Loopfest Gets Serious(ly fun)

**Update 6/16/08- New Pics added!

Initial side note: I'm cast free! I'm almost totally healed up, but my hand's a little sore from lack of use. The bone feels pretty solid, but I think I'm going to give it a few more days before really charging. In any case, I can't wait to get back in the water!

About to wash my hand for the first time in weeks!
Moving on, to Loopfest:

Tonight, I gave an informal forward loop clinic, hosted by Sailworld Cape Hatteras. It was easy to see the intensity in everyone's eyes as I explained some of the intricacies of surviving your first loop! We've got a great crew of people interested in chucking them, from 16 years old to 46 years young in attendance this evening. There's a possibility of a dawn session tomorrow morning, down at Isabel's, and everyone is super amped up to take their sailing to the next level!

Clinic AttendeesGeorge and his New Dakine T3 Harness!! (Photo: Janice Markoupolis)As an added bonus to the free clinic, Bill and I gave out a bunch of swag tonight! Dakine, Quatro, and Avon Sail House hooked up the Loopfest participants with a bunch of T-shirts and rashguards, and we also gave out a Dakine T3 Harness to lucky winner George! And GoPro sent us a bunch of Helmet Hero waterproof video cameras and helmet mounts to help catch the action! We've still got quite a few rad prizes left for the registered Loopfest participants, including a Dakine Impact Harness, Simmer wave sail, and a KA wave sail, along with a bunch of other swag! So if you didn't get anything tonight, don't worry, because there's more to come!

Awwwww yeah!

24 Hours 'Til Freedom!

At this time tomorrow, Friday the 13th, I will be cast-less, and free!! With any luck, I'll remain cast free, although that's up to the doctor. I'm expecting to at least have a splint or taped up fingers, but that's no big deal. The best part will be my first dunk into the ocean. I've been salt water free for 4 weeks straight, and I think the chemistry of my skin is changing. All of my calluses are falling off...

I can't wait until this is me!
The last few days have seen more fun sized surf, and a few afternoons of decent SW winds. I've seen lots of sails and kites out on the water, but the transition to summer is very evident right now. Lots of people on the beaches, more traffic on the road, and lots of beginner windsurf and surf lessons booking up at the shop.

I'm starting to get pretty pumped up for Loopfest! I'm holding a free clinic on Saturday, at the shop, for anyone interested in getting over that hurdle of chucking one! Swing on by and get yourself amped up!

Torture, I tell you!

Sitting on the beach, taking pictures, is fun. Up to a certain point. With just 6 days until freedom, I'm about to explode. Or implode. Fun sized, ultra clean surf over the last few days has not made it any easier... Add to that equation record high air temperatures, and crystal clear, refreshing 70 degree water (that I can't get into). It's torture, I tell you. Enjoy the pics, and if you'd like to read more of the story, check out Drew's blog!

Coverage! and Summer (Wind) Is Here!

We just received the latest issue of Windsport Magazine here at the Shop, the Early Summer 2008 edition. While flipping through the pages, I was stoked to see a few pictures and articles from right here on the Hatteras homefront! I came across Stuart's article first, on page 34, which is very inspirational, and includes a sweet photo of him in front of a big meaty overhead Hatteras lip! Lane Dupont took the shot over this winter on an epic day down at Isabelle's. The pic doesn't show that Stuart's actually bombing down that face on an 11 foot Stand Up Paddleboard! Yowzers! Then, on page 59, I came across another picture by Lane, of that same day down at Isabelle's, but the subject this time is me! Sweet! Is it worth mentioning that Robby Naish is also highlighted in the same article? I think so! :) And finally, on page 100, Windsport ran a short shop story that I wrote, and published another picture, this time including our shop dog Banana! Now, that took the stoke level up to rad new heights!

Ask for this magazine at your local newsstand!
Beautiful summer weather seems to be setting in down here! We're in a great little run of SW wind right now. Yesterday it was gusting up to just about 30, and this morning it's already cranking again! The wetsuits are stashed, probably until October, as the water is in the 70s and the air has been in the mid eighties.

I've been out of the water for almost three weeks now... and I'm starting to go a little stir crazy! I'm 11 pounds heavier than I was pre-injury... and my cast is really starting to get stinky! The good news is that the cast has been scheduled to be removed in just one more week. So, on Friday the 13th, I'm voluntarily allowing another human being to take a circular saw to my arm... and if he wears a hockey mask into the room...

Anne dropping in
Those lucky enough not to be on the injured list have been having plenty of fun- there's been a bit of surf, and as I mentioned before, the SW has been cranking for a few days now. We're less than a week into loopfest, and we've already had 3 very suitable days of 5.5 or smaller conditions and fun size bump and jump ocean waves... perfect, really! I've never really understood why everyone only comes here in April. Come on back in the summer, ditch the wetsuits, and score some of the most consistent wind in the East!

Keith (airborne) and Dan enjoying Ramp 34