Sunday morning was the icing on the cake.
We started on Friday: Al, Brewster, Chris, Doug, George Marr, George Pav, Jeff, Jim#1, Jim#2 , John, Kathleen, Larry, Pete, Matt, Rich and I had spent Friday and Saturday sailing in subplaning conditions while ABK layed the instruction on thick.
It would have been more exciting with ten additional knots. George Marr in his Darth Vader helmet managed to summon The Force to pump onto a plane for 1.5 seconds, during which he threw his first push tack, but otherwise planing we were not.) Still, so far the clinic was a winner.
The forecast for Sunday morning promised no better on the wind front.
But morning arrived sunny and breezy, with 5.8-6.2 being the general sail call. Some of the freestyle students were trying their luck at loops and trick jibes, Brewster was putting his new board through its paces (a JP 109), and just about everybody cut loose to try out their new windsurfing skills.
When the wind lightened, the freestylers in the clinic rallied around Andy Brandt and Ben, and the windsurfing appeared to devolve into lunacy. While The Mighty Larry Hoff showed off some Gecko Flakas, lesser mortals (led by Jeff) pursued the Gecko Loop. The Gecko Loop falls under the “moped” rule…it’s fun to do but you don’t want anyone to see you doing it. It’s a low and slow faux loop that leaves you laughing at the end…and immediately trying another because you had so much fun! I will try and get video of the move sometime soon, but I’ll have to find someone willing to be videotaped doing one.
(Photos: Headmaster Andy shows boom position in mid-Gyro/Flaka; Students ponder the proposition. Andy instructs, and Larry Hoff observes as Michael tries a Gecko Flaka (I didn’t make it. The photo is from Jeff’s ABK collection.) Strictly for the advanced soul: George Pav receives guidance in the mystic practice of boom boxing. Push away that which you want. Pull what you wish to move away.)
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