Windsurfing/Gorge Trip

Question
I currently sail on lake medota in madison. I am part of Hoofers sailing club and I use their equipment. They offer a pretty good range of sails from 4.0 to 7.5. Most are pretty old but there is a good 7.5 ezzy infinity and a new ezzy wave 5.8.

The problem is that there are only a handful of windy days/summer  (12 + knots) i'm pretty light so I can plane in 12 knots with a 7.5.

I have been riding 150 liter bic technos, but I'm looking to move down to a 12-135 liter board. WOuld it be a good investment to buy muy own board?

Secondly, I just started getting my water starts down and am wondering when would be a good time to take a gorge trip with a friend of mine?

Answer
Hey Lucas,

It's always great to have your own board. It enables you to sail whenever you have the chance to go. It also helps when you can sail the same board all the time. You will learn all the tricks and techniques on a board that you are familiar with.

As for going to a little smaller board, by all means, go with the range you mentioned. You may not plane quite as well in the light winds but as your abilities get better and you sail higher winds, a smaller board will give you much more range of wind.

As for coming out here to the Gorge, NOW through late September is the best for the warmest water and most consistent winds. You can also camp without much chance of rain. It would be a good time to work on waterstarts and jibes. You could also find a good lesson or two out here that would increase your abilities amazingly. It is always surprising how fast you can advance when you have a good lesson or two and the ability to sail multiple days in a row. Winds will average around 20+ for now through Sep.

Rainy season will be coming around Oct. but Nov.-Dec. can be really good for easterly winds. But, the water will be getting cooler and the air is usually much cooler. Some folks will sail all winter but the good season won't come around again until summer. March is usually when I start getting back on the water. Winter for me is snowboarding and telemark skiing. It's easier to stay warm than on the water.

Hope this will help you.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover