Spring is here.

Watch "Gilgo 5-12-13" on YouTube

We are still in our 4/3's, but the sun is shining, and I didn't have to wear gloves or a hood.

Soon ... what's left of the beach will be crowded.

George in a nice clean westerly at Gilgo.

You can’t judge a boom by its cover.

RRD - Freestyle Wave from RRD International on Vimeo.

I have not been sailing as much this winter as I normally do. Just as I felt my body was starting to heal from years of over-use, punctuated by a trauma injury that left me in a coma for 2 ½ days; I was getting to the point that a few Tylenol was all I needed to get through a sailing session. Not bad for a guy who had lost 30 pounds of muscle and was taking Vicodin by the handful just to get through the day.

Then Sandy happened.

I was no longer training; exercising my muscles in short bursts, then letting them rest so I could rebuild my 50 year old body. After Sandy, I was working. Cutting down trees with an axe and hand saw; shoveling sand from places it should never be; demolishing with a crowbar, the waterlogged first floor of homes lucky to still be standing. Everything you are not supposed to do when coming back from an injury.

Then there was the water; polluted, and filled with debris...

So when I did start sailing at the end of February, it was pretty apparent that my most used wave gear was not up to the task. I was patching rail cracks on my 111 ltr freestyle wave board after every session, getting carbon fiber splinters from my boom, and my most used sail; a 6.3 wave sail was looking pretty rough.

I was going to try to limp by another season, even as my wife tried to show me the error of my ways. “you sail that combo in the ocean, in overhead waves, a half a mile offshore, right?”. “ Yea, but...” “ yea but what?” she said “ you use that combo 50 or more days a year out there, in the Ocean. Just get it. I don’t want any calls from the coast guard!” She made sense. But I resisted.

After a few phone calls to my “local” shop in Wisconsin, I replaced my board. Just my board. Well, I figured I could re-grip my booms and I still have some X-Ply tape.

Then a few weeks ago my Brother came down from Boston to visit the 9/11 memorial with his family on Patriots Day...

I think I got the message this time. I love the way my new boom feel in my hands. I just used it, and my new 6.3, in side off overhead waves.

So how am I feeling? About 60%. 

But maybe this is my new 100%. And I did get to sail overhead, down the line conditions. Who knows if I’ll ever get to do that again?

New life.

http://dontletgo-movie.com/videos/

Treat every session as if it was your last.

I have several friends and personal heroes that treat any day on the water with this attitude. As my friends and I are beginning to understand...

We live lives where we are responsible for the well being of others...

Our bodies are getting older: and the injuries we have had in our lives are catching up with us.

The things that conspire to keep us from living our lives don’t all come from ourselves. Natural disasters, terrorist acts, wars, Mother Ocean rising up to explain to us that we are pushing her too hard. We need to keep her healthy, clean, stop taking from her, and give her some space.

As we reach into our 50’s and 60’s it becomes more and more difficult to immerse ourselves as we need. Commitments, Age, Time, and Injuries all conspire against us.

Right now several of my best friends are trying hard to heal, just enough to get back in the water. Hell, in 2011; I was injured so badly I was in a coma for 2 ½ days.

I had to deal with surgery, physical therapy, earning a living, and coming to grips with my new-found limitations.

But that is why every session on the water is so important. It could be our last.

We are watermen not because it is easy; but because it is hard. It’s the learning curve; the struggle to get better, improve, learn new moves; just carve a better arc... that’s why this life chose us.

I never forget that it is a gift that I can do these things. I am so grateful for this opportunity. That I get to do this, at all; is a wonder.

When I watch this clip for the upcoming “Children of the Wind” I really see this. These kids from Bonaire could have lived a very different life. Instead, some of the nicest most genuine people in the world breathed new life into windsurfing. And new stoke into me.

Thank you.

Children of the Wind Trailer 2012 from Seek Films on Vimeo.

Thanks to Ely for the first clip “Don’t Let Go”, and Michael at the Puffin for “Children of the Wind”.

Winter water

CIB.12.26.2010.edited from Frank Messina on Vimeo.

This is from a few years ago in a NNE at CIB home of the infamous "Mysto" wave. The Mysto never showed up,and unfortunately, the snow got to the point that you had little or no viability. Add to that, rising water from an incoming tide, and there was literally no beach left when it was time to leave the water. I wast pushed so far down wind I had to climb some guy's sea wall to get out of the water. I'm pretty sure I dinged my board in the process. Then I had to walk about a quarter mile back upwind to my truck. My friends were a little pissed that they had to stop sailing to look for me.

That: is why I love Winter sailing...it's the friends. Spring, Summer, Fall; everyone sails or surfs. In the Winter we are all alone. Our crew is a tight group that has be out together in these conditions for over three decades. We look out for each other. We have all rescued or been rescued by each other over the years. Although, maybe I've been rescued more than my fair share. I can always count on these guys.

Yesterday we didn't sail, but we were in the water anyway. we donned our thickest wetsuits or drysuits and walked a search grid at three beaches. We were looking for any hidden underwater hazards that may have been there due to Hurricane Sandy. We found a few and removed them. One we are just going to just have to mark with some buoys. So why would seven guys spend three hours walking around in chest deep water?  Both the air and water temperature were in the high 30's. I'm sure we all had better things to do... We did it because the State Parks asked us to. They are already overwhelmed with trying to re build Jones and Fire Island, so they could not have done this; but we could.

