It has been long overdue... almost a whole winter without a proper storm, not to mention a windless autumn that we had.
This weekend seems like we might be in for a bit of a treat up north. Lots of wind both days, and quite decent waves for Bass Strait. Even the rain isn't looking too bad.
Bell Buoy seemed to have good banks last weekend and it might go well into mast high waves territory with this forecast. Bakers is always a great option for DTL sailing if the wind doesn't swing further south then westerly, and it should be epic with this size swell.
Bring on the weekend!
One photo from last year, with a similar swell at Bell Buoy.
Exciting sailing weekend ahead
Just to let members ( and prospective members ) of windsurfing know we are holding an informal meeting to decide on the years calendar at 3:30pm at 260 Low Head road on Sunday for the committee and anyone who would like to add their ideas to the programme. There will be a warm drink and fire to hang out near and of course a recount on the weekends sailing.
Hopefully all good stories. 
Anyone who feels that their arms are too short - the north coast this weekend should fix that.
Well that forecast turned to sh.t again... Not really a surprise given the recent performance of the forecasting crew and the transformation of the "roaring forties" into "pond forties".
Hopefully we still get a sail of some sort, but it doesn't look anywhere near as good as it looked just a day ago...
Select to expand quotejimo said..
Well that forecast turned to sh.t again... Not really a surprise given the recent performance of the forecasting crew and the transformation of the "roaring forties" into "pond forties".
Hopefully we still get a sail of some sort, but it doesn't look anywhere near as good as it looked just a day ago...
Sunday's wind dropping like a wrought iron hang glider
... looks like GClark might get a long walk on the beach after all.
Gclark1 doin' it at BB yesterday. I shot a few photes, all on the wrong light balance setting.............will post more if I can edit successfully.
Oh no, not the wrong light balance?
It was quite a day, and one of those days that a camera on the beach will not do justice. Some of the rollers out the back were more like steam-rollers, threatening all the time to break on top of you, and coming in teams of 4 or 5. The bigger faces were well over-mast, and the drop off at the back was like dropping into an open-cut mine at times. Not a day for the faint hearted, and really not the day you want to be facing it again after a winter of no wind, no sailing...and no muscles.
Locals included me, Jason, Luka, Hamish, and Paul B (who will count this last 12 months as a turning point in his life I am thinking, if something of a baptism of fire), and Paul and Rob made the trip from Hobart. Rob was particularly impressed by the conditions referring to them as 'the best he has ever sailed', or something to that effect.
There was some serious air-time had by all, and sometimes even landing ON the board, instead of 10m from it and upside down.
It was a day when you got back to the beach wretching for breath - a serious aerobic workout.
Favourite mental image - Rob, going up off a good ramp and into wind, me thinking 'he probably needs to chuck that' and then...the BIG CHUCK. Although not exactly graceful, it is a relief to see a big 'chuck' - body rotating, arms and legs flailing, on the way down - board cartwheeling downwind - at least you know you wont need to call an ambulance. Now that I think about it, I saw Paul (Relic) perform almost exactly the same manoeuvre... Are you southerners working up a new aerial of some kind? Does it involve getting off your board mid-flight and then getting back on it at some point prior to landing? If so, the first half is working a TREAT!
Spring? Who knows. Everyone hoping for a 'back to normal' weather pattern and an opportunity to get the skills and the strength back.
Here's hoping.
It was a great day indeed... One of those that makes all the sacrifice a windsurfer has to do worthwhile...
Let's hope that more days like this are up for grabs this spring/summer season...
Despite her sore eye, Claire endured sandblasting to capture some shots of the yesterday's action...
Jason's measuring stick (photo 2) definitely shows exactly mast high on that smaller set.
I don't know who that is out the back of photo 4, but I think that it might be 'Rocket Ma-an'!
I think that the day is best described as - 'CHUNKY' - photo 6 speaks volumes.
Thanks for the snaps Claire / Luka, the memories come flooding back (gulp, cough, splutter...)
Spectacular shots Paul. It's a pity that you can't 'Selfie' in those conditions.
'Rooster-Tail Rob' - Look at that man go!
Select to expand quoteGclark1 said.
