No Woman No Cry

Said I remember when we used to sit

on the motel porch in Avon,

enjoy-enjoying the summer breeze

as it blew soothingly through the night.

And then georgie would make the fire lights,

as it was sweet herb burning through the night.

And then we would tell our windsurf stories,

of which I'll share with you.

My board is my only carriage,

so I've got to plane on through.

but while I'm gone, I mean

Everything's gonna be all right.

Everything's gonna be all right.

 

Heard this song played live by two excellent musicians as we sat outdoors at the Avon Motel July 4th party.  I made up a few lyrics to go along with it.  Avon is a very special place for this windsurfer.  There is nothing like sitting outside at night and enjoying the warm southwest breeze after a great day of windsurfing.

Racing with the Wind - Raw

Canadian Hole Windsurfing

 

I did some carving jibes and Ralph did some incredible jumps and carves.

Racing with the Wind - Music

Ralph, Abby and I rolled up to Canadian Hole Friday about 2:00pm. The wind filled in real nice for the rest of the weekend.

The Republican Wreckage

The Republican Wreckage - Click Here

First Wave Sailing on the Exocet Cross 104

 

Winds were 20 and gusty with the 4.7 Ezzy Wave sail at Ramp 30.  Although it looks benign, "This ain't no kiddie pool."

Hatteras Highlights

1.  Did my first carving jibe and a couple more.  First was on the 138 Twinser going starboard to port.  The next two were on the Cross 104 going port to starboard.  Now I ain't sayin they was purty, but I carved in and made it around without falling or dropping the sail.  This was only my fourth or fifth session working on them, so as you can imagine, I'm totally stoked and looking forward to getting better at it.

2.  Got a great used 2010 Exocet Cross III 104.  Everybody at Hatteras has a Cross.  This board is smoother than Keith Stone.

3.  Had the full Hatteras beach break down experience and survived pretty well.  The fuel pump on the Tahoe quit as soon as I hit the beach strand at Canadian Hole to try my new Cross.  Did not get to windsurf that first day.  Tow from the beach to parking lot $150.  Tow to Avon Motel to unload all my windsurfing gear $50.  Fuel pump installed the next day $500.  I can't complain.  Makes me appreciate the times when all my stuff is working.

4.  Free fourth of July pig pickin and live music at the venerable Avon Motel and Cottages.  They've got everything you need and nothin you don't.  And you never know who you're going to meet there.  We had a great crew for the week.

5.  Abby accompanied me for the second time and did great.  She is becoming a real Hatteras Island veteran.  She absolutely loves to chase minnows in the Pamlico Sound while I windsurf.  She got to meet Gus, the Canadian Irish Setter.  Gus is the only boy I would let Abby date.

6.  SW winds all week.  Although I missed great wind on Monday, Friday turned out really good from about 3 to 5.  The wind filled in real nice at a solid 23 to 25.  Got to sail in these great conditions with The Dude for a couple of hours on my new Cross 104 and a 4.7 perfectly powered.  Got a taste of speed during one of the gusts, easily 5- 8 mph faster than I've ever been.  I thought I was going to land in Swanquarter in about 2 minutes.

7.  Made the first helitack that I attempted on the Cross 104.  Got my quick tacks down pretty good also.

Hatteras Immersion

What began as a two day trip to pick up a board turned into an epic five day adventure on Hatteras Island.  As the locals like to say, "the wind filled in real nice."  Much more to write from this trip.  Here are a few pictures for Ralph Man who got me hooked on this windsurfing thing.

 

Sometimes there's a man... I won't say a hero, 'cause what's a hero? But sometimes, there's a man – and I'm talkin' about the Dude here – sometimes, there's a man, well, he's the man for his time and place. He fits right in there. And that's the Dude.  The Dude abides.  I don't know about you but I take comfort in that.  It's good knowing he's out there.

 

I saw a Irish Setter from Quebec hanging out at Canadian Hole, and his hair was perfect. 

The Exocet Cross III 104.  Always smooth, like Keith Stoned.