Hello dear readers. I know I haven't posted since September, but I hope some of you might still remember me. I've sailed twice since Christmas, actually pretty forgettable sessions, but I did sail some in October and November. On one of those occasions my boom broke. I was able to make it back in without too much trouble, but it did seem rather harrowing. So, I know have three new monococque booms to (hopefully) prevent another catastrophe.
So, on to the title of this post. Tomorrow I am leaving to go to Cape Hatteras for a week to do some (hopefully) good sailing. This will also be my first experience camping in probably 20 or 25 years, so that should prove to be interesting.
I am bringing everything, on the advice of those in the know. Suits range from dry to full 3mm wet. Booties from 7mm to split toe sneakers. Sails range from 9.5 to 3.7. Masts range from 490 cm to 400 cm. Boards range from the 255 l Pacer to the RRD FSW 85, with my new baby "Stoker" (Rogue Wave Custom 102l - woo-hoo!) being the board I most want to use every day. More on that in a later post.
All in all, this should be a really fun trip. I have also brought various still and moving picture cameras to capture all the action. I am meeting Pete R. and his son at a campground and I'm hoping Pete will have a few minutes in between being awesome himself and helping his son to help me out a bit also. Still wanting that full planing jibe, you know.
Well, got to finish packing. I'm leaving early in the morning. Coming back in a week. Talk soon.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The Most Reliable Wind Forecast Ever
So, I was thinking today when I clicked on my Yahoo mail account to check for new mail that I had finally found a way to get reliable wind forecasts. It seems to be the most reliable wind forecast available and I am even thinking of getting rid of my iwindsurf account. Who needs meters and meteorologists when one has access to the most reliable wind forecast ever, and it's free?
So, what is this most reliable wind forecast? The longislandwindsurfer group, of course. You see, I only use
my Yahoo email account for this group, so all of the mail I get is LIWG traffic. I don't even have to read the emails to find out if it's windy or not. Of course, if I want to find out WHERE it's blowing, I usually only have to read the subject lines of the emails.
What I have determined is this:
If there are more than 10 new emails in the morning, then the wind will be sailable, but not great. If there are more than, say, 18 emails in the morning, the wind will be really good. Less than 5 emails means it probably won't happen, while less than 2 (that would be 1 or 0) new emails means that it is a great day for a long bike ride.
So, I would like to say a big thank you to all of the members of the LIWG for providing me with this most reliable of wind forecasts.
The address for this awesome, accurate, and avid group of windsurfers is longislandwindsurfer@yahoo.com
So, what is this most reliable wind forecast? The longislandwindsurfer group, of course. You see, I only use
my Yahoo email account for this group, so all of the mail I get is LIWG traffic. I don't even have to read the emails to find out if it's windy or not. Of course, if I want to find out WHERE it's blowing, I usually only have to read the subject lines of the emails.
What I have determined is this:
If there are more than 10 new emails in the morning, then the wind will be sailable, but not great. If there are more than, say, 18 emails in the morning, the wind will be really good. Less than 5 emails means it probably won't happen, while less than 2 (that would be 1 or 0) new emails means that it is a great day for a long bike ride.
So, I would like to say a big thank you to all of the members of the LIWG for providing me with this most reliable of wind forecasts.
The address for this awesome, accurate, and avid group of windsurfers is longislandwindsurfer@yahoo.com
Friday, September 10, 2010
The littlest RRD comes home..
Well, at least its the littlest RRD in my collection and it just came home to me today. As a result, the song for today is "Brown Eyed Girl". When you see the pictures of my new RRD FSW 85 X-Tech below, you will understand why I picked that song.
