And on the 7th day - Waves!

Didn't expect to be trying real wavesailing later in the day...

After 6/6 days of windsurfing in Hatteras, we skipped Saturday to take Phillip back to the Raleigh Airport which is a 4 hour drive each way. Then it was time Sunday morning to change houses. We moved from the Soundhounds' Cayman Sunset to the Twin Tip house 3 doors south.

Gear by the old house

Moving the gear to the new blue house

It was a strong NE wind when I started my late morning Easter Sunday session. I was a bit distracted and didn't really get the 6.2 or 5.6 under control on the Skate 108. I then tried the 4.8 on the Stingray 140 with the 99cm foil in the strong gusty winds. It was OK but not a great session. The water had dropped in the sound and I had a long walk even with the short 24 inch mast on the foil. I did at least get the gear moved down to the new house and then took a break for lunch.

Fast windsurfing track in red, curvy foil track in yellow

Windsurfing is faster than foiling

After lunch we headed to Ocean Air and saw Derek Rijff who recommended the old lighthouse as an afternoon launch. I packed up the 4.7 and 5.2 and the 116 Freewave and we got there around 4pm. There were two kiters coming in on 7m and 5m kites and the wind and waves seemed very intimidating. I waffled on whether to go out until I saw Derek and Brian rigging up. Suddenly I felt a bit more confident and rigged the 4.7. I watched Derek go out and then followed.

The old lighthouse launch was daunting

The shorebreak was much easier to get through than I thought. Suddenly I was out in the ocean in the biggest waves I been on in many years. My gear was perfect which was a nice relief. My heart was pounding though. I was going super fast and on the way out one time a wave started jacking up in front of me and I decided jumping was the best idea. Wow, I got the highest I've been since Maui years ago. I saw my shadow down on the water below and had the presence of mind not to land flat! I sailed away grinning. My Ripcurl Flashbomb 3/2 wetsuit kept me nice and comfy for the 10 km / 40 minute session.

Getting ready to launch

Getting out there

Nice to have Derek out there for company

Rode a few waves

Getting out through the shorebreak!

Screaming back - slow down and catch the wave Carl!

I made it!

My GPS trail of the wavesailing session

Not sure the heart rate is correct, but decent speeds…

Windy walk backwards to the parking lot

It is fun to realize that board is the same one I was using in the Hatteras Wave Jam in Sept 2015, the last time I rode big Hatteras waves. Tomorrow looks cold and rainy.