I STILL DON'T GET IT.

So yesterday I sat at Gilgo State Park, [Old Coast Guard Beach] from 2 - 6:30 yesterday waiting for the wind to pick up. 

Nice to watch the surf contest. I was impressed with what they could do in that small on shore slop. 

We left at 6:30 because the wind was showing signs of life. Checked Cedar; [thank god no one was charging, [because they could have hit me up for $40.00 for 6:30 to 8 PM!] . At Cedar  I would have the privilege of carrying my gear a half mile each way, then sailing another 1/2 mile in the open ocean, across the inlet to windsurf the outer jetty. All this while LL sits at Cedar a mile away.  This is still better than walking 1 & 1/2 miles each way from RM2 to the jetty.

I also checked  Overlook: [who would not let me it, because I am a non resident] but no one was there. The beach was empty.

We could have continued on to Demo by truck with Lauralee; even though you still CAN’T Windsurf from your truck. 

I can drive right there; I can pull a surfboard from my truck and surf; but not a Windsurfer. What if the wind or wave state changes? What if I had to switch boards, sails, or fins?

What if fishermen had to walk 1 & 1/2 miles each way every time the had to switch a lure?

Essentially, that is what NYS is asking me to do. Only Windsurfing gear weighs a hell of a lot more.

So we aired our tires back up for the ride home.

The meters looked like it was a short lived sailable burst.

Did anyone catch it?  Did you? I didn’t.

I could have been motivated to take the 120 ltr. and the 6.9 back out in the ocean if I had some company, like I did Wednesday night at RM 2.

 Or if I could have rigged and sailed from my truck at the State Park. I could have caught a nice, safe, wave session. And I would not have to be a mile or more away from my wife.

I suppose I could have rigged at Cedar; dragged my gear a half mile in the sand, then sailed another 1/2 mile to Demo. Then Lauralee could have driven the three miles to Demo alone. This way she could still be at the same beach I was sailing from…

But when the day was over I could either de-rig at Demo and risk a ticket or the revocation of my permit by tossing my gear into my truck. Or we could do the whole operation in reverse… Lauralee drives 3 miles back to Cedar; I sail the 1/2 mile in fading light; then hump my gear another 1/2 mile back to the lot at Cedar.

One and one half miles, each way, in sand. Most people can't make that walk. What about people with families? How are we expected to do the thing that we love, with the people we love?

Have you ever noticed that the beaches with parking close to the water are filled with people, sitting in their vehicles, watching the water. Those people are not lazy. And don't dare call them disabled. That is not how they view themselves. They are just not capable of walking a hundred yards across sand to the water. Don't they have a right to the ocean? I know the lifeguards could wheel them to the water in one of those PVC giant tire contraptions. These people don't want that. It's about dignity. If they could legally use one of the 4X4 accessible beaches, they would. Until two years ago you had to be fishing to access one of those beaches.
Now the State of NY allows surfers access at just two beaches. Not the general public.

In 1987 the United States Coast Guard classified windsurfers as surfboards; not vessels. In 1991 The US Coast Guard reiterated that position.  Windsurfers ARE Surfboards.

I am allowed to Drive to Democrat Point, and Gilgo State Park with my surfing gear.
I am allowed to surf at Democrat Point, and Gilgo State Park. From my truck, with my family.

I am allowed to Drive to Democrat Point, and Gilgo State Park with my windsurfing gear.

I am allowed to windsurf at Democrat Point.

Just NOT from my truck.

Let’s just connect the dots.

Is this making any sense to you? Because it sure isn’t making any sense to me.