Sport Today

by **arge** » Thu, 03 Nov 2005 13:44:44

Hello all,

I am afraid that my last WS day of this season has past and I didn't
show it the appreciation it deserved. This was probably due to the
distraction of recovering from a broken mast ? mile from the coast of
beautiful (and shallow) Lake Eire. This was one of those days where you
could use same wave riding skills, ... and I had none. The 8 foot wall
got me right in the middle of a water start. I saw it coming. I saw the
tons of water ready to roll with my equipment right in its jaws. I
didn't let go the boom (Should I have?) the mast (Sailwork Joystick
70% carbon ) hit the bottom and that was the end of (half of) it.
Would an RDM have survived this? That's the question my friends. I do
not personally plan to find out anytime soon considering the cost of
these new needles.
So what other casualties have I on my conscience for this season? Five
tubular carbon battens for Sailwork Retro 5.5 and 8.0. Don't get me
wrong, these are great sails it is just that my timing in getting
in/out of the water doesn't always agree with mother nature; and she
lets me know by slapping me and my equipment with a few cubic meters of
water. I ride on a lake but I am considering wave sails when the time
of change will arrive.
Who would have thought it that my major windsurfing consumable is fiber
carbon? Good thing that fiber is good for the hart.
Now looking on the months ahead here is my plan: buy a snow board and
try not to break anything. I started snowboarding last year and ... I
hated it. I was trying to sink the tail to perform a jibe but the solid
water didn't want to give in! I eventually figured out that it is
better to keep the weight between your two feet at all times and twist
the snowboard by lifting the heel so that the rail would grip for a
carve. By the end of the third day I was slaloming and wave riding snow
dunes confident like a new born puppy. I eventually totally miss one of
my jibes and sink the opposite rail in the snow initiating a catapult
that resulted in a pretty good head slamming on the icy watery surface.
This is where snowboarding gets quite far apart from windsurfing. I got
a concussion resulting in about 15 minutes of sort memory loss. I found
myself in the log house cafeteria ordering a cheeseburger and the lady
said "another one?" no just one "you already ask for one" ... I
asked my wife were did I left my snowboard? "I just show you were it
is!" Were are the kids? "Right here!" Where did I park? What car
did we use to come here? ...
So this year I got a spanking used from eBay ProTec Ace helmet. I been
looking for a helmet that would cover both liquid water and crystalline
one but I could not find any. Note to helmet manufacturers: make a
helmet that can be used for all the freakin X sports regardless of
temperature and humidity.
The thing is that after (painfully) acquiring my snowboarding skills I
started to see some crosspollination with windsurfing. Sinking the tail
is not what you want to do to keep planning in a jibe. To keep the
weight between the two feet while leaning in and pushing the rail into
a carve on the board supporting medium is very similar in both sports.
Who knows, may be that in the future there will be twistable windsurf.

Ride on,
Paolo

by **LeeD** » Thu, 03 Nov 2005 13:54:46

Wave comes, you're down, you swim to the tip of the mast, pointing it
out to sea directly at the wave, stuff the tip into your chest, hang on
for dear life itself.....both hands, elbows, chin, chest, face,
whatever you need to hold on......
Snowboarding is unreal in powder. You can choose to sink the tail,
or not! You can create raceboard G forces, dragging forearms and hips,
and treeriding pow is prolly one of the best experiences one can have.
Unfortunately, snow season and wind season are not directly linked,
you can have good both sports some years, and horrid both some
years.......

by **ratho..** » Thu, 03 Nov 2005 14:43:11

I've seen guys wear Gaths on the snow, and the ProTec helmet for snow
and water is essentially the same shell w/ a different liner.

If you really want feel like you're carving hard like a jibe, get an
alpine setup (narrow carving board, plate bindings, and hard boots).
Riding powpow gives a similar feeling, but it's not always snowing. I
used to take my alpine setup out 10 times a year, but after I had
surgery on my ankle, my foot doesn't fit the boot anymore :-(

Anyway, I think snowboarding is a lot more similar to surfing than
windsurfing (except it's a whole lot easier than surfing).

