I hadn’t windsurfed or SUPed in over a month, and I’ve been whining. So when last weekend’s forecast foretold wind and thawing temperatures, I sent the following email to my brethren, crying for aquatic companionship:
"I have not had a boom or paddle in my hand for over a month. My calluses are nearly gone. When I hear "Wave" I raise my hand and move it back and forth. Sail? A chance to save money!
I am a pathetic quivering mass of THE NEED TO GET ON THE WATER!
It's true. Of course that's always true, but it's especially true now. Please help!"
Scott replied immediately, others soon after. It was on!
Saturday
After a brief bit of ice sailing at Mecox (thank you Jeff Slechta for the borrowed board) Scott, the Wolf, Pete Roesch and P-Jeff headed to Tiana. 5.3 sails, side-off conditions, and windblown waves 4-5 feet…let the good times roll! Jon Ford and Fisherman came by too but stayed in their vehicles. They were gurlymen (or they’d been getting their share over the last month and were not as desperate as me, as habitually obsessed as P-Jeff and Scott, or as much a fan of side off conditions as Pete.)
While the sailing was fine, the currents were such that several walks back to the launch were required. After a particularly long walk I was met by a wind chimp chorus (Fisherman, Jon and the Wolf) who proclaimed “It is time for you to learn the overhead carry!”
And so it was. I’d tried it before but it didn’t work for me. Because I was doing it wrong. Jon gave me a demonstration, and now I’ve got it (Thanks guys!)
Other highlights: some fine waveriding by Pete and Jeff.
Sunday
We returned to Tiana…5.3 again (but side-on) with fast moving current at the shoreline. How fast? About as fast as the wind…the moment you dropped the board’s tail in the water you had to jump on, and then once up you needed to bear off and pray for a gust to get you through the shorebreak. I tried for 30 minutes to get out, failing miserably (though I did get to try out my spanking new head carry a couple of times after being washed 100 yards down the beach x2.) Then I swapped out the 93 liter board for the 109. After 15 minutes of continued failure I was so disgusted I decided to leave. THEN I was so disgusted with the humiliation of being rejected (everyone else had managed to get out) that I continued the battle. And finally made it out. Even had a good time.
I’m back.
I am so bummed I missed you guys.
I thought I was going to make it. But it looks as though I have missed this years 'ice season ' altogether.
Hopefully we can share some spring sessions in your neck of the woods before it becomes too crowded.
I'll bb in Hatteras the last week of March. Will you be down this year?
Frank
Posted by: f Messina | February 19, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Bro are you sailing this weekend? 3.7-4.5 today at Sebonac Inlet, and tomorrow looks promising as well!
Don't know about Hatteras just yet, but let's stay in touch.
Posted by: Michael | February 19, 2011 at 01:54 PM