Ike swell still delivering rides. Stay alert.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

Noticed too late last night that I could have wave sailed with my long board on a very solid thermal. Missed it.

Wx guesser speak: do thermals have more punch, even in lower temps, when there's tons of apre tropical storm rain in full evaporation mode? Temps were not that high in FL yesterday, so I dropped my guard for the typical sea breeze schtick....

Just trying to become a better wind guesser.

d0uglass · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject:

John,

I sailed at the Fort Pierce south jetty yesterday. It wasn't quite enough for planing on a Kona ONE with a 7.8, except in the outflow of the inlet where the current was helping. The waves were big but they were only breaking right at the steep beach, making launching hard. I don't really know the good beaches to launch from since I only moved to the "treasure coast" a week ago. Where are the good places to go, and are there any shops or clubs or anything around here?

Thanks,
James

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

Have you found the ecfw on Yahoo Groups yet? ecfw stands for east central fl windsurfing. I don't get down in that area much. Hobe Sound and Ft Pierce Inlet parks are all I know. You are in the midst of a kite stronghold. Beware of the full onslaught of that insanity. The main thrust that got all those former windsurfers into kiting I believe was small board wind snobbery, then the frustration of too high of expectations. I've sailed the Stuart Cswy some as well.

Options for onshore down there are tough. We've got the Cape up here, that giveth and taketh away. Having the Kona will help bunches. The shore pound will be the hardest thing to deal with. Try S Jetty park Ft Pierce if there is any bit of N in the wind. N Jetty for any bit of S in the wind. Cheers.

d0uglass · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject:

Hey John,

Thanks, I just joined the yahoo group.

Yeah, Fort Pierce is definitely a kite stronghold, but the kiters seem pretty friendly and ok with my sailing where they ride.

Today I sailed the Ike-related winds at the South Jetty and it was AWESOME. Later on I checked out the North Jetty and the break there was a lot better than on the South side- very gradual. Also, there were no buildings or high dunes, so it could be a good spot for side-off frontal winds. Some surfers to dodge, though.

-James