Now this video is from George [a great windsurfer]. But it shows that in the Winter the best days can become serious in an instant. This is why we always have each others backs.

Jersey shore

.facebook_49444471.jpg

A few posts back I mentioned my summers at the bungalows in Point Pleasant. They were all due to this man: my Uncle Rich.

He and my Father gave me the gift of my love for the water. They taught me to fish, how to crab, dig for clams and muscles; how to surf, Kayak and swim. My brother Joe, cousins Kristinn, Karin and I would spend eternities together, in the tidal pools, bays,sounds, and ocean from North Carolina to Maine. Kristin was always much braver than I when it came to touching the squiggly stuff.


I gained my first understanding of the environment. Whenever my Uncle Rich saw litter on the beach he would say " hey look, a people plant". We would always pick it up and and pack it out.
Happy Birthday Uncle Rich.
Tomorrow when we clean up Heckscher State Park, I'll be thinking about you.
Visit LIBAG.ORG for clean up details

Heckscher clean up.

We are doing the water walk at Heckscher this Saturday March 2'nd. At 12:00 noon. The more that show up...the faster we will get it done. I hope to see as many as we can there!

LIBAG.ORG

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

If the embed code doesn't work; use this link.

http://vimeo.com/astrayfilms/darksideofthelens

Once again, my life has been reshaped because of events outside of my control. I was lucky. The storm turned at the last minute. My gain: was devastation from Fire Island through the Jersey Shore.

They are all changed forever.

My few weeks scrounging for supplies: propane, firewood, gasoline, Ice...

all seem trivial now.

For a short time we came together as a community. Then we got ugly.

I am grateful for the help of my friends.

I am grateful to have a warm roof over my head.

There are still far too many that do not. I do what little I can to help.

The ocean was our enemy, for short time.

The ocean is still our home.

To have been at the nexus of a new sport.

Check out this blog post.

http://hitthewave.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/windsurfing-brochures-ads-80s-90s/

Wow this brings back memories. It actually has my first board I purchased new: The Magnum 370. I had a “Team Rider” discount because I worked at Sigsbee. Then we all upgraded to Mistral Equipes because all the Olympic Windsurfing guys were riding Fanatic Ultra Cats. God it was great; you had one board, maybe two sails, and you just went out in any conditions. It was so simple. Lenny “The Squid” was the king with his Puka necklace. He could rail ride, and do a head dip; the top tricks of the day.

One weekend he took me out to Napegue. He was waterstarting his Seatreand sinker, and I had to sail a borrowed 4.something. I think I had two feet between the clew and the end of my non-adjustable boom. My world changed that day. Lee was riding this custom Captain America board. I rode a friend’s Bic Electric Rock. Game over for me. Now I have no money, and live in a van down by the water.

Perception.

I may spend most of my adult life playing in, around, or on top of Long Island’s waters. But I grew up in Jersey. And in Jersey, you go “down the shore”. Whether it was the bungalows at Point Pleasant, the boardwalk at Seaside, or a share house on LBI...this is where I first discovered my connection with the ocean.

There were times in my life that I considered the Boardwalk and arcades to be an insult to my senses. But that sweet sticky smell; that loud assault of noise and light. This is also the place I experienced independence for the first time. Let loose {I thought anyway} alone with a pocket full of tickets. Riding the beach train, and fishing in a barrel, [a game you could not possibly lose at]. Holding hands with your first summer girlfriend, then blowing every dollar you had to win a stuffed animal for her, [worth pennies].

I remember a cold, wet, autumn week at the Jersey Shore with my wife. It just didn’t seem like we were on “vacation”. All it took was one round of mini golf...you remember.

Yes; those of you who know me have heard me use the phrase “this place is becoming like the Jersey Shore”, like that is a bad thing.

I was wrong.

It’s not a bad thing. It is a great thing.

Public access to the beach and the ocean is a gift and a right we can not take for granted. It is a treasure the Jersey Shore bestowed upon me. It is a memory seared in my mind; a connection imprinted in my soul: My first love; first crush; and partner for life.




If the embedded video isn't working... use this link.

http://video-embed.nj.com/services/player/bcpid651974715001?bctid=2114911397001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAPLMIP6E~,BRrRHTAljlF40NofMDxsColEK-8KEsxy
 http://video-embed.nj.com/services/player/bcpid651974715001?bctid=2114911397001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAPLMIP6E~,BRrRHTAljlF40NofMDxsColEK-8KEsxy

windsurfing demo.7.21.11 (Enhanced) from Frank Messina on Vimeo.
Yes, you have seen this one before. Yes, it is a little egotistical to post it up again. But I've only windsurfed a handful of times since Sandy. I've just been too busy tearing apart peoples homes,sick as a dog, working, or just too afraid of the water quality to get wet.
I figured out how to add a little music, but still can't get the columns to work properly on Blogger.
So maybe I'm just posting this one for me. It's either here or facebook, why not here?

