The Peconic Puffin

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

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Got the right gear for tomorrow’s racing?

Photo(7) I’ve heard that windsurfing racing is a gear battle.   But I’ve done better than okay riding an ant-infested, pre-footstrap era, 50-pound white plank, so later for that!  Yet the forecast (currently NW 20-25) for tomorrow’s East Coast Fall Regatta (probably taking place at West Neck Beach) means we’ll be planing, so in addition to my usual collection of freeride gear I’m adding the only board I ever bought for racing.

Behold The Millenium Puffin!

Purchased in 2000 (’cause Andy Brandt told me Techno racing was cool) I’ve never actually raced it.   Sailed it a bit, though, over the last decade.   Tomorrow it shall finally achieve its destiny, with my ultra custom tricked out footstrap arrangement, which is:

Photo(8) Port Forward:  Original Bic
Starboard Forward:  Naish
Port Rear:  F2
Starboard Rear:  JP

Each of these straps has been selected and placed for a specific competitive reason.  Anyone who correctly determines my scheme will win a free subscription to The Peconic Puffin!

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4 responses to “Got the right gear for tomorrow’s racing?”

  1. Jill Avatar
    Jill

    Scheme being BEAT PETE AT ALL COSTS???

    Reply
  2. mike burns Avatar
    mike burns

    Well, as I’m laying awake pondering your grand scheme at 2:30AM, the only thing I can figure is that you plan on starting off on starboard tack. You’ll use the brand new JP strap to be sure you have the ability to push fully on the fin giving you maximum speed ensuring you get to the mark in first place. The Naish strap is there for you to look down at and think about Robby blasting along in his RIP video (He was on starboard tack for that famous shot) You will visualize yourself going as fast as Robby was going and you WILL go fast, you NEED to go fast. Again, just to make sure you are first to the mark. From there, the best I can figure is that as you round the first mark you plan on being run over by Pete who’s fin will dismember your 4 smaller toes on your right foot making the F2 strap in the rear port position a perfect fit for your big toe that remains perfectly intact. Then the Bic strap is there for you to look down at as a constant reminder that your rear foot is in almost as bad shape, becasue of Pete who proceeded to passed you, so you’d better get on it and catch up. Looks like a sure bet for victory!!!
    Have fun tomorrow/today. Wish I could have made it.

    Reply
  3. Bunty Avatar
    Bunty

    Seeing as each probably comes from another era we are talking inspiration from the great stars here. So I would say the Bic one would give you Robert Teritehau dare devil go for it attitude, the F2 one would give you rock solid iron man Dunky strength for the 30knot gusts, the Naish one would help to give you style and the JP one would give you attitude. So put them altogether and watch out West Neck Beach here he comes!

    Reply
  4. the editor Avatar
    the editor

    He isn’t the once and future King of the East for nothing, ladies and gentlemen. Mike Burns figured out my grand scheme, and its futility. Pete is going to cream me, like he always does.
    Honorable mention to Bunty (thanks for your support!) and Jill (who will probably pass me on the water as well.)

    Reply

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