So now, I just need some wind to try this little baby out. I did sail after work on Tuesday, and it was another awesome day at Tanner Park. SW, low tide, so it was flat, flat, flat. I sailed 5.5/102 for almost a couple of hours. It was really blowing but I managed to hang on to the 5.5. For comparison, Jim M. went to a 4.0, but Scott D and the great George M. were also on 5.5's. It was a great session, even George M. went so far as to say I was soooo close to completing that elusive full planing jibe. He suggested I flip the sail sooner, and I will try that next time out. Anyway, without further ado, here are a couple pictures of this cool new little board:
So now, I just need some wind to try this little baby out. I did sail after work on Tuesday, and it was another awesome day at Tanner Park. SW, low tide, so it was flat, flat, flat. I sailed 5.5/102 for almost a couple of hours. It was really blowing but I managed to hang on to the 5.5. For comparison, Jim M. went to a 4.0, but Scott D and the great George M. were also on 5.5's. It was a great session, even George M. went so far as to say I was soooo close to completing that elusive full planing jibe. He suggested I flip the sail sooner, and I will try that next time out. Anyway, without further ado, here are a couple pictures of this cool new little board:
Sunday, September 5, 2010
At last...
a great day. No, I still haven't completed a full planing jibe but am getting closer and closer. Now I am getting onto the new jibe, clew first on a plane (sometimes). No song for today, but this little video should suffice (I apologize that I haven't learned how to add music yet, but I was able to edit it down to three minutes):
Tanner Park, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 from Dennis Grunbeck on Vimeo.
Anyway, here's a little update. This past Thursday, Sept. 2, was the first day back to work for this year. So, naturally, there was some wind. I was able to get down to Tanner and start sailing some time after 3 PM. Sailed for about an hour and a half in perfect SW 5.5/102 conditions with Jim M. Took Friday off, supposed to have been a big hurricane, but it pretty much "Earled out" (aka "petered out"). I am sure loads of real windsurfers got some sailing in that day.
Yesterday, Saturday, the wind was from the West, not ideal for Tanner, but went there anyway. I was twitching all morning while looking at meters. The forecast was for 20-30 or something. I was so anxious, called Jim M, decided on Tanner. Well, it was really, really gusty, something like 11-31 knots. I went out on the Naish 85 Wave with 4.7, first time out on that board. I bought it used and thought it would be good for higher winds. It was hard to get it on a plane and the gusty wind really frustrated me and I didn't have a great day sailing. But, I did sail on 85 liter for the first time. However, Dave K and Scott seemed to be having a great time with their 5.3's, albeit way overpowered in the gusts. Curt E, Cecil, and Jim M were also in attendance. Another guy, Steve I think, showed up later on and he looked like he had a good time also. I guess I need more experience on smaller boards.
On to today. I ran down to the beach (Tanner, again) as fast as I could, but with a newspaper as I was figuring that I would have to wait for wind. Nope. Wrong. Good thing. Curt E, Dave K, Cecil, and Jim M. were already there. Rigged 5.5/102 (my current fav. combo), the wind was more South than yesterday, but still almost perfectly sideshore, real low tide, but still pretty flat (see video above). It was a halcyon day. I know I've said that in a few places about today, but it's true. A gorgeous day, great breeze (a bit up and down, and started to die around 4:30 - 5:00 PM0, but all in all my fav conditions, fav board, etc. I had a grat time sailing today and feel super comfortable on the RRD FSW 102 C/K (I've called it an LTD before, but in 2007 the light weight versions were called C/K's - for carbon/kevlar). Turns really easily, planes easily ( I can now pump myself onto a plane), and just too much fun. Except............I've now used my GPS speed thing with this board and sail combo four times and 25, 26, 25, 25 (mph). Does the board have a speed limit or is it me? After a break today, I set out and went faster than I had all day (I think), but had turned off the GPS and had forgot to turn it back on. Oh well, maybe next time.
Jibing: as I stated above, getting better, esp. in these easier conditions. One thing I've learned is that if I do the sail flip boom to boom, with the boom shaka and underhanded grab, and throw mast to windward as I am looking ahead, then I almost always complete the jibe, just not on a plane. Also, I've learned to do the step a bit earlier than I have been and have been experimenting with how sharply I can turn this board (really sharp).
Until next time...............
Tanner Park, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010 from Dennis Grunbeck on Vimeo.
Anyway, here's a little update. This past Thursday, Sept. 2, was the first day back to work for this year. So, naturally, there was some wind. I was able to get down to Tanner and start sailing some time after 3 PM. Sailed for about an hour and a half in perfect SW 5.5/102 conditions with Jim M. Took Friday off, supposed to have been a big hurricane, but it pretty much "Earled out" (aka "petered out"). I am sure loads of real windsurfers got some sailing in that day.