Angulo

Sharing video Josh Angulo at home


I had embedded this video during my post inspired by Ted. He had asked, what are your favorite videos. Since then  'UMI PICTURES"[ who owns the rights to this video] does not allow imbedding, So I lost the feed. and that's OK. This is after all their property. But they do allow the link at the top. So visit this guys Vimeo page. He does great work.




So here is Josh Angulo from 2009 Windsurfing in the kind of down-the-line conditions I dream about. And while this is the windsurfing of my dreams, I understand that I will never sail as well as Josh.
He is a legend: an inspiration for me: and just a great guy.


You see the difference between Professional Windsurfers, and Pros in any other sport...is that Professional Windsurfers care about their Fans. And when they are not doing amazing things on the water, they actually care about us, the average guy.


I have met and sailed with Josh twice. Once while participating in the 2011 Windsurfing Magazine Board Tests. While being a "Guest-Tester" was a high moment for me in my Windsurfing career; it was not for my wife. I had dragged her along with me at a time when she was physically unable the go windsurfing. I was so damn stoked to be there, focused on myself; that I didn't even notice. But Josh did. He spent close to an hour just sitting and talking with her. He didn't need to do that; but he did. In fact when he came to the Tests to show his new gear he just stayed in our house along with all the other folks, just like me. For the record: the World Champion didn't have his own suite: he slept on a sofabed in the hallway.


The next time in met Josh, he had actually traveled to Long Island to participate in Mike Burns East Coast Wind Fest. Both on and off the water he was just one of us. Down to earth; no pretentiousness. With one major difference: when he raced just for fun, in a fleet of 50 of LI's best...  He was so fast compared to the rest of us that he lapped the fleet, by such a margin, he came in 1st and 4th, in the same race!

East coast Rising

or
http://youtu.be/LjHiwR6LRlc

Just...

Watch "Surfing With Whales - Teahupoo Session" on YouTube

Soul Surfers TV is filmed on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii.

ROBBY NAISH from Soul Surfers on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/soulsurfers

I live in Lego land

I must evacuate if I am less than 15 feet below the high tide mark? But the map is in Category 1, 2, 3, etc. Hurricane flood zones. So what do I do?

I'm sure I'm not the only one scratching my head. This is the official map. Or I can order one from FEMA for $15 dollars. They will send it to me in the mail. I know I'm in the flood plane. Because I have National Flood Insurance. But at a time like this, don't you think they should be a little more definitive?

Which street is mine? Which house? Apparently I live in Lego land. Look at all the pretty colors. The problem is if I live in Tan...I'm screwed. But if I live in Yellow...I should be OK. For the time being; at least I have power, and internet access.

So it looks like there is a rather sizable storm out there.

This year’s storm is probably being as heavily hyped by the media as last years. I keep hearing the terms “the Perfect Storm”, an obvious allusion to the Halloween storm or 1992 that Sebastian Junger made famous in his book by that name. And I am also hearing the term “Frankenstorm” used a great deal.

I’m sure these terms will sell advertising. But they won’t help you at all if the storm makes landfall anywhere near you, does damage to your property, and you lose power.

The truth is we have had several “no Name” storms effect the

Island this fall. The surfing has been great. Fall fishing; the same. And windsurfing, has also be great.

I returned my gas generator in August because I just couldn’t get it to run consistently enough. It would have been helpful just the same if we lose power. Now of course the only generators available, are thousands of dollars, and could power a small apartment building. I just need some thing that runs consistently for 12 hours, to power a bubbler for the boat if we get a hard freeze. Maybe I’ll get lucky, and buy some returns after this storm. Meanwhile, I took the roller furling Genny down last night, and added an extra mooring pennant where I had some chafe from the last few weeks.

So while that’s all taken care of...it’s my ankle I’m not sure of. [I rolled it in the shore-break while windsurfing a little over a month ago] I have been able to surf on it. [That’s not too hard considering how little standing I actually do when surfing]; plus I have been out SUP’ing on flat water, and to the gym in efforts to strengthen it. So while I will probably surf today, before things get too out of hand...I may have to sit out the near perfect Windsurfing wind and waves we are expecting.

I will say this. If it doesn’t feel perfect...I won’t go. Playing in the front side of these storm events is one thing...but once the storm surge pulls all that debris back into the water. It becomes a minefield out there. Last year we lost the Mayor of Joe’s Beach when he hit a waterlogged tree. And he was only sailing the sound, not the ocean.

So let’s all have fun. Don’t give the authorities a hard time. Know your limitations. And look out for your fellow Waterman. This is not a contest, this is supposed to be fun.

Oh yea, and don’t forget to laugh at yourself when you get pummeled in the shore-break, or held down. It will help you remember why we enter the water when others run from it. It is our home, our love; it brings us peace, and calmness. Not an adrenaline rush.

Well it’s 7:30...I have to leave for the beach; sun’s up.

One step forward; two steps back,... again

Well I can say I surfed, and windsurfed this passed week’s hurricane swell.

Although, I can’t say I did either well. I could make up some amazing story about riding the 15 swells and 30 mph wind...But that never really happened. [Not in the way I wanted to, anyway.]

