New Go Pro Hero 3 Mount Ready

Last fall, the Zamboni destroyed another boom during a sesh at Broadkill. I was quick to pounce. "Hey Bob, whatcha gonna do with the broken boom head?" Long story short, he was kind enough to let me have it. One man's junk is anothers treasure right? So I've had this boom clamp for almost a year now, and today I finally dialed my new Go-Pro Hero 3 "clew-view" mount.

I worked out the kinks on my skate-sailing boom. View from behind:

I tightened the clamp right over the pin locks on my boom. It fits pretty snug, and while a solid wipe out will tweak the POV angle, I'm reasonably confident it wont fall off and will only require a subtle adjustment to re-align the camera angle.


Up until the "Clew-View" mount, I was somewhat limited with the angle I wanted to film. Both the helmet cam and the mast mount are excellent, but your pretty much fixed in terms of what your gonna beable to shoot for the entire sesh.

Cool thing about the clew-view is that it has more versatility. I cinch up the Go-Pro velcro strap over some plastic insulation material. So it fits tight (that insulation also deadens the background noise), but I can still twirl the camera to face backwards or sideways for that matter! Its easily within reach of the backhand, and I can change the POV on the fly while blasting with my firends. Ken if your on the next wave behind, I can just twist it to face back!
Front length view: All I need now is some duct tape to wrap around the end of the sawed off carbon boom arm so the gro-pro doesn't slide up and off.

Cant wait to try it out!

The Law Of Averages

After a surprising second half of July and pretty decent follow up for the first week of August, we've not had much action up here in Maryland/Delaware since early August. A drought that now stands at about 3 weeks. The calluses on my hands are getting soft for Christ sake!

While a windless streak is most certainly difficult to accept, I prefer to look at the glass as half full.

The streak is coming round, and we're due, if only based on the law of averages, for some honking wind. Have faith guys, we'll be blasting any day now. In the interim, I try my best to hit the gym at least 3 times a week (can't seem to be that consistent however) just to stay in shape. I most certainly visualize windsurfing maneuvers all day long. Especially looping. Hell, yesterday, I tossed over a hundred forwards, on both tacks, in my mind, and sailed away from all of em!

Headed out to the coast now to pick up the windsurfing van from the beach house.
I keep it there during the meat of windless-east coast summer. But now, with September two days away, and Wavefest two weeks away!!, I need my gear close at hand for rapid deployment.
Gotta run now.

Needs no introduction:

The Official Loop Fest Video

The final cut of the video from the Hatteras Loop Off Is ready! You can see it on Bill's blog and by clicking here.

Click here for bonus coverage of Loopfest in the new issue of Windsurfing Magazine

Mayo Beach, Maryland

Cruised on down to Mayo Sunday afternoon.


I've heard this is a great spot on a South. With no obstructions, you get clean wind


Absolutely beautiful venue:

Fabulous landscape:


Mayo Beach is where the South River feeds into the Chesapeake. I'm told you get very nice looplicious rolling swell here. Cant wait to sail this spot!


Maryland Crabs:


Line em up:


Grassy rigging area with picnic tables.
Great spot for SUP:


You need an annual pass to use Mayo, but after scoping the spot, it appears well worth it!



I suspect boat traffic will be less on the windy days. Thomas Point off in the distance:





Haven't been on the water for two weeks now, and I'm not happy about that. Fortunately, next week is Septemeber, and here comes the Hatteras Wave Fest!
Looking forward...

Wipe Out Shots

Everyone loves a good wipe out shot. Well I have enough of em to fill up a unique folder on my laptop. Here are a few of em. I never hurt myself in any of these crashes, so enjoy my suffering.

Oh, I've added subtitles but you need to put the mouse cursor over the photo to seem them..

Never Let Go Of Your Gear

You're told to never let go of your equipment. At a minimum, it saves you from a long swim which saps your energy. Also, floating gear is a hazard to other sailors, as well as the probability of it getting smashed into a sandbar increases when you're not holding on and able to at least resist the currents desire to take it where it shouldn't go.

