All Discussions Tagged 'winter' - Michigan Windsurfing2024-03-28T11:46:55Zhttp://miwindsurfing.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=winter&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSt Pete Beach, Fort De Soto, Florida Jan 2020tag:miwindsurfing.com,2019-10-27:5427722:Topic:592012019-10-27T22:38:51.412ZCrishttp://miwindsurfing.com/profile/Cris
<p>I'm heading to Florida this winter for a few days sailing trip. I'm camping at Fort De Soto. I'm looking for some sun and some wind. But apart from that, should be nice respite from Michigan's winter climate.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm">http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm</a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715803209?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715803209?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="500"></img></a></p>
<p>I've decided against…</p>
<p>I'm heading to Florida this winter for a few days sailing trip. I'm camping at Fort De Soto. I'm looking for some sun and some wind. But apart from that, should be nice respite from Michigan's winter climate.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm">http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm</a></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715803209?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715803209?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="500"/></a></p>
<p>I've decided against hotels and going camping. I be driving 17 hours from Michigan to get there over two days. Check in is on 1/26/2020 and heading home 2/1/2020. It would be interesting to make the trip (or any trip) with folks sharing my windsurf interest from the area. But at the same time, I appreciate a good solo adventure. I'll be hitting up North Beach for advanced or intermediate lessons and hopefully find other sailors.</p>
<p>There's a bunch launch sites as described by this <a href="https://elitewatersports.com/pages/kite-location" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kite surfer post</a> about the area. I can only hope for a cold front coming through. I'll also bring my light wind board as well. Light wind days are fun for me because I'll cover more distance as opposed to heavier days when I go back and forth at the same spot.</p>
<p>I've heard FDS park and campground is <strong><em>real</em></strong> Florida, and I'm excited to learn what that means</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715816606?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715816606?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="500"/></a></p>
<p>Of course, I can't help myself, I picked up a few new pieces for the trip. These were used consignment items from Windance with very attractive pricing. I got a Fanatic 109l Triple X, because my only other short board is a Seatrend slalmon board from mid to early 90's and 90l. I wanted something a bit more floaty and good for chop and waves.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715819305?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715819305?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="500"/></a></p>
<p>So I tried using this old 4.7 Gaastra over the summer, and figured it's about to blow out a panel. It's completely de-laminated as you can <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/windsurfing/comments/da2j2f/probably_last_time_out_on_this_old_sail/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">see</a>. Goya Bonzai 5.3 at $160 seems just right as a replacement. The Gorge guys were laughing that this will be my high wind sail. I hope there's some windy days during my trip :-))</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715823384?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3715823384?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full" width="500"/></a></p>
<p>Yeah this stuff is geared towards wave sailing and Tampa isn't know for the surf. But my thought is gain skills on small surf and flat water so I can tackle Lake Michigan with more confidence next Fall.</p>
<p>Resource I've collected about</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.nbwindsurfing.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">North Beach Windsurfing</a></li>
<li>St Pete Beach<a href="https://weatherspark.com/m/16870/1/Average-Weather-in-January-in-Saint-Pete-Beach-Florida-United-States" target="_blank" rel="noopener">typical weather in Jan</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/pdf/campground.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fort De Soto campground info</a> (pdf)</li>
<li>Fort De Soto <a href="http://se.kiteforum.com/kitesurf/spot/fort_desoto___north_beach" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sailing spot</a> discussion mentions something about bull sharks??</li>
<li><a href="http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/florida/st-petersburg/windsurfing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Destination 360 info</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.windance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Windance</a></li>
<li><a href="http://kiteboardingstpetersburg.com/launches/fort-desoto-north-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Info about FDS launch site and conditions</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Be good.</p>
<p>Cris</p>
<p></p>
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