With the forecast calling for 30 knots SSW, the plan was to wave sail at Cupsogue. My phone rang as I was loading the van…it was Jon. “The wind is turning…we’re heading for New Suffolk!”
So I began driving to New Suffolk, looking forward to some fine bump and jump on the Peconic. My phone rang as I approached the turnoff…it was The Wolf. “The wind is turning more…we’re going to sail at Iron Pier!”
So I drove to Iron Pier…the wild side-on semi-wavesailing spot on the Long Island Sound. The Wolf once said to me “what’s going to happen to you…you’re on the Sound” but the place always intimidates me.
On the other hand, Iron Pier always an adventure. I may have smashed my ribs here, but I also got my photo in a newspaper catching air here.
On this day the windsurfing was strictly High Wind. I sailed a 4.0 a 3.4, got lots of altitude on several jumps, but sailed away from few. The good news about my jumping is that I’m getting higher. The bad news is that I’m coming down from higher, and find myself distracted (scared?) and amazed by the impending impact of landing. “Sheet out more when you land” Jon advised, as I was getting thrown down by the fully loaded sail. I’ll be trying to keep that thought in mind, and maybe get it to displace the thought that goes “what’s this going to feel like” as I accelerate downward from the air.
(Photo: Jumping at the Pier last fall, taken by Barbaraellen Koch.)
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