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Messages - covesurfer

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1
Downwind and Racing / Re: Downwind Nostalgia
« on: May 29, 2023, 08:58:35 AM »
I was checking out the forums, which I rarely do these days, and saw this. That took me down the rabbit hole and I ended up re-reading a bunch of posts on the s side and Maliko threads. Wow. Those were some great times! The best part of it, to me anyway, was that we had such a big group of stoked paddlers that were always on deck for a downwinder. I've gone on three canoe runs in great wind and waves the past three days. And it's just as much fun paddling and surfing as it ever was, but the stoke of those days, with that group of folks, was really special. Lucky to have been there for a good chunk of time.

2
Travel, Trips, Destinations / Re: The Gorge
« on: October 07, 2022, 04:45:47 PM »

Wind and temperatures vary tremendously from year to year. Seemingly more so with changing climate. This year, we had a very late start to summer, with near daily rain up until June 21. Water temps were only in the 40's for early June, but it warmed into the 50's by the end of the month and up around 70 by mid July. River current is dependent on how the dams are operated and this year, we had a big snowpack on Mt Hood and an extended period of very strong current. That helped to keep water temps down too.

The river current can be a huge factor in your experience and especially with cold water temps, can increase the potential for a bad outcome if things go sideways. A good wetsuit, knowledge of where you are entering and exiting and what the local hazards are can't be overstated. You can get in trouble anytime but when the water is below 60 degrees and the current is over 300,000 cfs at the dams, it shouldn't be trifled with. Talk to someone that knows the river before you plan your adventure. Find out where the barges go, where the channel markers are, where the gill nets are likely to be found and have a river plan. This holds whether you're downwind paddling, foiling, kiting, winging or windsurfing. Even going SUP paddling on a calm day requires a plan, especially when the current is running high early in the summer. Typically, by mid July, the current has diminished substantially and the water is warming up toward it's high temp of around 70, plus or minus a degree or two.

As others have mentioned, July is the most reliable month for west wind, in terms of consistency and strength. August and June can be good too but you're likely to see more hot, windless days in August than July. A year ago, we had a week of extremely high temps that broke records in June for around a week or ten days. It was over 110 degrees in the Gorge for days and was the hottest June ever recorded. You can look it up on line for all the detail. It was very strange, especially contrasted with this year's weather with cold and wet, right up until the solstice date. Point here is that July is generally the most consistent month for west wind. Heat waves usually occur in late summer and not in June but lately, I guess all bets are off on that...

After early September, crowds diminish but a good west wind day in early September will still pack the central Gorge (around Hood River). As the month progresses, westerly wind days get much more infrequent typically, although you can get good easterlies if you are willing to go west of Viento State Park. East winds tend to be more difficult to figure out than westerlies and can do some strange things, like die suddenly or only blow in narrow bands along the river with big dead spots. Also, the wind is blowing with the current on easterlies, so depending on what sport you're doing, that can be a factor if you are trying to stay in one spot. It's less of an issue if you're doing downwinders but the swell is smaller on east winds without the current opposing the wind direction.

A last thing to mention is the Milfoil. No, it's not a hi tech hydro-wing. It's a weed, and it seems to be starting to get really pervasive and difficult to deal with. It's thick and grows where there is less current and in shallower waters. The area off of Stevenson is choked with it currently, and yesterday I watched a woman get stuck trying to sail into the shore on a windsurfer. It took about an hour to get her freed up and her gear dragged in, from about 25 yards off of the shoreline. Fortunately, there was someone with a SUP that went out and helped her or she would have really had a bad day. I didn't see any until late June, and then little coves that were great rest stops on a long downwinder started to become traps. The stuff is really a pain for foilers trying to get in or out of the water after late August. It seems to be expanding as far as where it's growing and I see it now in almost all slack water areas. There are also clumps of it floating in the river, big enough to stop a foil or a ski or an OC1. I started noticing the floating clumps of the stuff as early as July this year. So, it's another hazard and it did not used to be here.