LeeD, OB was nice on Monday: shoulder to head high, sunny, warm,
peeling waves and long rides. Today was not so great (maybe if I was
better): head to 1.5x overhead, overcast, cold, and thumping harder...
swells were travelling much faster. I guess it's back to Linda Mar for
me :-(

kev

by **sm..** » Thu, 03 Nov 2005 15:20:22

I think an RDM would have had a decent chance of surviving your crash.
I've been put through the washing machine good, over a reef, felt the
mast bend like a pole vaulter's pole and had it come out fine. But I
suppose there's always a limit, if you let the mast dig into the
bottom and then get torqued by a wave. If you can afford one, a skinny
is definitely worth it, especially for the much improved performance
you'll enjoy.

by **Glenn Woodel** » Thu, 03 Nov 2005 21:15:20

I hardly think the Retro is a good choice for breaking waves. If you
like Sailworks, there are a couple of very good choices for the most
punishing conditions. I use a 6.5 Ezzy Infinity which is a five-batten
salalom sail and I would never take it into big breaking waves. I have
my SE Waves for that. Sure, a slalom sail will handle some shore break
but the long battens and the panels themselves are not designed for
this sort of punishment.

Glenn

Quote:

>Hello all,

>I am afraid that my last WS day of this season has past and I didn't
>show it the appreciation it deserved. This was probably due to the
>distraction of recovering from a broken mast ? mile from the coast of
>beautiful (and shallow) Lake Eire. This was one of those days where you
>could use same wave riding skills, ... and I had none. The 8 foot wall
>got me right in the middle of a water start. I saw it coming. I saw the
>tons of water ready to roll with my equipment right in its jaws. I
>didn't let go the boom (Should I have?) the mast (Sailwork Joystick
>70% carbon ) hit the bottom and that was the end of (half of) it.
>Would an RDM have survived this? That's the question my friends. I do
>not personally plan to find out anytime soon considering the cost of
>these new needles.
>So what other casualties have I on my conscience for this season? Five
>tubular carbon battens for Sailwork Retro 5.5 and 8.0. Don't get me
>wrong, these are great sails it is just that my timing in getting
>in/out of the water doesn't always agree with mother nature; and she
>lets me know by slapping me and my equipment with a few cubic meters of
>water. I ride on a lake but I am considering wave sails when the time
>of change will arrive.
>Who would have thought it that my major windsurfing consumable is fiber
>carbon? Good thing that fiber is good for the hart.
>Now looking on the months ahead here is my plan: buy a snow board and
>try not to break anything. I started snowboarding last year and ... I
>hated it. I was trying to sink the tail to perform a jibe but the solid
>water didn't want to give in! I eventually figured out that it is
>better to keep the weight between your two feet at all times and twist
>the snowboard by lifting the heel so that the rail would grip for a
>carve. By the end of the third day I was slaloming and wave riding snow
>dunes confident like a new born puppy. I eventually totally miss one of
>my jibes and sink the opposite rail in the snow initiating a catapult
>that resulted in a pretty good head slamming on the icy watery surface.
>This is where snowboarding gets quite far apart from windsurfing. I got
>a concussion resulting in about 15 minutes of sort memory loss. I found
>myself in the log house cafeteria ordering a cheeseburger and the lady
>said "another one?" no just one "you already ask for one" ... I
>asked my wife were did I left my snowboard? "I just show you were it
>is!" Were are the kids? "Right here!" Where did I park? What car
>did we use to come here? ...
>So this year I got a spanking used from eBay ProTec Ace helmet. I been
>looking for a helmet that would cover both liquid water and crystalline
>one but I could not find any. Note to helmet manufacturers: make a
>helmet that can be used for all the freakin X sports regardless of
>temperature and humidity.
>The thing is that after (painfully) acquiring my snowboarding skills I
>started to see some crosspollination with windsurfing. Sinking the tail
>is not what you want to do to keep planning in a jibe. To keep the
>weight between the two feet while leaning in and pushing the rail into
>a carve on the board supporting medium is very similar in both sports.
>Who knows, may be that in the future there will be twistable windsurf.

