Just wanted to pass on some information of a friend of mine who took his own life in Colorado this past week. Dont know why I am telling you, just wanted to pass on his story.
Many knew him for his passion for life, windsurfing, mountain biking and any other exterme sport. Chuck was an avid windsurfer who would spend a month in Hatteras, work for 6 months, then sail South Africa, work for 3 months, then sail New Zealand.......and so on. We all lived a little through Chuck. Everyone in my sailing community (Rochester, NY) all owned one of Chucks boards from time to time.
Chuck apparently struggled from Bi-polar disease. I know nothing of this disease, just that it took the life of someone who I loooked up to (and still do) with great admiration for the sport. Just funny how someone who I wish I could sail like, wish I could be in as good shape as he is, wish I had the travel log that he did.......Could be so unhappy to take his own life. I know none of you probably met Chuck, but windsurfing has lost a great freind and inspiration to the sport. Please check out some photos of my old sailing scene from Rochester, NY. Thanks for listening, Trey
Sorry for your loss!
Sorry Trey. Sounds like he was an interesting guy. Rochester looks windy-- all small stuff in the photos.
Most of the pictures with waves are Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Great place to sail with tons of wind and waves in spring and fall. With a lake like Erie, the south west wind sets up and builds waves all the way down the lake some 200 plus miles. We have had several days with 10 foot waves there. I must say I miss those days. Fresh water, good wind, and plenty of waves. May possibly head to Costa Rica in Jan or Feb. Need to get some time on the water. Trey
What a loss indeed. Found out today a friend of ours lost a boyfriend to the same disorder. So sorry.
We need some wind here in Georgia since it's nice and hot. It's about time for another session...
Mimi
Because we are "family".
Don't be taken aback if it takes you awhile to ... get on with things. I lost a best friend a couple of years back and it really takes the gas out of you longer than one might expect. Not that I sat around with boxes of Kleenex but you find that sunny days don't seem quite so sunny for a while - and that's okay.
The depression side of bipolar or on it's own can be difficult to understand for those who don't have it and even those who do. And with bipolar, it's even more deceiving because of the contrast of the manic side of someone full of energy and life. Our normal experience has a hard time reconciling both sides of the same person.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm
Thanks for sharing - our thoughts are with you, his friends and family.
Trey - That's a heavy load, brother. But it sounds like your friend squeezed a fair share of juice out of his time. You never expect a water person or a Harley rider to get the cosmic blues - never see their cars in the psychiatrist's parking lot anyway. Don't let it eat you though - just get in a lap or two for him when you can get on the water. Best to you . . .
Not to change tracks - but you need to come see your mother-in-law before you head to Costa Rica. I know you get skunked everytime you come to HHI, but I swear I sailed 20 days in June and then 9 days straight in July starting the day AFTER I ran into you on the beach. Had 2 sessions just yesterday - 5.8 around noon and 6.5 for the sunset. You don't even need to haul your gear - just bring a hook.
Thanks for the link to Rochester. I may be heading there on biz later this month and may have to try to mooch a ride from one of the regulars. Hang in there . . .