The Peconic Puffin

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In Desperation, I Drive 54 Miles For A Few Hours of Marginal Planing

It had been 16 days since I planed at all.  21 days since both feet were in the footstraps.   Hecksher Park is not close (whether I'm in the city or in Peconica) but since it always has the best odds of getting some thermals, I planned to go.  Got a call from Peconic Jeff, who was also losing his mind from lack of planing.   He wanted to go to Hecksher too, but then the Cable Guys screwed him up and he had to stay home.

Poor bastard.

Anyhow The King of The East said there would be thermals, so  to Hecksher I went…where a dozen or so people (including King Mike, Frank, Ira, George Marr and other faces from the festival) were on the water, mostly planing.   I had a good time on a 6.2 for a few hours…not ripping, but getting enough jibe and trick attempts in to feel like I'd done some windsurfing.

I'm still parched, but I'm not gonna die of deprivation just yet, and they're calling for some breeze on Sunday…

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5 responses to “In Desperation, I Drive 54 Miles For A Few Hours of Marginal Planing”

  1. Chris (Outdrsmn) Avatar
    Chris (Outdrsmn)

    Funny, I posted about a similar experience today. The difference is I didn’t get in the water.

    Reply
  2. Frank Messina Avatar
    Frank Messina

    Mike, It was great to sail with you: even if I didn’t realize I was sailing with you. We could’a used five more knots of wind; But it was nice just to plane, even with a big sail. Watching you guys freestyle inspired me to try a few tacks, and be a little more liberal with my sail flip. I’m not saying I’m ready for the freestyle camp just yet…But I understand why you guys love it. It looked way more fun than just BAFing.

    Reply
  3. Mike Burns Avatar
    Mike Burns

    I think we’ve hooked another one. Hey frank, next time we’re sailing together, I can give you a few things to start on in the freestyle dept. You’ll be surprised how much fun and how fast you’ll start picking things up.

    Reply
  4. scooper Avatar
    scooper

    Send some of that breeze this way! I’ve been skunked 7 out of my last 12 sessions. Basicly, if you can only sail on weekends then Cape Cod/ R.I. sucks for a windsurfer. Gripe, gripe, gripe. I’m going to take up skunk hunting.

    Reply
  5. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Scooper, I thought Cape Cod was the windiest location on the East Coast (NEWJ’s wind charts say it is)…but not on weekends? That stinks.
    But for you (and Frank) a great way to load for skunk is to plan on some nonplaning freestyle! Check out the videos of basic freestyle moves on clewfirst.com. This is fun stuff, and the wind will respect you for it.

    Reply

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