Why do I find the ocean so rewarding?

Why do I find the ocean so rewarding? I've been pretty lucky. The last two weekends I've been fortunate enough to sail Gilgo. The wind has had a lot of east in it. Last Sunday was fully powered side off 6.0 and the 109 ltr JP. It was hero sailing, a great confidence builder. The waves were small knee to hip high, and very clean.
Yesterday; Saturday; we had similar conditions. The 6.0 was not quite enough power on the inside as I would have liked: but enough to plane, out past the breakers.The waves were however, waist to head high. And If you have ever schlogged into a head high wave...you would swear it was logo high. I tried to rig my 6.5 Ezzy Freeride, for a little more power, but it didn't work very well. The extra power did not make up for the lack of maneuverability. So I switched back to the 6.0. Schlogged out through the breakers, did my chicken jybe, and enjoyed my pretty close to DTL rides back in.

I know if I had gone to Heckschere, I would have been fully powered on a smaller sail but...

I don't know, I just feel great about both, less than perfect sessions. Maybe it's the crew? Maybe it's that we don't get sailable side shore all that often? It's probably just the ocean.

The Puffin

Michael is running the official update site for the Long Island Unofficial East Coast Windsurfing Competition/Event.
http://www.peconicpuffin.com/

You should go to Mikes site all the time anyway. Just because it's there. I do. It's one of the best sources for Long Island Windsurfing information.

http://www.peconicpuffin.com/the_peconic_puffin/2008/03/totally-unoffic.html

Look what Ely has been up to.

A friend of mine, Ely, is on his semi annual pilgrimage to the motherland: Maui. I don't have the time to travel that he does. So I tend to spend my winters in drysuits. Ely never sails in a drysuit. He's smarter than that. He goes to the Dominican Republic, Maui or some other warm, windy, and wavy place. Ely; the world traveling Waterman; makes friends where ever he goes simply by sharing his stoke. You may remember him from the Niel Pryde ad a few years back.
Or from his photos
http://photos.surfline.com/view_image.php?pid=29487
http://elysurf.com/
Or you may of seen the video of him sharing a wave with Kevin Prichard.

If you've ever shared a session with Ely... you'll remember.

OBX update #3

Wed April 9th.
All of the below is still true.
But, today I was on a 6.0

OBX update # 1 & #2

This is how I know I have not slipped into vacation mode yet.
It's been 5 days and...
I'm still getting up early.
I have been reading all my work e-mails, and worrying about the next.
Lauralee and I have not seen the sun, or worn shorts yet.
I'm convinced my truck's power steering is not right.
Our soundfront rental has some sort of a killer mold/water damage thing going on.
It's been 20+ knots 3 (make that 4) days in a row, and my hands are raw.
I have only worn my Drysuit to sail so far.
4X4 access is still legal.But I have not driven to the ocean side yet.
The ocean is just too rough for me to sail, or surf. Total Victory at Sea conditions.

I am having to force my self to rest.

So, I will make my “pilgrimage” to the OBX today

http://www.islandfreepress.org/CatBeachAccessIssues.html

I packed my truck last night. This morning, my family and I will drive 12 hours to Cape Hatteras. We have been visiting Hatteras since the early 70’s. What I have always loved about the Outer Banks, is that I could do any thing there. My father shared his love of the ocean, sound, and marshes that are the cape’s barrier islands. My father is now retired to Cape Cod: I now live and work on Long Island. While we live in places that are similar to Cape Hatteras… They are still not that wonderfully special place where I learned how to play with its forces; [waves, wind, and, water]: Feed from its bounty: [fish, crab, and shellfish]; and stand in awe of its beauty. That’s why we keep coming back.

But if you ban four wheel drive access, you will make it impossible for me to share the same experience with my family that my father shared with me. Sure, you may need to limit or regulate 4X4 access. There are just too many SUV’s around today. But an outright ban is unnecessary! There are just too many of us who use 4X4 access responsibly who will be hurt in the process. We understand that the beach is a fragile and ever changing place, best accessed by foot, or by responsible four wheel access. The last thing you want is hard structures like roads and parking lots.

So, I will make my “pilgrimage” to the OBX today. I’ve already paid for my rental house. Because of this love for the Cape, we visit in the spring or fall. Any sunburned tourist can love the Cape in the summer…But we rent homes, and spend dollars when it is 50 degrees, 40 knots, and pouring rain. And we love it! Take away our access, and see how many of show up next season