Greg from Sheb. wrote:

We like to call that photographer friendly colors. It's always a nice day where that sail is. Nice shots of everybody.

Thanks Reid. Yes that sail color is my favorite along with my 4.7.Zeta. And as far as taking pics of other sailors in action while riding, it takes deliberate moves to get them in the camera. It’s nice when someone shows up in the frame unexpectedly, but it’s also fun to try to follow or position yourself in the right place to capture a moment. I’m trying to do this with my kiteboarder friends in Sheboygan but it’s a bit harder as they tend to edge upwind better than I can usually and often they do short runs close to shore while I often have to sail further out to get more consistent wind.

Today, Thursday August 29, I found a way to squeeze a short but intense session in Sheboygan between 12 and 2pm. The wind was blowing South and it has to be one of the best session I had this year at that location. The wind line was 100 yards out but once there it was steady 23-26kn. Almost ocean conditions! I rigged a 6.0 with the 115 Starship. Turquoise water, sunny with plenty of white caps and little shore break means easy in and out. The only downside was that the westerly winds of the previous days had moved the 72 degrees warm currents off shore. It is now probably no more than 48. The 4-3 suit was ok but without too many trips in the water! Pictures from the GoPro tomorrow evening if they are good or something interesting.

Pics of Thu. 29 session. Short one but great.
First the crew: not many people that day but just a handful of local kiteboarders. Now that I’ve been sailing here for the past 4 seasons, I’m part of the “clan” despite being a windsurfer. Everyone one here is respectful and kites safely. Beers are usually flowing at the end of a session and everyone enjoys the company. Something’s wrong with my convincing skills but I’ve yet to convert anyone to windsurfing.

Not everyone is on that shot but left to right:
Jeff is an ex-windsurfer (and possibly the real Santa!). He kiteboards efficiently and smoothly across the spot and keeps an eye on the action while on shore. He travels with his old gold and tan Chevy camper van from the 80’s and obviously enjoys a cold one!
Then JJ lives literally on the spot in one of the houses bordering the driveway leading to the beach with direct view on the lake and the action. He is one of the most experienced kiteboarders around and he gracefully serves as the “administrator” of the beach so that order, courtesy and safety reins around during peak attendance weekends and holidays. He also takes care of the Sheboygan Kiteboarders’ group and FB page.
Closer to me is JR. He is also very experienced on the water and was one of the first to foil on a kite here in Sheboygan. He is also the only Kiteboarder with who I sailed with during the 27 miles long Winnebago Annual Lake Crossing last year.
And finally, Mike who was on my left and who owns the renowned EOS Surfshop in Shebpygan. Mike is a Midwest surfer that got into kiteboarding a few years ago I think and that masters foiling as well. The surfshop is a great place to hangout and has a great selection of clothing, footwear, wetsuits, surfboards, and kiteboard gears.

What unites everyone here is the love of wind-powered water sports and being one of 3 windsurfers in town, this group has always made me feel welcome and part of this community.

L to R: Jeff, JJ, JR


Mike


And a little speed run with Mike again.

Stil yesterday’s session. Action shots. I initially rigged the 8.5 with th Bolt and did a back and forth to realize that this wasn’t an 8.5 day! Close to shore it was light but further out it was powered mid-20kn.

Let’s start with a couple of “happy shots” with my bright and sunny 6.0 Lion.



Then a few interesting splashes as I ended up tumbling a couple of times. For some reason, I always like GoPro shots capturing that odd and unexpected situation. As a video, it happens so fast that the beauty is hard to appreciate, but stills make all the difference.





Sinking vessel

And to finish it up, a few expected views.

Love the way the wake “competes” with the wave behind the sail


Flip that sail... NOW!


When you spend time in the water, better have rig recovery and water starting as second nature


My contribution to art photography


I’m outa here!

Today Tuesday September 3, the place to launch in my neck of the wood is near Appleton on the shores of lake Winnebago at a boat launch called North Shore (near High Cliff State Park). Just arrived and SW blowing 20kn but a rainstorm/thunderstorm just made its way and is keeping everyone in their cars. 4 windsurfers already rigged and ready to go plus me and a 6th that just got there. Once the front has passed, this should turn west at 17kn gusting 30kn!

Awesome! Got to make it up there sometime.

Today in Winnebago. Hopefully the owner secretly wanted to replace this kite cause it’s not coming down tonight!
(Admin might do some magic and turn those images right side up. In the meantime, don’t hurt your neck!

Christmas decorations are going up early this year.

Kiters: "Kiting is SOOOOO much better than windsurfing! There's not ONE thing about windsurfing that's better than kiting!"
Windsurfers: "What? that's totally untrue"
Kiters: "OK, I bet you can't name ONE thing....seriously, name ONE thing that's better about windsurfing!!!"
Windsurfers: (pulls out phone, shows kiters the picture from above)
Kiters: ".....fuk."

Greg, did they ask you for your mast? That’s what they usually end up with at Wolf after trying climbing on top of each other, on the tree or other dangerous acrobatics.
Indeed I’ve never seen a windsurfing sail hanging from a tree )

Yeah, that was an interesting moment when a tree removal service bucket truck showed up and pulled the kite down in one piece. My estimate: Tree service salvage fee: $300, new lines: $250. 3 or 4 year old kite value: $300. Not a good deal. I would have left it in the tree!

Been busy lately and I haven't been very active posting what's happening in my area. Doesn't mean nothing happened and I have a huge backlog of pics and videos from the past 2 months sailing here and there. Let's start with yesterday. Lake Winnebago as usual. It was cold (48 degrees) and not particularly sunny. Wind from SSW at 18kn with 30kn gusts. I rigged the 5.2 Zeta and I managed to hang on to it ok in the gusts. I was the lone windsurfer with 3 other kite buddies from Sheboygan chasing each other. Fun!

A few pics and more in the PHOTO section here: windsurfillinois.com/index.php/photos/12...eg/album?albumid=220

Bam! Let's start with a bit of air!


Jeff risking a speeding ticket.


Fast-enough?


I asked for a ray of sun and I got it.


Oops! Can anyone make it even less comfortable? Looks medieval to me! (Next 3 pics as a sequence).

Let's sink this thing for good...

..and let's drown its rider with it.


Landing spinout obviously: I can fly but I can't land!


That "perfect" jibe


29mph: That's more realistic! I think its pretty good for a board that's not even good in speed nor waves and a 5-batten sail wit No cam ...and that wasn't flat water sailing either!


Crash landing. This one is my favorite of the day.


Let's close with JR that acts as the "fly on the shoulder".