AWT Virgin

My heart beat was hammering. Sound muffled. My vision narrowed as though I were watching life though a long black tunnel. The green flag went up. I blew my outside gybe and found myself hyperventilating.

"Mike!! Get a grip!" I caught a wave, got a couple of weak turns. Sound slowly returned. I water started out of a back slapping forward. The tunnel vision started to recede. I got a good lip crack. I started to smile. A couple more fun backside/frontside combo wave rides and the red flag went up. "Already!!?"  The fastest and one of the most bizarre 12 minutes of my life.


Waiting for the green flag - pic off facebook American Windsurfing Tour

I have wanted to do the AWT for a while but there was always an excuse. Getting the season pass 'for Christmas' I found myself committed. With no wind in Santa Cruz I headed straight to Pistol River for some top notch sailing and then the competition.

 

So, how was the competition? It was a pretty awesome experience. The AWT team are all friendly and welcoming. I met lots of like minded wave sailors and got to see the pros ripping it up.

Should you do it? If you have a passion for wave sailing and want to improve, then it is definitely for you. I occassionally forward in starboard tack waves, when the moon is aligned, the ramp is steep but not too steep, I'm perfectly powered, the water is blue etc. And yet I busted a bunch in the competition. I don't recall the last time I took a hand off or tried a table top but there I was! Throwing one handed jumps and table top attempts.

Would I do it again? For sure. A combo family trip to Peru would be amazing and I have always wanted to check out Hatteras. Unfortunately, unless I can work some magic it doesn't too look good for the rest of this year. So, roll on 2015!

The Jetty, Gold Beach

Me: Are there dolphins here? I saw one just floating 50 feet upwind of me
Steve: Not that I know of, it must have been a sea lion
Me: Weird, do sea lions have dorsal fins?
Steve: Sure don't...

This website link shows the spot. Page down to the fifth map for some info. Oh my...!

Road Trip

Three days of overpowered 4.0. Side-on winds. Solid waves. Ultra cold water. Stuff like this:



Jeff Albright, I took this off facebook

'The Rock' Pistol River. Hardcore. Ass kickingly wild windsurfing conditions. I was meant to stop at Santa Cruz in advance of the AWT, but there was no wind. So I just kept driving. Some interesting facts:

• The speed limit between San Antonio and El Paso is 80 mph! Who said Texans drive slow
• Gas went from $3.35 to $4.42 per gallon just by crossing the Arizona/California border
• The truck doesn't do much better than 17mpg unless I drive 60 mph. Ouch! But I can sleep in it in relative comfort, carry all my gear including 3 boards and drive on the beach without getting stuck.

Aside from the humbling sailing conditions. The view from my room is pretty good, you can see whales swimming by.

The attempted solution to my neck rash.

That is one big tuba lube!

Up to now I have been seriously impressed with the sailing level and motivation of the local sailors. It's great to watch them ride the outside set waves. So much to learn.