A large Mahalo out to Francisco, Lalo, and the crew, ....
,,, went off in fine form. Heats started on time, a minimal complaint factor and a maximum fun coefficient. The closing party rocked until 3:00 and was highlighted for me by Joe Ray accepting first place in Grand Masters, Samantha’s drum solo and a duet by Levi and Sheila (the sheepdog) as Levi was riffing on Guitar and vocals with Sheila on vocal accompaniment. Of course, holding on to third place masters was another personal highlight as there was a strong charge from the Masters making their way back up through the double elimination bracket on the second and third days.
The breakfast scene at Whale City was as groovy as it could be. Many laughs and ideas were shared as we basked in each others company and the near certainty of getting sesh. With Mr. Teboul at the helm, we smoked through a full double elimination in three days with wind to spare, threw down the awards and a party leaving just the cleanup for Sunday. Perfect as it could be. I was even back in Pistol in time for a soul sesh Monday afternoon.
And I hope you’ll forgive the rather abbreviated contest log, but there’s a south swell on the forecast. 1 to 3’ @ 21 seconds and I’m scrambling to have everything in place for that. Pure. I trust you’ll understand. Especially when you see the photos if we get any. And I’ll update this with some more detail as soon as I can as well.
So the Festival ...
6/5/13
Francisco was not only the most excellent host and prime sponsor of the event, he was ripping some excellent lines on the waves he rode. Massive floaty aerials, just so smooth and cat like as always, the man is an absolute pleasure to watch windsurf.
All photos courtesy and property of Boardhead International. And I really am sorry I didn’t shoot more this trip. Just got kind of caught up in doing other stuff. But hey, I’ll try to do better at the Wave Bash.
Brawzinho seemed especially stoked. For as amazing as he sails, this turns out to be his first win in a wave contest. And that hard fought victory is good on him for sure. At the award he mentioned that Waddell is a lot like Brazil, just colder. Yeah, it was a real pleasure to get to hang out with those guys and here’s hoping they can make it up for the Wave Bash. And I know you’ll want to be there if they do. With a nice big contest window this year, and a long flat spell coming to an end, I have to think we are due for some worthy conditions.
Here’s one of Brawzinho mid double (landed pretty much dry sail) in conditions most of us mere mortals wouldn’t have been been getting it planing much less that far off the water. This is from pretty late in the afternoon Saturday when they got to the Pro finals. And that board. Lots of magic there too. It’s sick light. Yeah, they didn’t even put paint on it.
The water was five degrees warmer in Cali, I love all the skateparks, food and drink flowed, laughter and good will prevailed, caught up with old friends. Yeah, it was a lovely trip and I didn’t embarrass myself in the event nearly as badly as usual. My only complaint is the no dogs thing at Waddell. And Sheila was not pleased. So the minute the wind died, we were out of there, after a skate sesh on the way. With gale warnings up for the south Oregon coast and a long period south swell on the beach telegraph, I had to go. Even made it back in time for a solid 4.7 evening sesh at the Rock which had been 4.2 most the afternoon.
Was further cause for pure stoke to see the Boss out there when I rolled up. Might be the last time we see the place so deserted for awhile though. With the Pistol River Wave Bash in less than two weeks, a humongous forecast for both wind and what could be a mast high south swell, it’s full season. Hope to see you out there. With respect and forward looking. ___________________________ _\\_
Here’s Bernt warming up on the new G4. (Sorry I missed all your heats there bra, I kind of blew it on getting as much time to shoot as I would have liked. Yeah, and apologies I missed shooting the women too.) And so the G4 is an updated Guru with four battens and what looks like even more unreal handling and bomberness than always. Stoked I got in line for a couple of those a while back. 4.0 and 3.4 to go with the Banzias. Could have used that 3.4 in the Cape yesterday too. But soon come.
And of course, Levi was going off large at every opportunity. The new 84 tri fin shape he’s riding looks so unreal that I’m getting in line for one of those too. I don’t even have to ride it. You can just tell from looking at it and seeing it on the face of a wave.
Here’s hoping it won’t be too long. Because now that I’ve held one, ....
Sheila couldn’t believe there are no dogs on the beach at Waddell. Then that’s Samantha and Joe Ray at Davenport Surf and Sail. The local connection for all things windsurfing and some kite gear too.