Kanaha Kicks In
Though winds were light yesterday, they kicked in strong today. Got to Kanaha in the early afternoon to 4.0 - 4.5 conditions. Rigged 4.5 and my Cultwave. Very powered up.
Earlier, I had parked next to Gaastra's The Team, Phil McGain and watched as he meticulously rigged a large cambered race sail, taking measurements and making notes. After tacking on my second reach I followed Phil out (or tried to as he approached warp speed). As he was heading near the weird wave, I glanced upwind and saw a brilliant explosion of white in my peripheral vision. Oooooh! Massive wipeoout. I sailed up to the clearing explosion to see Phil in the water with a broken mast. I asked him if he wanted a tow. He was so nonchalant about it and said no, but I could go tell the lifeguard to bring the jetski out and tow him in. So I did that.
After scoring my karma points for the day I sailed a bit longer but decided the smaller board would be in order, and perhaps a smaller sail as well.
I came in and got my JP77 and opted to just flatten out the 4.5. I saw Barry Spanier, head sail designer for Gaastra show up and start scanning the water. I assumed he was looking for Phil and told him that yonder jetski would be towing Phil in shortly.
I headed out and proceeded upwind to Uppers where waist to shoulder high waves were rolling in. The wind was cranking. The 4.5 was more than a handfull. What a rush to be sailing so powered up through the break, launcing off of the ramps, tail-walking in to catch a wave.... the adrenalin was pumping. Looking at the iWindsurf graphs, it shows average windspeeds around 30. I believe it. It was cranking. As I was sailing back and forth, overpowered on my little 4.5, I saw Phil McGain zoom past me on at least a 6.0 blasting past me. That guy sails so fast he induces a time-warp as he sails past you!
Later, back on shore rehydrating, I watched Phil and Barry as they measured sails and took detailed notes on luff curves, luff panel dimensions, etc. It's amazing the amount of detail these guys put into designing and testing their sails. I don't sail Gaastra sails and in fact I've never even tried one, but I have the utmost respect for the time, dedication, passion and devotion that these guys put into their work. I think Phil broke two or three masts today while doing R&D. The fact that he kept getting back on the horse and testing his product says a ton to me about the blood, sweat and tears these guys put into this sport. After today, I'll definitely give Gaastra a good look when I'm in the market for new sails.
Earlier, I had parked next to Gaastra's The Team, Phil McGain and watched as he meticulously rigged a large cambered race sail, taking measurements and making notes. After tacking on my second reach I followed Phil out (or tried to as he approached warp speed). As he was heading near the weird wave, I glanced upwind and saw a brilliant explosion of white in my peripheral vision. Oooooh! Massive wipeoout. I sailed up to the clearing explosion to see Phil in the water with a broken mast. I asked him if he wanted a tow. He was so nonchalant about it and said no, but I could go tell the lifeguard to bring the jetski out and tow him in. So I did that.
After scoring my karma points for the day I sailed a bit longer but decided the smaller board would be in order, and perhaps a smaller sail as well.
I came in and got my JP77 and opted to just flatten out the 4.5. I saw Barry Spanier, head sail designer for Gaastra show up and start scanning the water. I assumed he was looking for Phil and told him that yonder jetski would be towing Phil in shortly.
I headed out and proceeded upwind to Uppers where waist to shoulder high waves were rolling in. The wind was cranking. The 4.5 was more than a handfull. What a rush to be sailing so powered up through the break, launcing off of the ramps, tail-walking in to catch a wave.... the adrenalin was pumping. Looking at the iWindsurf graphs, it shows average windspeeds around 30. I believe it. It was cranking. As I was sailing back and forth, overpowered on my little 4.5, I saw Phil McGain zoom past me on at least a 6.0 blasting past me. That guy sails so fast he induces a time-warp as he sails past you!
Later, back on shore rehydrating, I watched Phil and Barry as they measured sails and took detailed notes on luff curves, luff panel dimensions, etc. It's amazing the amount of detail these guys put into designing and testing their sails. I don't sail Gaastra sails and in fact I've never even tried one, but I have the utmost respect for the time, dedication, passion and devotion that these guys put into their work. I think Phil broke two or three masts today while doing R&D. The fact that he kept getting back on the horse and testing his product says a ton to me about the blood, sweat and tears these guys put into this sport. After today, I'll definitely give Gaastra a good look when I'm in the market for new sails.
posted by Jeff at
8:34 PM
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