ABK invites its students to bring whatever they need to make learning as easy as possible. Pens and paper, a comfortable chair for lectures, whatever works for you to enhance your mental concentration and insight. Students often rise to the occasion.
(One student came uniquely equipped to center his mind at the ABK clinic on Friday.)
Continuing the windsurfing photos theme, check out this excellent shot of Long Island windsurferess Jill Marr (who, word has it, will be in this weekend's ABK clinic at Napeague as part of her Mother's Day loot.)
The full photo is being used by Isthmus Sailboards, for whom the image of Jill smoking across Bonaire's Lac Bay underscores Isthmus' windsurfing passion, knowledge, and service. Me, I think she's getting ready to jibe.
The first 100 people who bring a copy of this blog post to the ABK clinic will get an autograph from Jill.
(The image above can be seen on the Isthmus web site.)
The title is "Ten Knots".
See it in all it's glory here.
Photo by Garry.
Pointed out to the Peconic Puffin by the blog "Messing About In Sailboats".
While many of us were using Napeague as a shortcut to Gardiners Bay during Monday's epic conditions, there was ample shredding going on in Napeague proper as well.
Excluding a substantial wind shadow down by the antenna to the southeast, the bay was crazy windy! Meanwhile 60 miles to the east the Yahoo mob was tearing it up at C.I.B. where the legendary Mysto wave was in full effect. Would have loved to have been in two places at once...
There's an ABK windsurfing clinic at Napeague starting on Friday (featuring a special appearance by Windsport's Pete DeKay) who remembers a Long Island clinic that had 30+knot winds. Imagine trying to learn to tack in 30 knots...yikes!
With a forecast of big east winds, I thought we might retreat to the inner Peconic Bays for some controlled sailing in 30+knots. But the people I sail with are crazy. The plan was to drive 25 miles east of the Peconic, where the wind would be (wait for it...) stronger! Of course! What was I thinking?
The place was packed. "I am not happy with the parking arrangements" said Bill B. Spoilers of Bill's parking included the Johns (CPU, Hulse, Ford, the Wolf) Bills (Fisherman and Lerner) and the odd Scott, Radek, Bruce, Peconic Jeff and so on. When Jon Ford said he was rigging a 3.7 I knew I was in for quite a day. Rigged my smallest wing (3.4) and went to the races.
On the inside it was a mess outbound though there were waves to ride inbound. Past the red buoy, though, and it was (in the words of the Wolf) "the land of the giants!" Eight to ten foot swell that fortunately broke gently. Mountains of water moving through...when it gets big at Gardiners I often feel like I'm in a scene from The Perfect Storm...tres dramatique! Maneuvering on those swells in 40 knot gusts is no mean feat.
But the story of the day was Jeff's jump. "Did you see Jeff's jump?" I was asked? I had missed his best one. "High, lots of hang time, and a nice clean landing," is how Scott described it. It sounded great. Later Jeff described it thusly:
"It all happens so fast that it's hard to remember the details. But I was charging the big waves like a bat out of hell and kicking the board up in the air in front of me."
Well Jeff, you impressed the crowd!
Last Friday set up big from the east, and The Wolf was at Ponquogue with CD while the rest of us were loading up to try and catch some pre-weekend wind. By the time I got there Ponquogue was done, and the guys were all moving to the Bowl, where it was full-on 4.0 sailing with big wind on the outside. Scott, Bill, Jeff and Jon Ford had joined the crew.
After awhile it died, though, and everyone was packing up and ready to go home when a phone rang. East Landing was nuking! Some of us who had not been satisfied by their Bowl session (ie me...couldn't get comfortable) couldn't wait to get a second chance. The Wolf had already had his second sesh, was "totally spent" but he was going to drive over just to look. When we got to East Landing it was honking. Bill suggested that the gusts were hitting 35. I expressed my doubt of 35, launched on a 4.0, and was summarily flattened by a 35 knot gust.
The Wolf sailed, of course. "My first three location day!" he said.
(Photo of The Bowl by Jeff.)
"There will be 2 classes for freestyle to keep the playing field level. The Championship class, and sport class. The sport class is there for one reason. To have fun. This class is for the guys and gals that have either recently discovered the joys of freestyle or are new to competitions. If the vast majority of your tricks are moves where the board stays on the water, the sport class is for you. 
Although going for that first forward or vulcan will impress the judges, the winner of this class might be the one with the most fluid duck jibe or fast tack. Event if you only know one trick, that's all it might take to win in the sport class. The Championship class is a different story. If you're thinking about entering this class, you'd better know how to throw down some impressive moves. If you are making moves with your board in the air, upsidedown, spinning in circles or backwards, this is the class for you. The spectators are in for the windsurfing show of their life watching the championship class. There are rumors of multiple pros showing up to dazzle the crowd with all the latest moves and show the the potential of our sport. Phil Soltysiak is one of the pros from Canada who is a confirmed competitor that I'm sure will be showing me how it's done."
Click here for more details and directions to the East Coast Windsurfing Festival, taking place June 7-8 at Hecksher State Park..
(Canadian pro Phil Soltysiak in Margarita, thinking about the fun he's going to have at Hecksher. Photo by Michaela Malina.)
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