The last few weeks have been nice. Now that we have ”theoretical full access” to Long Island’s oceanfront...the difficult part has been deciding what beach to use when. And,  there are still some bugs to be worked out. Last Friday after work, Domer and I launched from RM 5. I used a big floaty 125 ltr board, a 10 inch weed/wave fin, and a 6.9 wave sail. We launched to the west of the swimmers and sailed east about a half mile to a nice stack if waves in front if the Fire Island Lighthouse. Epic, by no means; but fun; and nice to be able to do without breaking archaic some Park rule written 60 years ago. And that’s been nice; I am grateful that the NYS Parks Now consider Windsurfing, Surfing.

It’s been a hot, and mellow summer. The perfect opportunity to get my sea legs back; get strong again. That...has been a frustrating endeavor. As I enter my 50’s; I don’t bounce back from injuries as fast as I expect. My mind still thinks I’m in my 20’s.

When one injury starts to feel better, another old one re-emerges to remind me I am pushing too hard. It was a little over a year ago that I was in a coma for a few days. It is amazing to me how those few days are still effecting me.

Then the swell happens. All week I am being hit with relentless text messages. Overhead here, Mast high there.

What you have to understand is that Long island is usually frequented by short period sand bar swell. That is what most people think the surf is like here. But in the fall, tropical storms and hurricanes push huge volumes of water our way. So, when a 4 foot swell with a period of 10 seconds or more comes our way, we can’t sleep, we can’t work...We all know that when that little 4 foot bump in 100s of feet of water suddenly encounters an 8 foot deep sand bar or point break...Let’s just say the unsOund Right Coast Cup had great surf for the Pro’s.
 http://www.easternsurf.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=425:right-time-right-spot-right-contest&Itemid=109

 

I, on the other hand surfed very poorly on my 6'2"  this week. I have been spending most of my time on much bigger boards. But I could deal with that. It was the wind forecast for Saturday that did me in. See I am a pretty poor surfer; But I am at home in the Ocean on a Windsurfer. That doesn’t mean I did very well yesterday. The directly onshore wind made just getting off the beach an exercise in breaking stuff. K-Dawg, & Billing both broke a mast, Air George, a board; and I;  I twisted my ankle in the shore break. The same one I twisted last month on the boat, and the month before in the gym. As I sit here writing this, it is wrapped in ice. I understand it had not healed enough for 25 knot wind and 12 foot surf. I just hope I can support my weight enough on it tomorrow so I can drive to work.

And so...one step forward; two steps back, again.

       














Would I have it any other way? Will my maturity have me learn from my mistakes?
Probably not...

thanks Ted

My friend Ted inspired me to do this post by asking what’s your favorite Vid clip. So here goes...

http://vimeo.com/4749222

This one of Josh Angulo still does it for me. When I dream of windsurfing; this is what I dream.

http://vimeo.com/35328567

I know this is surfing. But it is the most beautiful proof that waves are a living entity.

BIGGEST TEAHUPOO EVER from UnFuzzy on Vimeo.

http://youtu.be/kNPYGRHBfhY

This one has put my little injuries in perspective for me.

http://vimeo.com/41363018#

Our Local crew “killin’” it in the OBX. Do we all understand what it means to be able to sail with these guys on a regular basis?

The 2012 OBX Challenge from Mike Burns on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/39587611

Our boy Iggy, back from 20+ years of hibernation. He may be on a new sail but that board under his feet is at least 20 years old. His multiple camera mounts are what do it for me.

Da Bic and Da Boys are Back in Da Bronx from Hudson River Rat on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/6558080

And a new one from Ted. The best advice I ever received about windsurfing was “remember to laugh when you fall”

Reunion Wave Classic 09_Worst Wipe Out - Powered by Soöruz from Open Ocean Media on Vimeo.

Finaly Friday

I have been trying to leave the office early all week to go surfing.
The wind has been non-existent: and the surf has been about waist high.
I was not able to make my exit till about 2:30 yesterday. So I SUP'ed, the best I could, with some wind-blown slop at RM 3. I really have no idea what happened to my balance. So I knee paddled most of the time, [resulting in Waffle knees.]

Watching these guys is inspirational.

Missed again

I missed a good session yesterday. Why? Because I am NOT going in the bays or the sound. The only water clean enough for me is the ocean. We actually have less rain this summer than last. The problem is it has all been in the form of thunderstorms and downpours. That means everything is using our surrounding waters as a dumping ground.

I can usually spot the storms approaching. That tell tail "anvil" cloud, the wind starts blowing from the WNW instead of the prevailing SSW thermal we get in Summer, the temperature drops suddenly...
But none of those skills can protect me from the damage we have already done to Mother Ocean this year.

The tide to sail Democrat Point did not start to work until 5:00 yesterday afternoon.[Yes, I know know your tide table says 3:00PM. But Fire Island inlet is becoming so shoaled over, that true high tide was not until 5.] And we always sail Fire Island Inlet to Democrat in an opposing tide. One mistake and you are screwed. Unless you can suddenly swim at a 9 knot pace against the tide.

