There was a perfect moment yesterday when I was riding a wave while snowflakes brushed my face. I thought “how often do these things happen at the same time?”
The day was full of unusualness. Even though it was blowing SW, the Wolf called the day’s session for Ponquogue instead of Cupsogue or one of the North Fork bay launches.
The beach looked like a frosted gingerbreak cookie, with snow sticking to any ridge it could find in the sand. Sailing 5.2-5.5 sails and big boards, Fisherman, Peconic Jeff, the Wolf and I were pitted against a barrage of waves (period between them only about seven seconds) and strong downwind currents, making the beach break a mess. Jeff said “we can’t be wave snobs” and of course he was right, so off we went.
Getting out was tough, and if you cleared the interior beach break you still had to shlog almost all the way to the outside. Coming back in worked okay, but as Fisherman noted, “if you worked one wave you end up way downwind.”
So that’s what we did. While getting what we could out of the snowy waves, I was finding the shlog out to be nearly as exciting, if for no other reason than threading a way through the six footers that were coming in sets. I had just mentally patted myself on the back for all my brilliant timing when a Daddy wave presented itself. I thought I could make it, but at the instant before seven feet of water had its way with me I bailed.
By the time I was reunited with my gear the sail was not entirely well. As the wind was fading it was an excellent time to call it a day. The first session of 2009 was in the books. My 5.5 was on its way to the repair shop.
"I was riding a wave while snowflakes brushed my face." Poppy, You are one crazy guy.
From the 31st: "head goes underwater, now an ice cream headache accompanies the pain in my right leg and taste of blood in my mouth." Oh hell no, you're fucking John Wayne!
I want a shot of tequila after reading your last posts, I need to man up and get out on the water. Happy New year!
Posted by: Joe | January 03, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Joe, windsurfing in the snow is a good time, I promise! The fall I took on the 31st, not so much.
We get our best winds in the winter, which I think is why God created drysuits. Stay tuned for some photos from Peconic Jeff to illustrate our foolishness.
Posted by: the editor | January 03, 2009 at 05:42 PM
man, its been over a month since i've been on a real wave. A hatteras trip may be the only remedy for me.
Posted by: george markopoulos | January 04, 2009 at 09:05 PM
Snowflakes and windsurfing, a pretty common combination for us here. Ha, Ha!
Great you get to winsurf at this time of year. Our lakes are frozen solid (-35 C degrees) and we are dreaming of windsurfing. Hopefully by May!
Catch a wave for us!
Woodette :)
Posted by: Margot | January 05, 2009 at 08:17 PM
Great blog puff,Fudge on!!!Ponquoge on wednesday....CD:-0
Posted by: cd | January 06, 2009 at 06:50 PM