20th December 2008

The Summer is Gone.

It looks like the summer is truly gone and the winter is on our doorsteps. It is hard to get motivated when the temperature outside is 3 degrees! Here is a little slide show of my summer. Time for another cup of tea.

How Was it For You?

Boards mag was way better this month! Carlos, Trish, Fionn and myself had our mugs printed on page 128 as part of an article written by local sailor Sue Honan. Here is a small segment of the article.

The great thing about windsurfing is that everyone has a different experience of the same day at the same sailing spot. There you are having a survival session while someone else is just grooving along enjoying the view. It makes for good conversation afterwards while you're having a smoker and a strawberry Yop (THE best sailing food) in the van. Maybe later in the pub you can compare more notes with others who were out. Windsurfers love to recount their session to understanding souls, and we listen and feel your joy -and sometimes your pain! Sailing on your own (yes, we all do it at some stage) obviously reduces the opportunity to share. This is a problem if you have a non-windsurfing partner (NOWP), because NOWPs simply do-not-understand-you. It's a windsurfing fact. You come home massively excited about a session and start gabbling on about how it was the best sesh ever and you should have been there "cos it was mast-high [okay, over my knees] and it was really windy - at least Force 5 in a couple of gusts maybe - and I caught this in-cred-ible wave [all 30cm of it] and I sailed so fast and made three gybes and all my tacks were dry".

The Turbo Tunnel has Landed.

I had a good session today at Malahide on my 5-0. I landed most of my vulcans and had a few long sliding ones. I will have to root out my hat and open palm gloves tonight as the temperature has taking a dip over the last few days.

I came across this fin in a surf magazine. The turbo tunnel fin. It is designed like a sail and works by redirecting the water coming in the front of it. They claim that it increases speed over a normal fin and will turn better. I couldn't find any ref of windsurfers using them.

I'm currently working on a booster cape to be worn around the neck that will help me learn to Spock! I reckon with my cape and a turbo fin i could probably take over the world!

Last Orders for Evening Session

The clock goes back an hour tonight and with it the chance for most people to have a quick evening windsurf session. So make the most of this long weekend if you can. I had a good session today and also my first time on my JP 68l twinser. It was a bit of work in the lulls on a 4.5 but great when the wind was up. It really does turn very fast on the tail. Can’t wait to sail on it again!

News Flash – Windsurfer Attacked by Crows!

Earlier this week local sailor Oisin Van Gelderen became the innocent victim of a malicious attack from a flock of adolescent crows. One bystander said that the crows had been gathering in the trees at Kilcrea and didn’t seem happy with the freestyle action going on. One crow expert said that the crows might have mistaken Oisin's new Neil Pryde 'fly' sail with the Brazilian colours as an aggressive spinning tree.

Partners of windsurfers are recommended to keep there windsurfing other half in over Halloween to avoid repeat incidences.
If you do feel the urge to go sailing experts recommend you to keep your hair short in order to avoid nesting and bring a sliced pan!

And remember. Beware the Crows of Kilcrea!

Small Leap for Mankind

Sorry, I haven’t been blogging much in the past few days. Busy with a sore throat, cold and loads of windsurfing. Hope you are all having fun on the water this week. No point complaining about the cold cause it's only going to get colder from here on in!

Churchill's Windsurfing Quote of the Day

I came across this Churchill quote in a magazine . " Success is the ability to go from one failure to another, with no loss of enthusiasm." Thats pretty much how i view windsurfing. So what if you can't do it now, keep trying with the same enthusiasm and some day it will happen. And remember, lifes about fun!

Merry Christmas - Time for the presents!

Dear Santa.

Thanks for the new Neil Pryde Fire Fly 6.1 that I got today from surfdock to replace my Expression 6.1. Great looking sail and i'm told that its super to sail. Can't wait! Think i'll be going for a light wind session tomorrow. I also ordered an Jp Australlia 84L twinser wave board. Should have it in a couple of weeks. Yes, I was a good boy all year and deserve these new toys.

p.s Sorry about the vid not working at the moment. Something got to do with you tube, Blogger or the matrix imploding!

Caesar Finies - Bonaire- Light Wind Freestyle

Looks like another day for the bike. No wind. Not even a breeze. Maybe it will improve later, just enough for a light wind session. Here is another clip of Caesar Finies showing what can be done in lighter winds.

