Windy City Waterman: long island

Windy City Waterman is on the road. Last week we pointed the Element toward the rising sun then put the pedal to the floor and kept it there until our toes were in the ocean. Here are some pics from the first stage of our epic trip...

Once we landed on Long Island, I rang up Hampton Watersports to inquire as to where we might do a bit of windsurfing. "Mattituck Yacht Club" was the answer and the right one at that. It was blowing 25 knots when we arrived and over 40 by the end of the session.

Unfortunately I had only brought sails down to 5.5, but on the beach I met Jimi, who was missing a few vital rig components. Between the two of us we pulled together a 4.2/75 ltr kit and hit the water, taking turns enjoying the epic conditions. I mounted the GoPro to the boom, so look forward to a nice video in the near future.

I was watching this lanky fellow throw forward loops on the water and when he came in he just seemed familiar... turned out to be Jace Panebianco, former PWA pro turned film maker (and not just late night skin-emax films either... Sorry Jace but some things can never be forgotten). Jace is the man behind The Windsurfing Movie and The Windsurfing Movie II. If you haven't seen them, stop reading this and go find a copy. They are must have's for any windsurfer.

Later, we headed out to Montauk, stopping in at the local Starboard dealer for some info on the conditions at the best surf breaks.

They sent us to The Ditch, a point-break famous for great waves and tasty snacks from the Ditch Witch food cart. Bummer for us she had closed down by the time we got there...

The day's conditions are posted under Old Glory. Now that's what I call 'America the Beautiful'!

The beach scene...

The surf scene...

And then it was on to Oak Island. Kim's cousin George keeps the family cottage there. No electricity. No phone. No TV. Working toilet. That's right... PARADISE.