Tampa Bay & SW FL Windsurfing & Foiling

I like to make videos

In the early 2000s I became quite proficient with Apple’s iMovie so when I started windsurfing I purchased a couple of GoPros and started making windsurfing videos. At first it was simply fun to make short videos and share them with friends and family but now that I look back at these older videos I enjoy watching and reliving my progression in the sport.

Now I’m an Insta360 fan and though very impressed with the cameras, the software is what is truly amazing. Each 45 minute segment of video is 26 Gigabytes of data in 4K + resolution at 30FPS and the software stitches every frame in real-time! I’m geeking out but this is amazing to me.

So back to the question – Are my videos simply self indulgent selfies or something else?

• Yes they are self indulgent selfies but …
• As mentioned they document my journey
• Sometimes they add value to the Location information on tbwindsurfing.com
• and very importantly these videos are tutorials for me

Tutorials? My camera is placed on the back of my boom with a home made mount so that I can see myself but most importantly I can see my feet, hands and how the board/sail are reacting to my actions. The 360 option allows me to see both starboard and port tacks and the software allows me to change the view to focus on specific details.

I have found this information to be incredibly helpful over the years especially with faster, multi step movements like the Carve Gybe or Foiling Gybe. It has also very helpful in evaluating many small actions, like learning how to bring the board onto plane, using harness lines, sail management, etc.

After sailing I always download the content for review and often make short videos for myself. What I’m I doing right or wrong. What can I do to improve. I don’t post most of these videos but I do review them often as I’m trying to learn a new skill. Foil gybes are currently at the top of my list.

Recently James Goldney used his Insta360 video and ChatGPT to analyze his foiling gybes! You can check out his videos on YouTube. Very cool.

So to summarize, yep it is fun to watch yourself windsurfing but you can learn a lot and use that information to improve your skills.

• If you are interested in how I made the boom mount I will be happy to share. Not difficult and just a quick trip to your local hardware store and you will be all set.

My adventure moves to Rhode Island

Day 6 and I woke up in lovely Rhode Island!  I was staying with old friends and looking forward to catching up, lots of great food, beautiful scenery and a bit of golf and of course wind foiling.  

Mt. Hope Bay is across the street from my friend’s home and appears to be a good location for any north wind.  Unfortunately it was August so probably not many options for north winds but I wasn’t going to give up hope, not on Hope Bay 😉

Day 7 I did some shopping for food.  New England in the summer months is a culinary dream.  So many fresh options.  Of course great fish and the best summer vegetables!  Cooking is one of my passions and local farmer’s markets are a delight to enjoy.  I didn’t have time to explore the many farmer’s markets in the Hamptons so RI offered both the time, need and desire to explore. 

Wind Foiling – I noticed when I arrived in RI that the winds increased a bit in the afternoons as the earth warmed with the summer sun.  The winds were light around 2PM but it was coming from the right direction so I rigged up to see what the winds offered.  

Mt. Hope Bay is pretty wide and as I sailed around I could see wind lines in the middle of the bay. I sailed out and I was rewarded with just enough wind to make my best light wind rig work.  (Ezzy Cross 6.7M, 1300cm front and 355cm back on my Patrick 147 Free Foil board)  

I spent most of my time on the water vs. above but as we say, “a day sailing is a day well spent”.  

Day 8 Another beautiful day and the forecast was for a south wind in the afternoon and that meant checking out Fogland Beach.  $10 for non-residents but if there was wind it was well worth the cost.  No one on the water when I arrived but I noticed a couple of wingers on the other side of the bay.  They had launched from another popular SE wind location opposite Fogland Beach.  (I believe it is Sandy Point Beach.)

I was in luck when a local Wing Foiler parked a couple of spots from me and of course I was going to introduce myself!  She was very knowledgeable and pointed out all the options and possible hazards in the area.  After discussing rigging options we both agreed the wind was pretty steady around 13+ knots, better than the forecast!

I rigged my Ezzy Cross 5.7M and put on my favorite front wing (900cm) with the hope that the wind would stay steady and maybe even increase.  As I sailed out I noticed another wind foiler had just started out.  In just a few seconds of watching the sailor I knew it had to be my friend Carl who winters in St. Pete.  Time to surprise him!

You can check out my instagram video at https://www.instagram.com/tommorton3908/reel/DNdbdx2xjjW/

We both got some good runs in but the wind as so often happens had other plans and after 30 minutes I really needed my 6.7.  I should have headed right in and changed sails but instead I tried to make the 5.7 work which wasn’t the best option. 

All in all a great day at Fogland Beach.  I returned on Day 9 to Fogland Beach ($20 on weekends) and rigged and went out in light wind.  It was my last chance to Wind Foil so I was going to give it my best effort.  First session was a work out but after a needed break the wind did come up and though tired the foiling was much better and time well spent.  

Day 8 was a fun golf outing with old friends on a classic 1920s golf course (Montaup Country Club).  I think only one hole had water in play so very different from my FL course.  

