2022 - what are some of your memories?

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2022 - what are some of your memories?

Looking back, it's been a fun year on the water. Some amazing memories and adventures. Take a moment and list a few of yours and even though this is the windsurf category, wing and kite is great, too. Add as little or much details and pics as you wish. Share yours. They can be epic adventures, just memories of seeing friends or a favorite post session ritual.

I'll go first.
1- Windfoil Midwinters (March) I'm not really a racer but racing is a great way to push yourself and learn from others. I went down to Jacksonville in March for an expected weekend of windward/leeward, conventional racing. What I got because of the lower wind forecast is a Saturday full of slalom racing. It was an absolute blast. The first couple of races, I hung back not wanting to get into anyone's way but, as the day progressed, I found myself racing others at my level. It's a bit like go-carts: short straightaways and lots of action in the corners. It took four jibes to make the 4-5 minute course and then we'd quickly sail upwind and do it again. By the end of the day, I felt a lot more confident and had a big sense of accomplishment.
2 - Robert's pics. Robert started coming out last spring and snapping pics of us at Van Pugh. Some days were pitiful - almost no wind at all. Some were epic - holding on in 30+ gusts. It was amazing to see it afterwards.
3 - It was only a single session but so it captured so much of the nature of windsport. Neil and I went up in May for a light air session. The wind wasn't really blowing as we rigged but we figured we'd take a shot. We went out and the wind pretty much died so we just sat in the water (literally) for about 10 minutes talking. Then we saw a wind line sneaking down the lake and proceeded to have a couple of hours of wonderful light air sailing with just enough wind to complete jibes and stay on foil. It was a day that promised little, seemed to offer nothing and then deliver delight.
4 - Sailing in Paros with Dimitri. First, I met a whole new world of friends and plunged myself back into a bit of the world I grew up in, speaking the first language I learned. Second, I remember how intimidated I was seeing the deep blue water and stacks of whitecaps the first day. The ignominy of catching a ride back to the beach the second after the wind turned hard offshore. And then keeping at it until I was absolutely comfortable in the biggest conditions I'd ever sailed on the last day - shoulder high swells and 40+ kt winds.

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Langdon
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Re: 2022 - what are some of your memories?

St Pete /Scenic View was my best session Jan 22.
On this trip I started constantly making my jibes which freed up so much energy that I had previously spent getting back up on the foil.
Chasing Webguy in the swell past the sandbar, I cashed back in some of that energy to crank upwind and then relax and ride the swell downwind. Came inside the sandbar where the water was flat to practice jibes as Webguy changed rigs and was ecstatic when the jibe count went into the 20's and then beyond.
This went on for the better part of the day ...maybe 6hrs with only a quick break for lunch.

Smiled most of the way back to Georgia.

I changed sails this year from low aspect Naish Lifts ( which I still like especially in steady conditions) to high aspect Severne foil specific sails. These have work extremely well on Lanier where we have a large difference between base wind speed and the gusts.

I have really enjoyed sailing with everyone this year.
Great group of folks. It is a joy to watch everyone progress .
More for next year !

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Re: 2022 - what are some of your memories?

An odd year for me, and very Hatteras-focused, but still have some great memories. A bad back injury kept me completely off the water for 4 months and I only got in 6 foil sessions this entire year. The odd part is that I got double the amount of windsurfing in. Still not a lot, but when I found wind, it was typically lots of it – 5 separate Hatteras trips helped with that.

1) Spring trip to Hatteras was exceptionally windy. Unfortunately with my back issues, I was only a spectator. I didn’t even bring gear. But hanging out at Canadian Hole with a cooler full of beer was still better than being at work.
2) In Late July, finally able to score several 3.7-4.2 windsurfing sessions at the Canadian Hole. It was really windy!
3) Elizabeth and I became empty-nesters last year, so we threw in a last-minute trip to Hatteras trip in early September. It’s been a few years since she has sailed, but is proud to report that she can still gybe an 85L board in 4.2 wind.
4) Most of my money had been going to foil-specific gear for the last few years, but I got inspired to buy a new windsurfing board in late September (on another Hatteras trip). First new windsurfing board in 15 years. It is a blast to sail!
5) Webguy asked for a favorite post-session ritual. Here we go on our October Hatteras trip. Post-sessions Martinis on the deck.

Fingers crossed for a healthier new year on more time on the water!

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Re: 2022 - what are some of your memories?

Nitro- wow, I can hardly believe your daughter's old enough to have moved out. Bravo to Elizabeth for getting back on board!

1. May at Barrett & Peggy's excellent Hatteras trip (sans Peggy) Sorry 2 Oy did it blow! I sort of remembered how to jibe a little finned board.
2. Learn to Windsurf at LLSC Beach Day in May with new members William and Haizar. (Debi Baber photo)
3. New changing room. Thanks to Gene/Lisa, Channey, David D., William and Rhett for the cool boards!
4. Sunrise at the Endless Summer regatta at Shell Point in October.
5. The 44th Fall Classic (Debi Baber photo).
6. One of the last sessions before the cold snap– decent wind and warm-ish with the usual suspects... closing in on foiling jibes.

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nitro
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Re: 2022 - what are some of your memories?

39 foiling days

Corpus Christi in June
West Dennis, MA in August
9/9 Epic day at Vanns Tavern with Neil and Roland
Ft. Pierce in October with Neil

Looking forward to sailing more in 2023!

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Re: 2022 - what are some of your memories?

Here are some of my water based windsport for 2022.

Here are some of my land based rides.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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Langdon
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Re: 2022 - what are some of your memories?

These are amazing posts. Randy, that video ...

Okay, more memories? You don't have to have 4k video or drone shots, just a note or two about the past year is great. Don't let the awesomeness already posted intimidate you.

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Re: 2022 - what are some of your memories?

Thanks William. Could some are still celebrating the New Year. Yes 3 Or looking forward to the Dogs vs. Frogs Bowl.

What happens in a black hole stays in a black hole.

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