Harness the Wind

To commit yourself to learning something extraordinary

To then take it to the next level

To try and master it

To make art of it

That's what it's all about

Baptism

Today after work a bunch of us headed to Corbina to surf. The waves were bigger than I’d seen them in a while and still being a rookie surfer, I was intimidated by the size of the waves as well as the number of quality surfers in the lineup. I watched from the beach for a few minutes before deciding to paddle out. When the waves are head high or bigger, just paddling out can be an ordeal.

Since I got to Cape Hatteras in February, the ocean has intimidated me. In all three of the tri-sports, as I call them, kiting, surfing and standup paddle boarding, I had taken my beatings in the ocean. And of course, my imagination is always running wild about what lurks below my feet. Today, after paddling out, as I sat on my board to catch my breadth, a dolphin breached within 15 feet of me. But it takes a half of one second for your mind to register DOLPHIN and not MAN EATING SHARK. Needless to say I was very relieved a half a second later.

They’re beautiful when they’re that close and at eye level with you. This fear or intimidation that plagues me actually subsides after spotting sea life. To see fish below your feet and dolphins breaching makes you realize that you CAN coexist in the ocean with all of the sea creatures around you. No reason to fear.

Without that fear, your body relaxes and confidence returns as you acknowledge the fact that it’s just water. Attack that wave! Paddle hard! Feel the board accelerate! Get on your feet! What a tremendous feeling of confidence to surf a wave.

The ocean water here in Cape Hatteras is so clear and so clean that you feel refreshed enough to not require a shower after your session. But it’s also cleansing to the soul. To enter the ocean feeling so small and exit, after your session, feeling larger than life. I was immediately reminded of why I’m here and why I came to this place. I’ll sleep like a baby tonight in my board shorts. I don’t want to shower just yet. I’m going to let the salt linger on my skin until the morning.

Post Triple-S Update

It has now been one week since the Triple-S has ended. I'm still recovering from what seemed like one LONG day meshed together. Preparations leading up to the event and then the actual execution of the event...rider check in, coordinating housing, allocating rider jerseys, crowd control, security, banners, bands, food....WOW! And although I'm glad it's over, it was an amazing time. I'm already looking forward to next year. It's not too often that you get to hang out with the some of the best riders in the world.

It was back to reality this week...which meant digging out from the pile of work on my desk. Lots going on this summer! We've got the First Annual REAL Alumni Retreat in Montauk, NY June 26th to June 28th and that's my priority right now.

Last night I went for my first SUP session in the ocean. The water here in Cape Hatteras is warm enough to just wear some boardshorts...and so clean and transparent. I felt like I was in the Caribbean. It's amazing how the Gulf Stream pushes such crystal clear, turquoise colored water right into my backyard.

Wind is back today and I'm looking forward to a lunchtime session. Life is good!

2009 Triple-S kicks off in Cape Hatteras, NC

The 2009 Triple-S Invitational kicked off on Saturday, May 30th with the official Triple-S Welcome Dinner and Opening Ceremonies Party. The Triple-S Invited riders and the public were treated to a classic Carolina BBQ Pig Roast with all the trimmings outside right on the water at The Slick. The Welcome Dinner started at 5pm and put the sun down as “DJ Chela” kicked up the music and the Triple-S Opening Ceremonies Party. As the crowd started to wind up, spectators were stoked with a 6 table Triple-S athlete autograph session on the official event poster. Imagine being able to have one poster with signatures from Aaron Hadlow, Ruben Lenten, Robby Naish, Andre Phillip, Greg Norman Jr, Jason Slezak, Sam Bell, Brandon Scheid, Kevin Langeree, Susi Mai, Clarissa Hempel and all the Triple-S athletes, all on one poster ! The vibe during the autograph session was off the hook as the excitement (and music) kept building and building ! AT 9:10PM it was time to party and the tables were cleared and the dancing began….The Triple-S Opening Ceremonies Party continued thru until 11pm with rider introductions and a speech from Robby Naish officially kicking off the event. Unbelievable music and dancing continued until 11pm at REAL and MOJOs, and then carried on to the after hours party where DJ Chela threw down until 4am ! Needless to say, everyone was loving the 11am riders meeting on Sunday morning !

http://www.realkiteboarding.com/index.cfm?page=newsitem&id=1590