Figure 8s for lunch

I remember 35 years ago watching in awe as a really good windsurfer on a short board was zipping back and forth and doing sweet planing jibes at the end of each run. Perfect figure 8s. I think it was on Laurel Lake, while I was at the University of Waterloo.

Lots of figure 8s - and some nice wave rides

My first 20 minutes of this lunch session felt a bit like that with some sweet planing jibes and I kept dry on each one. Except that the water wasn’t nearly as flat as at a small lake in southern Ontario. So as I headed upwind on Georgian Bay toward the open and waves, my jibes became much less reliable. But the wave rides were super fun.

The view before I headed out - solid wind, waves and clearing skies

I was also happy that my choice of the 4.7 Duke and old Tiga 257 was perfect. So comfy riding on that old board. I walked to the point and launched from there. And I was mostly powered during the session, except when I ventured too far into the wind shadows - in search of nice flat water to jibe on. Of course, I’d then wind up in a lull and not be able to plane out of the jibe. I got a bit better at the waist deep submarine low wind slog. 

I hit one great jump, and then had some fun wave rides going back downwind. I was sensing that the wind was dying and needed to get back for some work calls. The wind did indeed drop from the 29 knots I was seeing initially, more to 25 and then even 19 knots after putting my gear away. I’d been comfortable in my 3/2 wetsuit in the 11c air and 12c water but will add some ankle straps for next time I’m in that much wind.

Pre session 29 knots!

Post session 17 knots

Speed chart - good speeds heading downwind at the end.

Interesting to see that I hit the same 47ish km/h top speed that I did recently with the 7.0 and Ray 122. But with what would normally be considered an ancient old slow board and fin.

I headed back from session #68 nicely tired but happy. I was super hungry and was wondering if spaghetti O’s come in a figure 8 version?

After work we headed back out to the Launch Pad to enjoy the sunset and dinner. The sun is setting so much father south now!

Nice weather and wind for Friday and Saturday but too many chores to do on the last days before the local dump goes to winter hours. But big wind predicted for Sunday!