Goodbye 2011, Welcome 2012!

2011 is a wrap and with the end of the year we now can both look back on what we experienced "last year" and also look forward to expectations for the new year. 2011 was likely my "least" active windsurfing year, and I basically come to this conclusion per a single factor (or make that two) "little dudes!"

As a relatively new dad, once we expanded the family to two children, those half day treks to Hatteras wave spots became much less frequent. This due to a combination of both family commitment to remain home along with sheer afternoon exhaustion due to extremely early wake up calls (often 5:30am) and trying to maintain the "pre-children" late evening bedtimes. All in all, there were quite a few windy afternoons when I simply was too tired to go (one fond memory this Fall was actually going south for a wave sesh, but as the wind diminished and the waves slacked, I actually fell asleep for a "board bag" nap on the beach next to my truck! One of the best "beach naps" I ever had!).

Along with a "busy" childhood rearing year, my windsurfing experience was also cut by the impact of H Irene to Hatteras Island.  The timing of the storm's impact and the shut down of Hatteras throughout the prime wave month of Sept/early Oct left those locked north of Oregon Inlet on the "sidelines" especially during some of the strong NE days we had where the south side is the call.  Though fortunately, we did experience a few sessions at Coquina Beach following Irene with Labor Day likely my best wave sesh of the year.  Though I was primarily solo for the session (the local (Nags Head) kite crew did join me but no other windsurfers were there), I had the best wave rides of the year powered on the new Quatro Twin 92, and 5.3m MS Legend.  Sunshine, perfect air and water temps, and a perfect long period wave summed that day.

As for other days, 2011 was marked by spending a ton of time light air wave riding on the AHD Sealion.  Actually, I spent more time on the SeaLion in 2011 enjoying light air wave days then any other past year (really did not have a light air option in the past!).  The SeaLion also worked well for catching sessions close to home in the ocean directly off Nags Head town proper.  The sand bars were quite nice this year due to "beach nourishment" and I caught many fun sessions riding waves in light wind on the Lion.  The SeaLion was my "saving grace" for 2011 since if I did not have the board, I would have experienced much less time with a sail in hand.  

Likely, the biggest let down for 2011 was cancellation of Hatteras Wave Jam, Stop 4 for the 2011 American Windsurfing Tour. High hopes and expectations were there for the Hatteras Tour visit, and we were quite excited to host many of the world's best wavesailors. Unfortunately, Irene spoiled the party in 2011; however, with 2012 the stage is reset for the Jam to return.

For 2012, the American Windsurfing Tour is ON, and Hatteras is again Stop 4 for the Tour. September 12 - 15, 2012 are the dates for Hatteras Wave Jam 2012. For 2012, the Tour will be even bigger, offer more for participants and spectators, and really spotlight high action adrenaline pumping windsurfing in US coastal surf/wind conditions. Prize money, live web casts, killer gatherings/parties, and elite world class participation will all be here that week coming up in Sept! I definitely plan to bump up my 2012 windsurfing game in preparation for the Tour stop, and hopefully with a wishful "finger cross" will be able to perhaps make an additional Tour stop..., Baja?!

Onward 2012 and looking forward to see you on the water catching a killer wave here on the OBX!

Been a Long Time...

I am still here, alive and well!  :)

My previous post was dated mid October, and it has been a long time.  Basically, there really has not been too much memorable action on my part over the past month and a half to report on.  Additionally, with our new little dude in the family, the pre-dawn wake up calls definitely wear on and affect those afternoon possible runs south for a few waves and wind.   Often the little guy is asleep under my desk during the afternoons as I work on coding algorithms.  Interesting a fellow dad recently mentioned to me:  "One little one is an adjustment, two is a game changer!"  Well, two at this age definitely has an impact..., I am just glad that the beach is only about a mile away even if it is not a prime wavesailing spot (prime wavesailing is about 15 min away! :) )

All in all though, OBX Fall 2011 has actually been relatively good (as seen on reports posted on the OBX Beach Life Forum from the crew down in Avon, and Wind-NC's Facebook page) when we had cooler NE opportunities; however, the warm south wind ops have been lacking, at least for wind velocity.  The sessions I have make it out for have been all SeaLion rides which has been quite fun, but the dry Quatro Wave Twin is hungry for some water time.