Just covered a few things here. It's an incredible place for any water sports person to visit and chances are that once you get a good week here, you'll keep coming back for more. There's a lot to learn about as it's a unique environment but it is really fantastic too.

3
Random / Re: wetsuit locker for van camper
« on: September 10, 2022, 03:56:04 PM »
Sweet. Those minivans are great, for the island and the Gorge too. I actually prefer the minivan to my truck and am casually looking for a cheap used Odyssey or ???. But, I digress. I am happy the XTerra is no longer in the picture as I remain extremely traumatized by the odors from the interior of that truck, baked in by the Maui heat and humidity. I'm sure the new van will take on it's own unique olfactory patina. I will hope that there is a shuttle in the van waiting in the future, if we ever can get back over there. Sure would be fun to do some downwinders again, north and south sides. 

4
Random / Re: wetsuit locker for van camper
« on: September 10, 2022, 09:24:04 AM »
Or you could just get used to the smell.

(I'm about to get a shitstorm of replies from friends who have been exposed to the inside of my van.)

I have not posted anything on this forum for years. But, this comment, obviously requires a response. There is no getting 'used' to the smell. And, news flash, you don't freaking own a 'van'. Although, I could picture you living in a van, down by the river. Anyway. Yeah, just don't go down this path. There are many that have been traumatized, in a lifelong way, by the odors of your various surf costumes. I will never get over the ride to Maliko in the old Nissan XTerra when the windows were disabled and the a/c barely functioned. If I ever need to induce the gag reflex, I just think of that. Cove out....

5
Hey: PB. Just doing a little lurking. Happy new year. Sorry for the hijack. Carry on with the endless foiling discussions, but I remember when you were just another one of us downwind paddlers on a 17' SUP ;D

6
Downwind and Racing / Re: The smokin spring and summer Maliko report
« on: February 28, 2020, 11:43:38 PM »
Damn LaPerouse, you just made me miss Maliko  :-\

+1 on that!

7
SUP General / Re: what to do when you find yourself on the reef
« on: August 04, 2019, 01:12:02 PM »
I have a lot of experience with this. Covesurfer would be laughing hysterically if he actually showed up on the zone these days, but my most memorable was having to turn out of the channel to get out of the water at Oluwalu because the OC1 in front of me blew it, and winding up flopping around in 4" of water with swell breaking on it, my paddle floating away and 17 feet of SIC bullet yanking on the leash as it roamed in random directions.

My advice, in this case, is simple, and it's exactly what I did.

Bleed.

I go lurking on the zone, and I see this. I actually did not laugh. I was pretty horrified. You were washed around on those razor blades and it made my nerve endings tingle, not in a good way. It's still a distinct memory and that was probably at least five or six years ago.

I'd say you got almost even with me if I did laugh on the day that we paddled from Puamana up to Lahaina for lunch and some waves at the Breakwall. It was also a long time ago. You guided us through a pass in the reef that was literally no wider than my leg and only about a foot deep. The reef on either side was covered by about 5 inches of water. But, it was still fun. But I'm glad I didn't fall in.

8
SUP General / Re: SUP Booby Trap on YouTube
« on: June 16, 2019, 04:33:18 PM »
Unfortunately, the cluelessness is not uncommon. But, there are clueless prone surfers too, plenty. And I say that as a guy that mostly prones. Kookdom does not belong exclusively to the sweepers!  ;D ;D

I really like the video and there is some great riding in those small kine waves. The guys that made it have some good senses of humor. Pretty amazing stuff on the skim board.

9
Downwind and Racing / Re: Sucko Downwinder
« on: June 16, 2019, 04:17:45 PM »
sw, what is this difficult pin of a board? for us curious types...