Shed Biking

No sailing today. I spent the evening in the shed trying to balance on the bike. Here is a move called the Lawn Mower. I managed to get into the position but cant get out of it yet.

Not Bad for October

Today I sailed at Rush beach. I had an enjoyable session on my 5m combat and 91L JP freestyle. There were only two windsurfers on the water and plenty of kites. My back survived the session after tweaking it last week. The sun was shining and one kiter was out in a pair of shorts and rash vest! Not bad for October.

Shove-its and Slam Gybes

It’s great to have a week of wind at last. I had some fun on Monday and Wednesday trying to learn ‘Shove-its’ on the estuary. I managed to kick the tail out a couple of times. Most of the time I didn’t even leave the water and took a dip. One attempt on Monday I over rotated the tail and landed clew first switch stance. I managed to flip the sail and continue the other direction.
As a bonas from trying Shove-its I also figured out how to slam gybe when overpowered. I hope this will come in handy in waves. The downside to the week is that I tweaked my back a bit from all the twisting so today I gave it a rest.

Here is Ricardo showing how it should be done.

Thank God it's Windy!

‘Africus’ the god of south west winds did well today. We had a good session at kilcrea. Most of us rigged 5m which worked well most of the time. Oisin and Carlos were buzzing around on there new Neil Pryde ‘Flys’. Carlos got his in purple and was looking as cool as prince. Looks like tomorrow will be even better.

Clear the Cobwebs from your Footstraps

Jonas and myself went to Malahide for a light wind session today. We practised clew first helitacks and clew first upwind 360s. I managed a triple sail spin yesterday taking my back hand off for the second two spins. Good fun!

The van is packed and ready for tomorrow. Better clear the cobwebs from my footstraps. Looks like i'm going to need them. Don’t let me down Mr Wind Guru!

We Want Wind! We Want Wind!

No wind this week. Next week should be better. I spent yesterday evening fitting a back brake to the bike. It took about three hours as I had to drill, tap and fit gyro tabs and a gyro system to allow the handlebars to swivel. I have it set up now and working. Fingers crossed!

Six Ways to Park a Bike!

Today I brought the bike over to Skerries. Oisin wanted to give it a try. Here is what we got up to. All teeth are still in place!









Oisin won a rosette for this trick. The flying Seagull!


One leg, no hands. Yes I'm proud of this!



Spin those bars!

Light wind Wave Riding

Yesterday I had a light wind session at Malahide estuary. Good fun until I put a hole in my expression 6.1. I repaired it last night as I taught we might get some northerly wind for a sail today.

I met up with Oisin in Skerries for a sail in the afternoon but the wind wasn’t strong enough. We decided to go out anyway and catch some small waves coming in. Oisin was on an S.U.P with his new Fire Fly 6.1 (nice sail). I was on my JP freestyle 100l with my repaired 6.1. It was a fun session trying sail 360s on the wave, clew and fin first on the wave, sailing backwinded etc

.

Check out the picture above. It shows why windsurfers and Kiters dont mix too well!

Turn that Off and go Outside. Its Sunny!

Wow! It’s a nice day today. I’m meeting Jonas at Kilcrea for three o’clock for some light wind sailing. Think ill bring the shorty. Hmm, the water might not be so warm. Maybe ill leave the shorty.

(update)
Jonas and myself ended up sailing at Skerries expecting a non-planing session. There was a steady sea breeze and I could see what looked like stronger wind over towards Shenick island so I sailed over and ended up having a nice session planing into the flat water bay of shenick island on my 6.1 expression. Perfect for practicing freestyle.

Bike Fun

I haven’t windsurfed in a week due to the lack of wind. The last few evenings I have been in the shed prasticing different rolling balance positions on the bike. It’s very hard to get used too but I am making some progress each evening.

I managed to fork glide a few times. This is where you start riding as normal and spin on the handlebars till you are facing backwards standing on the front fork pegs. I also tried a tailwhip foot jam. This is where you jam your foot in the front forks, Endo onto the front wheel while spinning the frame 360 degrees around the front forks. I’m making some sense of it but haven’t landed back on the bike. Could be a while!

Check out sakata seiji showing how it should be done.

Who say’s you have to grow old!

