All Blog Posts (160)

Those of you who make the annual pilgrimage to Hatteras probably know Andy McKinney at Wind NC.   Andy is having very serious health problems and I'm guessing that he and his family could probably use a hand.   If you're thinking about new gear, or even just parts, consider getting that gear at Wind NC.  Maybe even get something that you don't need!  https://shop.wind-nc.com/

Bob Shoen started a document listing the windsurfing launches in and around MI.   I converted this to a Google Doc so that anyone with the following link can edit this document.  You can add sites, or add launch photos or maps, or comment on favored wind directions, obstructions, etc.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aabCGdKnYhsa2nk-whOl9c_bxbikRPdV/view?usp=sharing

Here's a really well done video on how to interpret the wind forecasts (from Sailboardsforum.com)

https://youtu.be/HJ2Wp8B8Uns

Where else can you sail past sunset and not worry about feeding any sea creatures.   We are lucky to like in the Great Lakes region.

This post is about two upcoming windsurfing trips: boating to Pelee Island and camping at Muskegon State Park. I might write a follow up about each if there’s something interesting to say about these trips.  Thanks to those who offered nice comments on my last post about windsurfing + camping in Empire.

Trip 1 Pelee Island: 9/13/2019 thru…

Having some unused vacation days and lingering desire to somehow get sailing again. I decided to go on a quest to camp where the sailing is good, buy a new or used windsurfer, sail it and generally have a sailing vacation that's been missing from my life.

The Shop

Why buy? My windsurfing gear is about 20 years old. I got what I could afford at the time. As such that gear is old, heavy and slow. It served me well for years and years. I think it is well overdo to…

It looks like Ron McKay took 13th place in the OBX Slalom event this week!   That's pretty awesome, given that field of windsurfers.  I see Glendon Gardner in at 30th and Scott Fohey in at 43.  I know Don Ferguson is also in there somewhere.  Congrat's to all!  Da Mitt was well-represented!…

There is a new windsurfing instructor program taking hold. https://www.windsurfingipa.org/

The web site is worth a look. It is supported by many pros and others to help promote the sport. It is geared towards getting more instructors out there, but there is a lot of related info as well. It appears to be better supported than US Sailing was (they are also backing this program and forgoing theirs). They are offering a gratis Level 1 rating…

From our love-sick Long Island friends at www.peconicpuffin.com:

Ladies, are you still searching for that special someone? Consider looking amongst the windsurfers:

1. The ratio of men to women is 4 to 1.

2. They can talk about something besides football.

3. They don’t smell too bad because it’s a good bet they’ve gotten wet recently.

4. They have another interest besides sex.

5. You know they’re rich…

Some fellow Michiganders and a Windsorite did pretty well in the IWT races in Hatteras this past week.  Here are some of the results for the locals, courtesy of Bob Shoen:

US Windsurfing just put out a new app with launch sites and instant connectivity - and of course Facebook integration.  They used some of the site from the map that Dave Dalquist put together, but they still need to add many more Michigan sites.  It's available for iPhone and Android, so check it out.

http://uswindsurfing.org/…

Saw this on the Reef Warriors site.  Great winter stoke.

On Days Like These We Must Surf from Jake Kovnat on Vimeo.

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…

I usually don't recommend leaving MI in the summer - it's a beautiful state with great beaches (and no sharks).   However, for wind there's always Maui.  At 200 lbs, I could not hold onto a 4.7 the last two mornings.  Jeannie was on a 2.8, and Dan Katlein sailed a 3.5 all day long, two days in a row!  The Trades are just awesome.  You wake up any time, have some breakfast, maybe a little exercise and stretching session.  By 11am, you can almost assume that the winds will be blowing.  For…

Windsurf board, sail & accessories - $400 (Irish Hills Marina at Wamplers lake) - Call Chris at 517-266-0746

14975 Wamplers Lake Rd

image 1 of 4

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1 2 3 4

condition: excellent

engine hours (total): 0

length overall (LOA): 7

make / manufacturer: Mistral

model name / number: Slalom 340

propulsion type: sail

safety tips

prohibited items

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avoiding scams

Minstral Slalom 340 Windsurfer for…

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…