It's the Most Windiest Time of the Year

I walk out into a snowy morning. I had forgotten how beautiful everything is right after a fresh snowfall! There's about 10" of downy fluff covering the trees, the yard, my truck, the driveway, the driveway... The only thing disturbing the tranquility of the scene is a shovel leaning against the railing. I'd like to get rid of that shovel, just throw it out. It ruins the beauty of the moment. I start shoveling. All this snow. It puts you in the spirit of the season doesn't it? The soft blanket of white draped over the trees. Seeing your breath hang in the cold, crisp air. The squeak and crunch of snow under your feet as you pump up your kite. This is the true meaning of the holidays. Being warm and cozy on a frosty morning, snug in your drysuit. Sharing a session with friends. Sticking out your tongue to try to catch one perfect snowflake as you rotate through a back roll. We New Englanders are hardy people. We have an appreciation of Winter's challenges. A love of that which is cold, hard and miserable. It makes us better people. To go out in the frost. To kite. To love it. This is what we do. It's perfectly normal. A slush puddle with chop in the Corp parking lot Not Normal- O.K. so I'm back to worrying about my head being blown off of my body. 2nd time in 2 weeks with wind to 50 MPH! Brad and I both agree it's windy. We kite in the Chapin marsh for a while, gusty as snot, then ride waves downwind to Corporation. Not Nice and Not Normal- Between Chapin and Corp I get a little cocky and go over the falls on a closeout wave, have a yard sale. I relaunch my kite before it gets trashed, but come in boardless where there's no real beach to land on. There are some shallows, a little sand, and a nice big rock wall. With Brad's VERY MUCH APPRECIATED help I eventually get my board back, land my kite, fix a torn open footstrap, and walk until we find a spot with enough beach to relaunch. While I'm laying out my lines for relaunch on the small beach, I keep losing my bar and lines in the drifts of foam blowing off the water. I have to use my board as a marker to find my bar in all the foam. This is not normal. This is 50 MPH. I relaunch. We make it to Corp. We kite some more. It's a happy ending. Except for the part where I think about what would have happened if I had come in on that rock wall an hour or 2 earlier, at dead high tide. I'm going to bookmark that thought for next time. Today's wasn't the sanest kiting I've ever done but it was pure adventure. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors, marred only by the task of shoveling the walk and driveway in the morning. 2 Turtles- We helped rescue 1 stranded Kemp's Ridley sea turtle at Corp, saw another at Chapin that was too far gone. Downwinder, Chapin to Corporation Beach, Kitesurfed, NW, WNW, 25-50, isolated gusts to 55. 6M RPM/ Mako150, with Brad. Air temp around 32 F.

I Curl my Toes

I grunt during times of extreme exertion. It's like a low growling noise deep in my throat. I usually don't even notice that I'm doing it because I'm pretty focused on living through whatever I'm doing, but later my throat feels sore, my voice is hoarse, and I know why. Sometimes on a big jump, which for me is anything over 12", I catch myself doing it. "Stop it", I yell at myself! It would be very embarrassing if anyone knew that I was doing it but luckily nobody notices. Unless I do it during sex. Or I have the poor judgement to write about it on a blog. There are worse things than grunting like a warthog when I'm having fun. Sometimes I curl my toes. I also grimace and fart. Brad at Corporation Lip Smackin' Good! I grunted and farted my way downwind from Mayflower to Corporation with 5 energetic kiters. Lotsa wind, lotsa waves, lotsa smiles! Downwinder, Mayflower to Corporation, W, 14-35, 6M RPM/Mako150, with Brad, Jean, KiterMike, Kristof, Chuckie.

2 Winds

Peter K Levitating at Corporation A windsurfing wind and a kiting wind. I sailed in waves, strong wind at Corp in the AM then kited in the mellow flats at Chapin during mid/low tide in the afternoon. It was a soul satisfying day!!! Almost a kitemare? So when I was walking my kite upwind, in knee deep water, another kiter, Dave, kited too close and crossed my kite. We both released to our safety lines, walked it in and untangled everything, no big deal in this case (light winds, shallow water, no kite spirals) but it definitely worried me. He was a newbie too, and very apologetic. I've been wondering, since I started kiting, what would happen if 2 kites crossed. Now I know. It's not pretty. In strong winds, or at the wrong location I'll bet it could be a lot more serious. Igor- It was great to see you! Your a human weather sock. When you start showing up at Chapin again it means the windy season is coming! Bring it on. Sagamore Bridge Repaving- The traffic was good leaving the Cape, until exit 2. Then it just stopped dead. It took 45 minutes to go the last few miles. I rummaged thru my lunch left overs, made some phone calls, and clipped my toenails while I was bumper to bumper. How often can you clip your toenails while you're driving on the highway?! The repaving is supposed to continue around the clock for the Fall and Spring. Corporation, Windsurfed, NW 13-30, 4.2, 5.2/ RW85, with Scott, Jerry E, Jerry C (Field Pub, Cambridge), Jamie, Jeff, others. Chapin, kitsurfed, NNW, N, 7-17, 12 M Kite, 152 Ply board, with Frank, Sandie, Igor, Dave, others.

