NOAA: Friday a 40 percent chance of showers before 10am. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 52. Breezy, with a north wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.












It looks like a NNE switching to NNW(late) in the 6.9 to 5.8 range. I'm going to launch out of Purgatory and sail The Narrows the opposite way we usually do. Water temp around 60 F at the coldest part. Who's with me?

Urgh. I am not sure. I will let you know in the am

Morning update: Upgrade. It's looking more 5.8 to 4.7 wind. Sun might pop out around noon. Cold suit with head cover and gloves required for air temp. Sunday looks colder and bad direction. 60 F water temp with sun will feel great. Swim across the cove between the trees to the north side and walk out to the point. You'll see a stump. Wind should kick in around 10:00 am. Don't forget your hot coffee.

Hope you guys had fun down south. Up in Sheboygan, the winds was cranking but really too cold for me: Snow flurries in the morning and a water at around 38 degrees. That;s below my threshold!

Nice day at Purgatory Cove. Full sun and 60 F water. I swam to the north side of the cove in glassy water. Walked out to the point(sand bottom) where the wind was rippin'. I was warm expect for my hands, some fingers went numb, even with my cold-gloves on. Air temp 50 F. Stopped at the east bank to warm my hands up in the water. Then I was good to go for awhile. Tried not to get my face wet with the wind chill. Swell was knee high. Lit on the 5.8 at times(with 108 FSW). Pretty gusty. And shifty. I was the only one out there. Not a good day to try tricks. It was a good workout.


Bloomington



Champaign



Decatur




8 of the day's 16 photos.

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Purgatory Cove. Coming in. You can see the point to the left and parking lot to the right



(5.8 sail. 108 FSW) I could feel a difference when the sail shaded my hands from the sun on port reach. Cold!



(5.8 sail. 108 FSW) Jibe.



(5.8 sail. 108 FSW) No hands.



(5.8 sail. 108 FSW) Jump.



(5.8 sail. 108 FSW) 31 mph. New record for my 108 FSW. You can see the NNE wind direction by my reach tracks graph.



(5.8 sail. 108 FSW) Shock wave beginning to form off the nose of the board as I approach the sound barrier.



(5.8 sail. 108 FSW) 'till next time!




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It's been a long time since I rock and rolled
It's been a long time since I did the Stroll
Oh let me get it back let me get it back
Let me get it back baby where I come from
It's been a long time been a long time
Been a long lonely lonely lonely lonely lonely time
Yes it has

Awesome pics. When I did the trip there one or two years ago, I remember the punishing swim up-wind along the shore among the dead tress and other unpleasant underwater surprises! You guys are quite troopers on Clinton Lake!

Of Clinton's 14 launches (see launches page) Purgatory Cove is special. The funny part is, when it's WNW wind like the day you're talking about, we're launching out of Purgatory to avoid something 5 times worse. Which is to launch out of the Marina launch with a 4.2 (WNW wind) and tack(several tacks), wade, swim, your way up to the Main Pool. And come all the way back after the wind lets up at the end of the day. Did that for years.

Next time(WNW wind) I'll show ya how to breeze through Purgatory with waist deep walking - gear floating, less swimming - stump free magical path. Purgatory includes scenery and wildlife fun. And then be rewarded with Clinton's biggest fetch and widest reach.



Greg from Sheb. wrote:

Purgatory Cove