Saturday 5/31/03 - Lake Michigan (Brymart's report)
Sail size: 4.2-5.0, wind 30 kts, waves 10-12 feet, air temp 48

We had a great time yesterday at the Big Lake. For the most part,
the waves ended in the 5 to 8 feet range. I'm not sure I saw any
that were 10 to 12 feet, but the waves were continuing to build as
the wind backed off late.

Sorry Jeff, I don't mean to burst your bubble, but but I'm not sure
we sailed in anything bigger than that. The wave heights didn't hit
12 feet until well after we quit sailing, and they were measured at
the buoy well north of where we were at. We may have come
across a few 10 footers, but they didn't look quite that big to me.

Wave size is a pretty tricky thing to estimate from the water. We
are not used to big thick walls of water moving around us, and
consequently, if your'e not used to them, they initially seem bigger
than they really are.

Regardless, I launched about 45 minutes to an hour before Jeff and
Steve, and during that time, it was the "perfect conditions"
everyone has been looking for. It was 3 to 5 foot waves (none
breaking), and absolutely no shore break. The waves were not
cleanly defined, so they were just so-so for riding, but they were
great for jumping. I had a blast tooling around on my 5.2, and 70
liter board. The air temp atarted in the low 50's, and the water
temp felt about the same. It was overcast, and kind of nasty
looking. With the North wind to complete the mix, if felt like typical
October day. A dry suit was really warm for me, but a thick
steamer worked for a couple of the locals. I didn't need gloves, but
booties were a must.

When Jeff and Steve hit the water, I was kind of intrigued by his
sail choice of 4.2. I felt very well powered on my 5.2, but not over-
powered. If he was cruising comfortably on his 4.2, then I'd go
down to my 4.5. I sailed for about 15 minutes before coming in to
confere with Jeff on his sail size. During that time, the waves
kicked up to 6 or so feet, and really cleaned up. They quickly
become nice clean waves that were great for riding.

I did a bit of wave riding for 15 minutes then came in to talk to Jeff,
who mentioned that he was only powere about 60% of the time.
This is not a good situation for "on-shore" wave sailing when the
waves are building. I discussed the merits of my 5.2 and he
decided to re-rig to his 5.0. I'm not sure why, but the locals
reported that they were getting hammered on their 4.5's. I had my
hands full a few times with the 5.2, but nothing really insane.

While resting, we saw Steve try a few duck jibes. It was pretty
gutsy considering he was doing them in-close for us to see, and
the waves were breaking in this area. He nearly pulled one off, but
just missed at the end. Gotta give him a lot of credit for trying
them at all.

After a 30 mintue break, I decided to go back out. But....the shore
break got a whole lot bigger in the interum, and there was a stange
rip current pulling me TOWARDS the pier. I got tumbled in the
shore break a few times, but after about 5 minutes of trying, I finally
got up and out. By this time, the waves were their biggest, and
had really cleaned up. The water between the vaves was VERY
smooth, and was great for jibing. The wave sets looked like moving
valleys of water across the lake. You would get in the valley, and
all you really saw was water on both sides of you.

I did a bunch of wave riding, and had a blast teasing the breaking
waves. I had plenty of power, so I would allow the waves to break
right behind me, as I would shoot down the ramp for some turns. It
felt pretty cool to dodge the big foamy bullets.

I saw a pretty cool wipe-out of Jeff. I was outside of him by about
100 yards when he crested a big wave, He almost cleared it, when
I saw his board get sucked back from under him quite violently.
The mast and sail pivoted forward quickly and he was consumed
by the wave in a big white foamy mess.

Since Jeff is a true student of the sport, I'll disect what
happened...... The wave broke right before he cleared it. He was a
bit sideways to the crest, so it just yanked the board out from
under him. It was pretty cool! This is an important lesson that we
all learn........if it lookes like the wave is going to break on you,
keep the nose pointed right at it, and try to punch through it. If you
get sideways to a breaking wave, and you don't clear the peeling
crest, it's going to end badly for you.

