TAYLORS LANE, FOGLAND, light winds

Taylors Waves- I heard from Jean that he was heading to Taylors Lane today to try to take advantage of the strong SE wind for some wavesailing. Ben went off for an early evening playdate around 4:30 and the wind was still 19 - 30 at Fogland, so I threw the boards in the truck and hit the road. No luck. By the time I got to Taylors, the wind was 10-15 and Jean had left for greener pastures. I did some light wind foolishness at Fogland, just so I could say that I had my exercise for the day. At least I got to see Taylors Lane with SE waves. They looked nice! Fog & waves at Taylors Lane Summer at Kalmus- A few days ago, I got a friendly comment that I'm crazy to sail at anyplace except Kalmus in the Summer. What can I say? Before we had kids, my wife and I sailed at Kalmus almost every weekend. I loved it. These days I don't sail there very often for a variety of reasons. Sometimes I just don't have enough time to make the drive. Sometimes I'm looking for waves or want to try a new spot. Today, the swell report was 8' off the coast of R.I. and the wind seemed wide spread. It would have been hard to pass that up without trying. It's that slightly scared feeling of sailing in waves, being at the edge of my ability, and wondering if I can handle it, that gives me the biggest thrill. And I know that Kalmus will be there when I get too digusted with the summertime skunks.

FOGLAND, no wind

Skunkland- I thought that I was so lucky this week! After 17 years of not being free on weekday evenings, due to family needs, I found that I had 2 whole evenings, Wednesday & Thursday, with nothing on my schedule, no responsibilities. And the forecast called for good wind on Thursday! I worked late on Wednesday so I could feel good about leaving a little early on Thursday. It turned out to be super windy on Wednesday and skunky on Thursday. Wind forecasting is a lost art.

Rant, Rant, Rant- My problem is that I live too far from the water to pop over to the beach for a quickie when it's windy. When I try that, it usually dies while I'm en route. I often have to go before it gets windy, relying on the forecasts to have some accuracy. When it works it's like magic. The wind starts to build right when I get there, or during my drive. When the forecasting is completely wrong, like it's been most of the time lately, I miss the good wind and chase the bad, very frustrating.

Taylor's Lane- South of Fogland. I stopped to look at this wave spot. The launch was kinda rocky but I could see how a nice swell could roll in here with a S or SE. I would hope that the wave action is a little off-shore so you don't have to worry about jibing around rocks.

Grinnell Beach- North of Fogland. This could be nice with S, SW, and outgoing tide. Even with light winds there was some chop in the channel from tidal flow. It might be better off-season to avoid pissing off the boaters and fisherwomen.

Picture- boat at Sakonnet Point