I've never seen so much sand blow at Sebonac before. Still, when the sail recommendations were 3.7-4.2 I rigged the 4.0. Took off, caught one blessed jump, then came back to the sandstorm to add downhaul and outhaul on account of I was nuked. Scott came over to supervise, and immediately said "oh man!"
What was he down about?
The hole in my sail…the hole I hadn't yet spotted. Couldn't tell you how it got there, but the wing was ten years old. Caught a lot of big winds and one newspaper cover with it, but now it was junk. Rig the 3.4!
STILL I was overpowered! Scott cackled with approval at every gust, but it was still glorious to get out there and join the crowd: John Natalie, Frank (said to have launched, sailed two hours nonstop, then quit), the Wolf, Jon Ford (back from Maui), Peconic Jeff, Scott, Kurt Veith, and Christian. I even switched to my thermonuke fin (an 8" slotted wave) which did keep the board in the water better, but I can't ever say I got dialed in. Overpowered 3.4…not my strong suit. But I'm grateful for a December sesh!
(Scott leans into a gust as he prepares to launch. Photo by Jeff Schultz.)
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