A Corporate Spanking

I spent the morning paying my Corporate dues. I got caught inside after 1 run, slightly underpowered on 4.2/85 liters, and refused to believe that I couldn't fight my way out and back up to the launch. I couldn't. I stayed down wind, flogging myself in the shorebreak, for way too long. When I Finally made the long walk back and put up a 5.2/94 liters I started sailing for real and had a good time. By the end I felt a small sliver of self respect starting to come back. Corporation Beach, unknown sailor I'm very glad that my back didn't expire while I was out in the waves getting slapped around. My back lives to sail another day. Windsurfed, Corporation, NW 23-35, NNW 13-27, With Igor, Jerry E, Peter, Mike, Others.

Corporate Meeting

I packed my lunch, laid out my clothes, and went to bed early. I had an important meeting in the morning. I wanted to get a good night sleep so I would be at my best. The topic of the meeting? Windsurfing. It took place on the water, Corporation Beach. I think it was very productive. There was a nice group of guys attending. We had 5 on the water at one time. That's considered a massive crowd for Mid February sailing/kiting around here. Jerry gets the award for the move of the day. How can you possibly sail on the leeside of the sail on an 85 liter board, in waves, (alright tiny waves)? I saw him happily motoring upwind, back to the launch that way. Someone should tell him that it's impossible and that he should stop doing it! Note- Chapin meter read W but the wind seemed more WNW at Corporation. Picture- Igor, the Corporate man. Corporation Beach, Windsurfed, WNW 15-27, 5.7 & 6.2/ Acid 94, Air Temp upper 30's, With Igor, Juan, Jerry, Barry on kite.

De-ice Before Take Off

Juan, jibing on a smooth spot at Corporation Beach The temp was a little borderline for me today, it never got above freezing, but I'm a sucker for wind and waves and that's what we got at Corporation. I was plenty warm, except for: the occasional numb hand that I had to shake down, some wind chill on my face, my right big toe was cold for about 10 minutes, no problem. Near the end of the day my boom was getting a little slippery from freezing and I noticed some ice spray forming on my rig. I guess that explains why my sail felt heavy when waterstarting. The wind quality wasn't the best but it was a beautiful sunny day, great to share it with Igor and Juan. Just as I was getting into my truck to leave, 2 elderly ladies, who had been watching me derig, came over to say that they loved watching me sail and that all the kids that are sitting inside watching T.V. should get off they're couches and come out and watch. That made my day! I had expected to hear the usual refrain: "you are sick and should be locked up so you can't influence others". Ya never know. where's my de-icing agent? Windsurfed, Corporation Beach, WNW, W, NW, 10-29, 5.7/Acid94 & RW 85, with Igor, Juan, I used Josh's Drysuit(new, no leaks), 5mm gloves, Air Temp 27-31 F.

Corporation Beach, NW 10-20 building to NNW 18-28, 6.2/Acid, 5.2/RW85, a few others

Winter/Summer confusion- You know, I don't really care if the weather ever warms up for spring. If we get a few more days just like today, it will be fine with me. We had lots of sunshine, lots of wind, lots of waves, temp 37 F. O.K. my hands got cold a few times, but other than that, (and the knowledge that I was wearing my drysuit with 4 layers underneath), it felt and looked like a summer day. There was bright sunshine glistening off the water, children flying kites, families strolling along the waters edge, and plenty of picture takers and dog walkers. Never mind that it was 14 degrees F. below average for the end of March, sand was blowing horizontally down the beach, and everyone had on jackets, hats and mittens. It was glorious! So I'm going out on a limb here, being brutally honest. I would be happy if it stays frigid as long as it stays windy, especially sunny and windy. Of course, if the weather really does refuse to warm up, everyone is going to blame me for writing this.

Corporation Beach- First impression, nice launch. Much shorter walk at low tide than Mayflower. I liked launching from the end of the breakwater, easier to get out thru the waves because you're halfway there. NNW wind was almost straight onshore, port tack out, not everyone's favorite direction for this spot, or so I hear. I know that NNW is also onshore at Mayflower, but starboard out, take your pick. There was a spot, out in the middle where I was jibing sometimes, where the waves seemed a little bigger and were sorta-breaking further out, fun. The waves were still very forgiving, wind waves, not very meaty or hollow.

