her whole car stolen, all gear, and there was reported by the cops that 2 cars a week get stolen (wow, really?). This was just a mos ago.

For a pointer on waves... as a local, and yes my hot tub is 2 mile from Waddell, so that's pretty local...

Be good at chicken jibe, not just to save your bacon, but in case you mis judge the inbound wave riders. too often newbies won't wait, and start out when waves & riders are rolling in, where all the have to do is wait 20-30 seconds for spacing, or do a little jibe and then repeat back out. It's easier on a kite, but regardless, give riders room. ALWAYS look over your shoulder before you jibe on wave (first)- don't blast on and turn 180 right into someone downwind and going out. that happens alot.

There's also lot's of beach upwind and down, if you are a hack, seek some open water - more fun anyway. Way south is some great stuff at the lowest reef.

Although entertaining, I prefer not to have to cruise around "clue-less" on the twin tip that just stuffed in front of head high, he is a hazard to both himself and others. Myself and many others gladly will give space, for safety. It's a small local group, and most are darn friendly. There's plenty of waves to go around.

The N break at Scott can often be very competitive, when it's hot, and there's good riders out. You will not be welcome if you f* up in the line there. It's a top shelf venue when going off.

In two weeks, the American Windsurf Tour is super cool, definite should check the scene and party at Joe's in Davenport. though I mostly kite now, they let me drop by anyway cause making the killer fresh fruit margie's in the blender.. such a hoot.

Good luck.