Sunday, May 28, 2006
Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars, NJ
I did it. I finally got out and sailed. Unbelievable, and wonderful. It was Sunday, May 28, 2006. The basics: got up, checked the wind, packed everything up. Was on the road by 10:00 and on the water at Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars by 11:00. Dad tagged along, probably because sailing alone isn't the best idea. The wind had died down from like 20 knots to about 12 by the time I hit the water. Since I hadn't sailed at all since Sept. '05, this was not a bad thing.
Man, I'm out of shape. I've gained back 20 (25?) pounds since '03. My sailing muscles have atrophied. My arms are weak. I've got the lower back of a, well, 44 year old. But, I take it easy. No uphauling. Conservative jibes. The tacking chops start to come back after 45 minutes of practice. It is, as always, unbelievably mind-clearing and body-invigorating just to be on the water. I take a run out to the Intracoastal and back. The noon whistle blows. Lunch break!!
There are no other windsurfers to be seen. The summer people aren't on LBI yet, but c'mon. It is peak sailing season, and a fine wind. I guess the old Sunset Park crew has dispersed. After lunch, another windsurfer buzzes around the cove. Two kitesurfers are messing around the point. That's it. Lots of jetskis. Some entertainment as we watch the clueless try to launch them, and watch some folks with too much money and not enough sense beach a runabout with the tide going out, and then take off for parts unknown. When they come back, they wonder why the boat is stuck. Duh. Always some folly to watch there.
OK, enough lunch. Back on the water for another 45 minutes until my arms tell me it is time to quit. The wind has been patchy, or maybe it's just my rusty technique. It started ENE, and swung ESE, just like iWindsurf said it would. I pack up and wait for Laurie to show up with the van. I take a swim in the channel while we wait; with a shorty on, the swimming is just fine, thanks.
Just what the doctor ordered. Hope to be back soon.
I did it. I finally got out and sailed. Unbelievable, and wonderful. It was Sunday, May 28, 2006. The basics: got up, checked the wind, packed everything up. Was on the road by 10:00 and on the water at Sunset Park, Harvey Cedars by 11:00. Dad tagged along, probably because sailing alone isn't the best idea. The wind had died down from like 20 knots to about 12 by the time I hit the water. Since I hadn't sailed at all since Sept. '05, this was not a bad thing.
Man, I'm out of shape. I've gained back 20 (25?) pounds since '03. My sailing muscles have atrophied. My arms are weak. I've got the lower back of a, well, 44 year old. But, I take it easy. No uphauling. Conservative jibes. The tacking chops start to come back after 45 minutes of practice. It is, as always, unbelievably mind-clearing and body-invigorating just to be on the water. I take a run out to the Intracoastal and back. The noon whistle blows. Lunch break!!
There are no other windsurfers to be seen. The summer people aren't on LBI yet, but c'mon. It is peak sailing season, and a fine wind. I guess the old Sunset Park crew has dispersed. After lunch, another windsurfer buzzes around the cove. Two kitesurfers are messing around the point. That's it. Lots of jetskis. Some entertainment as we watch the clueless try to launch them, and watch some folks with too much money and not enough sense beach a runabout with the tide going out, and then take off for parts unknown. When they come back, they wonder why the boat is stuck. Duh. Always some folly to watch there.
OK, enough lunch. Back on the water for another 45 minutes until my arms tell me it is time to quit. The wind has been patchy, or maybe it's just my rusty technique. It started ENE, and swung ESE, just like iWindsurf said it would. I pack up and wait for Laurie to show up with the van. I take a swim in the channel while we wait; with a shorty on, the swimming is just fine, thanks.
Just what the doctor ordered. Hope to be back soon.
