Yes the photos were taken a couple of weeks ago and represent the bumpy end of inshore sea conditions here and no I wasn't out in that!
It is a windy place and in fact I think somebody tried for the windsurfing speed record here a few years ago but I don't think they got it. You do see windsurfers having some fun though, they can really shift when they get about 30kt wind behind them and it's entertaining when they cock it up at that speed too
I think part of the reason they stick to Gull Island Pond is probably safety - I think you can stand up in the pond, and once you go to sea there isn't a lot available in the way of rescue cover, there is no Coast Guard here and not a lot of vessels around if you get into difficulty. I was out yesterday and in about 2.5 hours total (morning and afternoon) I saw a dive RIB, one yacht, and a Halmatic launch, plus a reefer and a tanker anchored together refuelling, and that was a busy day in terms of traffic! It isn't unusual to go out and see nothing except perhaps the odd fishing boat at anchor in the outer harbour so I haven't got too carried away until my aux engine arrives, which is in about two weeks.
