Sport Today

But I went there to windsurf!  This was May 12 thru 22.
Now, tis is the 16th year I've gone to Aruba and stayed at Sailboard
Vacations.  Last year I had 3 skunk days.  Year before was 2 days.  All
the other years, hardly any non-shortboard days.

Is this a growing trend?  Is global warming messing up the trade winds?
 Or is the wind better in March or April, as opposed to May?  Was this
just bad luck, or should we turn Aruba over to the *** tourists?
Even the kiters were skunked out.

But hey, the 5.0 day was like old times -- going thru the inner channel
at The Huts, and sails coming at me 4 a***!
--Mike K.

But it is the wind, after all.

--
Gregg C.

In any case, no matter how windy a place is, you can get skunked.  This
has been a lousy year in the Caribbean for wind. But if you had come
for the 6-8 weeks while it was blowing, you would have thought you were
in paradise.  (4.2  sailing almost everyday )  Three years ago, it was
one of the windiest seasons we have seen in 11 years.  Windy, windy,
windy every day, EXCEPT for 2 weeks in March..  Which was weird,
because March is usally the windiest month.  Just goes to show, you can
be skunked anywhere, anytime.   I doubt that the trades, which have
been blowing for hundreds of years, are going to suddenly stop.  So
make your reservations for next year.  But maybe you should try another
island, 16 years to the same island, isn't it time for a change of
scenery?
Lois

At least the scenery was nice. Costa Rica is beautiful.

Alan
--
Windsurfing Club: http://SportToday.org/

You know it works for me.  ;*)  Are you coming out to the "Windsurf Capital
of the World" this year?  If so, when?

"It's been a long cold lonely winter",  But I'll be Gorgeing it this coming
week (Sarah and Linda will be up also).
Looks like I'm flying into a sunny 4.2,. 75 degree Saturday.  Bob's has been
missing you and Jim.

T'won't be as warm as Margarita, but there'll be less skunkage than Aruba.

-Craig

Craig,

Looks like your timing could not be better (!!)... we are FINALLY
kicking out the pesky no-wind pattern... we've got a hot & toasty
desert out east, and the cool marine layer is scheduled for the
W-Valley on Saturday.... great combo!!  Even got some easties today
(why don't ya come out a little early?) and tomorrow to get the body in
shape for a nuclear (??) memorial day weekend.

Best wishes for a safe & timely trip.

-- Pete

The prevailing theory is that storms over Africa screwed up the normal
pattern.  I've been to Aruba and Bonaire a total of 9 times in
February/March, and never been close to skunked.   This was apparently
a bad year out of the bell curve.

Sometimes I wonder if my sailing is more about the scenery & sense of
connection rather than the sport of windsurfing.  Wardog has certainly
enlightened me and put things in perspective  (thanks Wardog).... my
sailing has certainly got more to do with connection to the Gorge more
than anything else.  I have finally realized that I can do without
windsurfing (and the *** attitudes).... I can't do without the
Gorge.   Gorge senery is what makes the experience so incredibly
awesome and unforgetable.   Today was one of those days at
Stevenson....... absolutely the best !!!!!!

-- Wind Mountain Pete

I think scenery & connection is everything.. the rest is frosting on
the cake.

-- Pete

Though in the last few years, I think I've done better in March or
April.
--Mike K.

Last year a storm somewhere in the Caribbean killed the wind for 2-3
days in Aruba.  But it also sent waves rolling into the leeward side of
the island, so for one day I was able to try wave jumping -- what a
riot!  The next day the wind died totally, so we surfed the waves in
kayaks instead.  But the waves were a sure indication that something
was going on elsewhere in the Caribbean.

Thanks to all who replied.  --Mike K.