These shots from the Old Lifeguard Beach session in Hatteras during Loopfest:






Well, sometimes there just no way around going for a swim! Nice Bill!


You especially don't want to let go of the boom while tossing forwards. Ken Kellar during the Main Event
Sprecklesville, Maui Feb '08


Assateague May'08

Live2sail

My wife is very involved with Savage, Maryland volunteer work, and she came up with a great idea which was to have stickers made up to give out as quid pro quo for those who choose to volunteer their time.


Long story short, I had a few dozen made up to promote this blog. Here is what they look like, from the back of my Jeep:



Not as catchy as "OBX" I know, but that's the best acronym we could come up. If anyone has suggestions for something more catchy, or if you'd like one, please leave a comment here. I'll carry them with me in the van, and next time I see you I'll hook you up!

Tropical Storm Fay Kitemare

This one is pretty scary guys.



Click here to read the details. Here is another angle.

This incident reminds me of my own personal close encounter with a kitemare, in that instead of a building making contact with the kiter, it was my parked van:


Pretty soon, an innocent bystander is going to get maimed or killed by a 180lb projectile. At that point, these sorts of horrible accidents are going to impact all of us. Most of the kiters I know on personal level are responsible and use good judgement. They are also aware of the threat to access that kiting accidents are increasingly presenting. Self policing can only go so far. At some point, mother nature will trump all.

I can't help but note that with a windsurfer, you come in and just set your stuff down. But with kiting, in most cases i've seen, you need someone else to land your kite. Its scary to put yourself in that guys shoes. What a helpless feelling it had to have been, to know you need to get that kite down on the ground, and fast, before your out of harms way. Kinda like a race against a ticking time bomb.

Here is another thought. What happened to the guys kite after it was seperated from this poor guy? I assume it is still a threat off the water as is was on the water in Nico's case back on May 31st?

Again, avoid putting yourself downwind of a kiter. Never park in the front row at any venue where people are kiting. And from what I've learned, never try to resuce the kiters equipment if it becomes seperated from the kiter. In an incident like this one, unless you are a kiter and are familier with the equipment, avoid the kite itself like the plague, and instead do your best to try and help the injured kiter.

Yeah, I'm Talkin Smack

This is a bi-lateral contest between my antagonist and I to see who "sails away clean" first.

We agreed to these terms back on 10/10/06. Yah, its taken a while to reach this point, but the end is near! I'm very close to sailing away from a forward loop. Another day of solid conditions is all I need.

I'm gonna attach my opponents canceled check to this scrap book page, after I cash it.



My oppoents name has been erased from the above photo so as to conceal his indentity, although most of my friends know who he is.

So there it is. Yah, I'm talking smack.

Here is a sequence of me looping off of Old Life Guard Beach, Cape Hatteras:

A New Spot!

So what do I do on beautifull windless day? Go exploring our national parks, and discover a fantastic new spot to sail. My friend Steve suggested North Point. The spot is about 28 miles from our Maryland house, which is equal distant to Sandy Point. But North Point works better when there is more east in it. So I'm looking forward to that next windy day!

Baltimore's Key Bridge spanning the Patapsco





Path leading down to the beach where small craft launch from. This is approx an east facing beach. Spot apparently works best on a NE or ENE, and also S and SE:

Cool fountain. This park was established back in 1906, and has a lot of rich history:






This was one skittish grasshopper


Cool tree:





Not sure which light house this is, but its directly out/across from the main beach

Lots of cool pathes to explore:



This is a spit of land juts out about 150 yards off of the right side of the main beach, which is visible off to the right. Will serve as a great vantage point from which to take photos!


To give a sense of where this spot is located, the Bay Brige is within view due south

On a side note, Fay is shaping up. Do I hear road trip wedensday nite?:

Plans Change

Because of the mediocre forecast, I'm making the executive decision to canel this weekends excursion to Hatteras.

