Plug a USB cable into the back of my head and download this image: Dr. Pain coming down an 8’ plus wave face straight at me, staring into my eyes and vibing “DO NOT CHANGE COURSE!” (I didn’t, he sail/surfed around me). Just another memorable moment from Bowlarama…
I rode 4.5 all day, starting lightly powered at 10:30 on the 93, but spending most of the sesh powered to lit on 77 liters of fun, amongst the biggest turnout I’ve ever seen at the Bowl: Scott, Hulse (windsurfing!) Bill, the Wolf, Fisherman, Peconic Jeff, Christian, Dr. Pain, Jan, Bruce, Jon Ford, Steve Domjan, Air George Marr, Florian, The Mighty Larry Hoff, Jimi Sobeck, Scott Yanuck, Frank and more. Also an attention-starved seal. The waves were 5-8 feet, well spaced and beautiful to jibe off of on the outside. Clean faces for most of the day. No shore break, little in the way of dues to pay, and rare for the Bowl: no rain.
The waves were great for jumping, too, and Jeff and George put on a bit of a show. Jeff went for several backloops, underrotating some and OVERrotating others. Bringing the gusto! Mr. Marr is well known amongst mid-island windsurfers for shredding the thin air (also busting boards returning to earth). Port is not George’s preferred launch, but “I caught a great ramp, and I was looking down at Florian swimming below…I thought I was gonna LAND on him!” But it all worked out.
Some have said it was one of the great days at the Bowl (for me personally it was top three all-time.) Others more experienced pooh pooh this assertion. They surely know what they speak of, but if the Bowl never again gets any better than Saturday, I’ll be just fine. Please sir may I have another!
(Top: Jeff backlooping. Middle: Bill works a wave. Third: George Marr thinks sky. Bottom: Formation jibing. 1 and 3 by Steve Domjan, 2 and 4 by Jeff.)
Very nice pics and post - thanks for sharing!
@tomob
Chicago
Posted by: TomOB | April 18, 2011 at 09:43 AM
nice guys
live2sail
Posted by: gman | April 18, 2011 at 11:32 AM
nice shots, psyched to see someone working on backloops! tried a few myself, would like to stick a landing someday. So is hooking out essential?? cogniscenti?
Posted by: Barneybudd | April 18, 2011 at 12:39 PM
I'm no congniscenti, but I'll hereby attest to the idea of unhooking! I remember coming around wanting to bail on this attempt, but finding myself still hooked in. Luckily I held onto the boom and absorbed much of the crash impact through my arms, and kept the legs from going through the sail. Kev'O, let's go backlooping the next time there's side-shore!
Posted by: Jeff, aka PeconicJeff | April 18, 2011 at 09:02 PM
Great write up. Kudos to Domer for taking time to snap the action.
Love the formation jibing, :rofl:
Posted by: Theoutsideinsideout.blogspot.com | April 18, 2011 at 10:53 PM
If you like the formation jibing photo, check out the original as there is a third formation jiber (I cropped him...George...out for space.)
Posted by: Michael | April 19, 2011 at 06:14 AM
Here is an awesome post showing the true potential of the East end and the fine sailors riding it!
Well done Mike, Steve, Jeff and co.!
Posted by: Tonywind | April 19, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Did anyone get video of the action? Would love to see some of that!
Posted by: Iggy | April 19, 2011 at 08:40 PM
You guys obviously had one of those exceptionally memorable days. What fun! Happy to say it looks like we are in for a good weekend at last out here. Happy Easter surfing, SUP'ing or whatever you will be doing over the weekend.
Posted by: Bunty | April 21, 2011 at 04:18 AM