Manzanita beach party Tues PM

winfreak · Joined: 26 Apr 2001 Posts: 61 Location: Oregon Coast

I would normally keep this place to myself but I miss all my Gorge friends. And Tuesday is looking like a classic session: warm water, small well formed surf, high tide in the afternoon, lots of great sailing with consistent wind, plenty of room for all (except maybe parking).
So come on down, lets have a record turnout , and get an old time beach party going on! Everyone's invited as long as fun is on the agenda: old geezers, the young, the good looking, and Darcy as well.....
I'll be the guy doing carefree duck jibes in the surf zone, maybe you will too! -P

pflash · Joined: 13 Jul 2000 Posts: 3

Headed your way...... sounds to good to miss! Plus getting a little tired of The Gorge scene. Coasting your way Windfreak; Save some sand for me.

winfreak · Joined: 26 Apr 2001 Posts: 61 Location: Oregon Coast

I hate to complain when high pressure builds in faster and stronger than predicted, but it does bump up the swell when the wind blows nonstop day and night, and usually ultimately will blow off the warm surface water and cause upwelling of the 38 degree water, with then hugely increases the thermal gradient, resulting in even more wind yet.
So the "just right" wind and swell and warm water becomes more of the classic Manzanita picture with the swell/surf blocking the wind in the surf zone, forcing you to overrig to be able to get outside, where it is nuking and wild, water is like ice, and the word "survival" comes to mind more than it should. Not for beginners or the faint at heart.
Just a word of caution re the conditions and forecast.
Usually the time of year would support continued mild conditions, but global warming seems to be extending our sailing season in both directions, so we may now be entering an early July type period, again!
Forecasters are often at a loss lately, as the computer models have little experience with the new variables and patterns....
So as my good friend kmf says " you just got to be there, and ready to sail what you get!" He has been having a great year so far.
See you out there! -P

kmf · Joined: 02 Apr 2001 Posts: 503

IN OTHERWORDS BRING THE WINTER GEAR ALONG WITH THE NUKING STUFF. Shocked

OK, COUNT ME IN.

KMF

bob1 · Joined: 27 Apr 1998 Posts: 109 Location: San Carlos, CA

. . . but beer on the beach is colder too, right?

winfreak · Joined: 26 Apr 2001 Posts: 61 Location: Oregon Coast

Some of us got Manzanita wet today.
Check out the chart, it was fairly accurate.
The surf/swell was doable but you had to pay attention, 3 to 5 foot mush with occ. 6 ft. barrel. BYOB,etc.. There will probably be wild antics not to be specified as yet, debriefing at Left Coast Siesta (good inexpensive Mexican) towards evening. Hope to see you there! -P

winfreak · Joined: 26 Apr 2001 Posts: 61 Location: Oregon Coast

A good time was had by all, especially Spruce (HR) who pulled off a great maiden voyage into Oregon's coastal waters, congrats!
FYI, tomorrow could very well be another day to talk about, we plan to be there yet again. -P
P.S. There were some surf antics, as one sailor had a kite flying from his mast until it turned into a sea anchor!

winfreak · Joined: 26 Apr 2001 Posts: 61 Location: Oregon Coast

The thermal gradient was incredible Wed. with the largest crowd and highest speeds, check out the chart!
When the wind kicked in with a vengence, only one lucky sailor was ready to take maximim advantage, and was able to make numerous speed runs in the surf zone parallel to the beach. We are talking TERMINAL VELOCITY IN THE SURF ZONE PARALLEL to the beach. Awesome jumps off the ramp of choice. Rarely does the wind and surf set up so well. Well, of course this show drew the rest ,of those lucky enough to be there, into the water ASAP and unknowingly set up a near disaster.
Speeds in the surf zone were so high that someone launched in the traditional manner and unknowingly headed directly out thru the surf and directly on a collision course into P's path (visualize pulling out onto a highway, only someone is coming at 95 instead of 55). This miscalulation was almost a fatal accident as the 2 sailors came within INCHES of an extremely high speed collision, neither sailor saw the other until just a few feet apart.

It would be interesting to hear from the launching sailor, could it be they were somehow unaware of the sailor making these repeated blasts down the beach!? Lessons were certainly learned on both sides, with a much greater awareness taken afterwards, I'm sure!

It was a very memorable day, and in spite of the ice cold water, and return later in the day of typical (altho very strong for awhile) wind patterns, everyone got a chance to rip it up! WOW! Until next time....P

winfreak · Joined: 26 Apr 2001 Posts: 61 Location: Oregon Coast

I had to work, anyone have a session report? -P

pflash · Joined: 13 Jul 2000 Posts: 3

Thanks for your forecasts and hospitality Winfreak. I had a GREAT 3 DAYS with my pals and we made a new friend. I'd call "The Party" a SUCCESS! Check Out the guy doing Duck Jibes in the Surf Zone and I saw alot of other people having a good time too......probably proded on by this iWindsurf PARTY POST. Visit "The Gorge" again Winfreak and we'll throw you a party Cool