If it blows, I hope to sail Van Pugh this afternoon.
Speed contest is still on, but .... so far, the best speeds I've heard of are just BELOW 30 mph. Just to clarify, the new Breaking 30 mph prize is for sailors who are not already in the 30 mph club.
Just got back from Tarpon Springs, had 3 good days out of 5 kiting. First 2 days it blew around 10-15, could barely ride but couldnt stay up wind. Last 3 days was 15-20, steady and nice. Good group of Sailors and Kiters down there, and good to hang with Partick and Margie Kirkland. Love that place!
Gene
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Gene Mathis
Thanks for checking in Gene.
I had an epic afternoon on Oconee. Had the 10 rigged and was blasting up and down the run in the WNW. Sometimes the gusts even had me overpowered and battling to hold on. A pity the GPS battery died after about 15 min, I am sure I broke my own record for the board and rig combo.
Does anyone have contacts with the locals in Cocoa Beach?
Heading down there for a few days and want sail at Banana river or other local spots.
Stephan
Stephan
Were you wanting to sail at the usual Merritt Island/ Causeway spots or elsewhere?
Yes, I am keen to sail that area. And since I am going to be close to the Banana River Resort and see it is listed on the East Central Florida page for windsurfing sites - I was hoping to go sail with folks there, perhaps old friends of ABC?
Not sure which are the "usual spots" - I was just looking at the map.
And when the wind is not blowing I am plannint to do some surfing / bodyboarding around the "Picnic tables" spot.
Stephan
Stephan,
Tinho's Calema Windsurfing at Kelly Park is where everyone used to go. It was a place where you could always count on there being windsurfers around to sail with, or to hang with if the wind wasnt blowing. There was a good group from up north who came down for the winter months. Some of them are/were Paul Lebeau, Tom, Anne, and Roger. Time flys and it's been awhile since I've been down there but if you run into them, tell them I said Hi. I think Paul may be going further south (Stewart,) and I know Tom hangs out over in the Tampa/St Pete area some now.
I'm not sure if the Bannna River Resort is still around, at one time it was for sale.
I have had some good sailing and fun times down there.
Gene
Gene Mathis
yeah, Calema at Kelly Park is still popular. Say hello to Tinho for us. He's taught both of my kids directly or through camps.
If the wind is from the West, NW, etc. you can drive down the causeway towards Cocoa Beach and pull off the road. You'll likely see someone already there. You can also launch from the next causeway down but I've rarely seen someone down there.
There's usually a good sized group of snowbirds hanging out when the wind blows down there.
Fun places to eat: Some places along the waterfront of Cocoa (where the charter fishing boats are, just off the causeway as soon as you enter Cocoa Beach coming from Merritt Island) and in the old part of Cocoa Beach (not the Ron Jons area but further down but do go to Ron Jons and pay homage) There's a decent Cuban place and sort of BBQ place, too, iirc.
I think Jetty Park on the Atlantic is popular for wavesailing. iirc, In a NE it has a relatively easy launch off the beach and bigger rollers outside. Dominque "le magnifique" Valeé and I think another French-Canadian, SUP guru run Banana River. It's prolly worth a stop to soak up some bohemian-chic ambiance.