Sailing Solo in the Snow
This is the fourth weekend in a row that I've had over 30 MPH winds for at least part of a session. You gotta love windsurfing in the Winter! Or not. None of the usual lunatics wanted to sail today. I have no idea why. This was my first time sailing in a snow flurry. Who would want to miss a chance for that?! There was also some light rain and sleet but that was nothing new. The surprising thing is that it was a really good session. Really good. I didn't even think that my twitchy little 3.5 sail had a sweet spot but today was its day. Having waist-deep-smooth-water-behind-a-sandbar might have helped. I spent less time playing in the outside waves than usual. I was getting a little skittish about being out 1/2 mile or more from the launch, in the snow, mist, cold, gale, waves, knowing that there wasn't anyone else on the water, in the parking lot, or on the beach, not that I could really see the beach. It was beautiful on the outside, and the waves were mostly small, but I had the nagging feeling that I might not be exercising the best judgement.
I sailed 4 hours after high tide, no problem. The forecast called for minor flooding, north of plymouth from a slight storm surge. I guess it happened south of plymouth too. |
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9 comments:
I have a feeling that your nagging feeling was right. Esp. on a day like that, if something goes wrong, it pays to have a buddy on hand.
Yeah, I think I still have a tiny bit of common sense left, contrary to popular belief.
You have admirable courage and fortitude, Scooper, to take on conditions like that. As I see windsurfing, one is on their own no matter how many others are windsurfing. If something goes wrong, it would be better to have boaters nearby than windsurfers. Only a rare kiter will try and help if you are distressed.
Well I've got a good drysuit and I know how to use it.
You're probably right about being on your own out there. The only thing that worries me is if I were to get injured to the point that I couldn't sail or swim in, or was even struggeling to keep my head above water. Then having someone around to try to assist or call 911might make a difference. who knows? I've heard of a few stories where it helped and a few where it didn't.
Scoop, if there's someone who knows you well, is looking out for you on the shore, and has a cell phone, I think you would be better off in such a scenario. However, I found sailing in crowded waters that almost no one notices you when you are having trouble. Once I was caught under the sail. I escaped, but realized that if I had been knocked unconscious, I would have floated there for quite a while before anyone would have noticed. Futhermore, I have had equipment failures on my first launch when far from the launch and have been stranded on an Island. The kiters who watched me launch (all of whom knew me) forgot about me as soon as I left the shore. No one wondered what happened to me. No one called 911 or notified the Harbor Patrol. They could have investigated in a matter of 20 minutes. I eventually hitched a ride with a boater. These kiters were guys who are always asking me to help them launch or land, too.
Scoop, if there's someone who knows you well, is looking out for you on the shore, and has a cell phone, I think you would be better off in such a scenario. However, I found sailing in crowded waters that almost no one notices you when you are having trouble. Once I was caught under the sail. I escaped, but realized that if I had been knocked unconscious, I would have floated there for quite a while before anyone would have noticed. Futhermore, I have had equipment failures on my first launch when far from the launch and have been stranded on an Island. The kiters who watched me launch (all of whom knew me) forgot about me as soon as I left the shore. No one wondered what happened to me. No one called 911 or notified the Harbor Patrol. They could have investigated in a matter of 20 minutes. I eventually hitched a ride with a boater. These kiters were guys who are always asking me to help them launch or land, too.
Snowy Guy- I know what you mean. I've had similar experiences, sailing in a crowd and no one even notices that I've had a break down with a long swim in. Also, it's hard to make the buddy system work because there just aren't that many guys that want to sail when I do, where I do, etc.
At least you aren't kiting alone. I hear about accidents when they self-launch that really make me wonder.
I love that first picture. the ocean looks very inviting, and the snow in the foreground is so out of place!
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