Reason to Hate Mike Burns #211: Looping a Sunset Slalom

Recently in the Yahoo Long Island Windsurfers forum Mike Burns made reference to looping an F2 Sunset Slalom.

This is ridiculous.   The F2 Sunset Slalom is best suited to intermediate windsurfers, getting them comfortable planing in the footstraps and perhaps beginning to learn the planing jibe.   It is a doofuss board from yesteryear that should be impossible to loop.   But Mike Burns, Long Island's finest and the King of the East, went and did it.

Another reason to hate him.

"Haha!!" Mike replied, when I told him I hated him.  " Yup, I remember trying to get around all day at Heckscher on the F2 Sunset and my 4.0 Northsails Zeta. Then finally I was able to water-start away from one! Starboard tack, about even with the east end of the parking lot. The very next attempt I broke my "indestructable" Fiberspar Tidal Wave mast in half over my knees! Didn't try another loop for at least 5 or so years when the KOTC came around and all those guys were going for it. But still my first loop was on the trusty sunset slalom. 101 ltrs!! Is it a coincidence that about 100 ltrs is the current most popular freestyle board size? I think not!"

So the next time you see Mike Burns, just remember he looped a Sunset Slalom.  Give him a piece of your mind (or ask him for tips!)

As a postscript, some of the Heckscher regulars are organizing a beach cleanup (I can only imagine how hard it's been pounded by Sandy etc) for Sunday Feb 24.  Check in with the Yahoo group for details.

(image of the F2 Sunset Slalom pulled from a random website.)

Comments

[Mike Burns]

Always some good reading Michael!! I got so many firsts on that board. First time needing to be rescued, first time in the harness leading to my first full speed catapult , first time in the straps, first jibe, first jump then first loop. I had it for just about 2 years before it delaminated on the bottom leading to a fatal buckle across the entire board.

And yes, we can definitely use some help putting Heckscher back together. Feb 24th will be the day to start.

Thanks for the coverage,

Mike

[F Messina]

I could come up with more reasons, if he wasn't so god damn nice.

[Michael]

Frank, that Mike is one of the ten nicest guys in the world is another reason to hate him.

[bill barber]

first it was hate bill barber then it was hate bill and john hulse now its hate mike burns;whats up with all the hate?we are just trying have our brand of fun;3ws;wind,waves,and warm peace BB(tounge planted firmly in cheek)