I've just had the best windy weather sailing afternoon ever! Love this sport!
NoWork Tony and myself had great blast at Sandstone point this afternoon. 
After getting thoroughly 'smacked down' and humbled at Wellington point on Friday arvo I was reticent to go out again in the strong winds-
Tony says 'ya gotta come out!!'
So car packed for a quick get away after work.
Decided to drop in home and pick up some retro gear - its all I have in small stuff.
Down-hauled the old 5.6 North infinity sail until the top was floppy and the bottom had a rip (oops!!!) - a new idea in gust control?
Onto the water with my retro F2 Comet (150l)- a big step down from the Viper 85 (220l)
Stayed close in and beach started all the time (love the shallow water at Sandstone) as I'm still flakey on water starts and up-hauling was going to be a joke.
Couldn't believe the difference from yesterday. I was in hooting, planning, front foot in the strap 'Living the Dream' (beginners enthusiasm)
No walks of shame today
I now realize I've been going out with gear too big for the conditions and getting smashed.
I so want to get water starts happening so I can stay on the smaller stuff.
So big thanks NOWORK for his encouragement and a hello to the Vicky Pt mob I met yesterday.
150l F2 Comet and a well used North Infinity sail
Down-haul until ventilation hole appears (oops) Sail until delamination occurs :-)
Loved reading that story, you really captured the stoke of a newby and we all came from that place so we get it. Great to see you getting onto the smaller kit, it will make so much difference to your ability as you get better gear to sail. The new boards and sails are far, far easier to sail than the older stuff but raw enthusiasm, which you appear to have in spades should see you through until you decide to commit to a new setup. Hopefully you can back up today, its looking great. You may even consider the free race event wind wanderers are having today. The lake is a great place for learning to water start because the depth is perfect for floating your sail. You will find the guys from ww very friendly and helpful also and they love getting new blood into the sport. Have fun mate and keep living the dream, it just keeps getting better as you go.
Yep Jeff said it, we had a blast, grins ear to ear all arvo till the sun was gone. Gave the action camera its first go today, would have some fantastic footage on it but my boom or mast smashed it off the front of the board, nowhere to be seen, so there is a camera there somewhere. Love the drive home after a session like that all warm,worn out limbs and sipping on a coffee with a big grin.
Jeff, hope you will be back at Wello its not always that challenging as it was on Friday.
It was a day for the more seasoned sailor.
Would love to have gone out, I got Tony's txt and near started crying looking at the forecast lol . Its a shame i'm booked out for the next 2 weekends as well. Birthdays, xmas and after new years heading to WA for a holiday.
How great is that feeling when it all comes together!!! When you go **** I'm planing, !!! and then a stronger gust hits you and it's like a turbo charge. I ride motor bikes and the rush is. Better sailing. because nature gives it to you when it's ready not when you just twist a throttle! Makes all the faceplants, broken gear. And frustration worth it
Another great afternoon at Sandstone Point. I had an old Sailworks 5m that worked - twitchy thing that it is
Continued to use the F2 Comet. One advantage I find with this board compared to my other more modern bigger stuff is the small fin. I can get on the water sooner and sail closer to the shore in the shalow water. Mind you I did hit a shallow sandbank and went over the handlebars in a dramatic painful fashion.
Still working in my waterstart - 2 successfull attempts. Trying to slow the process down compared to my usual catapulted up out of the water and in over the front!
@scotf
Thanks for the encouraging reply
>The new boards and sails are far, far easier to sail than the older stuff
Willing to spend money on smaller kit - just not sure yet what to get.
I've got enough bigger boards now to cause the wife concern :-). Mainly my Fanatic Viper 85, Kona and Raceboard
Flushed with enthusiasm after planning on the Viper 85 I did get a 155l starboard Go but haven't been able to have any real success with it - at a loss why given the good reviews it gets
>Hopefully you can back up today, its looking great.
Yep another great arvo on the water
> wind wanderers
I have considered joining the WW but have hesitated fearing I will fall between the cracks. I've been to a couple of training mornings at Cootharaba (kids had a great session) but not sure how to get from the already uphaulling able to go sailing stage to being a part of the more hardcore events. Must admit I would have been there this weekend if I wasn't rostered on for the weekend.
>The lake is a great place for learning to water start
Love the lake already spending most school holidays there on the water - got my start in windsurfing there last year. Trying to get up my windsurfing fitness so I can get the most out of this Christmas holidays.
2 Weeks to go - can't wait. :-).
I've also put down for the Guy Crib session in February - trying to get some skills in place so I won't look like a complete tosser
@ Glynn Yep will certainly be back at wello pt. friendly crew
@ togalog. I understand the motor bike analogy. Afraid the Guzzi Lemans is sitting unattended and unloved for a while now.
I was having fun yesterday feeling the acceleration as I got more comfortable in applying mast foot pressure and keeping the board flat. I had my longest most comfortable single run yesterday. Wahoo!!!
Enough of the rave. I've had a great week 5 days sailing in the last 7 days at 4 different locations
Cheers Jeff
Stop teasing Jeff. Been busy getting mods done to my trailer these last couple of days.
So awesome to see and hear about that first planing experience! Love it. I have a HEAP of good quality newish gear that I need to move for cheap because it cluttering up my house haha! I live on bribie and usually sail Woorim side on SE on incoming tide or from the Bongaree end if its outgoing. Send me a IM and drop by and i am DEFINETLy sure I have some decent gear you can get a hold of. Happy to help out with any tips or hints in anyway and show you some of the other spot the island has to offer.
Cheers-keep it up!
Will
