Saturday, November 22, 2003
This is the first entry into this journal in Blog form. Earlier entries in this blog were "back-filled" from my notes or my previous journal site, maintained by hand. Blogs are just easier, so perhaps I'll use it more.
After a season of not windsurfing very much, I've been getting several e-mails this week, out of the blue, from people who have read this journal. So I thought it time to both update the Journal (both in content and technology) and to re-think my relationship to windsurfing.
I think I only sailed 2 or 3 times this whole season. First, it was because spring was just too cold for too long along with a sprained ankle. Once those situations resolved, windsurfing just took a back seat to other things going on.
My son David was 5 this summer and old enough to really enjoy playing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and boogie boarding. So, running off for the whole day to sail alone seemed to be missing some pretty prime life opportunities -- like introducing my only child to the wonders of the ocean, and the joy of playing in it. No regrets.
Plus, money has been tight since the crash of 2001. Windsurfing really does suck down the disposable income. New toys and clothes, lessons, transportation -- these all cost money and I've got to devote what I've got to other higher priority purposes for the time being.
There have been some not great happenings at my primary sailing spot -- Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars, NJ. First of all, ABK skipped Harvey Cedars completely this year. There goes my low-cost clinic (since I can use my own equipment and lodge for free). So, no clinic for me this year. Second, Island Surf & Sail seems way more kiteboarding-oriented. I don't blame them, gotta follow the fun and money. Third, I didn't see many of the Sunset Park regulars this summer even when I was there, so maybe others have similar issues. None of this is bad or even discouraging; just signs of change or some decline in windsurfing popularity on LBI.
And none of this diminishes my love of windsurfing -- I still yearn to get out there. I can't wait until my son is old enough to learn . . . .
After a season of not windsurfing very much, I've been getting several e-mails this week, out of the blue, from people who have read this journal. So I thought it time to both update the Journal (both in content and technology) and to re-think my relationship to windsurfing.
I think I only sailed 2 or 3 times this whole season. First, it was because spring was just too cold for too long along with a sprained ankle. Once those situations resolved, windsurfing just took a back seat to other things going on.
My son David was 5 this summer and old enough to really enjoy playing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and boogie boarding. So, running off for the whole day to sail alone seemed to be missing some pretty prime life opportunities -- like introducing my only child to the wonders of the ocean, and the joy of playing in it. No regrets.
Plus, money has been tight since the crash of 2001. Windsurfing really does suck down the disposable income. New toys and clothes, lessons, transportation -- these all cost money and I've got to devote what I've got to other higher priority purposes for the time being.
There have been some not great happenings at my primary sailing spot -- Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars, NJ. First of all, ABK skipped Harvey Cedars completely this year. There goes my low-cost clinic (since I can use my own equipment and lodge for free). So, no clinic for me this year. Second, Island Surf & Sail seems way more kiteboarding-oriented. I don't blame them, gotta follow the fun and money. Third, I didn't see many of the Sunset Park regulars this summer even when I was there, so maybe others have similar issues. None of this is bad or even discouraging; just signs of change or some decline in windsurfing popularity on LBI.
And none of this diminishes my love of windsurfing -- I still yearn to get out there. I can't wait until my son is old enough to learn . . . .
