"Hi Jim- There are two options for TC bay sailing. On the east bay, Acme Park is my favorite- lots of incredible memories from the past. On the west bay, there is a city beach west of Clinch Park/Marina that I only sailed a few times back…"
Windsurfing & Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Michigan
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Jim O'Donnell
- Male
- Glenn, MI
- United States
- Blog Posts (2)
- Discussions (27)
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Jim O'Donnell's Discussions
July 10, 2020 - Lake Michigan
1 Reply
Lake Michigan (Glenn), 135L Bic Techno, 6.0m Sailworks BravoI should have listened to the Marine forecast. A small craft advisory and beach hazard statement was issued starting at 2pm. Winds were…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Randy Bass Jul 14, 2020.
June 23, Lake Michigan Session
3 Replies
Made it out yesterday around 8:45am for a short session on the Big Lake. Started out on 6.8 with a 135L. Wind was building, so I tried switching to a 103L Screamer after a few runs - worked ok, but…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jim O'Donnell Jun 26, 2020.
Weird Waves - Very cool Great Lakes surfing video
1 Reply
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DmoQ-ziT38Some very impressive waves on Lake Superior. Brrrr. Makes Oregon…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Jim O'Donnell Jan 11, 2019.
July 6 Lake Michigan session
5 Replies
July 6, 2018 – Lake Michigan, Bic Techno II 135L, 6.8m sailKnocked out a bunch of odd jobs and small projects around the house yesterday (no wind). Forecast was calling for 15-25 knot winds in the…Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Brian Jul 12, 2018.
Jim O'Donnell's Page
Latest Activity
"Welcome, David.
How is the sailing in Little Traverse? I am learning that sailing in Lake Michigan from a shore launch is pretty tough! Wondering if the Bay provides nice protection for the launch but still allows you to get into some…"
"A lone swimmer a mile offshore in big wind/waves!!?? That's very strange. I have come across boats once in a while and figured they must be talking about seeing a lone windsurfer way off shore. But a swimmer?!?! Must be…"
"Nice job on the repairs! But those are some pretty ancient sails. Price was right, though!
Hopefully I will be coming back to Michigan in the fall. I could pick up 5 or 6 used sails, newer and in much better condition than that for…"
"Hey Sawyer,
I live in Whitehall but am planning to sail at Gun Lake before summer is over. If you are interested in meeting there. I am always looking to sail with someone. Glad to teach people new to the sport as…"
"And this is why I no longer sail Lake Michigan on a northwest day! My beach has the same conditions on a NW. To much time in the washing machine for me. One run and your dead. Water starting in those waves is so tiring. …"
"Wow. You are lucky. That's scary. Did a good samaritan pull you out of the water, or did you self-rescue?
I am all for wearing helmets. There are two injuries that worry me.
1. Getting ragdolled with only the front foot in the…"
"Hi Jim thanks for reaching out! It's exciting to hear there are more windsurfers in the area, I've never seen anyone when I've gone out. Give me a shout the next time you're in Michigan and we can meet up. I've only been…"
"Welcome, Sawyer! West Side County Park is just north of where I launch down in Glenn. Let's meet there next windy day when I am back in Michigan."
July 10, 2020 - Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan (Glenn), 135L Bic Techno, 6.0m Sailworks BravoI should have listened to the Marine forecast. A small craft advisory and beach hazard statement was issued starting at 2pm. Winds were supposed to build NW to 20-30 knots over the afternoon and into the evening. I went down to check out the water around 1pm and it didn't look like much wind. Around 2pm I checked Windy.com and it said the wind was peaking at 2pm and would trail off from there. So I wrote it off as another…See More
"Just two weeks ago I got in for a swim with the 3/2 on and didn't last more than a couple of minutes. Amazing how fast the lake can change."
"Around where we are, the Lake warmed up quite a bit in the last two weeks. It's comfortable for swimming with no wetsuit. I started with a 5-4-3 steamer because it was rough, the air was chilly, and I was unsure about how the water…"
"How is the water temperature? The Muskegon buoy is reporting 55 degrees. Meanwhile, Lake Lansing is positively warm. Some folks are sailing in board shorts. Personally, I am still wearing a shorty wetsuit. "
June 23, Lake Michigan Session
Made it out yesterday around 8:45am for a short session on the Big Lake. Started out on 6.8 with a 135L. Wind was building, so I tried switching to a 103L Screamer after a few runs - worked ok, but I really need to get a bigger fin if I want to use that board with a 6.8. I could've easily dropped down to a 6.0 or 5.7 which would have been great, but I was short on time and especially short on stamina. First time sailing this year and it was tough! I think I managed to make one or two jibes…See More
Profile Information
- Where do you sail most often?
- The Gorge
- Favorite Sailing Site in MI
- Lake Michigan
Jim O'Donnell's Blog
Skunked :(
Well, I just got back from a two week vacation on Lake Michigan. I finally have a place to store my gear and I was so looking forward to some sailing on the big Lake. But the gear just sat and sat and sat, waiting for the wind that never happened. So disappointed.
On the bright side . . . I have never seen Lake Michigan so clean and clear. After a few days of calm, the lake settled out and I could see the bottom plain as day in 10' of water. As an added bonus, there was…
ContinuePosted on August 12, 2016 at 5:58pm — 1 Comment
Introducing myself
Hey, fellow midwest windsurfers! My name is Jim. I just joined MI Windsurfing forum. I'm a native Michigander from Milan (S. of Ann Arbor). I learned to windsurf at the Univ. of Wisconsin in 1991, and have been doing it as often as I can ever since. I live in Oregon, west of Portland, so I do most of my sailing in the Gorge these days.
My wife and I just bought a place near Lake Michigan that will eventually be our retirement home. But that is several years out. I have a…
ContinuePosted on July 12, 2016 at 1:48pm — 1 Comment
Comment Wall (4 comments)
- At 4:31pm on August 7, 2020,
David said…
Hi Jim- There are two options for TC bay sailing. On the east bay, Acme Park is my favorite- lots of incredible memories from the past. On the west bay, there is a city beach west of Clinch Park/Marina that I only sailed a few times back in the 90's, but had some great days. Anything West to Northeast is good at those places. Sadly, I have been landlocked (or anchored to the family farm in Dexter) for a few years, so no sailing this year or last. I am still hoping to get out this Fall once or twice, but since I only have an 88 liter board from the 90's and a 6.0 and 4.0, it's pretty hit or miss.
Keep in touch,
David
- At 9:19am on July 14, 2020,
Randy Bass said…
Hey Sawyer,
I live in Whitehall but am planning to sail at Gun Lake before summer is over. If you are interested in meeting there. I am always looking to sail with someone. Glad to teach people new to the sport as well.
Randy
- At 12:35pm on July 13, 2020,
Hi Jim thanks for reaching out! It's exciting to hear there are more windsurfers in the area, I've never seen anyone when I've gone out. Give me a shout the next time you're in Michigan and we can meet up. I've only been windsurfing a couple years and would love some pointers.
Thanks!
Sawyer
- At 2:46pm on February 3, 2019,
Tad Archer said…
- Hey Jim
I think I figured this out.
Tadmaui56@gmail.com
Thank you!
Tad
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