Day After Day

Every day this week has been excellent.

Wind is Looking Great

Even on days not predicted to have wind, it has been blowing late in the day. It looks like we'll have wind all week. With warm flat water and hot days. Doesn't get much better than this.

Still Blowing

After three days of wind up to 30 knots, we have had two real sweet days of wind peaking out at 20 knots, and today should be the same. The forecast then calls for the wind to drop more, maybe too much, for the next several days. I finally got over my fear of throwing a kite loop and was amazed at how easy it was. I was using a 10M kite and it cranks around so quick that it really doesn't yank you too much. My landings weren't perfect, but only once did I dump the kite. I need to watch some videos and refine my technique. It is always so much fun to add a new trick!
Here is a link to a slideshow of all the photos on this blog:
Slideshow

It's Been Good

The predicted hurricane never made it here but the northwest winds have arrived. Sunday and yesterday we've had 20 to 30 knot winds. At times it's been a bit gusty and nasty but at the same time it's been great. Today is supposed to be another strong day and then we may get a couple of more mellow days. Russ and his kids are making a rare appearance on the beach. Russ gave most of us our first look at the sport several years ago when he brought down some big boards and two line kites from the Gorge. Equipment has changed a lot since then but some of that old stuff is still being used by some of the kiters here.

The water temperature is nice, still in the 80's. The wind chill can still have its effect and I've already started wearing a shorty wetsuit. It is a strong reminder of the cold conditions yet to come. I am thinking drysuit for this year. Last year the water got into the mid 50's by the end of December. Brrrrr.

Sunday

Today was a good day on the water. Luque and I got out to the beach around 10:30 and it was already blowing. It blew all day. Seven kiters showed up and lots of people on the beach.

Hundreds of Divers

Saturday an attempt was made to break the Guinness Record for the most scuba divers involved in a single dive. They failed to get the response they wanted, but a couple of hundred divers did show up and the beach was full of people. Today, Sunday, they have scheduled a kiteboard exhibition for 3pm. I just heard about it yesterday and I know nothing about it but most of us kiters show up on Sundays anyways if there is any chance of wind. And today that is about all we have - a chance for wind. The forecast has been erratic. It predicts wind, and then no wind. The best news is that it is still calling for the wind to switch to the north, which means the season is near.

Maybe?

The wind has been switching to the northwest late in the afternoon with more frequency lately, but hardly enough to get excited about. Today it was blowing 10 to 12. Forecast looks like we might start getting more. I am hoping for something Sunday Monday and Tuesday. The weather forecast shows a change in wind direction is coming along with a change in temperature.