Just in case you’re jonesing too.
... from the Rogue jetty and the Cape early in October for another project. But that’s on hold for now and I’m sure we’ll have more coming in for that. So I’m pleased to grind you with what are at least in my eyes, these rather tasty shots from Nancy Pruitt’s most recent windsurfing shoot. And my apologies for not only holding out on you, but for not hitting it any harder than I was. Pretty as these conditions were. It was tough sailing and from my journal entries, I was embarrassed I didn’t make more of those waves and of having a photographer on hand. But in my defense, injuries leading to a rather low confidence factor have conspired to obligate a more conservative attack of late.
I’d been saving this little flashback ...
“And it never feels the same. Alway the challenges are new. The rewards, the lessons, the joy, seemingly endless.”
-Max Shredroom
It was one of those “but it was windy when I pulled up” situations. The waves were looking quite ridable, bordering on ultra sweet. Yet the wind was pulling back as I rigged. So I walked the beach almost to the jetty and bobed out, but the 5.3 wasn’t nearly enough to hang at the most excellent right peeling off the jetty. I’d gotten a couple waves, both of which you see here, but lost too much ground to stand a chance of making it against the current without walking the beach every time I rode a wave. And it seemed to be getting lighter.
Sure it was a gamble to leave such pretty waves, but I pulled down the 5.3, tossed everything in the van and drove the dozen or so miles to the Cape in my suit to find it was not only still blowing, but blowing solid 4.2. Sand lifting over the entire beach. Till nearly sunset. Ahhhh the Cape. It really is another world over the hill.
And while I’ve been holding out for my next chance to redeem myself, the opportunities lately have been fleeting or up on the North coast. Sure I got a little Bandon jetty on the last storm but I’m still jonesing for some real satisfaction. Yeah, and it really is feeling like winter already. There’s a bit of a chill in the air, it’s dark by five thirty and I’m back to sailing alone most the time. But I love it that the waves have returned and I really don’t mind the winters out here. I love the port tack sailing. I love the relatively mild temperatures. And I love it that it never snows here on the coast. Sure I sail less this time of year, but some of the days I do get border on epic. So it’s way worth the beatdowns, the rain pelting the side of my face, the fleeting opportunities and the shorter days. Did I mention that the waves are back. Indeed, it’s been pumping for the last month and a half without much pause and it seems as if this El Nino smiles on us that way. Ahora solo un poco más de viento por favor.
It's further cause for celebration that the dead seal which had been harshing our mellow at the Cape since late this Summer is gone. Happily, some high tides with swell finally came and cleared it off the beach awhile back for yet another good omen. Yeah. Stoke prevails and I’m feeling super optimistic about the odds of catching some unspeakably sweet sessions in the coming seasons. And I’ll be looking forward to sharing them with you either in person or here on the report page of Boardhead International.
In closing, let me also send so much more gratitude out to Nancy for all her efforts to step up her photography so large and for supporting this flog with her most excellent submissions.
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These shots happen to be from the very next day at where else but one of my very favorite places to sail, the Cape. Sure they may look a lot like so many of the other days you’ve seen us out sailing at this spot, but for me, it just keeps getting better.
And I wish I could take more credit for that. But so much gratitude is due for all the insane progress the crews at Chinook, Dakine, Goya, Nolimitz, Promotion and Quatro have been making with the gear I’ve been riding. Huge.
It’s not like I get very much feedback on the megazine.
So when I do, it’s even more likely to get my attention. In this case, the word was the shots on this flog all look the same. Yeah, that kind of shook me into wondering if I really was wearing it out. Is it all the photos of the guy on the white and black Goyas? Perhaps I’m just far too biased to make an effective editor for this? Hey I’d love to get you some shots of Maui or Cabo Verde or Baja or where ever else. But I regret to inform that Boardhead International had no travel budget again this year and I’ll be lucky if I get back to Hatteras for a visit next Fall. So Pistol and some of the other local spots are what I have.
Not that I won’t be doing my best to throw down some new angles along with more meaningful story and ever more useful ideas. Hey I even added a blue sail to the quiver. In the mean time though, how about a little something to help keep you thinking about your next trip to the south coast.
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