The Coveted “Secret Spot”

Recently on this blog, and on Face Book, there has been some dialogue as to whether or not we should keep clandestine our favorite, less well known sailing venues, versus complete transparency and freedom of information. A couple of you have come out and expressed yourselves. Frankly, a vote on the issue would be 50/50, advocating both sides.

Getting to the Secret Spot often takes effort!

To be clear, my position is as follows: I believe that to grow our awesome sport, no spot should be kept “secret”. Yes, I often refer to my sessions at the “Secret Spot”, but all my friends here in Delaware and Maryland know the exact location. The spot is hardly a secret anymore. That being said, we continue to give it the moniker of the “Secret Spot” out of reverence to the often epic conditions experienced there. There simply isn’t another name that can be given that extends the deserved machismo that is due the spot. So “Secret” is the name, and that aint changing son. So you guys that are offended (on either side of the argument), take it easy. Its frankly just more fun, and sexier, to refer to the place as “The Secret Spot”, as opposed to say 1400 Pennsylvania Avenue. Come on, it’s a lot more fun to say “meet me at the secret spot”. Plus, we’ve referred to the spot as “the secret spot” for so long now, it would be darn near impossible to call it by any other name. It’s become part of popular culture around these parts. Do you get it? For those of you who resent the lack of clarity, perhaps we should announce latitude and longitude coordinates out akin to freedom of information? And for those that wish to keep their spots secret, well then why not usher in another death cry for our sport, akin to that experienced in the ‘90s? Look dude, can we all just get along?

In addition, it’s not like there are hoards of sailors chomping at the bit, banging on the door, ready to inundate your beach the moment you disclose the location of that coveted spot. I frankly would welcome that scenario (with certain caveats as it pertains to skill level). It’s just WAY more fun to sail with lots of people, no matter the skill level. For me personally, that is a lot of the appeal of The Hatteras Wave Jam, sailing with lots of new people, learning new spots to sail, stepping outside your comfort zone. Most of the venues for the Jam are so obscure that they might otherwise have been thought of as secret, certainly obscure to the uninitiated. To grow the sport, we have to have an open beach policy...Look at what the Jam has done for sailing here on the East Coast! Heck, next September we are going to have a pro-level event in Hatteras, complete with pro-level talent making the trip to sail our waves! Talk about a selfless approach paying dividends. Way to go Bill. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.

At a recent epic session in Lewes, there was quite a bit of consternation about all of the new sailors who showed up out of thin air. But after the day was done and the gear was unrigged, and were all basking in the after-glow of that epic day, I think we all realized what an extraordinary session it was, and I submit almost completely due to the presence of new sailors that showed up that day. New faces, new styles, more energy, more STOKE. Give me more of that…

Windsurfing is making a comeback, so let’s each do our part to spread the stoke, offer encouragement, and welcome newcomers to our beaches, even the clandestine ones. Welcoming new sailors will go a long way toward promoting the sport, and bolstering the resurgence we are seeing in windsurfing, especially here on the Delmarva. That’s what live2sail is all about, spreading the stoke.

Delmarva Board Sport Adventures…..spreading the stoke, and leading the way for windsurfing and standup paddling here on the Delmarva. Email me if you have any questions about windsurfing or standup paddle boarding here in Delaware or Maryland. I’d be stoked to hook you up..

Live2sail

Stacked and Packed

Here it comes….Gale warnings are posted thru tomorrow evening.

Should be pretty extreme here in Delaware so make sure you bring your battle tested gear.

Need ideas for the holidays? Try the Mystic Dry Suit. Sailing in extreme conditions will never be the same!

Mystic Force Drysuit

Better yet, get your sig. fig. a romantic Sunset SUP Adventure.

Live2Sail and SUP

Stand Up Paddle Board Summer Camps

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Happy Holidays from DelMarVa Board Sport Adventures

Click HERE to read our Holiday eCARD.  At DelMarVa Board Sports, we celebrate Christmas and honor the true meaning of the holiday.  We hope your holiday is safe, healthy and happy.

Winter Sailing Conditions In Delaware - No Problem with the Mystic Force Dry Suit

Ken Kellar and I scored a great session today at the Secret Spot. LIT 4.7 conditions on my

RRD 76 lt LRD Wave Thruster.

We hit it perfect today, lo tide was around 2.30 pm, and we sailed from around 1-4. Perfect!

WNW is sideshore here, and the ramps where excellent, although we had to sail rather conservatively due to the early sunset and cold temps.

In fact when Janis and I came out of church this morning, it was snowing here in Delaware. 

Water is still warm though, and with the sun shining, it was easily do-able. Ahhhhh :)

Ken ripping-sorry for the poor quality photo-blame it on the smart phone 

I wore the Mystic Force Dry Suit

Lemme tell you this suit is pretty advanced. Today was 35 degrees farenheit and the water temp is in the upper 40's.  I wore sweats and a turtle neck underneath and I stayed warm all day (except for my fingers). I've never worn a suit that kept me entirely dry thru extreme conditions, but this suit blew me away. My shirt was a little damp, but due to my own sweat, no leakage.

If you'd like more information or are interested in purchasing one, Delmarva Board Sport Adventures has them in stock.

God Bless this great country 

Live2sail