Long Beach (Lake Erie), Ontario

  For the past few days we've been windsurfing at Long Beach Conservation Area on Lake Erie. Its about a 1.5 hour drive for us so its not too often that we go there. Usually, if the wind is blowing South West we head down to Sherkston Shores for the waves, but lately Long Beach has been getting the most wind. Usually when you get to Long Beach you're not alone. We tend to see at least five other windsurfers out, sometimes twice that and a few Kitesurfer. The thing I like about it is that the launch is this little bay thats protected from the waves by a rocky reef. You can get a bit of a wind shadow in there but its not a huge problem. As you get into the bay the water gets pretty flat with some little swells closer to shore making it one of my favourite spots to freestyle. Going out, however, is another story. Chop, chop, and more chop. Hopefully we get some stronger winds in the fall and I can't wait for a nice wave session at Sherkston! Here is a picture of me going for a spock inside the bay.

September 4th, 2011 (Long Beach, Lake Erie)

BOARD FOR SALE!

Just wanted let everyone know that I'm selling one of my boards. Its a 2009 Quatro Freestyle/Wave 95 Litre. The board is in great condition! This board is perfect for bump and jump conditions. It feels great on the waves and it's also great for learning freestyle moves when its flat.

"Feels very lively and ready to manoeuvre at all times once planing, and while it is not slow and not uncomfortable blasting it inclines the rider to shorter runs and a more jumpy / turny / freestyle attitude. It gybes very nicely and keeps speed up pretty well out of the turn for such a wave style design." - Boards 
Windsurfing

"We would strongly recommend it for heavy weight (87kg+) sailors looking to maximise their riding in moderate to medium winds, and get good jumping and or freestyle as soon as there is a decent breeze. It would also make an excellent first time waveboard for sailors from about 78kg upwards." - Boards Windsurfing


The price is $700 CAD.


E-mail me if your interested at: tomwojtk@gmail.com

Off to Hatteras!!!

Finally we're all done school! Exams went well and marks or pretty good but now its time to forget about school and get our heads in pure windsurfing mode! We've planned our route and packed the car up to its max. There's no room left so looks like our dog (Pele) will have to hang onto the roof if he wants to come. Ahead of us is 14 and a half hours of pure driving. We'll see everyone thats down there soon!!! 

(Pele waiting to go on the roof)

The Spock 540

I've been doing this move for a while now. This Spock 540 I did at the Hamilton Harbour, Ontario last year. I first landed this trick in Hatteras, North Carolina a year ago. I came into Hatteras with a vulcan going one way and 2 weeks later came back with a Spock going both ways. If you want to learn how to freestyle go to Hatteras, its crazy windy, really shallow and flat water. You'll learn 10 times as fast if your sailing in the right conditions, especially where its windy more than 2 times a week (thats Ontario for you). I'm heading down to Hatteras for 3 weeks soon, my goal is to learn how to grubby both ways, flak-a both ways, try a shaka (really hard move) and some switch stance moves. 

2011 Season has officially begun!

   Winter has been dragging on for far too long this year. With air temperatures finally reaching a reasonable 8 degrees Celsius and a less then reliable forecast we decided to hit up Hamilton Harbour. The wind was blowing 15-20 knots north/northwest so it was almost straight onshore. This mean't you had about 200 meters of sailing room and gusty conditions. We took our biggest sails, which means my dad was on a 5.7, Adam was on a 5.4, and I was out on a 5.2. Most of the time we were planing even with the gusty conditions. The water must have been just above 0, maybe 2 degrees, but we couldn't just sail back and forth so we got pretty wet and cold. It was also a good time to test out our GoPro for the first time on the water. Heres a video of Tom doing a vulcan:

(Watch in 1080p for full HD)

New Sail, all I need now is wind!

I recently got a new 2010 4.5 Neilpryde Combat,  now I just can't wait to get out on the water and use it! I've had my 2007 Combat for two years now, its a 5.2, and the good thing about these sails is that they have a ton of power.

They get me planing in the slightest breeze and they feel nicely balanced in your hands. Hopefully ill get to use my new 4.5 for most of the time we're down in Hatteras!

(Click to enlarge and view specs)