Day 9 (after sailing) and Day 10 were celebration events.  The Lobster was incredible and I’m not a big fan of lobster but OMG was it good. 

Day 11 was a driving day for me as I was heading home after a marvelous adventure but it wasn’t over just yet.  I stayed that night at a friend’s 200 year old horse farm in PA.  Absolutely gorgeous!  Dinner with former work colleagues and great friends and we enjoyed the sunset in a beautiful setting.  

Day 12 and 13 Drive to DC area to catch the AutoTrain home.  

This adventure checked off a great number of bucket list items for me and I loved just about every minute of the trip.  (DC and NYC traffic I can live without.)  Great friends, exploring new sailing options, the ferry across the bay, great food and wonderful memories.  

I’m going to do this again, hopefully next summer!   

I boarded the Auto Train in Orlando today and I will arrive in the DC area tomorrow morning.  Currently I’m stuck on the GA/FL boarder waiting for a freight train with issues to get off the tracks!   

Assuming we get moving again I’m planning to sail in the Chesapeake tomorrow from Mayo Park, MD.  I don’t know the area but a long time local let me know that it was a popular option for locals on a NE wind.  Lots of rain in the area over the past couple of days so my fingers are crossed for good conditions for foiling.  Foiling is my only option as my SUV can only hold the one board but I did bring three sails and multiple foil options.

Tomorrow evening I arrive in NJ.  I don’t know if I will be sailing this weekend but I will be sure to update you on my progress.  Next week is when the fun really begins but you will have to stay tuned for those updates!

I’m heading out on a 12 day road trip which will take me to at least three interesting wind foiling locations in Maryland, Long Island and Rhode Island. I’m taking advantage of the Auto Train to reduce my driving time and to spend more time visiting with friends and wind foiling! Look for more posts very soon.

Another windy season (October-April) has come and gone in the Tampa Bay area. It was my eighth windy season windsurfing and it was a good one. Very consistent winds with a few exceptions of course but the best news in my opinion is the growing strength of the windsurfing and wing foiling community. Much of the recent growth is due of course to all the new Wing foilers. I believe they add new energy and vitality to the traditional windsurfing/wind foiling community and I care less about the specific disciplines we adhere to and more about the overall health of water sports in our area and I would say our sports are growing and healthy.

Now I started the season with a limited set of goals. My initial focus was on wind foiling and gaining confidence with my new Starboard Foil Freeride 75. As the season progressed and my ankle (injured in April 2024) improved I took advantage of the great winds in February and March to focus on my windsurfing goals, specifically of course the Carve Jibe (see post Four Years in the Making).

I have to say as I did in a recent post, I’m really excited again about windsurfing (fin) and continuing to set new goals and take advantage of the many wonderful freeride options we have in our area. Foiling will dominate my days on the water, especially during the summer months but when the conditions are right, I still love ripping on a fin board!

So this season I spent approximately 52 days on the water with most of my time on the foil (37 days), especially early in the season and as mentioned focused on fin (15 days) in the second half of the season. (I use the Waterspeed app and an Apple Watch.)

Regarding this past seasons goals I would say my progression with the Starboard foil board is still a work in progress. Some days are better than others. This season I took on the challenge of foiling in much stronger wind conditions which is a plus but the jibes aren’t as crisp as I would like. I recently purchased a Patrick 147 Foil Free board which is a better light wind board. My goal this summer season is to really nail down my foiling gybes, especially at higher speeds and with tighter turning jibes. I’m sure we will get a few good fin days on the water and I look forward to those as well.

Until next windy season I hope to see you on the water this summer and stay safe and healthy.

Back in June of 2021, I wrote Carve Jibe – Putting it all together. What I didn’t know at the time is it would take me almost four more years to reach my goal of being comfortable executing a Carve Jibe. Along the way I’ve had a few injuries as well as a new focus on Wind Foiling but I never forgot about this important windsurfing goal.

What a minute, for the past eighteen months I’ve been writing about my new passion Wind Foiling! In a recent post I mentioned Wind Foiling was my future so what the hell, right? Well the Tampa Bay area has some great freeride windsurfing locations and recently we have had some really good windsurfing conditions and I decided it was time to brush up on my skills and make my Carve Jibe goal a reality. Summer is just around the corner so now or possibly never.

One obvious conclusion to me is that Wind Foiling has made me a better windsurfer. A key foiling skill is learning to relax and make very subtle movements. When you translate these skills to windsurfing everything for me slows down and I’m much more aware of how my actions translate to my sailing. The Carve Jibe has so many steps that you have to get each one right while moving at a fast pace and if you can mentally slow the process down and be present for each action, with a minimum of thought, it leads to positive results.

I can now confidential say that my carve jibe is pretty simple and each action though not perfect, are a combination of relatively smooth actions which result in a 160° – 180° downwind turn. Of course you have to pick the right spot and time to turn but once I’ve made that assessment, I turn with confidence. The more I practice the better my results and for the next few weeks my windsurfing is taking priority over my wind foiling and when the conditions are right you may find me on one of my two Starboard Carves.

