The Peconic Puffin Windsurfing Blog

Stormin' Holiday Card

In 2011 it was hard to beat the McCall's holiday card.  Taking advantage of the hurricane of the year (Irene) Greg and Cecilia managed an excellent SUP family photo (SUPing down the street in front of their home.)   The Peconic Puffin featured their card in a post, and Greg later told me that he didn't know what they'd do for an encore...how to get back in the Puffin for 2012?

Another hurricane, another card.  The waters rose higher in Chateau McC this year, and the repair work needed was great, but if anyone could find a silver lining and holiday cheer (and a Puffinworthy card) out of the mess, t'was Greg & Cecilia (and Casey and Lexie).   So it is with great honor that we present the two time winner of the Peconic Puffin Storm Inspired Holiday Card of the Year Award!

Feliz Navidad!

Let us quote Bill Barber, who took a break from nine straight days of sailing, surfing and kiting in Puerto Rico to send this message to Puffin HQ:

"Feliz Navidad to da Puffin nation and all windchimps!"

Couldn't have said it better.

(Once again we present an image from our favorite holiday card, which says "original design by Roz Davis". Thanks Roz!)

 

 

Three Meters O'Nuke at Sebonac

I've never seen so much sand blow at Sebonac before.  Still, when the sail recommendations were 3.7-4.2 I rigged the 4.0.   Took off, caught one blessed jump, then came back to the sandstorm to add downhaul and outhaul on account of I was nuked.   Scott came over to supervise, and immediately said "oh man!" 

What was he down about?

The hole in my sail...the hole I hadn't yet spotted.  Couldn't tell you how it got there, but the wing was ten years old.   Caught a lot of big winds and one newspaper cover with it, but now it was junk.  Rig the 3.4!

STILL I was overpowered!  Scott cackled with approval at every gust, but it was still glorious to get out there and join the crowd:  John Natalie, Frank (said to have launched, sailed two hours nonstop, then quit), the Wolf, Jon Ford (back from Maui), Peconic Jeff, Scott, Kurt Veith, and Christian.   I even switched to my thermonuke fin (an 8" slotted wave) which did keep the board in the water better, but I can't ever say I got dialed in.  Overpowered 3.4...not my strong suit.  But I'm grateful for a December sesh!

(Scott leans into a gust as he prepares to launch.  Photo by Jeff Schultz.)

 

Blame Laird! Anti-SUP Rage in Peconica!

As a SUP Bozo, I was greatly entertained a few years ago when Bill Barber showed up with his "no SUP Bozo" sticker pictured (above left.)   Bill is amusing in his grumpiness (aren't we all?) and besides, it's a funny sticker!  And Bill went on to explain that SUPing does not automatically a bozo make (you must behave badly on the water.)  The best part of the entire episode was when people went ballistic following a blog post about the sticker in the Puffin, so when Bill showed up with his latest bit-o' SUP-mocking art, I immediately snapped some photos.

Blame Laird!