windsurfing

2bluehawaiins · Joined: 07 Mar 2002 Posts: 194

windsurfing

wndsrfrmn · Joined: 30 Jun 2001 Posts: 36

The forecasters need to use the global warming models that can predict the weather decades from now.

Iwindsurf is a fine service for telling us what it is blowing now. In the days before iwindsurf we would look out the window and see how fast the trees were wiggling. We would listen to the network radio weather forecast and the marine radio current readings. We would read the tide books. Depending on the wind direction we would go to the appropriate location and rig what we had, complain of no wind, complain of too much wind, or move on to a different location. Much has changed but remained the same.

I happily pay my subscription fee because of what I get for my money. In one place I can know what the wind is right now and decide where to go. I can get the tide information so I know when it will be ebbing. I can find a new board or used sail. I can rant about global warming.

The forecasters always seem so confident. They are so often wrong. Where else can you be wrong half the time and still keep your job? The forecasts are nothing more than educated guesses. Some Chinese butterfly flaps it's wings and throws ALL of the models off. Only a fool believes that we humans have no effect on climate or weather. Only a fool believes that we humans have control over climate and weather.

I just refreshed the current conditions. It's not blowing enough anywhere in the bay area, just as predicted. I can hover over my favorite sites and see all of the forecast trendlines match the actual winds.

Maybe they don't need to hire a new forecaster after all.

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

I think the Iwindsurf forecasters are doing a fine job.
Mostly conservative, they get pretty close.
If they miss the occasional 4.0 day at Rio, well, you shoulda just been there.
And when they say "14-19" at Berkeley, they seem to hit it pretty well.
We should rely more on ourselves and our judgement, and not just jump to the tune of some or other forecaster.
Part of the problem nowadaze is everyone is trying to find someone else to blame for ANY problems.

veterduet · Joined: 29 Jun 2000 Posts: 268

Trying to be part of the solution, I give the iwindsurf folks forecast feedback whenever I think it might be helpful. Hopefully they read it and factor it in. The more Bay Area folks that did that, the more fine tuned their predictions might become. That still won't change the fact that if you want to maximize your time on the water you need to follow the wind and not sit in one place and blame the forecasters!

beallmd · Joined: 10 May 1998 Posts: 1154

I also think they do a good job and am happy with my subscription to Iwindsurf. I like the current readings etc, but I also do my own forecasting looking at such things as simple as the temps in SFO and SAC, (ie forecasting for dummies 1A), the temps around the bay, the fog models, the satellite picture in motion for the west coast etc, current wind readings. SFgate page is helpful, also, check the surf report page-quite good.

windoggi · Joined: 22 Feb 2002 Posts: 2743

mtnview · Joined: 02 Jul 2002 Posts: 53

Extra kudos to Mike Godsey who always goes the extra mile trying to describe what's going on as well as how that translates to wind speeds for different sites. The mid-week forecasts have gotten pretty slim this year though.

- Dave

YippieYo · Joined: 16 Jul 2000 Posts: 108 Location: San Francisco

I might be reading in between the lines here, but it seems to me that the real complaint here is that there is no wind (which I share). iW forecasters have said for the last couple weeks that there will be no wind in the SF bay area, which for the most part has been correct.

Are you saying that (1) they've been telling us it will be real windy, but has not? Or are you saying that (2) they are calling for doldrums, but it's howling and you missed it? iW has not been calling for wind at all, so option 1 is ruled out. And if the second option is the case, you must have been at your local spot anyway, to know that it was windy, and probably went sailing.

Which leaves one other scenario - option 2, but you found out about great wind from some of our fellow helpful "You-shoulda-been-here-yesterday,-it-was-honking" sailors who seem to be able to get wind all the time somehow some way and still pay rent/mortgage/eat...

Sure, the forecasters do it screw it up from time to time, but to me, it seems they've been pretty spot on recently. However, I do think that some of the forecasters do a better job than others. And some seem to put in a lot more effort and have more local knowledge than others...

anyway, I've rambled much too long.

Magical iWindsurf - please make it windy, and tell us where and when to go get our wind fix. pretty please?

LeeD · Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 1175

"no wind"
Last week over 4 days outside Crissy with 4.5.
Larkspur itself blew over 27 for 3 days.
Rio don't count, we hate fresh water, but gusting to 32.
SouthBay mostly 5.5's, but that doesn't qualify for "no wind" in most windsurfing spots in the US.
Wads and Davs too far, but they blew the last 2 weeks.
No car maybe more a problem, or no time.

YippieYo · Joined: 16 Jul 2000 Posts: 108 Location: San Francisco