Jill Marr’s account of her day at West Meadow last weekend is the most spirited tale of windsurfing I’ve read in awhile. Originally posted in the Yahoo Long Island Windsurfers Group, it got me howling, and Jill has graciously allowed me to share it here. Okay Jill…let it rip:
“What a day! Started out on the 4.5- need I say more-too much! Came back in, after a long time of trying to just get back in! Headed back out on the 4.0-Access denied! I was rudely projected, spit out right back onto the beach! My rig was spit out on the first wave, landed gracefully up on the beach…I was deposited onto the beach with the second wave. I now know exactly what projectile vomit feels like! Time to re-group!
After waiting for the shore break to dismantle-which from what I could tell, it did not, I decided to give it another go! Made it out this time-and IF YOU MAKE IT OUT-YOU STAY OUT! So I did, but way south down the beach, where it was much more manageable for me. As I was still overpowered, the only place to go for me is straight upwind-but I was WAY too upwind and having trouble getting back downwind. I think the current toward the south was starting to head out fast, thus my difficulty. After a while of playing down South, I decided that I was too upwind and evasive action was necessary! Head off, jibe crash, head off jibe crash... you get the picture. Before I knew it I was back in a respectable downwind territory-but oh oh, too downwind, actually approaching and heading fast into the crunch zone again!
Two waves later, after the conditions decided for me A SECOND time that I should beach it, I found myself carrying my rig onto the beach-not exactly what I had planned, but hey, I was no longer in danger of heading out to sea!
As I caught my breath, Jeanne came running down the beach. I decided to call it a day and DO THE WALK OF SHAME rather than attempt that shore break launch once again!
Lots of great jumps today, both voluntary and involuntary, and more port jumps than ever before! (those were the involuntary ones! ) I am happy to have sailed in November WITHOUT GLOVES! Woohoo! Thank you may I have another!
Would do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Jill :)”
(Top photo: Air Jill. Courtesy Blueharborcat. Bottom photo: Jill working the East Coast Windsurfing Festival. Courtesy Bill Doutney.)
I'm not complaining! Just wish we had the sand like you guys do instead of a massive shore break onto razor sharp rocks! Hope to be able to report nicely blistered hands next week!
Posted by: Anna | November 19, 2008 at 02:06 AM
Jill is my hero...
Posted by: Ann Phelan | November 28, 2008 at 05:03 PM