It's an NSP Puma Pro, 23.5 wide. Super round, like a canoe or surfski shaped into a SUP. I've got a lot of time in on boards but maybe I'm not as skilled as I like to think (highly likely  ;D). I know others have the skills to ride this board in rough conditions but it remains to be seen if I do. If I can figure out how to get through the sections where I get bucked off, it will be a very fast and fun board to ride. At this point, I'm still struggling when the chop starts to get crossed up but figuring it out. Kind of.


I add heat shrink tape on top of the electrical tape. Seem to work well
And not too much of a hassle given the long periods in between maintenance.

Great idea Burchas, I am going to try it!

Menehune.

We're all alone on the water, whether we think so or not. We all need to be able to self-rescue. If I had to, I'd prone the thing before I'd look for help (wow, that would suck). You're the best kind of paddle partner--the person who shows up when it's nuking and spooky-looking and says "let's go".

Yesterday was a lot better, and the shuttle is running. I plan to double down today.

Hahaha! TRUTH. From the 'menehune' comment on. Taking the run, you take responsibility for self rescue. What would suck is if you couldn't self rescue and your pals weren't around to assist. We all hope that doesn't happen. As for the rest of it, the harder it's blowin', you know we goin'!  ;D ;D ;D

10
Downwind and Racing / Re: Sucko Downwinder
« on: June 15, 2019, 09:44:33 PM »
It was that kind of day, and by that I mean it was a day where bracing was necessary frequently, and you had to do with authority sometimes. My handle made a couple of clicking noises that made me suspect that the KeNalu hot glue system could be at the end of it's life. Usually, I renew the glue on the blade and the handle periodically, like at least once a year, but I know I haven't gotten around to it in quite a while.

Anyway, it was weird because the paddle felt like the glue could let go and I thought about how difficult it would be to do anything without a handle on the shaft. So, when PB came in with nothing but a broken shaft at the handle-end of his paddle, it was sort of strange since I'd already been thinking about almost the same scenario.

It was a much improved downwind run for me, my third in the Gorge this season and the second on my needle of a board. I started off solid, didn't fall for the first two miles, then fell about 10 times over the next couple of miles. I got really frustrated after struggling to remount, stand back up and get moving again, especially after about six or seven get-offs. So much cross current chop, it was nearly impossible to get going. I started thinking, maybe if I move forward on the board more between surfs, I can take advantage of the volume in the nose and get more board surface in contact with the water, plus I'll then be standing at the widest point. That should help with stability. Not rocket science but the theory worked. You have to move quickly to get back on a drop and keep that big boofy nose up. But then, you need to be more forward than you'd think in order to keep the board stable. It worked well and my falls decreased substantially. It is still a difficult board for me to ride in rough conditions.

Finished the run over 30 minutes faster than the previous two debacles. If I can stick with this, it will make me a better paddler and the speed will be a major reward. I am going to give it at least three more runs and see how it goes.

I'm afraid I was a pretty poor paddle partner for PB. Not only did I not realize he'd broken his paddle, after I drove him up to get his truck, I selfishly took off, leaving him to deal with getting his board on his truck in the raging wind alone. At this rate, I won't have any pals to paddle with. Not only do I need to figure out my board, I need to figure out how to be less of a tool.

11
Downwind and Racing / Re: Smoking and then not Viento Run
« on: May 27, 2019, 01:29:15 PM »
Burchas, yes, we moved back from Maui in November. We are living in Bend, about two and a half hours driving distance from Hood River. I'll be up as much as I can.

Unfortunately, the NSP Pro is very tough to ride in chopped up conditions, at least for me. I have put on a different fin in the hope of getting a little more stability but the key will be developing the skill to ride it. And, I'm afraid the only way is to practice a lot. When I could get the board surfing and connecting waves, it was hands down faster than anything else I've paddled. And, it accelerates quickly. But, there was a lot of time spent barely surviving. I am going to possibly buy another board for enjoyable downwind if I can't get better results quickly.

Look forward to seeing you here in OR and doing some runs!

12
Downwind and Racing / Re: Smoking and then not Viento Run
« on: May 26, 2019, 09:13:22 AM »
Yeah, that was super-fun going with you Pono! Like old times, only mo bettah because we're still doing it!

