S-SW Tuesday Locust / Whidbey

[Chris Klohn]

12" water into a five foot pitching shore break = the death shelf
Whidbey is pumping with unbelievable conditions right now. Congrats to all that stepped out of their comfort zone to try something new and awesome today. The models, forecast and actuals did not disappoint. As predicted, Whidbey is delivering huge at West Beach. Gradients are crazy strong in the +6.0 mb range which equates to 50+ mph gusts. Actuals are averaging high 20's gusting to high 30's with lots more to come. Should be 5 hours of 3.2-3.7 / 5.0-6.0m wind today. Again, stellar day with an easily predictable forecast. Hope some of you got out and scored the once in five year wave and wind conditions.

Cheers,

Chris

[spinmaster3000]

Haha...sounds mental. Congrats to all who made it!! Not doable for me on a work day...

[Chris Klohn]

As forecasted..........Locust, Useless and Ebey delivered southerly winds averaging in the 30's gusting to 40+mph from 8am until 12pm.

The winds then clocked to westerly through Juan de Fuca Strait and quickly ramped up into the 30-40+ mph range. Winds continued to build at West Beach until dark.

The wind swell was reading 3.3m with a 7 second period at the buoy just upwind from West Beach. With the tide setup there should have been 8-10', spaced out, breaking waves wrapping in from the SW with a W wind.

Glad to hear your Bellingham friends made the trip to West Beach Alton Too bad everyone had to work or stay local today. The double wave session on Whidbey would have been epic. 30 minutes of DTL at WRB after hours of frustration would be nice too though Alton, will your friends in Bellingham post some West Beach pictures for us?

Cheers,

Chris

Fortunately, Locust and Useless Bay will have very strong southerly winds from dawn until early afternoon. I would expect S 30-40 mph to be common at both locations. If you get out at Locust first thing Tuesday keep an eye on West Beach. If it switches with daylight remaining you don't want to miss it!

Tuesday will be another stellar day for Useless Bay and Locust in the am to early afternoon hours and potentially West Beach for a late afternoon insanity session.

[Alton]

This is what Jon posted ... Glad I didn't go with my 7m (smallest).

It was the most intense kite sesh I've ever had, got two reaches on a 6m and it went off! Barely made it back to the launch, rigged a 4m and rode (half depowered on a 4!)till nearly dark in the biggest conditions I have ever been in.
And Baker opens on Thursday! Damm it's good to live here!

[Richi]

Sounds like a Heavy weight bout at Whidbey today, its no place for welter weights or middle weights.

[Chris Klohn]

This is what Jon posted ... Glad I didn't go with my 7m (smallest).

It was the most intense kite sesh I've ever had, got two reaches on a 6m and it went off! Barely made it back to the launch, rigged a 4m and rode (half depowered on a 4!)till nearly dark in the biggest conditions I have ever been in.
And Baker opens on Thursday! Damm it's good to live here!

Half de-power on a 4m is one thing but, "Biggest conditions I've ever been in........" is scary! I've seen West Beach with 12' faces in 45 knots. 1 in 5 year storm was right from NWWS Chief forecaster

[spinmaster3000]

I'd love to see some pictures or video of that. That sounds mental!!

[Alton]

I'd love to see some pictures or video of that. That sounds mental!!

Doubt if there are any pictures or video since only a couple of guys had the cojones to go to West Beach.

[Chris Klohn]

I'd love to see some pictures or video of that. That sounds mental!!

Doubt if there are any pictures or video since only a couple of guys had the cojones to go to West Beach.

I was sure hoping C36 & M would have pulled the trigger with the forecast, actuals and models for West Beach all delivering an epic side-on wave sailing day. Unfortunately, not much you can do when work calls for part of the day. Sometimes local is the only option.

It seems that WRB on a strong SW has about ten times the unicorn factor of JWSP. I think I read you guys saying it had been 3 years since it last produced........ouch! Still 8/9 consecutive days is pretty damn good

Cheers,

Chris

[spinmaster3000]

I'd love to see some pictures or video of that. That sounds mental!!

Doubt if there are any pictures or video since only a couple of guys had the cojones to go to West Beach.

A fair point, good sir!