From Windsurfing to Longboarding

Sambo completed the no-surf weekend with some longboard skateboarding on Sunday courtesy of a loan from NC Board Rider's quiver.  First session was a warm up on the flats with Abby pulling me with her leash.  Second session I was drawn to the big hill, working my way up to the top as I kept loosening the trucks for carving to control the speed.    

No Surf, No Problem

 
NC Board Rider Ralph and I windsurfed Saturday in excellent winter conditions at Belews Lake.  Strong SW winds, warm air, and relatively warm water made it a fun day.  Abs joined us and behaved except for stealing and tearing to pieces Ralph's boxers and socks while he was changing into his wetsuit.

We All Need to Play More - Great Article

I think all of us who surf already know these truths, but this article really brings it home and to the forefront of my consciousness:


The Key to Happiness: A Taboo for Adults?

Some quotes from the article:

We're at our happiest when we're involved in engaging leisure activities.

There are few things more important to your happiness than frequent doses of play.

It's not about the end, but the experience. 

Play is the world of the spontaneous that is home to real knowledge.

Play isn't a character defect; it's the builder of character, developing persistence, competence, mastery and social skills that take us beyond perceived limitations.

Contrary to stereotype, engaged play is the gateway not to time-wasting, but to times that let you contact deeper realms.

It's the coming together of mind, body, and spirit.  It's one of the highest of all highs.

Snowboarding Video

Time for a new video editor.

When you're blessed with 8 inches of fresh powder, you go snowboarding

We got up early Sunday morning and headed out through the back country for some unauthorized, out-of-bounds virgin powder snowboarding on Federal government property.  Abs had the time of her life.

Lightnin Hopkins Plays the Blues

Goin' Down Slow

Disc Retriever

Abs having fun with the disc.

My First Day Windsurfing

NC Boardrider Ralph and his lovely wife invited me up to Belews Creek Windsurfing Club for my first shot at windsurfing.  With his excellent instruction I learned to tack, jibe, run downwind, and enjoy a great new sport.  So now I've got that going for me, which is nice.  :)

Pro Windsurfer and Master Instructor Ralph

Ralph cranking on the formula board with a 9.5 m sail.

Belews Creek Windsurfing 11/27/10

Equipment

 

Ralph set me up on the HiFly with a 5.8 meter sail.  Wind was North 12-18 which was perfect for learning.

Sunset

We didn't want the session to end.

Oh Yeah

The 9'2 Paddle Surf Hawaii All Arounder in the pocket

Looking for a ride on the tunnel of love

Amazing live performance by Marc Knopfler and Dire Straits

Surfing with Dolphins Video

Some dolphins came by and showed us how to surf with style.

The Seeker

I asked Bobby Dylan, I asked the Beatles,
I asked Timothy Leary, but he couldn't help me either
They call me the seeker
I've been searching low and high
I'll keep on looking for a wave, til the day I die.

Coolest Locals Ever

We went up to New River Inlet on Saturday and surfed for six hours with the coolest group of locals you will ever encounter.  Surfing with dolphins.  Enjoy the pictures.

Surfing with Dolphins

Archangel?

And there appeared to us a mighty being who shone like the sun, gliding across the water with a gold paddle, watching over us and the dolphins

Saturday 11/13/10

NC Boardrider Ralph doing a soulful bottom turn on a big left at New River Inlet.