So since the wind forecast on the ocean was questionable...[BTW, it turned out that it did blow well enough to sail].
Since we couldn't start till 5 at slack tide, and sunset was about 7:50.
Since we had no plan B, [usually Joe's Beach at Heckscher State Park].
Or plan C:[usually to take out Segue. But Manhasset Bays was 90 degrees, and smells worse than a porta-potty, with out the deodorizer...

I opted for the Olympics. Thank god we had a nice Ocean session last Sunday. The last wave sailing I had was in June. And I was feeling it. The worst part was humping my gear a quarter mile each way in the deep sand. Don't get me wrong. This is better than humping your gear a mile and a half in the sand from RM2 out to Demo, But a pain in the ass when you watch some fisherman make that same drive to carry his 20 ounce rod and reel. Why it is against State Park rules to Wind surf or surf from my truck on the outer beaches, by just fine for fishing is beyond my scope or reasonable understanding,

 

Millions of gallons of raw sewage spill into Hudson River, threaten Ironman Championship 

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/millions_of_gallons_of_raw_sew.html 

Published: Friday, August 10, 2012, 8:00 AM

By Steve Strunsky/The Star-LedgerA sewer main break in Westchester County is sending millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Hudson River from the New York side, keeping summer vacationers and others away from the water and threatening to cancel the swimming competition for tomorrow’s Ironman U.S. Championship.
The break occurred Wednesday at Tarrytown, N.Y., prompting the Westchester County health department to issue an advisory warning against direct contact with the water anywhere south of Croton until further notice.
Officials said the advisory could be lifted by tomorrow, depending on the pace of repairs. But it could still be in effect at 7 a.m., the scheduled start time for the 2.4-mile swimming competition by 2,500 competitors along the Hudson River’s New Jersey bank, just north of the George Washington Bridge.
Environmentalists and public health officials are taking water samples to gauge levels of the enterococcus microbe in the water. They’re also using computer modeling to determine where and in what concentrations the waste water is likely to flow.
The break sent raw sewage flowing directly into the river at Yonkers, via the Croton Aqueduct, a defunct drinking water tunnel that serves as a right-of-way for the sewer main which runs into a Westchester County treatment plant along the river.
More raw sewage began flowing into the river Thursday morning at Sleepy Hollow, farther the north, where a bypass line is being used to divert the sewage from the broken main while repairs are under way, said Heather McGill, a Westchester County spokeswoman.
Repairs could be finished and the flow of untreated wastewater into the river shut down by this morning, McGill said. But even after that happens, she said, "it usually takes about 24 hours for an advisory to be lifted."
Westchester officials issued the advisory on Wednesday and immediately notified New York State, New York City and New Jersey environmental officials.

View full sizeTim Sparvero/The Star-Ledger

"We’re monitoring and we’ve contacted Bergen, Passaic and Hudson (counties) to make sure they’re aware," said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, who downplayed the health threat of the discharge. "Westchester has indicated that they are chlorinating the discharge, so we would expect that to kill any pathogens in the water. And we would expect the river to dilute the discharge."
Environmentalists said the forecast for heavy rains last night, today and tomorrow presents as big a threat to the triathletes’ health and safety as the main break. The New York side of the river has hundreds of combined storm water and sanitary sewer discharge points, where millions of gallons of untreated New York City sewage routinely drains into the river when sanitary sewers are flooded with storm water runoff, said John Lipscomb, manager of the water quality sampling program for the Hudson River Keeper, an environmental watchdog group.
Lipscomb said 13 percent of routine samples taken mid-channel at the George Washington Bridge exceed EPA standards for enterococus, the microbe tested for in brackish water.
"The organizers of the race have more to worry about from the rainfall that’s anticipated tonight and tomorrow, than this three-million gallons a day coming from Tarrytown," Lipscomb said.
Tomorrow’s triathlon begins with the swimming competition. It’s followed by a 112-mile bike race and then a standard 26.2-mile marathon. The competition is the biggest event of the year for American triathletes, who compete in eight other regional events around the country, said John Korff, the event’s local organizer.
Swimming competitions have been canceled before, though typically due to lightning. If the swim is canceled tomorrow, the other two events will determine the champion, Korff said.
Ironman Jeff Glasbrenner, a 39-year-old below-the-knee amputee from Little Rock, Ark., will be vying for his 18th victory in 20 competitions in the “physically challenged” division, and to be among 75 of Saturday's competitors qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on Oct. 13.
Glasbrenner said he wasn’t all that concerned about the sewage hazard, and if Korff says the race is on, Glasbrenner will be in the water. He’s an Ironman, after all.
“If the race director’s good to go, I’m good to go,” he said.

Authorities Vexed as Hundreds of Dead Crabs Wash Up on Shores  http://westhampton-hamptonbays.patch.com/articles/dead-crabs-wash-up-on-shores-of-tiana-and-shinnecock-bays

 The Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating incidents on shores of Tiana and Shinnecock Bay shores; Baykeeper points finger at red tide or pesticides.