I don't know who that is out the back of photo 4, but I think that it might be 'Rocket Ma-an'!
I was thinking it looks surreal, perhaps Kim Jong-un has taken up windsurfing and is testing his latest surface to air missile 
Awesome shots you lucky buggers.
Managed to retrieve a few files with some help from Gill. Gutsy effort from anyone who went out. Cheers, Chris.
Awesome! Who cares about the colour balance...content is KING! who was that on the NP?
Select to expand quoteRelic said..
Awesome! Who cares about the colour balance...content is KING! who was that on the NP?
I showed my wife these great pictures and she said "Not everyone wants to see 5000 photos of some d1ckh3@d out in a storm".
Hmmmn, might be date/ file mix up, right place but maybe wrong day for Simon.
?
Please apologise to your household for so many photos Relic, just blame it on everyone's exuberance and celebration of a big day out ( finally).
Love the shot of Goon Dog on the run - the 'swept back' look says it all.
It seems that Huey woke up with a bad hangover, and wants to take it out on everyone else. Yeah, there are quite a few shots, but they are shots of a BENCHMARK day.
And who is this d1ckh3@d, and what is he doing out in that storm?
Thanks for all the photos folks. A day to put in the memory banks. Got an a$#e kicking from the gf over a cancelled Port Arthur weekend but was worth it in spades
Great snaps folks, enjoyed reliving the moment. Looks like a distinct possibility of a repeat performance for the coming Saturday.... Or am I just reading my tea leaves all wrong?!
Js68 has changed his profile image (at last) and it is now from THE BIG DAY.
Tealeaves? Probably more reliable than the MET, so keep reading.
It is going to be very embarrassing turning up to work on Monday morning, after a 'working from home' day, with your hands worn through to the bone, torn muscles, stretched ligaments, bandages, a cast on your arm, a black eye, and a fin chop to the thigh...and no, that isn't a threat.
Select to expand quoteGclark1 said..
It is going to be very embarrassing turning up to work on Monday morning, after a 'working from home' day, with your hands worn through to the bone, torn muscles, stretched ligaments, bandages, a cast on your arm, a black eye, and a fin chop to the thigh...and no, that isn't a threat.
The joys of working for yourself 
. The injuries are more likely from the wife returning from her day at work to find out I've been f#@king windsurfing again!
Bellbouy looks like pozzo on steroids.
No rest for the wicked .
Nice aerials .
Nice.
I would be scared .
No out the back, just miss the big. ones .
Hard core.
Nice.......
Met eye is playing around again down south .
Work or not, work or not,????
Select to expand quoteGclark1 said..
Oh no, not the wrong light balance?
It was quite a day, and one of those days that a camera on the beach will not do justice. Some of the rollers out the back were more like steam-rollers, threatening all the time to break on top of you, and coming in teams of 4 or 5. The bigger faces were well over-mast, and the drop off at the back was like dropping into an open-cut mine at times. Not a day for the faint hearted, and really not the day you want to be facing it again after a winter of no wind, no sailing...and no muscles.
Locals included me, Jason, Luka, Hamish, and Paul B (who will count this last 12 months as a turning point in his life I am thinking, if something of a baptism of fire), and Paul and Rob made the trip from Hobart. Rob was particularly impressed by the conditions referring to them as 'the best he has ever sailed', or something to that effect.
There was some serious air-time had by all, and sometimes even landing ON the board, instead of 10m from it and upside down.
It was a day when you got back to the beach wretching for breath - a serious aerobic workout.
Favourite mental image - Rob, going up off a good ramp and into wind, me thinking 'he probably needs to chuck that' and then...the BIG CHUCK. Although not exactly graceful, it is a relief to see a big 'chuck' - body rotating, arms and legs flailing, on the way down - board cartwheeling downwind - at least you know you wont need to call an ambulance. Now that I think about it, I saw Paul (Relic) perform almost exactly the same manoeuvre... Are you southerners working up a new aerial of some kind? Does it involve getting off your board mid-flight and then getting back on it at some point prior to landing? If so, the first half is working a TREAT!
Spring? Who knows. Everyone hoping for a 'back to normal' weather pattern and an opportunity to get the skills and the strength back.
Here's hoping. I love this!
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