Sport Today

> OK, probably most of you on this NG sail in salt water.  So, what's the
> secret to liking it? Or, at least having detente with it?
> I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and I have come to really
> appreciate the Great Lakes, all of them.  As far as windsurfing goes, the
> conditions vary to give you most anything one would desire - from glassy
to
> killer waves and all kinds of wind.  AND, fresh water!  (Ask Tom O'B -
he's
> in the catbird seat where he lives!)
> Fresh water is a friendly environment.  You can be a couple miles offshore
> in large breaking swells and not worry about breaking down - at least ya
> won't dehydrate while waiting for the Coast Guard.  Hot winds dry ya out
on
> a screaming reach?  Got cotton mouth?  No problem.  Why lug a thermos?
> Travel light.  Just fall in and REFRESH!  If you're afraid of microbes,
just
> don't drink the yellow water or simply don't swallow.  You can at least
wash
> your mouth out.  And your eyes, etc.
> What's with this ocean stuff?  I grant you can fall in and cool off if you
> overheat, but when you get back on your board your eyes burn and you feel
> like spitting.  And sticky, slimy skin and matted hair!?
> Being out on salt water feels isolating.  You have to carry a water jug,
> right?, which bounces around and throws off your gybe attempt.  And ya
have
> to ration it like gold -  a few drops for your right eye, some for your
> left, some for your glasses, a little to wash out your mouth and one gulp
> only to drink, trying to stretch out your time on the water before coming
> in.  Ocean distance racing?  Ya can't just lean back and dip your hand to
> splash some water in your face/mouth - ya gotta juggle that jug.  I
suppose
> the discomfort gives one that home stretch fervor, but...
> And what does it do to your equipment?  Yesterday at a Long Island swap I
> sold 2 circa 1987 sails - go figure?!  Next to much of the other stuff,
they
> looked pristine.  They were fresh water babies!
> So, please help me out here with your survival tips and product
> endor***ts.  I've looked for a water backpack to wear while sailing (you
> know, a bladder with a drinking tube that snakes around your head), but
the
> only ones I've seen look like they take on water externally if one "were"
to
> fall in.

> Thank you.
> Mark H
> The Bronx

>OK, probably most of you on this NG sail in salt water.  So, what's the
>secret to liking it? Or, at least having detente with it?
>I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and I have come to really
>appreciate the Great Lakes, all of them.  As far as windsurfing goes, the
>conditions vary to give you most anything one would desire - from glassy to
>killer waves and all kinds of wind.  AND, fresh water!  (Ask Tom O'B - he's
>in the catbird seat where he lives!)
>Fresh water is a friendly environment.  You can be a couple miles offshore
>in large breaking swells and not worry about breaking down - at least ya
>won't dehydrate while waiting for the Coast Guard.  Hot winds dry ya out on
>a screaming reach?  Got cotton mouth?  No problem.  Why lug a thermos?
>Travel light.  Just fall in and REFRESH!  If you're afraid of microbes, just
>don't drink the yellow water or simply don't swallow.  You can at least wash
>your mouth out.  And your eyes, etc.
>What's with this ocean stuff?  I grant you can fall in and cool off if you
>overheat, but when you get back on your board your eyes burn and you feel
>like spitting.  And sticky, slimy skin and matted hair!?
>Being out on salt water feels isolating.  You have to carry a water jug,
>right?, which bounces around and throws off your gybe attempt.  And ya have
>to ration it like gold -  a few drops for your right eye, some for your
>left, some for your glasses, a little to wash out your mouth and one gulp
>only to drink, trying to stretch out your time on the water before coming
>in.  Ocean distance racing?  Ya can't just lean back and dip your hand to
>splash some water in your face/mouth - ya gotta juggle that jug.  I suppose
>the discomfort gives one that home stretch fervor, but...
>And what does it do to your equipment?  Yesterday at a Long Island swap I
>sold 2 circa 1987 sails - go figure?!  Next to much of the other stuff, they
>looked pristine.  They were fresh water babies!
>So, please help me out here with your survival tips and product
>endor***ts.  I've looked for a water backpack to wear while sailing (you
>know, a bladder with a drinking tube that snakes around your head), but the
>only ones I've seen look like they take on water externally if one "were" to
>fall in.

>Thank you.
>Mark H
>The Bronx

>"Mark H." wrote >Y'all.

>How dare a guy from da Bronx use that kind of language? Ya gotta EARN the
>right to use that! 8<)

> OK, probably most of you on this NG sail in salt water.  So, what's the
> secret to liking it? Or, at least having detente with it?
> I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and I have come to really
> appreciate the Great Lakes, all of them.  As far as windsurfing goes, the
> conditions vary to give you most anything one would desire - from glassy
to
> killer waves and all kinds of wind.  AND, fresh water!  (Ask Tom O'B -
he's
> in the catbird seat where he lives!)
> Fresh water is a friendly environment.  You can be a couple miles offshore
> in large breaking swells and not worry about breaking down - at least ya
> won't dehydrate while waiting for the Coast Guard.  Hot winds dry ya out
on
> a screaming reach?  Got cotton mouth?  No problem.  Why lug a thermos?
> Travel light.  Just fall in and REFRESH!  If you're afraid of microbes,
just
> don't drink the yellow water or simply don't swallow.  You can at least
wash
> your mouth out.  And your eyes, etc.
> What's with this ocean stuff?  I grant you can fall in and cool off if you
> overheat, but when you get back on your board your eyes burn and you feel
> like spitting.  And sticky, slimy skin and matted hair!?
> Being out on salt water feels isolating.  You have to carry a water jug,
> right?, which bounces around and throws off your gybe attempt.  And ya
have
> to ration it like gold -  a few drops for your right eye, some for your
> left, some for your glasses, a little to wash out your mouth and one gulp
> only to drink, trying to stretch out your time on the water before coming
> in.  Ocean distance racing?  Ya can't just lean back and dip your hand to
> splash some water in your face/mouth - ya gotta juggle that jug.  I
suppose
> the discomfort gives one that home stretch fervor, but...
> And what does it do to your equipment?  Yesterday at a Long Island swap I
> sold 2 circa 1987 sails - go figure?!  Next to much of the other stuff,
they
> looked pristine.  They were fresh water babies!
> So, please help me out here with your survival tips and product
> endor***ts.  I've looked for a water backpack to wear while sailing (you
> know, a bladder with a drinking tube that snakes around your head), but
the
> only ones I've seen look like they take on water externally if one "were"
to
> fall in.

> Thank you.
> Mark H
> The Bronx

>Here's the litmus test.  What will it take to become a friend of the Knicks?
>I'm originally from Chicago, Dave.  It's not right, it's not fair to ask
>anyone to try and change that quick!  Give me a couple decades, at least.
>:-)

> I'd just like to put in a note about Mark's aforementioned pristine gear,
> whether it was in freshwater or cold cream or whatever.  This was Fanatic gear
> from the year of the flood that looked better than demo-rigged stuff for the
> inside of a store!  Everyone remember those pink booms?  A man from Da Bronx
> bearing pink booms and so-clean sails...what does it all mean?
> Michael
> US5613