This is for anyone who thinks they are too old to learn new windsurf moves. Check out this 70 year old windsurfer trying to improve at the Quiksilver Windsurf School in El Tur, spring 2008. He tried chop hop, upwind 360 and vulcans!

No Wind - Lets Roll

Day one on the bike was interesting. Definitely beats going to the gym. I went over the handlebars within five minutes! First I tried some endos into rolling backwards and some bar spins. Had some success with both. At the moment I’m trying to get comfortable rolling forward on the front pegs facing the saddle. Easier said than done.

New Bike Arrived

Yesterday I sailed at Rush. It was heavy going. I was on a 4.5 and over powered most of the time. I should have rigged a bit smaller as I felt old this morning when I got up. When I got home my flatland bike had arrived in the post.

Today I decided to skip sailing, rest the body and try and figure out how to assemble a bike. Cant wait to go over the handle bars!!

Back to Work (video)

I’m back to work this week after two months off. On Sunday I sailed at Portmarnock first and at Skerries in the afternoon. There were plenty of people out on both beaches enjoying the waves. Looks like there might be some wind tomorrow. I hope to get out after work.
I came across a flatland BMX video of a guy doing his new trick called 'Galvatron'. Name taken from transformers. Looks cool!

Check it out

The Lonely Man (video)

Yesterday there was a strong west southwesterly wind early in the day. I went to Kilcrea to check it out in the evening after work. The wind and anyone who sailed it had gone!

Check it out

Kilcrea Light (video)

Not much wind again yesterday. Jonas and my self went for a light wind session at Kilcrea. There was only about 10 knots. Anyway I left the camera rolling in the van. Here is what we got.

Check it out

Zero Wind = DIY

Not much wind this week, even for a light wind session. So today I put my boom back together. I got it regriped in the UK a couple of weeks ago. They did a neat job. I then washed Rush beach off the van and continued on to the car and then the house, windows, front door, drains! Etc.

Looks like much the same weather for the weekend. I might try and get out on the landboard tomorrow.

Check out this guy on his Buhala board.

Not quite Sotavento

Yesterday I sailed at Kilcrea. I didn’t get out till four. The wind was a bit light but enough for 6 metre. I practised some vulcans, conca tacks, upwind 360 diablo and worked on finding the position for jumping into a shaka. I enjoyed the short session and have a sore shoulder today from sheeting in hard.

On another note, Oisin posted a Video he put together of footage he shot while in Fuerteventura a couple of weeks back.
Theres about 80 moves from the World's best freestylers as they practise and compete in the final day of the Sotavento Freestyle World Cup.

Check it out on the surfdock website or click the link below.

www.surfdock.ie/docknews.php

Rush Wave Session Today

I had a good sail today. Tom, Oisin, Tricia, Bill, a few others and myself sailed at the south beach Rush. It was 5-metre weather with some nice waves building. I seem to be making some progress with my starboard gybes in waves. I managed to plane out of a couple which is new for me in waves. It doesn’t help that I have been trying vulcans on starboard tack for the last year.

I wasn’t too adventurous today but did enjoy the ramps. Tom practised some cutbacks and vulcans. Oisin went through his list of loops, flakas, wave riding etc and a nice 360 on the wave.
Hope we get some wind tomorrow.

Goodnight!

For Sale

A friend of mine is selling his board. See below for details.

‘2005’ JP Australia Freestyle 100 PRO EDITION Inc board bag

€499. (Good condition)
Original price €1,499

Contact: Tom - 0874114554
Email: tom.slomski@yahoo.co.uk

Developed jointly by the triple world freestyle champion Ricardo Campello and Werner Gnigler,The only board on the market, that wins Pro Freestyle competitions and is still a great beginner short board.

*super easy to sail
*big speed potential
*very stable during moves
*great carving and jumping

Length: 241 cm
Width: 64.5 cm
Volume: 100 litres
Weight: 5.9 kg PRO Edition
Fin: (PowerBox) FS
Shaper: W. Gnigler
Sails: 4.7 – 7.2

PRO EDITION TECHNOLOGY
*Foot Pad
*Double Heel Pad
*Full Carbon Standing Area on top of the Wood
*Wood Heel Reinforcements
*Full Carbon Standing Area underneath the Wood
*E.P.S. Core
*Carbon / Kevlar Deck
*Glass Bridge
*Carbon Rail
*Sandwich with Full Carbon Bottom

Shaking that Ass!

