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Derikthin
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 141 Location: Highland Park NJ
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 11:38 am Post subject: Son of a B%^ch! Thanks DEP.... |
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So as you guys know I was headed down to Sandy Hook Lot C for some Windsurfing. Dropped kids off at school and daycare. Load up the truck and drive down. Now yesterday someone mentioned that Seaside 24th ave was a great idea, but I'm going solo and it's cold and I just wanted to stay closer and something familiar. Wrong plan Derik ya dumb idiot =(.
Get there today and there is this sign from the DEP (department of environmental protection) that it's closed, they don't list a reason but gave a phone number. Now my wife will tell you I don't notice shit so I figured maybe this was up last week when I went and just didn't notice, or maybe it was just about the dunes or something. So I call the number to make sure... It's closed the lady tells me, not the whole bay. So I get in the truck and drove a little further up and the whole way up to hotshoe i'm seeing "closed" signs.
At this point I'm like pissed because I hate Lot A and its low tide so the walk to the water feels like a mile (it's probably only 100-150 yards). I park and eat a snack and try to get psyched up about it but I just didn't have a good feeling in my gut about it, and the wind is even stronger then the last time and I'm by myself so I said screw it.
Had my oldest son had after care and I had until 6pm and not 3pm I might have gone down to Seaside 24th but I had to throw the towel in.
I'm mad and not proud but maybe listening to my gut was a good thing. 😪
Well thanks for letting me vent.
Derik A.[/i] |
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rswabsin
Joined: 14 May 2000 Posts: 444 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 11:51 am Post subject: |
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Hey Derik - Don't beat yourself up mentally over this. It's closed for some good reason - I'm guessing high fecal coliform counts? There are a couple of sewage plant outfalls on the Raritan bay (upstream of the Hook) that maybe had a release. Or maybe a fuel spill somewhere in the area. Sometimes your gut knows best.
Rob |
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Derikthin
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 141 Location: Highland Park NJ
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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I probably would be a lot less bummed if the lady who answered the phone for the number they listed on the sign told me why it was closed. I mean Lot A is only like 100-200 yards away from lot C water wise.
I mean people much smarter then me made this decision but it speaks to a larger issue idiots like me have when they don't tell you anything or it just doesn't make logical sense I.E. The lot 100ish yards away still being open.
It was probably for the best also. I need to find a Nurse windsurfer like me so we can psych each other up. I might have still gone had I had a buddy to brave the conditions.
Anyways. Gah! My wife was at least relieved I played it safe. |
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bred2shred
Joined: 02 May 2000 Posts: 989 Location: Jersey Shore
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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As Clint Eastwood said, "A man's got to know his limitations."
In this sport, you need to push yourself in order to improve, but you also need to keep your head about you and make smart decisions. A beginner sailing solo in 25-30 knot wind in December in New Jersey is a dicey proposition at best.
I've got 20 years in this sport and throughout those years there have been times when I sat it out because it just "didn't feel right." It sucks, but that's the way it goes - gotta listen to your gut.
You may not have sailed today, but you will sail again.
sm |
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Derikthin
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 141 Location: Highland Park NJ
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 12:15 pm Post subject: |
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Clint Eastwood is one of my favorite actors/directors =).
And Bred you are right. Another day is out there. =). |
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isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2016 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: Son of a B%^ch! Thanks DEP.... |
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Derikthin wrote: | I park and eat a snack ... |
Good thing it wasn't a sammich or youldda been arrested. |
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erniego
Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 14
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2016 11:46 am Post subject: |
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You a brave soul Derik ! I call it quits when air temps drop below 55. my hands just cant take it. Ive tried various gloves but my forearms are done in like 10 mins. Sucks cause its a short season to begin with , and my opportunities to sailare limited . I can surf in those temps with thick 5 mil gloves and be fine, but windsurfing is a deal breaker unfortunately. |
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Derikthin
Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 141 Location: Highland Park NJ
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2016 11:56 am Post subject: |
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Hahaha Iso 😅. And to think, I was going to pack a Sammich.
Erniego, well I'm trying to be smart and brave which is why I didn't launch yesterday. There will be another day. =). I use 7 or 5mil O'neil omniheats. I buy a tube of that seal stuff and put it where the glove starts to wear and that has worked really well. |
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DelCarpenter
Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 499 Location: Cedar Falls, IA
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Posted: Sat Dec 10, 2016 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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Hooray Derik. We want our windsurfers bold enough to assert a right to be safe today instead of sorry tomorrow.
My back-up plan in cold weather is land sailing a parking lot on a mountain board. For a few weeks my van was loaded with both dry land & wet water gear so I was ready for either. I quit the wet water season at about 45 F. Jibing figure 8s on a parking lot is not as much fun as planing, but it is more fun than not sailing. Soon I'll be loading for the snow/ice sailing season & keeping the mountain board loaded for those days when the snow/ice is not hard enough. |
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