Windsurfing archives...

Back in the day I used to windsurf every single time it was windy. Winter- no problem. HOWLING gales- perfect. I went on trips to WA, Phillip Island, Merimbula, West Coast, Spain and Morocco. I broke up with more than one girlfriend due to my obsession. I also worked as an instructo and "found" more than one girlfriend. We'll call it even...

I don't sail as often (hmmm... how DID I get to weigh 100kgs?) but I plan to hit the water this summer- a lot. My gear is stored at Elwood Sailing Club and I'm keen as ever.

But yo, let's hit the archives!!!:

When people say "back in the day" I usually reach for my Luger (that's a pistol folks), but: BACK IN THE DAY it used to get crazy windy more often. Witness the above pic: 50 knots of North wind @ Bon Beach Melbourne. September 1993. That's a three square metre sail I'm using. That might mean nothing to you but note the amount of mast poking out the top of the sail. That "extra" mast length is so my regular/average sail 5.3m2 can fit. Thats how small a 3 sq mtr sail is.

Big winds= big airs. My arse is about 5 metres above the top of the waves. The waves are 2-3 metres big. The trough I am heading into (to land as well) means I am at leat 8 metres above the water in this pic. Oh my poor knees.

Elwood- December, 1991. on new board I'd just bought. There was no wind; so damn what thought I. note: long hair.

Pt Ormond- Summer 1992. The board I am riding was a really small custom jobbie. Some guy stole it off my car roof racks and tried to sell it to some other sailors who told me about it oh-too-late.. There were about 4 guys in the country who could ride that toothpick. I never saw it again.

Howling again: Pt Ormond late 90's. Tentative one hand jump. 3.7 sq mtr sail..

If there's one thing I never get bored of: it's looping BIG BIG style. I'm not as sharp as I used to be, though Donny showed a few people up last season with his hell big loops. He's older than me to boot...

See Donny banging out the big ones (and your host as well!)