Yesterday I went for a sail at Malahide. The wind was light so ended up practising some light wind freestyle.
Oisin had a new waterproof camera/video recorder that he bought from surfdock. Comes with loads of different mounts and records an hour of video. Anyway Oisin managed to capture my good side in the picture above!

Shenick Island Skerries

Had a good session yesterday. The sun was out and the wind southeasterly. Kidge, Oisin and myself went for a sail in Skerries. Rigged 5.0 – 5.3 sails on 90l JP freestyle boards. We sailed upwind to Shenick island where we spent most of the time sailing into the bay into almost mirror flat water. Perfect for practising freestyle. We also sailed upwind from Shenick to catch some waves coming in.

Rock Star (video)

Yesterday I became a Rockstar. No I didn’t take up singing. I ended up on the rocks twice! while sailing at Low Rock Malahide. All part of the learning curve i guess. Kidge, Stiffy, Oisin, Dave, Sideshow and myself turned up for the session. Strong south-easterly winds and non-stop rain were the order of the day. The waves were well spaced and ready to be ridden. Sails rigged were 3.7 - 4.5

Check out the action

Low Rock from Andrew Radley on Vimeo.

Good Weather for Ducks

Good weather for ducks today but no wind. Keeping busy doing a bit of D.I.Y around the house. I should have my bike next week. I am looking forward to trying some tricks.
Just got a text that the Trickionary book two is in stock in Surfdock. I have book one and its a must have for anyone wanting to improve there windsurfing. Covers everything from waterstarting to a Gozzada Spock 900!

On another note, last weekend the Prova Cup flatland BMX competition took place in Japan. Hiro Morizaki came first. Those guys sure know how to spin.

Check out the action.

Value for Money

Another session at Kilcrea today. There were a lot of people on the water. The wind was very up and down with people rigging anything from 4.7 to 7.5! I rigged my combat 5.6, which handled the gusts and lulls nicely. Well done Kidge who landed a spock but unfortunately I didn’t get to see it. Tom.L is landing a few good vulcans now and Tom.S is definitely getting closer to landing one.

Oisin was just back from Fuerte and was out on his new 2009 JP-90l (I think) freestyle board. Nice board. New graphics look cool.
Moving back a few years, there was a guy out sailing on a board that he built in the 1980’s. It was a copy of a Lightwave. It even has carbon down the middle and didn’t feel very heavy. He said its still going strong after twenty years but needs new straps.

That’s what I call value for money.

Kilcrea Expression

Sailed at Kilcrea today. There were plenty of bodies on the water. Tom rigged his new Expression 6.1 and was very impressed with the performance. I spent the day trying conka tacks, vulcans, upwind 360 diablos and backwind gybes. Kidge was out looking for a spock and is still working on something that starts like a slam gybe into breaking out the fin. He’s not sure where that’s heading yet but its good to see someone trying something new. It starts like a ‘Reverse’- Ricardo’s new trick.

Looks like southwesterly again tomorrow.
See ya on the water.

Check out Ricardos 'Reverse'

Need to get Wet!

I was hoping to go for a sail yesterday. Dublin airport was showing 15mph southeasterly so I went to Skerries to check it out. There looked maybe enough wind out towards Shenick Island but I didn’t feel like sailing out at the island on my Todd so I drove to Rush to have a look.

There were a few kiters out on big kites but not really enough for a sail. Today looks like light northwesterly wind so I’m going for a light wind freestyle session at Malahide.

Bank Holiday Monday

No wind today so I decided to clean the shed and build a workbench. Sheba gave me a hand. She has a sore ear at the moment, hence the strange collar she is wearing.



I have also become obsessed with a sunflower that I planted from a seed. It’s taller than me now and still no sign of the flower head!

Ballet on Wheels (video)

I sailed for about an hour today at Kilcrea. There were a few people out having fun. Rigged my 6.1 expression and practised vulcans and upwind 360s. It was good while it lasted.

Check out hiroya morizaki and York Uno from Japan. Hiroya was ranked no.1 in the world last year in flatland BMX. This clip was filmed in Berlin in 2006.

Freestyle hole in your foot!

