TODAY IS THE DAY TO SAIL!

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

I don't know how you poor devils fared at Leo today, but I have to admit to my third 5.0 day in a row up here at Bacara and El Capitan. Being the only one out on all these days, I have to think that I'm getting special treatment. Spring can be specially good for the upper west south coast, whereas spots further south and east just don't seem to be as favorable this time of year.

capetonian · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Florida

Today was lots of fun at County Line. I was perfectly powered on my 6.0 (200 lb) and sailed until my hands couldn't hold the boom any longer - about 1.5 hours Sad

capetonian · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Florida

What was the wind like at Leo? I feel that the wind at County Line was better than the graph for Leo shows.

dabull1 · Joined: 19 Mar 1997 Posts: 556

OK, OK!!! A nice big slice of humble pie is on the table for DaBull!!! The dollars were flowing today, so I was stuck working my way to Maui instead of chasing Mr Bard and Whitey out of the Marina. Not predicting wind tomorrow but if it happens I think I can escape. Mr SW... keep rubbing our LA noses in all that wonderful wind Club Led and north is getting and we shall invade the channel with large oil derricks... word up from a former Santa Barbarian! Also, did anyone find my beloved red and grey Da Kine XT harness at Leo? Worth a margarita or two! Aloha Bull

MalibuGuru · Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300

Bill, I think I have a brand new xt harness I'd love to sell. xl red and black, with tags still on it.

dabull1 · Joined: 19 Mar 1997 Posts: 556

Sounds good Steve! Bring it with you and maybe we'll add it to the collection! Bull

sharkasm · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 149

theq · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 707

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

pixit,

El Capitan was really strong on Monday, but the wind direction is a bit sideoff, as the best winds there downslope coming out of the NW. Often El Cap goes too offshore, and it can do that very quickly, so it can sometimes be quite fussy and difficult. When sailing there it's important to walk westward maybe 50 yards past the bathrooms. You don't want to come in at the point where the large rocks start, because the offshore nature of the wind can tend to force you to come in towards that area. It's best to play it safe and stay high, even as far as the stair leading up to the Lifeguard Tower above on the bluff.

Bacara (classically named Haskills) is right next to the Bacara Resort, a real upscale and expensive hotel complex. Also, the Sandpiper Golf Course is very close above on the cliffs to the east. To get there off the 101, it's the Winchester exit coming northbound, or the Hollister exit going southbound. These are the most westerly exits in the city of Goleta.

To go to the beach at Haskills, you need to turn in at the road leading in to the Sandpiper Golf Course, and drive past it and also the Veneco oil processing facility to the parking lot at the Bacara Tennis Club. This parking lot is the only legal area for visitors to park, but it's free. To get down to the beach you need to walk the path up and over the rise down to the beach. There are awesome grass areas to rig on, and there are bathrooms and outdoor showers right there next to the beach. In my opinion, this spot is arguably one the best beach locations on the South Coast.

The wind tends to be on the onshore side, so the windswell can sometimes make it tough to make it through the surfline. The winds that make the spot really work are frontal related, so the winter/spring timeframe is the name of the game, with spring being the best opportunity. Things can happen outside this framework, but that's more the exception rather than the rule. One thing that's important to keep in mind is that the wind at Leadbetter Beach, which is located adjacent to the Santa Barbara Harbor, has nothing to do with what happens at IV or Bacara/Haskills. Although there can sometimes be wind at Leadbetter, it will usually be WSW or W (too offshore). Often when IV, Bacara or El Capitan are really windy, Leadbetter is blowing very lightly from the east.

It helps greatly to be a local to the area to get the best conditions, because there are no iWindsurf sensors in the Goleta and Gaviota areas. However, wind at the SB Airport can often be referenced. Also, the winds at Point Conception can be a guide to the possibility of good wind. Overall, things are a bit dicey, but very rewarding when things go off.

nealpar · Joined: 25 Oct 1998 Posts: 624