>Ride on,
>Paolo

by **bmil..** » Thu, 03 Nov 2005 22:19:03

Yep, snowboarding in powder is it. I almost say it's better than
windsurfing, but that could be because I only get to snowboard in
powder less than once a year. In powder, you actually do have your
weight more on your back foot to turn, otherwise you'll end up burying
the nose. Kiteboarding...been there, done that. Wakeboarding...yawn.
I guess I like the pure sensation of "riding" (vs being pulled) that
only windsurfing and snowboarding give.

I used to sail those Lake Erie waves in the 80's on a 12 ft 50 lb
plastic board and a soft triangle sail! I don't miss that kit too
much. The board was a Magnum 270.

Brian

by **windmtn_p..** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 00:45:48

Quote:

> I been looking for a helmet that would cover both liquid water
> and crystalline one but I could not find any. Note to helmet
> manufacturers: make a helmet that can be used for all the
> freakin X sports regardless of temperature and humidity.

There has been some progress with this. Have you checked out the new
Giro ski/snowboard helmets? The Nine.9 MX
(http://www.backcountryoutlet.com/outlet/GIR0002/Giro-Nine.9-MX-Helmet...)
is extremely lightweight and versitile. Vents have plugs if you need
to make it water tight. The ear warmers can easily be removed for hot
weather. The liner is comfy fleece.... fits me like a glove, super
cool. I wore it around the house the other day and forgot I had it on.

Being an anti-helmet consultant myself on this group for years, I found
this helmet to be multi-functional for multiple sports (backcountry
skiing, windsurfing, mt. biking). For windsurfing, I plan to remove
the liner and use a neoprene hood as a liner. Solves safety issues
plus it's just a great way keep the head warm in winter... PLUS, it
comes with a small visor which keeps the low winter sun outta my eyes.
Also, I installed waterproof headphones into the ear warmers, so now I
can listen to tunes. Next, I'm gonna figure out a way to mount a
removable headlight for night skiing in the backcountry.

-- Wind Mountain Pete

Quote:

> Hello all,

> I am afraid that my last WS day of this season has past and I didn't
> show it the appreciation it deserved. This was probably due to the
> distraction of recovering from a broken mast ? mile from the coast of
> beautiful (and shallow) Lake Eire. This was one of those days where you
> could use same wave riding skills, ... and I had none. The 8 foot wall
> got me right in the middle of a water start. I saw it coming. I saw the
> tons of water ready to roll with my equipment right in its jaws. I
> didn't let go the boom (Should I have?) the mast (Sailwork Joystick
> 70% carbon ) hit the bottom and that was the end of (half of) it.
> Would an RDM have survived this? That's the question my friends. I do
> not personally plan to find out anytime soon considering the cost of
> these new needles.
> So what other casualties have I on my conscience for this season? Five
> tubular carbon battens for Sailwork Retro 5.5 and 8.0. Don't get me
> wrong, these are great sails it is just that my timing in getting
> in/out of the water doesn't always agree with mother nature; and she
> lets me know by slapping me and my equipment with a few cubic meters of
> water. I ride on a lake but I am considering wave sails when the time
> of change will arrive.
> Who would have thought it that my major windsurfing consumable is fiber
> carbon? Good thing that fiber is good for the hart.
> Now looking on the months ahead here is my plan: buy a snow board and
> try not to break anything. I started snowboarding last year and ... I
> hated it. I was trying to sink the tail to perform a jibe but the solid
> water didn't want to give in! I eventually figured out that it is
> better to keep the weight between your two feet at all times and twist
> the snowboard by lifting the heel so that the rail would grip for a
> carve. By the end of the third day I was slaloming and wave riding snow
> dunes confident like a new born puppy. I eventually totally miss one of
> my jibes and sink the opposite rail in the snow initiating a catapult
> that resulted in a pretty good head slamming on the icy watery surface.
> This is where snowboarding gets quite far apart from windsurfing. I got
> a concussion resulting in about 15 minutes of sort memory loss. I found
> myself in the log house cafeteria ordering a cheeseburger and the lady
> said "another one?" no just one "you already ask for one" ... I
> asked my wife were did I left my snowboard? "I just show you were it
> is!" Were are the kids? "Right here!" Where did I park? What car
> did we use to come here? ...
> So this year I got a spanking used from eBay ProTec Ace helmet. I been
> looking for a helmet that would cover both liquid water and crystalline
> one but I could not find any. Note to helmet manufacturers: make a
> helmet that can be used for all the freakin X sports regardless of
> temperature and humidity.
> The thing is that after (painfully) acquiring my snowboarding skills I
> started to see some crosspollination with windsurfing. Sinking the tail
> is not what you want to do to keep planning in a jibe. To keep the
> weight between the two feet while leaning in and pushing the rail into
> a carve on the board supporting medium is very similar in both sports.
> Who knows, may be that in the future there will be twistable windsurf.