But, it was also what I'm calling a big steaming cup of humility that I was forced to choke down. You'd think that after years on Maui and hundreds of Gorge runs in the past, that it would be no problemo. Not even. While mostly the water is moving in the same direction, there are those crossing swells and micro-maxi currents that grab your board and do what they want.  You are paddling on your right side with authority but you are still going right, you take a stroke on the left just to balance your effort and now you're going across the waves to the right! You get near outcroppings into the river, like the Split Rocks, and there is actual reverb from the wind swell breaking and hitting the rocks and then getting perhaps amplified by the current, which is running opposite the wind direction. Add a board that is stupid-narrow (23.5") and has a rounded bottom and rails, and you've got that Humility Drink I mentioned. I haven't been on anything but a 17 4 Bullet with a rudder for downwind in years so it was quite a contrast being on my NSP Puma.

Got my ass kicked thoroughly. Must've fallen more than 20 times in less than 8 miles. I did manage a number of connections and actual surfing drops that were amazingly fun and fast. But, that time added together, totaled maybe five minutes out of an almost 2 hour run. When I got back home, I dug through my windsurfing stuff and pulled out a big chord length, long fin with lots of surface area. It may be a bit slower but it's the only thing that might help. Well, that and thoughts and prayers  ;D

Burchas, if you read this, look forward to you making it out. The water is still cold but as Pono points out, once he's going, the season is official. I am going to likely be up quite a bit, for one or two day missions. It's just about 2 and a half hours from our home but well worth the trouble. It will be fun to paddle with you here.

PB fixed us the best sandwiches ever following all our 'fun'. Nothing tastes as good as an outstanding sammich especially after nearly 2 hours of struggling up current and falling repeatedly in an ice bath! Nevertheless, can't wait to get back up there for another run. Even when you're struggling, downwind is still addictive.

Funny, I did my very first Viento a long while back with PB, who was nice enough to take a newbie out there. I still remember that run and it was literally life-changing for me. Friday, I kind of felt the same way, like a complete newbie.

13
Random / Re: And you thought SUP racing was expensive...
« on: September 11, 2018, 06:21:37 PM »


Oh well, I was tired of working on my motor home restoration anyway. Except the new air conditioner comes this week and I need to get the solar panels up on the roof and out of my way. Sleep is over-rated anyway.



NO!NO!NO!NO!

Please. Say it isn't so.

Fritz is looking so good. I was SO IMPRESSED that you had done so much that completion is actually within sight and reach. Now this.

And with that little statement, we will see Fritz abandoned and left to languish in the back of the shop, along with a fleet of non running, amazing moto's, to be completed, ????? someday? The passenger window and the creaking ball joints in the Maui Funmobile might get fixed before Fritzy is ready for a road trip. 

Stoney, are you watching this? Can't we call PB's parole officer or something??

14
Random / Re: Fritzing away the summer
« on: September 07, 2018, 12:27:49 PM »
That looks pretty awesome! WOW!

OK, now that the compliments are over, here comes the abuse: Keep going, don't stop now, you've almost got this thing to completion! Oh, yeah, don't forget to put the front wheels back on either. Cove out.

PS, S side going off today.

15
SUP General / Re: Wishing our friend in the best in the Hurricane
« on: August 24, 2018, 06:43:47 PM »
The latest is looking somewhat better. Maui County is still under a Hurricane Warning but rapid weakening is also occurring. The buggah barely moving right now with a forward motion of just 2 mph. The latest graphic shows greatly diminished intensity and that Lane is now below hurricane threshold (74 mph sustained (1 minute) wind speed). So, the NHC map is showing Lane as a Tropical Storm at this point. Certainly not out of the danger zone but much brighter picture for Maui and O'ahu. The next full advisory is at 5 pm. Hopefully, it will be consistent with this new image that comes up on the NHC's site.

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