Speechless

(photo by KK)


The trip to Punta San Carlos was probably the best windsurfing trip I've ever taken, and I've taken quite a few. I've given a little thought as how to summarize the trip, but I haven't been able to cohesively put together thoughts that express just how good the trip was. I sailed 3.7, 4.2, 4.7, 5.0 and 5.6. I rode all of my boards. I sailed and surfed 2 or 3 sessions a day. It was awesome.

I've got lots of photos to share and lots of video to edit. Unfortunately when I get back from trips I'm too busy to do the little extras like blogging until I can get settled in. In the mean time, Kevin Kan from Sunset Sailboards put up a facebook album (many, probably most of the photos were taken by yours truly).

Looks like it's windy everywhere this time of year. Hope everyone is scoring.

A few photos submitted by Brian Watson of the LA area... thanks!

some size out there, even at the beach break at times

Lots of chances to try to hit lips, etc, and no real fear of anything getting broken or getting injured.

Not many jumping opportunities, but now and againThis is what happens when a good wavesailor hits the lip.

This is what happens when I try to.

Lucas and Aaron go to Mexico

A short story:

In 2004 I moved to Washington, DC after finishing college In Florida. I was an intermediate windsurfer: I could plane in the footstraps, I was getting my waterstarts dialed and I had survived a jibe or two. I sent out an email to the Baltimore Area Boardsailing Association listserve introducing myself and asking "does anyone windsurf around here? Where and when?"

Lucas sent me an email saying, "I'm about the same level as you and I live in the same town of Falls Church, we should probably go windsurfing together." We set a date for the following Saturday and drove to the Belle Haven Marina, which is located on the Potomac River a few miles south of Alexandria, VA. We pulled up to the Marina at exactly the same time, got out of our cars and eyed each other quizzically.

We both were driving 1997 Volkswagen Golf 4-door GL's. We both had these big wide boards strapped to the top of our compact cars. We were around the same age and we both were starving to get on the water. We paid the 5 dollar launching fee and made our way down to the dock to get out there.

It was immediate and obvious that Lucas and I would become great friends. We spent the next few years getting probably less than 10 sessions a year around DC with its light and fickle winds. We would take vacations down to Hatteras and escape for weekends in the Dewey Beach area. We would get maybe 25 sessions a year at the most and it was hard to make drastic improvements in our sailing. He got me into whitewater kayaking for a season, then I picked up and moved to the Bay Area. Eventually we both agreed that windsurfing is way more fun. I'm working on getting him to move out this direction.

Lucas is getting married this summer to an awesome girl (who has been learning to windsurf ?!). She's planing and harnessing like a champ, I think her waterstarts are soon coming as well. He asked me to be in the wedding party so of course the first thing that came to my mind was "BACHELOR PARTY!!!" But it's neither Lucas' or my style to hang out at strip clubs blowing money on lap dances and $10 beers. Instead, we're going to Punta San Carlos for a week of surfing, windsurfing and living like cavemen.

Kevin and Juan are joining us. I'm bringing many, many cameras. Hopefully I'll have a couple things to throw up on the blog when it's all over with.

4.7, 3.7, 4.2, 4.2

Those were my last four size selections which means it's early spring in the bay area.

Saturday was a party at Candlestick. In the morning we did a beach clean up, then in the afternoon we were treated for the deed with some strong winds. There were probably 20 small sails on the water. The water state was pretty messy, so there were a lot of freestyle tricks being attempted, but not a lot of tricks being made (except by super skilled Sofy).

I put some more photos up here if you're interested.

Nucular

April 6th was one of those 3.7/75 kinds of days. Winds in the 30s. 3rd Avenue was littered with ramps and juicy swells. Everyone comes in shaking their head around 6:00, blown off the water.

It. Was. Awesome.

By my estimation we get 12 or fewer of those days a year, but the money spent on your teeny board and teeny sail still feel well worth the price.

Lots of smiles coming off the water.

A little bit of carnage.

April - North American Windsurfing Month

April seems to be "in season" for most of the country. Over the years I've had numerous conversations with folks about what the best time to visit their spot is to get wind. Almost always April enters the conversation, and almost always I think in the back of my mind: "There is no way in hell I'm leaving (wherever I'm living) during April. It's too good here!"

April is North American Windsurfing Month.

Photo of Pedro, all smiles last April. When the photo was taken he had never made a vulcan. Last session, I saw him make 5 spocks with my own eyes. Unbelievable.

April Fools

Well? Did I trick you?

I'm staying here indefinitely. Job or no job.

Email responses from my friends:

Me: Sad news, check out the blog.
(1 minute later)Kevin: you misspelled Manhattan
(2 minutes later)Jacob: Congrats! Sad to see you go! You've got gear to borrow here!
(3 minutes later)Steve: Go make some money and sail HIHO with me! We'll miss you!
(4 minutes later)Sofy: You guys realize it's almost April 1st?
(5 minutes later)Jacob: *******
Steve: I take it everything back!

I can't pull a prank on these guys to save my life.

Sorry to the folks that legitimately wished me well! To heck with the rest of you!