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Baja Report 3/4/03
Archive: Current Baja Report,
12/21/05,
3/2/05,
2/4/05,
1/21/05,
1/6/05,
12/19/04,
12/1/04,
11/18/04,
10/11/04,
3/10/04,
2/16/04,
2/2/04,
1/20/04,
1/07/04,
12/17/03,
12/1/03,
11/14/03,
11/2/03,
10/16/03,
10/02/03,
3/4/03,
2/25/03,
2/11/03,
2/4/03,
1/28/03,
1/21/03,
1/14/03, 1/6/03,
12/30/02, 12/22/02,
12/10/02
This winter our man Gary Morris from Windance will be keep you
informed of the sailing conditions in La Ventana Baja. We
have sent some 2003 RRD boards and Ezzy sails down with him,
so look for him this winter at the RV Park on the beach.
Look for the Windance and Ezzy flags. Below is his current
report.
| Final Baja Update -
March 4, 2003 |
This is the final report for the season from the RV Park in La Ventana, BCS. As the season winds down and the campground thins out, it's time to reflect on the Baja winter. Most everyone who comes to Baja for the winter season is here to enjoy the wind and water. La Ventana has some of the best conditions for windsurfing and kiting that are found in Baja. The seasonal north winds usually begin in the fall and can last until spring, but the peak season is December and January.
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| Here's the stats for this season by month and percentage of sailable days.
My definition of a sailable day: 160 lb sailor on a 5.2 (or less) for a minimum of 4 hours.
We had 88 sailable days from October 1 to February 28, with October 50%, November 53%, December 71%, January 77%, and February 35%.February usually has much more wind than this year, but blame it on El Nino or Mother Nature, it was a disappointing month for anyone who came down the past few weeks. But for the "lifestyle engineers" who have the opportunity of spending the entire season here, it was outstanding. Maybe March will bring some wind for the few who refuse to travel north until it warms up; so far, we are 3 for 3.
One of the things that I enjoy doing here during the season is getting sailors on some great equipment from Ezzy, RRD, Streamline and Curtis. The new 2003 Ezzy Waves continue Dave's dedication to building a sail with unbelievable performance and range, yet are lightweight and durable; and when rigged on the Ezzy RDM "skinny" mast they make an unbeatable combination. I still see 5 and 6 year old Ezzy's down here riding the swells of Baja. I love to watch the smiles as a happy sailor returns a sail at the end of day of demoing a new SE. The most common comment from sailors this season, "the sails have great low end power, yet have unbelievable range as the wind picks up...how do they do it?" The RRD Avant Move 259 was a hit as a versatile easy to ride board, that is fun and fast. The new 2003 Wave Cult 248 is a lively bump and jump board that was popular on 4.7 (and down) days when the swells were rolling down the bay. Curtis was the most popular fin on the water this season. Sailors who were looking for a fin to keep them up wind and get them up on a plane, loved the Freeride. While for all around sailing without spinout; the Curtis Bump& Jump was the choice.
La Ventana is no longer a secret spot that few people know about. Here are a few observations from this season. If you want a spot on the front row on the beach, you had to be here by the first week of November, or wait until someone left the last week of February. The park was at maximum capacity from Christmas until the end of January; with over-flow in the first and second arroyos to the north of the park. When the camp is full the limited infrastructure of water and sanitation systems are strained. And the shear numbers of enthusiasts can test everyone's level of tolerance in the camp, on the beach, and sharing the Sea of Cortez, but overall it's an enjoyable place to spend the winter.
If you will be in the Gorge this summer stop by the shop on Friday or Saturdays and I will be glad to share some tips on traveling and enjoying Baja. Where else can you trade in that tired board or sail, and get tips on the hot fishing lures for Baja? Good sailing, see ya in the Gorge, Gary
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