Yesterday, Saturday, the wind was from the West, not ideal for Tanner, but went there anyway. I was twitching all morning while looking at meters. The forecast was for 20-30 or something. I was so anxious, called Jim M, decided on Tanner. Well, it was really, really gusty, something like 11-31 knots. I went out on the Naish 85 Wave with 4.7, first time out on that board. I bought it used and thought it would be good for higher winds. It was hard to get it on a plane and the gusty wind really frustrated me and I didn't have a great day sailing. But, I did sail on 85 liter for the first time. However, Dave K and Scott seemed to be having a great time with their 5.3's, albeit way overpowered in the gusts. Curt E, Cecil, and Jim M were also in attendance. Another guy, Steve I think, showed up later on and he looked like he had a good time also. I guess I need more experience on smaller boards.
On to today. I ran down to the beach (Tanner, again) as fast as I could, but with a newspaper as I was figuring that I would have to wait for wind. Nope. Wrong. Good thing. Curt E, Dave K, Cecil, and Jim M. were already there. Rigged 5.5/102 (my current fav. combo), the wind was more South than yesterday, but still almost perfectly sideshore, real low tide, but still pretty flat (see video above). It was a halcyon day. I know I've said that in a few places about today, but it's true. A gorgeous day, great breeze (a bit up and down, and started to die around 4:30 - 5:00 PM0, but all in all my fav conditions, fav board, etc. I had a grat time sailing today and feel super comfortable on the RRD FSW 102 C/K (I've called it an LTD before, but in 2007 the light weight versions were called C/K's - for carbon/kevlar). Turns really easily, planes easily ( I can now pump myself onto a plane), and just too much fun. Except............I've now used my GPS speed thing with this board and sail combo four times and 25, 26, 25, 25 (mph). Does the board have a speed limit or is it me? After a break today, I set out and went faster than I had all day (I think), but had turned off the GPS and had forgot to turn it back on. Oh well, maybe next time.
Jibing: as I stated above, getting better, esp. in these easier conditions. One thing I've learned is that if I do the sail flip boom to boom, with the boom shaka and underhanded grab, and throw mast to windward as I am looking ahead, then I almost always complete the jibe, just not on a plane. Also, I've learned to do the step a bit earlier than I have been and have been experimenting with how sharply I can turn this board (really sharp).
Until next time...............
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
1st Windsurfing Video
So, here it is, my first, unedited (sorry) windsurf video made with the HD Hero cam.
It was a real light air day last Sunday (8/22/10) and it was my first time on the Pacer in about a year.
I just used the Prisma 7.5 as I didn't know if I could handle the Pacer 9.5 at this point. I am now sure that I can. I found out the Prisma has a broken bottom batten which is why you see all the wrinkles in the bottom part of the sail.
I know, I know, some tacks and jibes aren't too good. Sorry, I will work on that.
Well, hope you like it, even if it is kind of long and boring.
Windsurfing 8/22/10 from Dennis Grunbeck on Vimeo.
It was a real light air day last Sunday (8/22/10) and it was my first time on the Pacer in about a year.
I just used the Prisma 7.5 as I didn't know if I could handle the Pacer 9.5 at this point. I am now sure that I can. I found out the Prisma has a broken bottom batten which is why you see all the wrinkles in the bottom part of the sail.
I know, I know, some tacks and jibes aren't too good. Sorry, I will work on that.
Well, hope you like it, even if it is kind of long and boring.
Windsurfing 8/22/10 from Dennis Grunbeck on Vimeo.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Maybe I Can Do This,
after all I almost nailed a full planing jibe on Sunday, July 4. As a result, the song for today is "Almost Grown" as I've almost grown into a real windsurfer.
