When I started outfitting my windsurfing van back in 2003 one of the first ideas I poached was the Spencer Bucket. I met Spencer at a Dasher Windsurfing Clinic in May of ’03, and I was immediately drawn to his bucket.
“Ya gotta have one,” Spencer explained. "You can throw a good quantity of
wet and sandy neoprene, harnesses etc into the thing after a session, you can
use it as a platform to change fins and footstraps on a board, and the thing
can be hosed out or just whacked on the back to get clean again. The Spencer Bucket*."
This was Saturday at the clinic. Sunday morning I arrived with my own Spencer Bucket. Over the years it has met or exceeded expectations in terms of performance and utility. But today it died. More accurately: Today I killed it. I’d just taken off my wetsuit after a morning SUP session, and I thought I’d whack the back of the thing to get some sand out. So I whacked, and it cracked
I’m going to K-Mart right now to replace it. Can’t imagine showing up for a sesh without one.
*Spencer did not refer to his bucket as a Spencer Bucket. But I always have, in honor of Spencer (who called it a $7 bucket from K-Mart). I’ve given them as gifts, and at least one happy recipient calls his a Spencer Bucket too (Steve don’t let me down when I see you this weekend!)
Sandy and Wet Brothers of Wind:
I can not consider a sesh without the Spencer Bucket. Wet shit always goes there. Staging your board is cool too. Hiding a new fin, some beer,etc., from a peevish spouse is other uses I have enjoyed. Michael gave me my Spencer Bucket and I will always be grateful. Michael, grieve not, it has served you well. Hail Spencer!
Posted by: Steve | May 23, 2010 at 11:27 PM
wow, i have a identical rope handle bucket in my garage holding all my loose windsurfing parts. Little did i know it had such a cool name! Never thought of taking it on the road before.
Posted by: canuck | May 19, 2011 at 04:24 AM