Oisin mailed this picture to me the other day from Fuerteventura. He has a hole in the top of his foot from too much freestyle windsurfing. A local sailor recommended this as a solution.
I’m told it works a treat.

p.s Thats one super long big toe!

Sold

SOLD

‘2007’ JP Australia PRO EDITION Freestyle 100 III
inc boardbag and fin.

€650 Euro (Good condition) Retail price €1599

Developed jointly by the triple world freestyle champion Ricardo Campello and Werner Gnigler,
The only board on the market, that wins Pro Freestyle competitions and is still a great beginner short board.

*super easy to sail
*big speed potential
*very stable during moves
*great carving and jumping

Specification
Length: 239 cm
Width: 65 cm
Volume: 100 liters
Weight: PRO: 6.1 kg

Shaper: W. Gnigler

PRO EDITION in Technora® Kevlar Technology. Super Limited Finish on bottom, top and rails.

Fun Session

Today I sailed at Rush beach. Wasn’t expecting to go sailing and only went there to practice some freestyle dirt boarding. I ended up a bit overpowered on a 5.6. There were some nice waves. On shore wave riding certainly sucks the energy out of you but feels great when you get a couple of tight turns. There were plenty of kiters out ripping it up too.

Ouch that Hurt! (video)

I went for a sail at Kilcrea today. Practised a few vulcans. I managed to clamp my shin between the mast and the board. That finished me for the day. Seems ok now. Think I have a nice bruise on the way.

Here is a video from 1988 of Eddie Fiola, a Bmx teen hero of mine doing a flatland routine to a Michael Jackson track.

Check out his moonwalk!

Flatland BMX on The Way

I ordered a flatland BMX today. I decided to go for a KHE ‘Da Function’. This is a dedicated flatland trick bike. It seems to have the best ratio of weight to price that I could find. The difference between a flatland bike and your average bmx is that it has a shorter frame to help with balancing on one wheel. It also has a free coaster that allows you to roll backward without having to back pedal.

The front sprocket is smaller than usual. The gearing makes it easier to ride away from tricks and the small sprocket will not get in the way. There are front and rear wheel axle pegs and a hollow compression bolt on the front forks for the front brake cable and rear brake gyro. This allows the bars to rotate without tangling the brake cables.

Perfect for a windless day!

Mmm…Grilled Sardines…Yum

It’s great to come back to good weather for a change.

Got back from Costa Teguise on Thursday. Helen and myself had a good holiday. Our hotel ‘Barcelo de Galea’ was located next to the main beach ‘Las Cucharas’. This is a horseshoe shaped beach with a small harbour to the right and hotels to the left.

The wind blows from the left over the hotels so it is a bit tricky getting out. Once out of the harbour the wind fills in. I got to sail every day and used 4.7, 5.0 and 5.6 while there.

I rented gear from windsurf paradise. They stock all JP and Neil Pryde. There set up is good but it cost me a small pony! The resort seems to be popular with families with loads of nice places to eat. Probably a bit quite it if your looking for late night rave mania!

Costa Teguise

Had a good sail today at Los Cuchares beach. Loads of sun, wind and good food. I wont be posting much for the next few days. I hear there was wind back home today. I hope ya all had a good sail.

Good luck from Lanzarote

Andy

Try Landing on Concrete

I had a look at some BMX bikes today. I think I'm going to splash out and get one. Check out this guy Scotty Cranmer pulling off some serious jumps! Think il try slightly tamer moves.

At least we go splash, not crunch!

I'm an Uncle!

I had a good sail today, woke up to the news that I’m now an uncle. Baby Alex Levi was born at four this morning. Well done Tina and Cathal!

The sun was out so I packed a shorty and went to Kilcrea. I met with Jamie who was having good success with his duck gybes. I decided to rig my 5 metre as Ive been sailing on my 6.1 a lot lately. 5.6 would have been better if I hadn’t jumped through it last week. Sailed for about an hour and a half until the wind shifted more north west.

I then moved to Malahide side where there would be some flatter water near the slipway for practising Vulcans. My starboard ones are coming together now. I haven’t landed one on port tack yet but managed to get a slide today.


Maybe we will get more of the same tomorrow!

Retro Tom

Yesterday was quite good after all. I met Tom and Oisin at Kilcrea. Tom had sold his 6.5 sail. I brought with me a "UP" 6 metre pink and yellow sail that was about eleven years old so Tom could do some retro light wind freestyle. After a hour and a half of sail flipping on water I met with Oisin on the south beach in Skerries for some dirtboard freestyle.

