May Begins with SW Winds

Today southwest(SW) winds ramped up again across the southern OBX. From Rodanthe south to Buxton, winds filled in at around 25+mph though the afternoon and early evening. Keith called me early this afternoon and reported fun conditions at the Point in Buxton. My major software release from the week prior was up and running well, so I decided to take the afternoon off work for a windsurfing run to Hatteras. I arrived at the Point around 2:30pm. Winds were blowing in the low to mid 20mph range. Skies were clear and the water in the ocean was a balmy 65+ degrees! I decided to rig a 5.3m and suited up in the shortie for the first time this year. On the water, there was a small wave breaking on the outer bar. The set up looked fun for potential jumps and if the swell was bigger, wave riding.

Keith, Jim, Caleb, Martine, Olaf, Chad, a few vacationing windsurfers, and myself enjoyed the excellent weather and water conditions for early May. We all had fun even though the wind overall was kind of light and the surf was small.

I continued forward loop practice, though since the wind was a little light, I tossed fewer than past sessions since there was not a lot of power in the sail. Though some of the spins felt quite good, and I am confident that the next windy day with some bigger swell will provide ample air time to land and sail away. Caleb was even out there working on his forwards, and Keith was showing us how they should be done.

All in all, a fun time at the Point. Looks like today will be the end to the SW run, with NE returning tomorrow and though the weekend. Perhaps some waves finally!

Here are some more photos from today:

Rigging up for some time on the water at the Point


Riding though the surf zone looking for something to hit!


Beach camp at the Point


Caleb heading out while Jim is working a wave on the outside