The best time to take a windsurfing clinic is:
A. Towards the beginning of the season, so you're tuned up for the year.
B. In the middle of the season, so you're already warmed up a bit, but still have time to work with what you've been taught.
C. Towards the end of the season, when you've worked out all the kinks you're capable of working out without professional help.
D. All of the above.
I'm a "D" man myself. Life is too short, wind is too rare, and my talent is insufficient to get me to where I'd like to be in this sport. Also, ABK clinics are fun, and you get to make new friends and renew old acquaintances.
If you're even remotely entertaining a thought of participating, just do it! Sign up already at ABK's website, for May 18-20th (Friday through Sunday.)
This clinic is at Napeague, a beautiful shallow bay that gets more wind than just about anywhere on Long Island. If you want to introduce a friend to the sport, this is an ideal place. If you want to be introduced to planing through a duck jibe, this is the place. If your skill levels place you somewhere in between the two, this is the place.
Would you believe that I'm just a satisfied customer? Satisfied clinic junkie might be a better description, but seriously folks, ABK clinics are highly recommended by the Peconic Puffin. If you have "what's it like"-type questions, leave them here as comments or email me directly.
I'll be there! I think I'll make planing through a duck jibe one of my goals...
Posted by: Jeff | April 29, 2007 at 07:16 PM
thinking about siging up. Its been 2 years since i last rigged up and really am having the itch to get back sailing. I was beach starting and playing with water starts, hooking and and trying to find the straps, however I was getting frustrated with the learning curve as i was "self teaching"..I just want to be sure the ABK Camp wont be geared more for the advanced riders, I feel like i'll be learning all over again and dont want to waste anyone's time of feel like an idiot out there....
Posted by: Matt | April 30, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Matt, it's quite common to have people who have never windsurfed before at an ABK clinic, as well as people who haven't sailed much or maybe haven't sailed in a long time.
Meanwhile, I think all of us windsurfers "feel like an idiot out there" from time to time in a clinic. Certainly that's why I go...to feel less like one!
Posted by: Peconic Puffin (Michael) | April 30, 2007 at 03:18 PM
See you there, I'm all signed up!!!
Posted by: matt | April 30, 2007 at 04:32 PM
will derek be there?
Posted by: surfergirl777 | May 06, 2007 at 03:13 PM
I don't think Derek is on this leg of the ABK Tour. It will probably be Andy, Radar Tom, and some of the other regulars.
Posted by: Peconic Puffin (Michael) | May 07, 2007 at 07:15 AM
FYI.... I have 2 surfboards i'd like to move: Bunger 6'3" and a Sharpeye 7'0"...let me know if interested, i can email you pics and deliver to the ABK [email protected]
Posted by: matt | May 07, 2007 at 01:10 PM