As I stated on a previous blog post when winds at Lake Tahoe are 20-25 MPH and gusts hit 20-25 you can surf the lake. Today was one of those days – winds of 22 MPH with gusts up to 41 MPH. I know it is Sunday, but we went as the final opportunity to surf Tahoe for the year. When we moved here I never would have believed that you would dare enter Tahoe at the end of October. Many people were walking the beach in winter coats and hats. They must have thought we were nuts to be out in the water - and we probably were. Tomorrow Tahoe is supposed to receive 3-5 inches of snow. As you can see from the car thermometer (maybe not the most accurate) the air temp was 46 degrees and with wind chill felt like 36 degrees. Even in the summer Lake Tahoe’s water temperature approaches 70 degrees, today it is closer to 60. It makes Cape Cod feel like Key West.
The body boarding was wonderful. Depending on the gusts, waves were 3-4 feet. Ashley and I have “Spring Suits” (2mm wet suits). There were two other people there surfing with 3mm wet suits. A purchase for next year will be the full 5mm suits. We only stayed for about an hour because the kids were having a hard time with the cold weather and wind.
The water was warmer than the land, but getting wet hair and then having the cold wind blow across really numbed your face. Now – 4 hours after being home, I still have a headache. It was also pretty cold on your feet. Getting out was the hardest part.
So that’s it – done for the year. Put the wet suits and body boards away (and fly fishing gear) and get the skies out. Ashley and I now have about 5 websites we use to track wind and weather at Tahoe (the wind must be blowing from the SSW for surfing). Next year after the additional equipment we should be able to get in the water year round. Its fun to live in a place were this is possible – I caught a wave next to one of the surfers and he yelled “You don’t get to do this every day!” Its true, but being in a place where you can do it a few times a month is awesome!
At the end of the day – Good Bye Summer!
Bonus picture – our backyard on Saturday -
1 comment:
hey ash,
missing you. are you having as much fun and loving life there as it seems you are? i hope so. i was thinking about you just the other day, wishing you were back here in phoenix. i have really missed your company; it has been such a pleasure knowing you over the years. thank you for being such a positive and uplifting person in my life. loves to you! lindsay
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