• By Erica Jackson
• Email the author
• August 9, 2012

The Department of Environmental Conservation is trying to find out why hundreds of blue crabs and horseshoe crabs have washed up dead on the shores of Tiana and Shinnecock Bays — and so far, there are no answers.
DEC spokeswoman Lori Severino said that on Tuesday the department has fielded many reports of the crabs washing up near the shores of the Shinnecock Indian Reservation at the end of Corwin Lane in Hampton Bays.
"It's an ongoing investigation," she said.
Eric Shultz, the president of the Southampton Town Trustees, said he also received reports of dead crabs and conducted his own investigation. He believes the crabs simply shed their shells. To read his report, click here.
RELATED: Trustee Says Crabs on the Shoreline Is a Common Occurrence
However, Peconic Baykeeper Kevin McAllister believes that the kill could be caused by one of two things — the red tide or algae that has recently returned to Southampton waters, or pesticides related to mosquito spraying.
"It's hard to say what the cause is without testing. Often times it is pesticides, but it could also be the red tide," he said, adding that whatever the cause, "It is not good news for the bays."
Just this this week, McAllister said, the red tide, which has reappeared in area bays for several years, is responsible for a fish kill in a creek off Flanders Bay.
Red and brown tides, McAllister said, have become a chronic problem.
"We can’t delay anymore," he said. "We can’t sit here and debate this and ignore it for another five or 10 years. The time to act is now."
McAllister has long-advocated for pollution reduction strategies, including a call on Suffolk County to take action when it comes to sewage. He also has fought for the DEC to set numeric quality standards for the bays.
In addition, McAllister said he thinks people should take a closer look at mosquito spraying by the county, to determine if it's both safe for the environment and entirely necessary.
Nancy McGrath of Hampton Bays, who spotted the crabs at the end of Corwin Lane on Thursday evening, said she was saddened by the site.
"In my 50-plus years of being on the water here in Southampton Town, I have never seen this kind of die-off before. I'm sure there are other areas of Shinnecock beaches where this is happening, unfortunately. It's a very sad day for our bays."

Related Topics: Blue crabs and fish kill

Dead Whale Washes Up in Hampton Bays

http://westhampton-hamptonbays.patch.com/articles/dead-whale-washes-up-in-hampton-bays 

Coast Guard had received reports of a dead whale floating out in the ocean earlier in the day.

• By Erica Jackson and Taylor K. Vecsey
• Email the authors
• August 10, 2012

A dead whale washed up in Hampton Bays on Friday, after it was seen floating out in the Atlantic Ocean earlier in the day.
Kim Durham, the rescue program coordinator at the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation, said the whale's body landed just east of Tiana Beach between 4:30 and 5 p.m.
The Coast Guard received calls on Friday afternoon that a whale was floating in the ocean, but officials weren't exactly sure if the carcass was headed east or west. The southwind pushed the whale toward Hampton Bays.
The whale was fairly decomposed, Durham said. While she hasn't examined it yet, she believes it is either a sei whale, which is an endangered species, or finback whale, which is a threatened species. Both are common in New York waters, she said.
It was estimated to be about 50 feet long and weigh 50 tons, Durham said.
The Riverhead Foundation will work with the county on Saturday in deciding what to do with the carcass. The biologists will have to be escorted to the area due to piping plovers nesting in the area.
Just this spring, an adult pygmy sperm whale was discovered dead on the shore in West Hampton Dunes.
In July 2011, an injured sperm whale calf washed up on the rocky shore in Montauk. It died several hours later. At one-year-and-a-half old calf, it weighed 2.5 tons and measured 18 feet long, making the task of removing it extremely difficult. An excavator hoisted the whale off the rocky shore and placing it in a large Dumpster, which was then carted away so that a necropsy could be conducted before it was buried.
In March 2010, a young humpback whale became stranded on an East Hampton beach. Despite attempts to save the animal, it was eventually euthanized.
Check back on Saturday for more information, as it becomes available.

Related Topics: Dead whales, East Hampton Village, Hampton Bays, Montauk, Riverhead Foundation, and Whales

Gasping for air?

This Summer has been freakishly warm. Especially the water. I went straight from wearing a drysuit to wearing a 3/2 or a rash guard in early June. As a result, we have not been enjoying our normal thermals each afternoon. Instead we have been enduring  90 degree air, and 71 degree water temperatures.
While Friday's rain kept me out of the water...it's cool Easterly made for a wonderful sail with Lauralee on Saturday.
On Sunday the breeze was light but had switched to WSW. I left my mooring at high tide, so every thing seemed right with the world. As I was sailing I saw more Bunker schools than I had ever seen in one area. Giant bait balls with fish jumping everywhere.  I thought something is forcing these  fish to the surface, ( must be Blues). There were so many visible dorsal fins , the schools looked like cat paws on the water. What I didn't get, was why the fishermen where ignoring these giant bait balls.
It wasn't till I sailed back to the bay that I understood. The bay was back to smelling like a sewer. I'm no scientist; but I've seen this before...reports of whales beaching in the Sound: dead Bunker lining the shoreline...Hypoxia. These fish were desperately gasping for air.

I’m afraid of the water

 

No I’m not afraid of sharks; like the well publicized Great White sightings in Chatham.

