Anyone sailing in Union Pier Michigan?

[Darbonne]

I'll be in Union Pier next week and I am bringing my windsurfer. I am still a beginner having just started in March of this year. Looking forward to trying it in Lake Michigan. Not sure how I am going to deal with the surf and big water. I have been learning on a lake in Louisiana. I have a Starboard Start, Ezzy Wave 5.8 and a Gaastra Matrix 8.0. Any tips would be appreciated.

[d0uglass]

If the waves are small you can just walk your gear out beyond where they are breaking and then uphaul. Carrying your gear through the waves will be easier if you use your small sail.

Don't fart around any longer than necessary in the area where the waves are breaking. When you come in to shore, sail into as shallow water as possible before you hop off.

It will take a while to get used to balancing in the swells but it won't be that hard if you already have your basic knowledge of how to windsurf.

If the waves are big then you shouldn't attempt a direct attack. Look for a place where a jetty or something is blocking the waves and launch there.

Good luck.

[bsangeor]

Darbonne,
In addition to James' advice, some local knowledge never hurts either. I don't sail often in that area, but you might find some others who are going out on www.miwindsurfing.com


Brian

[Darbonne]

Had a blast in Union Pier. There was one other guy windsurfing an older Mistral board but I never had the oppertunity to speak with him. The wind was mostly light so I putted around on my Start and a Gaastra Matrix 8.0 most of the time. The wind did pick up one day 10-15 MPH. On that day I sailed my Ezzy Wave 5.8. I am still learning so I didn't want to be overpowered. On the windy day I was caught by a guy sailing a Laser he came out and sailed a circle around me. We chatted briefly and he really liked the size of the Start he said he had an 80's windsurfer, and the Start looked good. I was surprised how much faster he was. All in all a good learning experience dealing with the surf and the chop.