Not bad for a light wind day after all.

No Wind = No Windsurfing.

"A sure, ill give it a go". 11 knots here I come. Anyone going for a light wind sail at Kilcrea?

Thanks Lads

I got new sail number stickers yesterday. My brother came up with the design and a friend printed them for me. I suppose I better renew my I.W.A membership. I keep forgetting. The form is sitting on my desk a couple of months.

"No Sheba (our cat) you can’t drink my tea. I’m trying to type something". "Down!"

Anyway thanks lads.

No Wind Needed

Yesterday was a day for ducks. I spent the morning in the shed removing the yellow scale from my JP 100. I used Harpic power plus toilet cleaner. Put it on with a sponge scourer pad and leave it for a few hours. Rinse it off and job done.

That evening I watched some BMX flatland tricks on You tube. Some of them guys are amazing. I'm very tempted to get a bike!

Stayed in Doors

No windsurfing today. I sat in and watched some of the Pozo freestyle live through a link on Boardseeker. Sarah-Quita Offringa defended her first place finish from the previous day's single elimination, to outright win the double elimination.

I also watched a lot of Flakas on continent seven. Hopefully I can execute something that resembles a Flaka soon!

Cat Day at Malahide

I had one of those days yesterday. Collie and myself went for a sail at Malahide. It was blowing north westerly and was a bit up and down. We both managed a few Vulcans and Collie came across a new way to break the fin out into a slide that might turn into something in the future. Anyway there I was standing in a lull still in the harness when in slow motion I lost my balance and fell forward ramming the nose of the board through the main panel of my 5.6 Zone. Ouch! That hurt the wallet. Soon after that I decided to call it a day and discovered I forgot my towel!

After loosing two rounds to Murphy’s law and feeling a bit disgruntled I got a call to say our cat Sheba who had been lost, was found with nine lives still intact.

So the next time you rip a sail, don’t be too upset because by the law of nature you have just allowed a lost cat to be returned to its owner!

Crazy Talk

Mast foot Max has travelled the world and worked with many of the pros. He is taking a break at present after a heavy training session in South Africa and wants to share some of his knowledge with you.

Over to you Max!

SUP Time

Yesterday I arrived at Skerries. Carlos, Oisin and Keith had been out on 5.6 sails. When I arrived the wind and rain disappeared and the sun came out. Keith had a stand up paddleboard with him and so the lads decided to try and catch the last of an easterly swell.

Later the wind filled in and we sailed for two hours at Kilcrea. I landed Some good Vulcans on starboard tack. Still no luck on Port tack.

Check out SUP session.

Dirt Board Freestyle Skerries

There wasn’t much wind yesterday so Oisin and myself decided to try some dirt board freestyle on the south Beach in Skerries.
Oisin figured out how to do a back to sail switch stance Vulcan. Unfortunately the camera ran out of juice by then.

By the way it hurts a bit more when you crash!

Check it out.

Crazy Talk

I asked some of the local wildlife in Malahide estuary What they thought of windsurfers and how we affect their habitat.

They had some interesting things to say!

Check it out.

Carlos Goes Loopy (video)

Yesterday we sailed at Rush. I rigged a 5 metre but the wind was very up and down. There were plenty of kites on the water. The waves were good for jumping and so I decided to try and learn loops. All was going well until my board and rig got separated as I was attempting one. That wasn’t the result I was hoping for!

Anyway Carlos has them sussed and I caught one on video so here it is.

Sunday's Electrifying Session (video)

Check out the electrifying action from Sunday’s session at Kilcrea.

Vulcan Hand Change ( Video )

Today turned out to be better than expected. It started off with dark skies and rain but ended up sunny and windy. There were people out sailing on 5 to 7 metre sails. I was on a 6 metre and overpowered at times. It was a good day for practising moves. Oisin landed a nice Flaka diablo and a one handed flaka which I caught on camera. I will try a post the clips tomorrow as I’m going to watch the match tonight. Anyway I have put together a clip showing the right and wrong way to Vulcan/ Spock. I’m the Guinea pig showing the wrong way. Watch my hand movements compared to Oisins just after take off!

