The water was about 35 degrees. If you had to remove your gloves, it was bitter cold, but I felt like a mummy in my suit (7/6/5), hood (5), booties (3), and gloves(3). I was never really cold, the adrenaline was pumping so hard. Rode my 9M and my 139 TT. It wasn't enough board so my rides were not very long, but I had some good jumps. Ron had a problem trying to relaunch and cut the tip off his finger off after wrapping a steering line once around. Just the tip of his index finger to the first joint. It was pretty gruesome. Hardly phased him though, he was out flying a week later. I have added a set of Oh-shit handles to my steering lines so I have something to grab instead of the lines. I got him a set too. In order to get in the water you need a lot of neoprene, without proper protection your survival times is measured in minutes. I also wear a surfers 1mil fleece underneath. This helps to remove the water from right next to my skin. A thin pair of sports style polypro socks helps warm the toes.

Having said all that, it was outrageous fun and my upwind was vastly improved. I learned to jump first, now I am working on the upwind component, bassackwards I know. We were virtually (1 trailer) the only people there so I didn't have to watch out for the fisherman.

It was a NNE, blowing 18 with gusts to the high 20s. I prefer the S winds usually since the Damn was downwind of us that day.

As Ron put it later, "It was a perfect day until I cut off my f*!#ing finger."

Went out again last weekend both saturday and Sunday at Alum Creek.

They have not put the buoys out yet so the beach area is wide open.

Ron and I wore our 7/6/5 wetsuits and it was warm and toasty, a 5 would probably be enough.

The wind was side onshore (SE) which made for intermediate level riding. Just getting started and away from shore was difficult.

I flew my BFK 16 on 25M lines, Ron was on his 18M with 27M lines. I was well powered most of the time and T-bagged in the gusts a bit.

Weather permitting I will be out again this weekend. They are calling for North winds around 10MPH for Sat, with 50s and 60s and mostly sunny, right now. It could be a nice light wind day.

The Wind yesterday was on the weak side 2-3 mph with gusts to 6, even with my 21BFK and my new light wind plyboard I couldn't keep it going for long. There was wind, just not consistenly strong enough to stay on plane.

The Park Service has not approached us this season regarding the permit either. Technically it expired at the end of last season. We have seen them in their cars at the beach area, but the patrol boat has not been on the water. I wear a life jacket, but Ron does not unless we use the Jet Ski. We have tried to liken ourselves to te Windsurfers.

It was good to meet you at the lake, although the wind would not cooperate.

That RRD flew well unhooked, although I think it is easier to go upwind in the chicken loop personally.

A downwinder would be a cool way to spend a Saturday or Sunday if we had good North wind. There were 4 kites out today on the lake. just at the Dam end, but it was a constant battle to stay upwind. I was staying upwind on my 16BFK with my 6'6" directional, but not by much.

For the Downwinder someone could ride my Jet Ski and help people relaunch. We would also need to position vehicles at both ends of the lake, it would be best to have 4 vehicles (Campground, Beach, Galena Boat Ramp, Marina). The person on the Jet Ski could keep the keys and and organize support. From the campground to the beach is about 4 miles by water, so we could have a lot of fun and work on going upwind too.