In fact, I was in the water in Chatham [where my parents happen to live] just a few weeks ago. I mean “come on” we have plenty of sharks in sharks in Long Island’s waters. I was actually bumped by a Tiger Shark while fishing a few years back. I was wading in Fire Island Inlet up to my waist, trying to cast into a bait ball. The shark was slow and graceful. I initially thought it was the shadow of one of those slow flying airplanes that pull the banner ads at the beach. But when that shadow bumped, or investigated me, it felt like someone dragged 50 grit sandpaper across my thigh.

 We see sharks more often in the Fall through Spring months. Probably because the water visibility is better. But I have no doubt there are out there. It’s there territory; their home; we are the visitors. To be honest with you, I am more afraid of a school of Bluefish. Now those guys will do some damage; first you have that tell-tail smell, then you see the Blitz, as they swim, mouths open, and bite anything. When they blow through a lineup chasing bait fish, you do not want to be in the water.

So what am I afraid of? The rain. More specifically downpours. And that seems to be the norm this year.

So why is that bad? Storm Run off.

The past decade’s Mc-Mansion craze, all the new black-top, and

bulkhead-ing of our island is a bad thing. Every time is rains, all the nitrogen rich fertilizer from our artificially green lawns, along with anything else out there, goes straight into the water.

The loss of the natural marshland to land fill means we have nothing to filter all that crap. Oh yea and I mean CRAP literally. Our sewage treatment facilities were built when the population of Long Island was about a third of what it is today. And that is even if you have a sewage treatment plant. Many communities still rely on “theoretical’ septic systems and leaching fields.

Water at Long Island beaches is experiencing increased bacteria counts. In 2011 and the state as a whole dropped five spots in a nationwide ranking of beach-water cleanliness. Stormwater runoff and sewage spills have dropped New York’s  ranking to 24 out of 30 states in the "Testing the Waters" report issued by the environmental advocacy group Natural Resources Defense Council.

  

I was able to leave work early on Friday, but I was afraid to go in the water. Even the Ocean smelled like poop. This is really becoming a health risk. Many Bunker, Blues, and Striped Bass I have caught this year are showing signs of parasites.

The scariest in my opinion is mycobacteriosis. It is so bad the DEC recommends you only handle these fish wearing rubber gloves!

For more information; or to report signs of a diseased fish visit...

http://www.somas.stonybrook.edu/~madl/myco.html

At least Massachusetts has issued a warning. Most States are not. “I assume” they are afraid of losing the revenue fishermen bring.

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/marinefisheriesnotices/2012/striped_bass_lesions_071712.htm

So I didn’t go windsurfing Friday in the pouring rain. I did give a Kite-surfer who was separated from his kite a ride. But shampooed the passenger seat after realizing he soaked it to the cushion. And on Saturday I feel good about my choice.

Nassau County officials announced 14 North Shore beaches are closed to bathers Saturday after heavy rainfall. Suffolk County officials issued

A beach advisory, warning residents to avoid bathing at 60 Suffolk County beaches.

We just don’t get it.

My head in the bilge

 

So I spent the morning on my roof, doing the things like cleaning my gutters, that I should have done last Fall.

It’s been that kind of a week…Theoretically, I’m on vacation. Yet I am still driving my Assistant crazy. I have been trying for the last week or so to fill a customer’s request. His parameters are so restrictive; I might as well be at the office. But I‘m not.

Yesterday was spent upside down with my head in the bilge of Segue. When you own a 27 year old boat; electrical gremlins are to be expected. Segue’s bilge pump has been haunting me for decades.

Today I expected a typical North Westerly. It would start out hard, then blow itself out by noon. Sounds like a great day to get some work done, then have a nice afternoon sail and get some sun.

Only that isn’t what happened. The wind reports kept teasing me. The breeze would moderate; then pick up again.

I had to go Windsurfing. By the time I decided where to sail from it was 2:00 PM. By the time I reached the beach, it was 3:30. So I rigged the biggest sail I have [a 6.9] and my biggest board [a 125 ltr Sumo] and hit the water. It was one of those gusty days that you where over, or under-powered no mater what you rigged.

So thanks to Jim, the BlueHarborCat we have proof that I wasn’t slogging the whole time. [Thanks Jim].

100 degrees in the shade.

I guess it is the first day of summer. 7:15 PM on my way home from work.

It’s 1984 all over again.

It’s 1984 all over again.

No I am not talking about fashion; though that is true. Teal, fuchsia and neon green do not belong on the human body. And I’m not talking about music; but I guess if they’re making “Rock of Ages” into a movie, that is true too.

I’m talking about The George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 kind of 1984.

Most of America still doesn’t realize how much of their Freedom and rights they gave away in the wake of 9/11’s Patriot Act. And because I can now be held indefinitely, and not formally charged with anything, simply because of some anonymous suspicion…we’re not going to talk about that today.

‘So what are we gonna’ listen to you rant about today?’... “Well, I’m glad you asked.”

I’m concerned about my governments’ and all other well intentioned peoples’ obsession with trying to protect me from myself. What is with you people? Can’t you just live and let live?

Apparently not.  I’m not saying I’m the most careful person on the planet, or that I’ve never been injured. In fact last summer I managed to fall and hurt myself so silly I was actually in a coma for two and one half days. And I did that in my own house. It was simple really…all I had to do was fall. It is a wonder that I have survived these last 50 years of life. The thing is; I would like to enjoy the rest of my years.