Favorable forecasts continue with cool/cold NE stars on WindGuru and a day or two of "teaser" S wind days as we end the year.  Hopefully, I will add a Dec warm sesh to the calendar, though an upcoming cold spell simply means loading the full suit, hood, and booties.  Though, the 4runner remains topless and I should get that back on before the next "cold" sesh!

Return of Warm SW and the First Trek to HI Since Reopening of Rt 12!

Late last week and throughout the weekend we experienced a return of warm south westerly winds and perfect beach weather on the OBX! I made my first trek south to Hatteras Island, since Irene's impact, to catch Hatteras wavesailing at both Ramp 34 just north of Avon and Lifeguard Beach near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton.

The first sesh was at Rmp 34 and I joined Keith and Rick for some fleeting surf in near offshore conditions as the winds clocked WSW. I was there a little late for the party as Keith reported better conditions earlier in the morning while the wind remained more southerly and the surf was a little bigger. I launched with a 2 mil top and trunks and the water felt great hovering just over 70 degrees! With the near offshore setup, we were running near parallel to the beach and I did get into a few small waves, but nothing to write home about. As the winds dropped by mid-afternoon, we packed it up and I decided to head down to Buxton to check the Point area.

Winds seemed to return and I launched at Lifeguard Beach and experienced an awesome sesh! The surf was breaking outside and though size only ranged waist high, the lineup was really nice and the swell definition was well set. Additionally the water was near perfection with a deep blue/hint of green Caribbean color and clear as glass. I could see tons of cannon ball jellies swimming below as I sailed out and porpoise jumping and frolicking in the surf zone. Clear sunny late day sky and warm air and water made for a magical Hatteras wavesailing experience where the moment was simply being out there. I was solo for the session which lasted about an hour as I caught wave after wave in the surf zone just offshore of the turtle nesting restricted zone on the beach.  Nice thing about that area is that there is a nice sand bar there and no fishing lines since no one can be on the beach in that area.

All in all, its great to have Rt 12 reopened with now the ability to catch those surf sessions "down south." I really did not know how much I was missing until I was "cut off," though now its great to be able to run down there again when the wind and waves are ripe! PS: the 25mph zone where the new bridge spans is quite short and really is no impact on the time frame to make it down there.
In case you missed it, here is the Bambuser report from my post Lifeguard sesh where I reported the moment:
A few snaps from my point and shoot:

Rt 12 Open and the Missed Lighthouse Action!

The number one OBX news story this week is the reopening of Rt 12 to Hatteras Island. The road has been repaired and the new "temporary" bridge is complete allowing a return to the cherished US east coast wavesailing mecca! Hopefully, we will soon see a return of conditions similar to last week when the local HI crew, along with some visitors who trekked the southern ferry routes, enjoyed classic Fall wavesailing at Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse beach. Keith sent in these two shots from one of the daily sessions that week. I missed the entire lot due to the road remaining closed during the wind/wave window, but hopefully the next HI sesh will be coming up soon before it gets "too cold?!"  For me, I feel like I am coming off winter and heading into Spring as the wavesailing has been dry being locked north of Pea Island.  Normally I am well tuned for the Fall wave season with plenty of action throughout summer and early Fall; however, with the Irene shut down, many sessions have been missed and the typical late winter "green" is in place.  Definitely looking forward to getting back into the mix, even if I have to now suit up for the remainder of the 2011 season.

Here are a few pics of Keith at the Lighthouse last week!
photographer:  Andy McKinney, Wind-NC
(See the complete album for the Oct 6 action at Wind-NC Facebook)

NC 12 to Hatteras Island to Reopen By Tuesday, Oct 11!

Awesome news to salvage the remaining 2011 windsurfing season for Hatteras Island.  After the devastation to the roadway along Pea Island, the NC DOT has again done a stellar performance in restoring access following a natural disaster.  I'm sure most on HI will be quite happy to finally see a "return to normal" down there, especially with visitors back on the island to enjoy the experience south of Oregon Inlet Bridge.  Great news, and I too look forward to my first trek down there with the windsurfing gear loaded and a solid NE wind on tap!

See coverage:
Outer Banks Voice
Island Free Press
NC DOT