I’m still passionate about windsurfing and though in the long run wind foiling will be my primary focus I want to be able to look at my windsurfing journey with only positive thoughts knowing that I give it my all and accomplished the goals that I set for myself.

I don’t want to forget all the support I have received on my journey. Starting of course with Andy Brandt. My time spent with Andy has been incredible. He is in my head on every jibe, keeping me focused on the right actions with simple but very positive concepts. In addition, Karen and Britt (North Beach Windsurfing) always keeping an eye on my progress and offering positive input that have been invaluable in keeping me on track. It takes a village and in my case the Tampa Bay windsurfing community. So much support and encouragement from expert sailors, Jim, Quan, Greg Rhoda, Gary Brown, Rick Bartel and so many others. Thanks to everyone!

It is the beginning of a new windy season in the Tampa Bay area and this marks my eighth year windsurfing. Every season begins with hope for great wind, water and new learning opportunities but as a community we are facing daunting challenges related to the recent hurricanes over the past few years and the increasing threat of pollution both man made (Untreated water released into the rivers and bays) and natural (red tide) effecting our favorite sailing locations and the overall health of our communities. Discussions are now as much about safety and water quality as they are about wind and tides.

As windsurfers we accept the dangers associated with our sport but the dangers associated with sailing in polluted water is now a far greater concern then in years past. The levels of pollution are much greater this year and as a result some of my favorite locations will be off limits to me until at least 2025. We can only hope that we have no more storms and releases of untreated water. Hopefully mother nature will flush the rivers and bays with cleaner water over the next weeks and once again allow us to enjoy our favorite locations. Of course red tide is another story and we know it isn’t too far of the coast. NE winds are keeping it off shore for now but cold fronts often bring NW winds this can/will push red tide onto the coast.

My biggest personal challenge this season will probably result in a major change in how I windsurf into my later years. I sprained my ankle at the end of last season and it has taken me most of the summer to recover. Unfortunately this injury has limited my ability to fin sail. The pressure we put on our feet and ankles when planing on a fin is simply too much for my ankle and it has made me hesitant when sailing which isn’t safe or fun.

Fortunately for me foiling doesn’t put the same stress on my feet or ankles. You sail in a more upright stance and as a result less pressure on the ankle. In fact foiling has been really good for my ankle. It has improved the strength of my ankle and been mostly positive for my recovery. I know I’m going to keep foiling but the question I have is when do I test the ankle on fin board again? My two Starboard Carves are begging to get back on the water but how much use will they get this year? I love fin sailing but foiling is also great fun and as I will be 64 at the end of the season, is this the season I make the switch?

A few years ago when I made the switch from my beloved Kona One (long board) to a short board it was the same question. The Kona sat in the garage or on the beach as my focus had shifted to the exciting world of short board sailing and I eventually sold the Kona One.

It will be a year of challenges for our entire water sports community and they whole area and for me a personal challenge to decide my windsurfing future. Stay safe and hopefully we have a great windy season!

Over the past 7+ years since I started my Windsurfing journey I’ve owned a number of boards.  It is interesting for me to look at my journey via the boards I’ve owned because each board represents a positive step in my progression.  I improved with each step and learned what my best options are for my future adventures. 

My first board was a Kona One.  This long board was simply the best purchase of all the boards over the years.  Without this board I won’t be windsurfing today … but overtime (2+ years) my skills improved and it was time to transition to short boards.  

My first short board was a Gecko 135, again right on target for my skills at that time and a great option to continue my windsurfing journey.  I added a couple of additional short boards, one for light wind (Falcon 159) and a smaller board (Dyno 115) as I was considering a Wave riding option.  Both great boards but after about a year I decided Wave riding wasn’t really an option for this old guy, so I sold the Dyno and bought a Wind Foil board, the 2021 Foil Freeride 150.

Took me a bit of time to get into foiling as I was more interested in improving my freeride windsurfing skills so I sold the Gecko and upgraded my kit with two Carves, a 109 and 129.  I now had a really nice setup for windsurfing with light, moderate and higher wind options.  

In late 2022 I started to take Wind Foiling more seriously and after a couple of foil upgrades the Foil Freeride 150 and I became good friends.  It has been a great board to learn and develop my skills and lots of fun.  

In 2022 I had a really nice setup of three windsurfing boards and one Foil board.  Now here we are in 2024 and my wind foiling has greatly improved and I’ve been thinking about something different, lighter, more maneuverable but still I want a great freeride (cruising) experience.  Well just so happens that Starboard came out with what I think might be the right match, the 2024 Starboard Foil Freeride 75.  (Lower right image.) 

I recently sold my 2021 Foil Freeride and light wind Falcon 159 and now I’m the proud owner of a new foil board.  I’m looking forward to where this board and of course my two Carves will take me on my windsurfing journey.