> Ride on,
> Paolo

by **GWoo** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 01:28:26

Stuff the tip into your chest? Really? Sounds kinda dangerous if you get
lifted/settled on the tip...

Quote:

> Wave comes, you're down, you swim to the tip of the mast, pointing it
> out to sea directly at the wave, stuff the tip into your chest, hang on
> for dear life itself.....both hands, elbows, chin, chest, face,
> whatever you need to hold on......

by **kurt** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 01:30:08

Here's a helmet that I've found useful for protecting me from
government thought control ray's; no one should leave home without
it.......

http://www.zapatopi.net/afdb/

by **LeeD** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 02:20:57

Helmet...I wear a standard skateboarder's ProTech for biking,
snowboarding, and high wind windsurfing.
A thin poly cap under with visor for biking or warm weather
snowboarding, a thin fleece under for snowing/cloudy condition
snowboarding, and bare headed under for water sports.......
Yeah, point mast to sea, stuff it into your chest grabbing it with
every appendage you gots! Try not to let go. Your body resists
getting sunk to the bottom, and your weight keeps you from getting
lifted. This is good up to about 12' real surf in
Backyards/.Revelations.......bigger than you go out in!
After that size, just get away.
I've only surfsailed Oahu and WestCoast California about 250 days.

by **Jrob** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 07:50:12

"A good windsurfing season will roll over in a good snowboarding one?"

Yeah and then sometimes it just keeps on rolling...kinda like today
from 10am till ? blowin all day in the Bay Area...I am surprised I can
still type.

j

by **Paul Braunbehren** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 10:03:42

Where did you sail? I've got a *** cold, so I haven't looked at the
web site until you mentioned it. Sure looked good. Even Sherman looks
like it was sailable.

Quote:

> "A good windsurfing season will roll over in a good snowboarding one?"

> Yeah and then sometimes it just keeps on rolling...kinda like today
> from 10am till ? blowin all day in the Bay Area...I am surprised I can
> still type.

> j

by **LeeD** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 10:34:03

Saw Jrobb at Berkeley around 10:30....at least his car.
I woulda sailed with him if I actually saw him, but he was nowhere to
be found.
Bill Hansen and a racer had a new batch of Windwing 10 battenned, 4
mini batten race sails to try out.....
I dink Sofien and Jrobb went out around 11.

by **ratho..** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 12:33:29

Hi Jon,

I think I saw you out there at Berkeley today. You were on your new
sail and a red board? I sailed by you on a JP & green NP around 11 or
noon. The afternoon sesh was sweet. 5.4 and 101l still can't grubby
:-(

kev

by **LeeD** » Fri, 04 Nov 2005 13:07:07

Et tu, Brute' ?.....
What's with this....everyone got wind, I went to work!
Am I stupid (yes, of course).
I left Berserkly at 10:45, after bugging BillHansen, seeing Sofien,
looking for Jrobb.......
Didn't get back till 4:45, most everyone out of the water, Mitsui on
7.5 barely planing......
I suck.....