Also, the possibility of good conditions next week heavily influenced my decision:

***STAY TUNED because a this developing tropical system and the precise track is very uncertain. However, this system could effect the OBX by the middle of next week!


If this forecast comes to fruition, I will definately be heading south mid week for a few days!

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

The chesapeake was rockin monday morning!

Here is a shot of the rig that went over the bridge, partially submerged in about 10 feet of water



This is a shot of the crane and repair barge working to sure up the bridge


14 mile back up on sunday so we stayed in Delaware and came back Monday morning. There where still some residual backups, but not nearly as bad


Sandy Point is epic on a north-this is a great shot of the launch taken from the bridge, and the camera is point north

Amazing-Three Venue Day!

Man I nailed the forecast today! Here's the bottom line, ocean session at Assateague around 3.30pm to 5pm. 5.6 on the 91 ltr to start, then pulled out the 109.

Was pretty much underpowered the whole time, so I couldn't really work into any kinda postion to ride a swell. But it was still a blast to be out in the ocean again. Big rolling swell on the outside.





It was a bit like work on the 91.
So I came in and switched to the 109:




It was more or less dead high tide.







The overhead carry method not really possible w/the helmet cam on.

This morning between 10-12.30 sailed well powered 7.0 w/the 109ltr. Continued success w/the heli tacks. I'm now beginning to use them for a tactical advantage and not just as trick.

Here some shots from the morning session:





Very violent storms rolled in fast so I threw down a lightening de-rig, with lightening in the distance:


Then we rolled north to Holtz Landing and lunch in Bethany. Here we're riding bikes at Hotlz.



So it was while we where at Holtz that the wind filled back in down in Assateague, so we headed south and scored again!
Shot some helmet cam action today.


Here is a video teaser:

Wild Ponys of Assateague:




I suspect Assateague is a great place for SUP


Headed to Hatteras next weekend!

Andy, I need two more sets of these straps for my JPs. See you Saturday


Red Sky at Night (from our back porch in Milford):

Callus Maintenance

Thats what I call three hours of putting around w/o a harness in the baby pool.

Great to be out on the water again today. Last thing I want happening is letting my hands get soft going into prime season. Any day of sailing, even without a harness.......

My heli-tacks are just getting better an better. Its getting to the point where I'm more surprised wehn I miss one then when I stay dry. Was better than 70% today!

Chatted w/Dave Gale and Bob Ramsey.


Bob just came back from Cabarete. He scored fairly well there, and he's promised to forward some of the photos to post here, so check back for those.



Talk about a toy box (check the license plate), that RV is full of toys.


My floaty board-109 ltr RRD freestyle wave. Rotated into my first forwards on this board:


Delaware State Parks:


As a side note, last night was my Uncle John's 60th surprise birthday. He was the very instrumental in developing my deep passion for all things ocean related. I made a brief speach telling every one there how hes had an influence on my life.

Looking forward to tomorrows forecast. There a chance for some powered up sailing down in Assatague.

Camping in Hatteras

Next weekend we're going back down to Hatteras for 4 days. We're staying at a camp site, and I'm sure we're gonna learn alot. So last weekend I wanted make a dry run setting up my tent. Better to work out the wrinkles before.

Here is the result of the first time I assembled a tent. Took me about 30 mintues......The leach looks a little loose, needs a bit less downhaul..

Hopefully the next time i can improve on the assembly time.



I hope this thing doesn't fall apart in the middle of the night. I'll take another dry run and set it up this weekend. Still need a few more things from the camping store. Mainly a grill to cook with. I suppose we should also bring a fold up table and some chairs. Any other experienced campers out there with some advice for a first timer? Comments would be appreciated.

This weekend's forecast has some promise for Assateague. If it happens, I'm all over it.

New Coverage Of The Hatteras Loop Fest In The Locale Gazatte

One of my favorite movies is Tombstone. Great acting and a ton of one liners. One of my favorites scenes is the one between Johnny Ringo and Doc Holiday, where the former is trying to get under the skin of the later and instigate a confrontation. Well Holiday doesn't bite, and only responds with witty repartee:

Johnny: And you must be Doc Holiday.
Doc: That's the rumor.
Johnny: What about you, are you retired?
Doc: Not me. I'm in my prime.