So please, don’t tell me I’m not allowed to drink sugared soda. I can’t stand diet soda. It tastes awful, and is filled with poison as a sugar substitute. Remember Saccharine? And I’m pretty sure Aspartame was never meant for human ingestion. Plus didn’t we go down this whole road before with the Butter > Margarine >Palm oil, back to Butter thing. Or Lard/Butter > Trans Fat, back to Butter again. Yea and Olestra; that was a good idea… I’m guessing we could all loose weight if we drank motor oil. What ever happened to everything in moderation, or exercise? Do you want to help me? Then pay for my gym membership, Acupuncture, and deep tissue Massage.

Next; please stop issuing me tickets for not wearing my helmet: or not wearing my PFD, [now there are some occasions that I do wear these by choice: my choice!]

And what is with the tickets for Surfing when the waves are big? “Yes officer, I understand it is a Hurricane swell, that’s why I am here.” Have you ever seen Teahupoo, Jaws, or Pipeline? This is not that big.

Windsurfing on windy days is just as bad. Could be a Hurricane, a Nor’Easter, or a blizzard.  “No Officer it is not that windy; I’m not even on my smallest sail.” Maybe I just need to move to the Gorge, Hatteras, or Maui? Every time I enter the water after December 15^th and before May 31^st, I risk a ticket or arrest. Enough already.

Let’s just agree that I am an adult: Physically anyway; so as long as I am not hurting anyone else leave me alone!

I just read you want to track the prescription anti-inflammatory and Painkillers I take, just because someone else abused them? I can assure you I will not be on Dr. Drew's Celebrity Rehab any time ever. Isn’t it already bad enough you keep track of how much pseudoephedrine I take? If I ever start a Meth Lab, I’ll let you know. Isn’t this like telling me I can’t drive because someone else broke the speed limit.

I just don’t get it. Hydro Fracking is OK? Dumping raw sewage in the ocean because no one wants to upgrade our sewage treatment plants? So we don't have the money? Wait, Didn’t NY just rebuild 3 major sports stadiums in the last 5 years? So what’s the excuse?

Better yet; what’s your excuse? Get involved. Make your voice heard! Is there windsurfing at Gitmo?

Today is Commissioning down at the Yacht Club

 Today is Commissioning down at the Yacht Club. I will be absent.




The Moth Class represents every thing the Yacht Club scene does not.
No design constraints. Just build the fastest most innovative boats you can.

Just like the windsurfing that still exists today, Change the shape; the design; keep tweaking it, and see what happens.

No tradition; no blue blazers, no pecking order in status; no pecking order in the line up.


Moves like this ...where unthinkable.....................................when our equipment looked like this...

Mike Burns

myself by Richard J in 1980 something

                                    

Florian

myself, shot by Steve

The conditions we sail in today,,, were unimaginable on the gear we sailed in 1979.
So while windsurfing continues to make great leaps forward for the regular guy like me.

We lose ground when we try to be the Yacht Club racers we are not.The greatest example being that Windsurfing is no longer an Olympic Sport. And why not? The boards they race bear no resemblance at all to the boards my friends and I sail. And we are just regular guys.
We have families, hold "Real Jobs", and we just love the water.







Interestingly, we are actually gaining ground in our little corner of the sailing world.


For example after 35 years of wave sailing in the Ocean against NY State Parks rules. Windsurfing is finally allowed in the Ocean.

See the link bellow for details.
http://libeach.blogspot.com/ 

George shot by Ted

 Friday, May 18, 2012
Subject: RE: Governor  Cuomo's office in cooperation with the NYS Parks announces additional beach access.

Effective June 1st, NYS PRHP will permit stand-up paddle board and windsurfing in designated surfing zones. Incremental progress is still progress. The Commission will monitor the expansion program. A successful program provides a strong argument for further consideration of expansion.

SURFING, paddle boarding and wind surfing oceanfront locations

          Jones Beach

·        The surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing area is open year-round at West End 2.  The area is located on the west side of the beachfront, avoiding protected species.

·        Off-season surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are permitted at all open parking fields from October 16^th thru May 14^th. 

·        In-season surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are permitted west of Field 2 from June 1^st thru October 15^th.

·        Surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are permitted beyond 100 feet east of Field 6 picnic area year-round.

·        Surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are permitted at the west end boat basin.

·        Surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are permitted at Field 10.

Montauk State Parks Complex

·        Surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are open year-round from sunrise to sunset at Shadmoor and Hither Hills (outside bathing area).

·        Surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing area at Montauk Point State Park is open December 15th thru March 31st from sunrise to sunset.

Robert Moses

·        In-season, surfing, paddle boarding, and wind surfing area is located on the west side of each open field beyond the lifeguard protected bathing areas. (closed fields)  Including Democrat Point west of jetty.

·        During the off-season, surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are authorized within Fields 2, 3 and 4 by permit only when fields are closed.  Effective dates are September 15^th thru December 31^st daylight hours only.  Field 5 surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing are authorized year-round on the west side.