Nov. 1 Downwinder Jack Darling to Col. Sam Smith Park with Anthony and David

We had some great wind on this paddle, the problem was that it wasn't in the right direction. The forecast was WSW but it ended up shifting west, which was offshore. The best glides happened early on when the wind was sort of in the right direction. Still had a great time. It was blowing 25-30mph with consistent gusts to 35-38mph. The bumps were nicely groomed since it was partially offshore.

Here's a video. By the way, you can add speed and GPS data from any GPX or FIT file to your video by using the free Garmin VIRB Edit software (you don't need a Garmin camera to use it). 

The launch at Jack Darling:

David joined Anthony and I and it was his first ever proper downwinder. He was right at home in the windy conditions and even the offshore conditions didn't faze him. 

Dave:

Anthony:

Some pics showing how windy it was:

The wind shifted offshore and we had to get back to land at Col. Sam Smith, missing our intended target of Humber Bay. The water texture and bumps show what it looks like in gusts in the mid to high 30's.

There were some great bumps and glides to catch with lots of surfing from the tail:

But this is what happens when you don't step back fast enough when you've caught a bump:

How'd you end up grabbing the bottom of your board?

Relaxing - it's like a giant rocking chair lifting you up and down - just watch out for the breaking waves:

Take out at Col. Sam Smith Park:

Downwinder from Meadow Wood to Col. Sam Smith with Tracey and Mike

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, Tracey, Mike and I did a fun downwinder from Meadow Wood Lane to Colonel Sam Smith Park. This route is about 1.5km from the shoreline for most of the run and as a result, we got pretty clean bumps without too much interference from the shore. On this day, we had 18-20mph of SSW wind with gusts to 24mph - not a ton of wind, but it still resulted in some nicely lined up fun waves for us. It was a perfect day to get into downwind paddling.

13km route:

Launch at Meadow Wood:

Getting our bearings and aiming for landmarks:

Mike A:

Tracey:

Michael jumping before a fall:

Bumps got bigger near the end:

Some fun glides:

Checking Google Maps to see where we left our cars at the take out:

Col. Sam Smith Park beach:

Cape Cod Downwinder in Buzzard's Bay

Got in a couple of nice downwinders while in Cape Cod last week. There were steady 25mph winds and nice bumps. The 11km run from Woods Hole to Old Silver Beach worked very nicely. SSW winds would've been ideal, but the SW winds we got were good as well. I was told that there's often a good SW to S afternoon wind in the summer What a great spot for summer downwinders! Saw some kiters but didn't see another paddler out there. I'm missing it already.

Here a few pics from my second downwinder:

On my Starboard Ace:

I was taking some photos when I heard the rumbling of a breaking wave behind me. Managed to take a quick shot just before paddling away while still on my knees:

Some big chop:

Caught a photo of this breaking wave from the side view:

Close up of a wave about to break (looks bigger than it really is):

Nice bumps!:

The finish at Old Silver Beach - very nice beach!: