Just Another Day!

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 2643

Gale forecast, but they always say that! Loaded 84 litre Exocet cross (couldn't be bothered taking another) and small sails, and hot footed (super mini) to our local beach. Total mayhem sea wise. Cross off blown out massive surf strtching way out, and raining hard. No way!

Headed for our usual 'bolt hole' we call the Inland Sea, ( mile wide river estuary leading up to major docks which takes 100,000 tonners) which always runs a good swell, but with surf only on the far side beach. Two kiters were out ripping and only just in control, so quickly rigged my 3.7 Pryde Combat for the 84 litre Cross, and tackled the obstacle course down to the waters edge, a steep slippery grassy prickly bushy muddy slither while trying to slide and lift the rig (have to rig at top at high tide because rocky launch) over the prickly bushes. (It snatches in the uplift gusts and tries lift me!) Weighed it down with rocks then back up to collect the board. (Same struggle.)

Eventually connected and waded out over the rocks, and the bloody wind INSTANTLY goes ballistic!! (As actually predicted.) Both kiters flattened and had to scramble their way in. I attempted to sail but was hurled off by a violent gust and clouted my foot on a rock. (Hadn't dragged board far enoufg out before trying.)

Really annoyed by then and put in a half hour struggle, with out of control bursts of speed and hurlings off, but my blood was up by this time as I let fly with every swearword I could muster, and half a dozen I invented. But the stupid sail was just too big, as was the board, so I gave up. Same blasted struggle to get board and rig up the cliff without being flung into low earth orbit, and endless hassle tring to get board up on roof rack to strap it down. (Had to turn car back to wind, and haul board by back footstrap and hold down, while tring to grab the flying strap buckles to secure it.)

On changing (raw cold 4degree centigrade gale) and diving back inside the car with heater on full blast, and litre flask of tea and box of egg sandwiches, I could then look about at the mayhem outside. A large tanker was being brought into the estuary by five tugs (three ahead and two pulling back behind). Not my battle, so I could feel very pleased with myself, as I tackled the Sunday paper crossword puzzle.

Except!!! The high tension power line running along the top was howling up and down the scale (in the gusts) at a good warp nine racket. But nobody said our sport was meant to be easy, or restful, and the day we no longer try, will be the day we decline! Well bugger that, it's already happened to too many others!

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 2643

Excuse mistakes, but computer problem again.

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

I long since learned to pick and choose my battles. At our age one injury could be devastating. Not only end your windsurfing but..... well lots of bad things. That said, I applaud your drive and courage. The last time I went to the Gorge, it was way crazy like that for a week. I sailed way over powered in stupid gusty shifty winds. I think I was still in my 60's I did it but it wasn't any fun. Could have been my gear, declining skills or the fact I never see that kind of wind at home. Now At 70 I go to places like SPI. Mostly its warm air and water and wind from 7.0 to 4.0 Even when its windy the water stays pretty smooth. Its just back and forth sailing but its still fun. Waves, big jumps and ruff water are things from my past. For thrills I foil and carve back and forth pretending I'm still riding waves...

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

cgoudie1 · Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2019 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Just Another Day!

You and your veni vidi vici attitude are my freak'n hero GT.

Stay healthy,

-Craig

hitech · Joined: 13 Aug 2000 Posts: 81

Tea and box of egg sandwiches.

Who would have guessed.

d0uglass · Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 9:03 am Post subject:

Awesome story! Cool

I'll bet you wish you could have another try with a 3.0 and 70 liter board.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 12:33 pm Post subject:

U2U2U2 · Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 12:35 pm Post subject:

Good read GT,
Nothing remotely like that has ever happened to me. Wink

wdsurf · Joined: 22 May 1999 Posts: 335

Just got my Medicare card a month ago sail in conditions on the Great Lakes like that all the time!yeah just another day in the life of a windsurfer 38 years in the wind.that story you tell is a normal big wind day on the inland seas!