Check it out

Kilcrea (video)

The wind was light today. Tom and I sailed at Kilcrea and managed to get planing some of the time. I landed four Vulcans . Still have a lot of work to do on my port tack attempts. Tom was also trying them. Its hard work trying to pop when you are sub planing!

Looks like a similar day tomorrow.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Carlos who landed a couple of spocks today for the first time. Unfortunately I couldn’t get out myself due to work. I'm sure he is buzzing after today’s session.

Well done.

Blast From The Past

Balbriggan, the Dahab of North County Dublin! My girlfriend found this picture on the Balbriggan community website. It is from 1980.

Windy Wednesday

I had a good sail today at Kilcrea. I am starting to feel how a Vulcan becomes a Spock. Carlos is getting very close to claiming one with several close attempts.

Oisin also had a good session and is now adding diablos (ducking the sail) to his Spocks and Flakas.
With a bit of luck we will get more of the same tomorrow.

See ya there!

How do you train?

Now there is a question. Taty Frans from Bonaire says, "Just do it" on one of my dvds. He goes on to say imagine a move over and over in you head and then "just do it". Taty doesn’t seem to have a problem executing all sorts of freestyle manoeuvres.

Most of us windsurfers in the real world have a different subconscious message that plays when we are blasting at full tilt. "Abort, abort! don’t do it, not the right time" etc. Like space exploration, the launch is the most important time of the mission. So next time you want to learn something prepare beforehand by going through the move on land and watching the move over and over until you can imagine it clearly.

On the day, get you mind on Taty's wavelength. Turn off worry. Turn off panic. Turn on relax, smile and just do it! And remember the secret to success is to double your rate of failure so don’t be afraid to dip your head more often.

Wish i could do that (video)

Here is a move i would love to be able to do. On Sunday at Kilcrea, Oisin landed a planing Flaka and continued on to try a clew first, switch stance spock. Check out the clip. There is also a nice foward loop at the end.

National Head Dipping Competition (video)

We will all sleep well tonight after a hard day of battling the elements. Plenty of people on the water getting blown around like rag dolls. Did anyone know that the N.H.D.C took place today?
Check it out

A Mid Summer Spock (video)

Today was the longest day of the year, or should I say the wettest day of the year. I arrived at Kilcrea with my exhaust held in place with a cloths hanger. That guy at Wind Guru had stuck three stars up so Oisin and my self decided to check it out. It was definitely a three bucket day and after a half hour talking about sunny windy places in Oisins van we decided to rig. To cut a short story even shorter we sailed for about a half hour in mostly sub planing conditions. As most people were struggling to plane due to lack of wind, Oisin still managed a nice mid summer Spock. Check it out!

More Light Wind Freestyle

Not much wind today so I went for another light wind freestyle session at Malahide Estuary. It was a good fun session with plenty of head dipping. I did manage a light wind switch stance duck gybe with a pirouette as I ducked the sail. Seen Ricardo Campello do it on one of the vids. Only my second time to pull that one off. It did take me about fifteen tries. Anyway drove home and just as I parked the van outside the house my exhaust fell onto the driveway. Guess what I will be busy doing tomorrow!

Learn To Vulcan In Your Shed! (video)

I decided to try and learn vulcans last year but found it very hard to take the first step. Jumping at full speed and trying to land going backwards was just not on the list as far as my survival instincts were concerned. So I came up with the idea of a training device that would allow me to gain some muscle memory and get a feel for the move.

I made the board first and based the measurements for footstraps and Mast track on my JP freestyle 100L board. I wanted to keep the board as light as possible so I could pop it off the ground. The rig consists of an old mast cut down, a short boom and rope to keep it all in position.
To simulate wind I used exercise bungies attached to the boom extending to the wall of my shed.

My first attempts worked but I needed something better than solid ground to simulate pop. An old mattress was the answer and also added an element of balance and movement under foot.
It all looks a bit mad but it works!
I have now started landing vulcans and hope to be trying spocks soon. Hmm how will I get the board to spin? Maybe an old washing machine will come in handy!

No Wind Today

Went for a light wind freestyle session at Malahide Estuary today. Didn’t last very long. Wind went from light to zero. I did manage some sail spin things like Caesar Finies from Bonaire. That guy is cool. Check him out in the clip below. Im going to work on that stuff over the summer.