Dialed in- I felt great on the 5.2 with the Realwind board today. For a while, the wind got lighter and I switched to the 6.2/ Acid. I just couldn't seem to get comfortable with that rig today. When I switched back to the 5.2/RW everything felt great, even as the wind and waves built, (I could have been on a 4.2 at the end). I wish I knew what it was that sometimes makes a rig and board feel perfect and sometimes awful. Harness lines slightly off? Too much/ not enough downhaul? Color of the sail clashes with my suit? This is a question for future exploration and discovery.

Hand Warmers- I put them on the back of my hands in my Glacier Gloves. They seemed to give a hint of warmth as long as I kept my hands above the waterline. Stopping to let a little air into the gloves excited them. I had a good dunking, about halfway through my session, that spelled their end. At least they didn't fall apart like my feet warmer experiment.

Click on pics to see large.

Pic 1, Kiter flying high at Corporation.

Pic 2, Tree serving Bud Light, across from The Chapin Restaurant.

All you ever wanted to know about wavesailing on the outer Cape.

Today is probably the best day this month for weekend wind, (the cut has relatively warm 37 temp, incoming tide, east wind, gale warning!), and I have social plans. Sometimes having a life gets in the way of living.

The following is from an IWindsurf forum discussion. It is a detailed break down of outer Cape wave sites and conditions, including the cut, from local waterman Peter Kimball. I'm posting it here so I can refer back to it more easily. Thanks to Peter for generously sharing his hard earned, inside knowledge! This will probably be of interest to local wave wannabes only, although the description of the cut is colorful.

10/7/07, IWindsurf forum, Peter Kimball writes;
Background; I think I have over 200 sessions at the cut in the last 4 years in all seasons and all conditions. I live in Dennis and have sailed the north side beaches for over 15 years Here is a general outline of wave spots: There are no south side wave locations on the cape. There may be waves that you can jump and sort of ride but they are minor.

Corporation; Best direction wnw-nw. nnw and N are dead onshore and sailable but not really fun. Waves are really wind swells, with a short period. Can be knee high to over head high. Work for all tides although out going tide gives good pitch to the wave Port out starboard riding. Very little current.

Chapin/Mayflower; Best direction ene-ne. Similar to Corporation with wind waves. Big walk at low tide. I think that barnstable-Brewster N beaches are all similar to Chapin/Mayflower.

The cut or Chatham light; A bunch of ground rules- You must be comfortable in all of the following conditions, sometimes all on one tack. If you are not you will suffer until you are good in all of the following. Most windsurfers do not come often enough to get there. Sailing over powered mandatory. Sailing with nearly no wind. There are strong currents Current due to the tidal flow, current due to the wind and wave flow. These currents can make it seem like there is no wind or too much. Be aware of the tides. It is sailable at all tides but the flow is important. The tide can make the wave shape or hurt it, help you out by pulling you up wind or be your worst nightmare sending you to the rocks or out to sea. There can be insane chop. Be able to launch in shore break. The wind can die very quickly, and you will get a good swim. Fog can come and blind you. You must be aware of your location at all times. Sea life: At least 1000 seals and the critters (sharks) that eat them are around, some times whales. Stay away from the seals if they are on the beach. Go near them and you will have hundreds in the water around you. Parking: There is a small parking lot. You can not park there in the summer season June-labor day. Always go with a sailing buddy. Always check your gear. A break down can be a long swim and or walk. The best waves are far away from the launch and can be very isolated. North wave locations are now off an island. South wave locations are at least a 1 mile walk. Right in front sucks. Wind direction: It works clock wise for N-SW There are no wind meters to tell you it is good or not. Only faith and experience works. Do not go if it is WSW to NNW. The wind is off shore and with an out going tide it could be a one way trip. Also there is a high bluff that blocks the wind. Waves- every thing from true ground swell waves to wind chop. Waves can be knee high to over mast high depending on conditions. The waves are best on a variety of sand bars. These bars move all of the time. The conditions change with the tides. Best conditions SW with a ground swell ie off shore storm (happens maybe once a year) N-NE drive by off shore storms. In SW go south. In N go north. ENE-S can be good but very onshore for the wind. Some of the biggest waves though. Recommended gear- A board with volume – to half you weight in lbs. 150 lbs= 75 liters etc. Rig bigger than you think you need. I use a 5.3 or 4.7 and the JP FSW85. The best wave riding is up wind and up current. So be prepared to travel.

Other outer cape locations; All of the cut conditions apply to the beaches from Chatham to Ptown. The change is the wind directions that work. All have strong currents and rip tide when the waves have any size. Most will not work for side off winds as the high coastal bank blocks the wind where the waves are. Go only if it is side shore at that location and with a good swell and you may get lucky. Side off is no wind, side on is broken gear in the shore break. Most locations are beach breaks.