The Peconic Puffin

A blog about a group of windsurfers and other water sports enthusiasts, and their friends. Established 1993.

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My Footstraps Are Dry

Anybody who has ever seen me derig has probably noticed that I wipe down my boards with a towel after each session.   "That's love!" I've heard more than a few people comment.   I reply that I'm not pampering  the boards, but that I'm trying to keep the inside of my van from becoming a mildewed rust bucket.  The one thing you can't really dry are the footstraps…those absorbent little puppies resist my efforts (I give them a squeeze with a towel anyway.)

Dryboards
I've been fortunate in that over the last few years I've been able to get on the water almost any time it's been windy.   Consequently I've always had at least one wet set of footstraps in the van for well over a year.   Until now.  My gear is bone dry…even the footstraps.

(Photo:  "We wanna come out and play!" cries my gear.)

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8 responses to “My Footstraps Are Dry”

  1. Bunty Avatar
    Bunty

    As much as I sympathise with you for your long ‘drought’, it is nice to hear that others are experiencing what we have been going thru for around the past couple of years! Our windsurfing time on the water has dropped by at least half over the past two years……….I am waiting for this trend to end. It is quite expensive if we have to travel abroad everytime we want to windsurf!! IF that time comes we will have to pack up our boards cos there is no way we can afford to do that!!

    Reply
  2. Mike Burns Avatar
    Mike Burns

    Lets hope the law of averages works out and the fall is twice as windy as normal.

    Reply
  3. Dennis Avatar
    Dennis

    I second Mike Burns’ sentiment, except I have less time to sail in the fall, being a teacher. Anyway, I know most people don’t like to do this, but I have gotten out twice in the past week, (planing a bit) on really big gear – 9.8 sail, Exocet Pacer hybrid board. Going upwind railing on the dagger is not nearly as good as planing on a shorboard, but has its own appeal, at least to me.

    Reply
  4. Frank Messina Avatar
    Frank Messina

    I am taking my Van back to Quigley the week of the 25th. I need some work done on the four wheel drive and I have had bad luck with my former mechanic. Quigley is in PA, but they do such great work, it’s worth the trip. And so, you can expect epic conditions that week. Thank god we had as good a spring as we did.

    Reply
  5. Michael Avatar
    Michael

    Dennis…I’m tempted to get myself a bigger rig (and the Puffin gets plenty of comments of rigging XL sails!)
    Frank…I covet your van, so please do get it fixed and maxed out, that I might aspire…

    Reply
  6. Bruce Avatar
    Bruce

    Keeping your equipment clean and dry seems rather important. I don’t use a van, but a S.U.V. However, I empty it out after every session, washing all the equipment I used and drying it before the next outing. Since I travel a lot down dirt roads to gain access, I often hose my vehicle down after a session and vac the interior. You always take a better approach to sport if you have clean and proper gear. You may not have the space to unload your equipment and store it, but keeping the van clean and dry seems a no brainer.

    Reply
  7. Jon Avatar
    Jon

    Micheal time for SUP. The SUP is the perfect compliment for windsurfing during these times in the doldrums. You’ll find yourself hoping for light winds and small to medium surf. Wow – did I really just say that?

    Reply
  8. Robert Avatar
    Robert

    Well the phenomenon of no wind this season seems to be a world wide one. Back home in Austria the number of days with planing conditions was also quite neglectable this summer.
    Being on a trip in the states I also visited Long Island but no difference. Next stop was Cape Cod / Hyannis / Kalmus Beach on Sunday. And there it was.
    Blue Sky. Wind. Whitecaps. People on sailboards actually P L A N I N G. It still exists. Blessed country. If there had been any rental station …

    Reply

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