Michigan Windsurfing

Windsurfing & Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Michigan

Jim O'Donnell
  • Male
  • Glenn, MI
  • United States
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Jim O'Donnell's Friends

  • Sawyer Poel
  • Tad Archer
  • Alex H
  • Shaun Arntz
  • Lawrence T Hoff
  • Randy Bass

Jim O'Donnell's Discussions

July 24th - Lake Michigan
1 Reply

Gave it a go yesterday on the big lake launching from the beach in Glenn.  135L Bic Techno with 50cm fin and 8.1m Neil Pryde Supersonic. Three attempts. . . three walks of shame.  Soooo close to…Continue

Started this discussion. Last reply by Brian Jul 26, 2021.

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.

 

Jim O'Donnell's Page

Latest Activity

Brian replied to Jim O'Donnell's discussion July 24th - Lake Michigan
""Any day of sailing is a good day of sailing".  Andy Brandt"
Jul 26, 2021
Jim O'Donnell posted a discussion

July 24th - Lake Michigan

Gave it a go yesterday on the big lake launching from the beach in Glenn.  135L Bic Techno with 50cm fin and 8.1m Neil Pryde Supersonic. Three attempts. . . three walks of shame.  Soooo close to being good. I just needed a few more mph to get over the hump.  Heading out I could pump onto a plane in the gusts, bearing off, but couldn't keep it going turning back to a slight upwind bearing.  The waves just killed the momentum.Heading in I could get planing with the help of the swell, but again…See More
Jul 25, 2021
David left a comment for Jim O'Donnell
"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…"
Aug 7, 2020
Jim O'Donnell left a comment for David
"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…"
Aug 6, 2020
Jim O'Donnell replied to Sawyer Poel's discussion Warren Dunes July 18
"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…"
Jul 23, 2020
Jim O'Donnell replied to Chris Johnson's discussion Little Sable Point
"Sounds fantastic!"
Jul 20, 2020
Jim O'Donnell replied to Sawyer Poel's discussion Retro sail repair
"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…"
Jul 15, 2020
Randy Bass left a comment for Jim O'Donnell
"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…"
Jul 14, 2020
Randy Bass replied to Jim O'Donnell's discussion July 10, 2020 - Lake Michigan
"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. …"
Jul 14, 2020
Jim O'Donnell replied to Lawrence T Hoff's discussion My new helmet arrived today
"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…"
Jul 13, 2020
Sawyer Poel left a comment for Jim O'Donnell
"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…"
Jul 13, 2020
Jim O'Donnell left a comment for Sawyer Poel
"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."
Jul 12, 2020
Jim O'Donnell posted a discussion

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
Jul 12, 2020
Jim O'Donnell replied to Jim O'Donnell's discussion June 23, Lake Michigan Session
"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."
Jun 26, 2020
Jim O'Donnell replied to Jim O'Donnell's discussion June 23, Lake Michigan Session
"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…"
Jun 26, 2020
Lawrence T Hoff replied to Jim O'Donnell's discussion June 23, Lake Michigan Session
"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.  "
Jun 25, 2020

Profile Information

Where do you sail most often?
The Gorge
Favorite Sailing Site in MI
Lake Michigan

Jim O'Donnell's Videos

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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…

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Posted 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…

Continue

Posted on July 12, 2016 at 1:48pm — 1 Comment

Comment Wall (5 comments)

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At 3:38am on August 31, 2021, A Maris said…

Good Day,
How is everything with you, I picked interest on you after going through your short profile and deemed it necessary to write you immediately. I have something very vital to disclose to you, but I found it difficult to express myself here, since it's a public site.Could you please get back to me on:( aishaalmazrouei0011@yahoo.com ) for the full details.
Have a nice day
Thanks God bless

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, Sawyer Poel said…

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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