All Over The Map

Windsurfing Cape Hatteras April 2007

Mike Stewart, our Canadian neighbor at Island Creek in Avon, NC, took this video footage of his housemates from Cape Cod, one of my housemates, my daughter and me windsurfing at Cape Hatteras on the Pamlico Sound in April. This was our 8th annual trip to mecca. My first appearance on YouTube!! Thanks, Mike!

Windsurfing in Cape Hatteras - 2006

This is our sixth annual trip to Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banx of North Carolina, April 22-29. We stay in Avon at Island Creek.

Here's what I sailed this week:

Sunday - SW, sunny, mid 70s - 8.5M sail, 150L board (Fanatic X-Ray)
Monday - SW, sunny, mid 70s - 8.5M sail then 7.5M then 6.7M, 150L board
Tuesday - SW, sunny, high 70s to low 80s - 5:30p-7:30p session - it went like this:
    8.5M, 150L
    7.5M, 150L
    5.8M, 115L HiFly Madd
    5.1M, 92L F2 board
Wednesday - NW, overcast, mid 60s - blowing mid-20s today and I'm really sore today so I sailed conservatively
     5.8M, 150L
     4.4M, 92L
     3.7M, 92L
     4.4M, 150L
Thursday - NW, overcast, mid 60s
Friday - NW, overcast, mid 60s

Things To Do While Waiting for Wind in Cape Hatteras

This is our sixth annual windsurfing vacation to Cape Hatteras - the last week of April. We stay in Avon at Island Creek. Since Saturday, when we arrived, Tuesday has been forecasted as "the day".  Well, it's Tuesday and at 7am the forecast changed to dead all day and scheduled to pick up around 5:30pm. It's a beautiful warm sunny day, so here's a list of things I came up with that you can do while waiting for wind:

• Play cards - with your kids if you have them.
• Read a book.
• Kayak - The shoreline is nice and there are inlets to explore.
• Sunbathe - Don't forget the sunscreen.
• Take a nap. Be sure to set the alarm so you don't sleep through the wind forecasted for the end of the day.
• Hot tub - especially if it's chilly.
• Rig everything you own so you're ready for any wind conditions. You did bring everything, right? Plus, after the winter months, you've probably forgotten what goes with what. I keep a list in my PDA, because I can never remember. I know, I'm such a geek. There's nothing worse than rigging the wrong mast, or extension, or boom with the wrong sail and then you need it later and have to take that other sail apart. You want to rig any sail just once.
• Fine tune your sails. You can never have enough downhaul and don't forget to tighten your battens.
• Fix the bumps on the nose of your board.
• Practice freestyle. You know you should. The Pamlico Sound is perfect for it.
• Write postcards or, better yet, write a letter. When was the last time you did that? They'll be shocked and elated to receive your handwritten letter.
• Go birdwatching. If you have time, go to Pea Island. It's not far.
• Fly a kite - if it's too light for sailing but enough for a kite.
• Socialize with your neighbors. You're surrounded by wind junkies just like you. It's nice to know you're not alone in your addiction. Or, is it an affliction? Learn their names. They'll be back next year, like you, and they'll be flattered that you remember their name.
• Go shopping, but don't go far. You may need to rush back in case it picks up. I try to do my windsurf shopping here vs. online so I can see and touch it. Plus, you can find some good deals. I got a brand new boom for $20 and Windsurfing Hatteras threw in a downhaul. I added some harness lines and it cost less than $50 for a new boom.  It's a decent enough boom and it's for a small sail (4.4) that I don't get to use much in Rhode Island where I usually sail. If you're staying at Island Creek, Windsurfing Hatteras is just a short walk.  Oh, yeah...
• Take a walk on the beach.
• Go surfing or boogie boarding. It's right across the street. It's April, so you'll probably want to wear a wetsuit or at least a shortie.
• Ride your bicycle if you brought it or you can rent them locally.
• Make dinner ahead of time if it's forecasted to pick up right at dinnertime - which it often does.
• Write your next interesting blog entry about the Outer Banx so others can live vicariously through you.
• Play frisbee - in the shallow water if it's hot.
• Have a cocktail - Don't have too many though. You'll need to keep your wits about you when you're going scarey fast later.
• Sail Chi - Practice those moves on land that will improve your technique on the water. You can learn Sail Chi with Andy Brandt at an ABK Camp or with Petra Kanz at any of her clinics.
• Practice your high wind jibe footwork and arm movement.
• Watch a windsurfing instructional video. Don't spend too much time indoors though, it's nice out.
• Stretch - If you've been here a few days, you're probably sore all over. Take some time to stretch out. Find a neighbor who knows yoga and hang out with them.
• Have a snack - keep it light and healthy. Gotta watch that girlish figure.
• Clean out and organize your trailer. There's stuff in there you know you should throw away like that 1991 mast extension. You know the kind with the O-ring. You'll be glad you did. You'll probably get better gas mileage on the way home. Or, then maybe you can buy more stuff.
• Take some photos. There are plenty of photo opportunities here.
• Go four-wheelin' on the beach if you've got four-wheel drive. Don't forget to let the air out of your tires. AAA isn't going to rescue you here if you get stuck.
• Carpe diem! Enjoy the day! Cape Hatteras is a wonderful to just "be" no matter what you're doing.