Windsurfing & Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Michigan

7/23/11

Well for the few days preceeding Sunday the forecast was for quite good conditions with Southweterlies gusting 20+ and temps in the mid 60's, that is of course until Sunday morning and suddenly the forecast is downgraded to a South wind of 15 tops. Still this is usually big board big sail (7.5) but planning stuff at the bay and if the rest of the forecast is right, mid 60's heat and sunny skies can add up to some pleasant sailing conditions at Rondeau Bay. Alas was not to be, We arrived about noon and not a white cap to be seen. Out to the end of the dock for a quick reading and hmmmm, 9 to 11 knots. Ok time to put on the roller blades and go for a nice pleasant blade, be back in about an hour. Hmm still not much, have lunch take another reading 11 to 13 knots now. At least it's going the right way. Four of us rig up 7.5's albeit slowly and venture out, pretty much at the same time. Once past the end of the dock I pump up onto a plane and across the bay, but ohhhh quite far downwind. So now a slog partial plane almost back and out, each time a gust would hit we would all plane up and try to get as far upwind as posssible until the lull hit. So on that went for about an hour and finally everyone was pretty much fed up and came in.

Moral of the story, no we don't always get wind there, don't go out till you start to see whitecaps (although I tell myself this every time). It was sunny and warm so don't complain!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Don Ferguson on October 25, 2011 at 8:34am

I was a bit strapped for time yesterday but was able to get out late yesterday afternoon 10/24/11 around 3 for about an hour and a half in the mouth of St. Clair just east of Peche Is. 6.5 very gusty there, no wonder we don't sail there anymore, just rocketing at points but standing still at others, still had some good runs in. Tried Tom's horizontal 360's several times but I need more instruction not quite there as yet! Funny I can do the move on a long skateboard with a universal and sail attatched but it's another story on the water. I guess I'll have to watch a few more instructional video's.

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Permalink Reply by Brian on October 25, 2011 at 11:37am

Boy it's been tough to get out this fall - unless maybe you can sail midweek (which I cannot in the fall too often). Once the cold hits, I'm even less likely to get out unless it's really blowing. I hate schlogging big gear in the cold weather for some reason.