Frankly, that's how I feel these days about windsurfing. Some say windsurfing best years were back in the 90s. Well, personally for me, windsurfing is in its prime. Click here for more coverage of the Hatteras Loop Fest in today's Gazette newspaper.

I've never been more fired up about getting back on the water. I check the forecast a dozen times each day. So what if the forecast isn't calling for much this weekend, I'll work on freestyle, which translates over to better skills when I get back into the waves.

As long as you keep pushing yourself, you'll never get into a rut, never lose that passion to get back out on the water. I love it all. From 25 knots and huge surf, or sub-planing conditions, to my 3.7 and my skate board on the blacktop, there is just something special about harnessing the wind in your sail.





See you in straps soon....

National Night Out-Savage, Maryland

Yesterday was National Night Out, an annual event designed to promote community awareness and soladarity against crime/drugs. My wife Janis has played a huge role in our community of Savage, Maryland, and she was very involved in yesterdays event. She was formaly recongnized by the Howard County Council for her contribution to the community, and I'm very proud of her.

For a change, I was on the other side of the camera lens, and I took these pictures:

Its All Good On The Delmarva!

Today I sailed the park in Assateague that is on the left just before you get to the bridge going into Assateague. I don't think the wind got above 10 knots, but I've said it before: Any day of sailing is a great day of sailing, even if you didn't plane.


Beautiful grass rigging area reminded me of Kanaha. Not often I get to rig on grass.








Beatutiful

I didn't plane all day, didn't even wear a harness (keeps the calluses going!), and had a blast! sun was beamin, water was super warm, and I worked on my transitions. Hugely successful today with the heli-tacks. Andy really gave me the breakthrough tip, which is to stand more upright as you come into the wind, and not rely so much on the sail to hold you up via back winding. That, and quick footwork during the sail flip is the key. Today, I was better than 50%, and toward the end almost 100%. So stoked about that!




Ran into Steve Sabia today, and got to know him. It turns out that we have a lot in common. A very experienced and responsible kiter with a heart for promoting safety and understaning for all board sports. Love to see that.


He taught me a little about kites today, specifically the do's and don'ts of helping in a distressed kiting situation. More on that later in a follow up post.

Very nice to get to know you today Steve, and looking forward to seeing you again, on a windy beach!

Time to pack it up:

When I Grow Up, I Wanna Sail Just Like Keith

In case you haven't had a chance to see the August issue of the New England Windsurfing Journal, Keith McCulloch got the cover shot. Congrats Keith! On top of that, my wife Janis Markopoulos took the picture. Thats two months in a row now that one of her photos has made the cover of the NEWJ! Congrats to both of them!


In addition, Bill Bell wrote a great wrap up story to the Hatteras Loop Fest.

The biggest surprise: my wife submited a story to Peter while I was in Avon and hit my first forwards. I loved it and laughed about the photos! And every word of her story is true. I owe a lot of my success to her support.

Oh, and don't miss my short story reflecting on my experience looping for the first time. Man that seems so long ago.

We're headed out to the Delaware for the weekend. Forecast is mediocre, but if past weekends are any indication, forecasts are meaningless and I should have my 5.6 Simmer rigged. We're hopin' for some afternoon thermals on the DELMARVA.

Along the way out Route 14, you drive thru lots of farm land, and tonight we stopped to snap a few shots of this crop duster who was out for an evening sesh:

He was screaming parallel to the highway maybe 10 feet off the ground:



My wife says when she grows up she wants to fly crop dusters. That guy was rockin!! That was really fun to watch.



And now to turn my attention, energy, and focus to the next event:


Bring it on!



The event is designed not only for experienced wave sailors, but also for the less experienced who are interested in learning to wave sail, I HIGHLY recommend that you register and get down to Hatteras the second half of September. If my experience in June was any indication, you'll walk away having taken your sailing to a new level.