6 categories

Pyramid Lake, NV, US
Manta 98, Koncept 5.8, Select 25W

6 categories

Pyramid Lake, NV, USA

PD SL92, NP EVO IV 5.8, Tectonics T-43 34cm.

Today was a crazy day at Pyramid Lake with swirly, shifty wind at about 25-30kt gusting to over 50kt.

I was there early and rigged two sails; 5.8 and 7.0. It started early with South wind swirling around the lake as usual for morning wind. Soon, it changed direction to W-NW and picked up some strength. Fisherman left their posts looking for a cover from blowing sand. Denis and myself were ready to take over the show, goggles on, and go! Immediately my knee was in pain. Must be I twisted it while rigging (two sails is way to much rigging). Oh well, who cares, adrenalin will take care of that. It was first time on my new PD SL92 and I took it slow for first few runs. I was feeling chop a lot. Moved must track back about 1.5cm and it was much better. Adjusted foot straps; good. Tectonics T-43 fin was definitely not providing enough nose lift for this board. Next time I will use different fin but for today I decided it is good enough. Next thing, my out-haul decided to slip and I had to stop few times to adjust it until finally just tying it into nice tight knot to put the problem to rest. This took some energy out of me for sure. With few runs in and things sorted out it was time to d give it a go, full speed. Board was super steady and confidence building. 40.1 knots on a dial. It felt as PD SL92 is just warming up for some real speed, much more left in it for sure. I was getting little tired and hungry, so it was time for lunch break.

As I was out, I noticed sky clearing. It was the sign of big wind coming. For some time now, I wanted to try sailing on my Luderitz gear at Pyramid Lake. This looked like rare opportunity. 42cm custom speedy, 17cm asy fin and 5.8 sail. Soon, I was ready for a long walk upwind. It took about 15 minutes or so and I was at the spot ready to go. Now it was waiting for the gust. Another 15 minutes and white caps showed up, sand was blowing, time to go. Not quite enough to get going with a small kit but got it on the plane after few tries. 50 yards or so later I hit the hole in the wind and sunk. It was up and down to the finish line with little swim at the and. Time for another try. Walk upwind, wind was picking up as I was walking. Suddenly, water was boiling and foam was swirling around the lake, crazy!!! All I could think about is where is my 5.4 sail now. By now I was out of energy, tired and cold but what the hack, time to go! Wind was just too crazy. One second it was slamming me down, next second it was not enough or swirling foam around me. At this point all the strength was gone and I was just waiting for the big gust to rip the gear out of my hands and send it flying acrosss the lake and Black Rock desert....never to be found again. Best to get it down in the water and swim back. This time it was about 30 minutes swim against 50+knots of swirling wind and big chop. Denis was there waiting for me to help if needed. Thanks buddy!

All in all crazy day with some opportunities wasted. This small gear is definitely not the way to go at a place like Pyramid Lake. Few lesson learned!

Can't wait to try again and show it who is the boss!!!!