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isobras
Joined: 17 Jul 2012
Posts: 439
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 Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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| ldhr wrote: | | Viento sensor would be awesome for planning downwinders from Viento to HR. It's a guessing game when we load up a shuttle deciding what size kite is appropriate. |
Suggestion: Instead of the shuttle hassles and wind risks of a one-way downwinder, try a DIY downwinder. i.e., launch and recover from one site, as usual, but sail way upwind and downwind sans shuttle. IMO, this adds many benefits to moderate (as opposed to something like the Blowout) one-way downwinders.
1. The length and time can be adjusted real-time if desired, if changes in the wind or energy levels change your minds.
2. The upwind leg is part of the fun.
3. Much less hassle than shuttling vehicles.
4. High currents help the process by providing a return escalator if the wind craps out and you chose the upstream leg first. Maryhill to the John Day Dam and back is a no-brainer in that regard, and for most of this season the Corridor current was plenty good enough for a Viento-to-Swell, or Hatch, or Event Site, or bridge round trip ... whatever feels good as a given day unfolds.
Viento to HR is roughly 7 miles, and I've done 5 on really small sinkers with tiny B&J fins even back before I was jibing well. Add kites, today's wider boards, and better pointing fins, and a 7-mile trip should be a piece of cake. One can easily work up to that in just one trip, by evaluating wind and current and progress as that first such trip unfolds and playing it by ear. Be conservative if some of the group are less confident, or let 'er rip if everyone feels confident and capable. The uncertainty adds mystery and excitement, while the real-time versatility lets you adapt to conditions. It's neat to set a lofty goal like going to the HR bridge from Viento, and neater yet to be able to cut it short if the wind doesn't cooperate. A kite points better, but a WSer gives you a place to sit if the wind forces you to ride the escalator home while eating the energy bar you took along.
Mike \OO/ |
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