I sailed for another 30 mintues or so, and then finally called it a day
when the wind backed off.

All in all, it was a great, fun day. Jeff and Steve both sailed really
well. Steve has sailed in these conditions (actually bigger
conditions) so he knew what to expect, but Jeff did really well,
especially considering that he had never sailed big waves before.
He made some nice jibes, and really mixed it up nicely with the
waves. He never got flustered, and handled himself like a veteren.

Great Job Jeff!

-Bryan

Saturday 5/31/03 - Lake Michigan (Duckburn's report)
Sail size: 4.2-5.0, wind 30 kts, waves 10-12 feet, air temp 48

I would first like to thank Bryan for his call on the Lake Michigan
trip and Jeff for sharing those chocolate chip cookies. It was a
beautiful sight to look out at the lake a have a wave free launch and
to hear some of the locals saying they were getting overpowered on a
5.0. I rigged my 4.5 and put on my fleece and dry suite. I got on
the water around 10:00 a.m. our time. The shore break at this time
was nothing. The 4.5 MPR could have been a little more powered, but
I didn't have any problems at all getting on plane with a little help
from the waves. Once the wind shifted a little out of the West, the
waves seem be build quite a bit. There was a section in-between the
outside the inside that the swell started to clean up, and I was able
to get some of wave riding in. I was really starting to get
comfortable so I tried a duck on the inside, but I fell a little
short. I was a little concerned the last time that I came in that I
was not going to be able to get out again, and I was correct. I made
two attempts to get out again only to be washed ashore. All in all,
these washing were a really learning experience. I am much more
comfortable being down in the shore break. And as the shame thing
stacks up, I don't feel that the "wash of shame" in quite as bad as
the "walk of shame".

Saturday was a great day of sailing for myself. I am look forward
for my next day of Big Lake Sailing.

Duckburn

Saturday 5/31/03 - Eagle Ocean (Jibe Marker Jill's report)
Sail size 4.5-5.5, Wind 15-25

Things were much tamer on Eagle Ocean than Lake Michigan today. No logo high surf here, but in the biggest waves, it was hard to see the other sailors' ankles. I got there around noon, and it was a sea of white caps rolling in from the NNW... a nearly perfect direction. Martin was there ripping on his 5.7, and Indy Car Mike was rigging up. I opted for 4.6, as it seemed to be blowing a pretty steady 20+. At first, it was just perfect... solid planing back and forth. But soon Rev Mike and WWWayne showed up, and it backed off a bit. I came in for a break and it picked up. I went back out and it backed off. I came back in and it picked up. After a few rounds of this, WWW pointed that I was simply out of synch with the wind. I got back in synch somewhat, but for the rest of the day, I think I would have been better with a slighty bigger sail. But I was still getting some great rides when the wind was at its best. Chef Scott stopped by to supervise the sailing (he's sidelined with his pesky shoulder injury), and took a bunch of photos. Rev and WWW headed up to Hobie Beach, and appeared to be ripping it up pretty good. During the longer lulls they disappeared from the water. I think they may have been hanging on the beach drinking beers!

I called it a day around 3:30 when it appeared to backing off for good, and I wanted to give my recuperating knee a break. And of course as soon as I was out of my neoprene it really started cranking again. When I left Rev and WWW were still flying back and forth up at Hobie.... they may still be there now!!

All in all, it was amazingly steady wind by Eagle Ocean standards. The word "gusty" didn't enter my head all day!

- Jibe Marker Jill

Saturday 5/31/03 - Lake Michigan (LLCJ's report)
Sail size: 4.2-5.0, wind 30 kts, waves 10-12 feet, air temp 48


It was already starting to blow at 6:30 and I had a nagging thought running through my head as I passed EO on my up to Lake Michigan - never leave wind to find wind. When I hit Gary the wind seemed to be a bit light and at the rest area I noticed I could see my breath - not exactly great signs. At that point I was the 6.2 would be big enough. All doubts vanished when I got my first glimpse of the lake, it was covered with white caps. When I got to the beach, it was blowing sand and I spotted Bryan on a 5.2 motoring out and getting some nice jumps.

