Persevering through the Storm

It was a hot and humid day and I was tired after a late night seeing Dead & Company at the Fenway in Boston last night.   There wasn't much swell nor wind, though some wind was already exceeding expectation, which for a number of local spots was 9-10mph and it was blowing 14-15.  I checked the surf to maybe SUP but only Narragansett had a star on the surf sites and was likely to be so crowed I couldn't park (just made it last year) and a long drive.  Then Fogland jumped up to 18mph around 3pm.  I loaded the car and was off for the hour and 15 minute drive.

On the way there, the hot blue sky became ominous with dark clouds ahead as I was nearing Providence.  The rain started around 195 in New Bedford.  Then it happened, I saw lightening ahead.  I though am I crazy I'm driving to the beach right towards that.  No wonder the wind peaked!  At this point I could only hope the storm would pass and still have some wind left so I drove on.

I got to Fogland Beach RI to clear a parting storm and sun to the South and dark clouds and thunder to the North.


It was blowing a little, maybe 12mph though a little more past the point.  1 windsurfer on the water shlogging and another in the cove planing.  I was there so I rigged my 7.8m 4 cambered race sale, my largest and the 120l Angulo board.  To my surprize past the point the wind filled into maybe 15-16mph and I weighted my front foot only using my rear to flatten the board, pumped the sail and headed off downwind to catch a small swell and I was planing!  Mission accomplished.  I sailed for a about an hour, sometime having to get on the plan again.  The wind dropped after that and I came in.  I was lucky to get what I got but it was still twice the driving time for the sailing time.  Then I remember there's a skate park nearby.  Google maps didn't show it but I think I could find it.

I packed the car to find the skatepark stopping for ice cream.  I remember I found it getting lost going home one time.  I follow the way back then I remember the left on Fish Road is easy to miss so I skipped it and kept going then I found it.

Five skaters, one older with kids like me and the rest teens or tweens as usual.  One was quite good and let me take a video.   He's Riley a local rider who really tore up the park.  Here's a run.

It was a nice flowy park with easy to connect sections.  I don't try a lot of tricks anymore after a broken wrist and I want to get back on the water and also work but I made a couple of exceptions and had another rider take a video of me.  Yes you can rightly chastise for not wearing our helmets.  I usually do but figured it'll just be a quick ride.

After coming home I checked and it looked like I my choice of venue was sound.  More wind at Fogland than even West Dennis on Cape Cod MA, even if I only caught my hour of power (5-6pm), well make that two with the skate session.