Whipped at Ponquogue, But We Lap It Up

I went straight for the advil when I got back to the van.   I was sore everywhere.  “Whipped” was the word Scott used.    That sounded about right.  

Please sir may I have another?

The wind was steady and fine (most of us sailing low 5’s at the outset, and high 4’s as it built) the waves were three to five feet and tightly spaced (very tightly) and for some reason the jumping was nuts.   What do I mean?   Altitude was there for the taking, but it felt to me that the higher you went, the stronger the wind got, which lead to lots of spectacular crashes.    I saw Jimi Sobeck get a fine 20-footer, or so I thought until he bailed at the top and absolutely flapped his wings all the way down.

This happened twice.   For myself I have the distinct memory of reaching the top of some jumps, and hearing a voice in my head say “landing is not going to feel good.”

But the jump punishment was nothing compared to the beach break.   When the session started shortly after low tide, Ponquogue was its typically friendly launch.   But by 7PM it was not uncommon to see three lucky guys actually sailing, seven guys standing in knee deep water waiting in vain for a moment to launch, and three or four guys in the rinse cycle, thoroughly rejected.    And I mean good windsurfers rejected, not just knuckleheads like moi.  John “he only comes out when it’s perfect” Natalie was getting worked!  (He also looked great tearing up the waves once he got out, but still.)   Twelve hours later I continue to comb sand out of my hair. 

All in all a thoroughly abusive session.   And great fun…we sailed until dark (did I mention it was also pouring rain?) and I’d take another day like yesterday in a second (after a day of recovery.)  Here is an incomplete list of yesterday’s wind and wave warriors (if  I’m missing your name I apologize…please comment at the bottom so I can get it right.)

It was great sailing with everyone!  The partial list:

Adam
CD
Christian
Eric
Fisherman
Frank
George
Jake
Jeff Usher
Peconic Jeff (whose account of the day can be found here)
Jimi 
Jon 
John
Keith
Scott
The Wolf.

Comments

[Frank]

I did notice my ears were full of sand when I got home.

[CD]

Frank,
You were not alone, I was spanked twice and deposited onto the beach like a wind chimp rag doll....but it was well worth the bruised ego to catch a few of those nice waves! I am a bit sore but all who attended are smiling today,July? Wow lets do it again real soon, do yourself a favor and read Jeff's Blog,great summary! CD

[Turinas]

You mad bastards! You guys were windsurfing in conditions that forced every boat in the Around Long Island Race to abandon or not start

[ALIR racer]

well, not quite EVERY boat, Turinas

i was on one of the 10 boats that finished, AND we won our spinnaker class, holding our time on a faster-rated boat that also finished

of course, we came prepared for the heavy weather, even had to set our storm try once the leech of our main blew out under double reef -- the #4 jib worked just fine though

at one point, only the 2 senior watch captains and the most experienced helmsman were available to race the boat, the other 6 crew members being seasick and/or hypothermic, some never made it to their bunks and just collapsed on the cabin sole

hearing all the SECURITE and MAYDAY calls, we were thankful everyone made the right decision not to race -- glad all got home safe and sound