Reyburn was derigging his 5-ish sail based on a local reporting being overpowered on his 5.0 and everyone rigged 4.5 - except me. I went 4.2. There was barely any shorebreak behind the jetty so launching off the beach was a piece of cake. However, as you moved away from the beach things started getting bigger and steeper. The shorebreak down wind was looking nasty so I worked hard to stay upwind. That was a mistake. The 4.2 wasn't all that well powered up and there were several wind holes which meant a lot of time spent out of the straps. It's not easy sticking to a board that when your airborne and out of the straps. Needless to say I got a good work out was tired after only two reaches.

Waves were getting bigger and starting to break in the open water. I watched Bryan and Steve having a great time. In the bigger zones Bryan would be completely hidden and the crests were above his logo. Steve even attempted a duck jibe and almost made it.

My second mistake was listening to the locals and sticking with the 4.2 for next session instead of rigging my 5.0. I did better on the way out and was able to use the swell to plane up - most of the time anyway. I managed a jibe or two on the outside and headed for the protected water behind the jetty to jibe on the inside. Between them, however, were those logo high breaks. Guess where I'd lose power and fall of plane. Fortunately I stayed upright. However, it was a bit un-nerving looking UP at breaking water while bearing off and pumping like a mad man. It was a bit of rush as the wave picked me up and I'd plane off just as the white water was reaching my foot straps. Although I did better on this session, I still think I spent more time in the water than sailing. At least I was able to avoid falling in the big stuff.

For the third session I said hell with the locals and rigged 5.0. Power was much better, but the wind had clocked more on shore and the launch was no longer protected. I hung back while Bryan and Steve struggled to launch and started having second thoughts. Bryan got worked a bit, but eventually made it out. Steve got worked a lot and ended up swiming his rig back in. After he rested a bit we both headed out. I lost track of him as I focused on watching for an opening between sets.

It took a long time, but eventually I spotted an opening and went for it. I made it all the way to the outer break when a wall jacked up in front of me and started crumbling. It was well overhead and felt vertical as I went up it. I was really really really hoping it wouldn't break and roll me over backwards. I actually crested the top and thought I was in the clear when my board yanked backwards and I started a 1/4 loop. It felt like I had stuffed the nose, but I had a clear view of lots of air under the nose as the sail spun me around still hooked in. I remember being underwater and finally getting unhooked when the next breaker picked me up and I started tumbling. When the foam cleared I spotted my gear nearby and had just enough time to grab the tip of the mast and duck as the next breaker rolled over. I soon realized I was in a stable position and just kept ducking under breakers waiting for an opening. I spotted my favorite neoprene surf cap about 30 ft away and mourned it's loss. After a few more breakers I realized it was coming back to me. I rode out a few more and was able to grab it. Then it was time to go.

I got water started and used the next wave to plane off just in front of the white water. It was a great ride. Unfortunately I just headed straight for the beach and a much needed rest. Steve was already in and I ran to get the camcorder while Bryan was still sailing. Too late, he was landing before I got set up. Before we could launch again the wind backed off to maybe 6.0. I tried to talk someone into sailing so I could get some footage, but there were no takers. Eventually we spotted someone launching on a 5.7, but he was underpowered and really got worked. It made for great footage, but he wasn't having much fun. He'd work and work to get into waterstart position waiting for wind then watch helplessly as a breaker came rolling over. By the time he got in he had broken 2 battens, lost a third, and ripped a batten pocket.

It was a lot of work and I would have liked to have gotten more time on the water before it got so big, but at least I learned that I can survive the white water. I even had some fun moments amid all the adrenaline. Hopefully Bryan and Steve can fill us in on their day, 'cause I was so focused on not getting munched that I really didn't see much of them.

LLCJ