Everybody Has A Story At Ponquogue

Everybody had a story.

George Pav was on the water first.  The winds weren’t fully on yet, and George had to trade a long walk back (“it was worth it”) for the “head high bombers on the outside” and downwind, but he was rolling up his 5.3 to move on to other business while most of us were still rigging.  “I got two full sessions!” he said, and indeed he did. 

Ponquogue Jeff (we’re field testing the name) was seen carving a radical jibe off of a wave face.  Also he had a good day with the rest of the waves.

Bruce waxed poetic after putting on a lovely display of fancypants wave carvage.  “A watery face rose above me…translucent green as I recall…”

Jan didn’t tell me her story (I think because Bruce swiped her sail.)

Jeremy launched on the sinkiest board at the sesh (“is he standing on the bottom?” more than one onlooked asked) and drifted well downwind, but came back to shore all smiles.

Jonathan tried kiting, but the chop on the water proved irritating to the major ding his ribs took a few weeks ago while mountain biking.  So instead he made himself comfortable in the Wolfmobile and took pictures.  (At press time, the Peconic Puffin is waiting.  Will update ASAP.)

Scott told Bill it was one of the best days at Ponquogue in SW ever.  Bill told Scott he was crazy.  Scott was not crazy about the best plan to get out through the impact zone (walk slightly upwind, bear off and shoot out parallel to the sand bar…worked for me.)  Someone who didn’t try it was

The Wolf, who nevertheless did get out and into the downwind area pioneered earlier by Mr. Pav.  The winds there were  flukey, the current no help, and a Walk did ensue.

John “he only sails when it’s perfect” Natalie’s presence lent some credence to Lord Scotworth’s appraisal, though he said “I’m nuked on the outside but am light on the inside.”

Bill went kiting way on the outside (it looked like he was at the buoy, but Bill says twasn’t so).   Contrary to Scott, Bill thought the conditions were “a mess”.  I countered (seeking the peaceful middle) that it was “busy”.

How’d I do?  Well, Bill predicted disaster in the parking lot, eyeing my trusty 5.3 as the tape that held it together was flapping in the wind.  “One hit by any beach break and that thing is done,” Bill averred.   Truth is I knew the sail wouldn’t be in my quiver in 2014, but hoped to eek out the rest of the season on it.   I took five or six runs of modest but enjoyable performance before fulfilling Bill’s prophecy.   It went like this:

1. Spotted the wave I wanted to come in to shore behind.
2. Had to put on some steam to catch it, as I picked a wave too close to the beach.
3. Barreling in towards the sand I had to sheet out and sink the tail so I wouldn’t go hurtling face first into the sand.
4. Fell off the board when the wave behind me hit.
5. With the mast well under water, I had several long seconds to watch a two-foot dumper rise as the water sucked back.  “Oh well” I thought.
6. Oh well indeed.

So I took in the scene from shore for an hour, until the wind swung offshore and really started honking.  Time to pack it in/toss it in the dumpster.   I shed no tears…it was a good day!

(Photos by Jonathan Ford, except for the wrecked sail, courtesy the editor in chief.)

Comments

[CHRISTIAN]

Sorry I missed it. Looks like Ponquogue continues to deliver.
How did L look?

[Fish]

Oooh, those conditions look very fun!