Here's the full story: the last two sailing sessions (I am still not comfortable for some reason using the word "session" for a day of windsurfing, but everyone else uses it, so....) I had were Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4. The days were very similar in that the wind started out fairly light both days and then the thermal effects pumped up the wind for a while and then it died back down later on. As I stated in a previous post, I decided to go back to basics, get out the old Go and put the Pacer away for a while. So, my m.o. (modus operandi - quite literally meaning "mode of operation" or program) for both days was to rig a 6.2 and go out on the Go in the lighter winds and just do flare jibe figure-8's until the wind showed up, if it ever did. So, I cranked out flare jibes for close to two hours each day on Saturday and Sunday,getting them tighter and tighter and really concentrating on moving the mast hand to the mast just before the flip and then go from boom to boom. I also put in a couple of tacks here and there. On Sunday, I sailed upwind, tacking 2 or 3 times and then jibe, jibe, jibe on the way back downwind. The purpose of this was to get my balance back and to try and get the sail flip to be "automatic" (stored in muscle memory).
So, when the wind did come up (both days) I hopped on the ol' Z-Ride and went a-planin' and tried to do full planing jibes. Even though I didn't come that close to completing one on Saturday, I did make most of my jibes on the Z-Ride and even completed a couple of tacks. On Sunday, the wind came up a bit more than on Saturday and once again, I was able to complete most of my jibes. As I alluded to above, I almost completed a full planing jibe on Sunday. I stayed on a plane until just before the sail flip, and then regained the plane right after the sail flip. I even got a "woo-hoo" out of Mike Burns (click on link to the Pure Windsurfing blog for more information on Mike) who was right there when this happened. I was stoked. Maybe I can do this, after all.
Suggestions that helped:
1. use a smaller fin to make the board "looser" (Pete R.)
2. when flipping sail, "throw it" to make it come around faster and regain sail power a little sooner (Mike B.)
3. move backhand back further, keep front arm straight, push sail in towards direction of turn (Pete R.)
4. Get up on balls of feet when going into turn (Pete R.)
On another note, good to see Kurt E. and LB Steve this weekend.
Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, it's going to be hot and low wind for most of the rest of this week. Can't wait to get back at it.
This is the year!!
Here's the full story: the last two sailing sessions (I am still not comfortable for some reason using the word "session" for a day of windsurfing, but everyone else uses it, so....) I had were Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4. The days were very similar in that the wind started out fairly light both days and then the thermal effects pumped up the wind for a while and then it died back down later on. As I stated in a previous post, I decided to go back to basics, get out the old Go and put the Pacer away for a while. So, my m.o. (modus operandi - quite literally meaning "mode of operation" or program) for both days was to rig a 6.2 and go out on the Go in the lighter winds and just do flare jibe figure-8's until the wind showed up, if it ever did. So, I cranked out flare jibes for close to two hours each day on Saturday and Sunday,getting them tighter and tighter and really concentrating on moving the mast hand to the mast just before the flip and then go from boom to boom. I also put in a couple of tacks here and there. On Sunday, I sailed upwind, tacking 2 or 3 times and then jibe, jibe, jibe on the way back downwind. The purpose of this was to get my balance back and to try and get the sail flip to be "automatic" (stored in muscle memory).
So, when the wind did come up (both days) I hopped on the ol' Z-Ride and went a-planin' and tried to do full planing jibes. Even though I didn't come that close to completing one on Saturday, I did make most of my jibes on the Z-Ride and even completed a couple of tacks. On Sunday, the wind came up a bit more than on Saturday and once again, I was able to complete most of my jibes. As I alluded to above, I almost completed a full planing jibe on Sunday. I stayed on a plane until just before the sail flip, and then regained the plane right after the sail flip. I even got a "woo-hoo" out of Mike Burns (click on link to the Pure Windsurfing blog for more information on Mike) who was right there when this happened. I was stoked. Maybe I can do this, after all.
Suggestions that helped:
1. use a smaller fin to make the board "looser" (Pete R.)
2. when flipping sail, "throw it" to make it come around faster and regain sail power a little sooner (Mike B.)
3. move backhand back further, keep front arm straight, push sail in towards direction of turn (Pete R.)
4. Get up on balls of feet when going into turn (Pete R.)
On another note, good to see Kurt E. and LB Steve this weekend.
Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, it's going to be hot and low wind for most of the rest of this week. Can't wait to get back at it.
This is the year!!
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