Well, I'm sitting around doing nothing, wishing I could sail on a beautiful windless vacation day at home. Such is windsurfing isn't it? It really is drug-like, and I have always let my personal responsibilities dictate how often I go. Usually, this is a maximum of 6 times a year. School, work, marriage, kids, family, weather... I have always been able to keep windsurfing at bay. As a result, I made no improvement for years. And I mean years. In fact, I was much better in my youth than I am now, but I am starting to finally crawl out.

This is my one year reflection to an increased (not total) commitment to the sport I love most. I like road, mountain, and tandem biking. I like sailing Lasers, surfing, but windsurfing gives me the most joy. I recognized that over the past few years. First, I started buying new equipment and selling off my old gear. But, that was not enough. I was still not getting out enough. I had to forcefully carve the time out. I still have major responsibilities, and it does not help that my wife does not share in this same passion I have. We are both coming to better terms on this. This year, I said we were going to Hawaii no matter what. We were still half way though the year before the tickets were bought, because of work and child care issues. I think we are both grateful we made it happen.

This year besides more sailing days (27 vs. 6), I have tried to come to grips with my size/weight. I am not ready for the Ironman, my body fat is @ 25%, but I really do not feel that out of shape. I run 5-7 days a week. I eat like a pig, so that explains things, but I rarely drink. Currently at 6'6" #245, I think I can cut it to #240, but that is the max. I have had to really re-think my gear. I used to think I could just add 10 liters or 1m2. My trips to the Gorge last year, Hatteras and Maui this year really proved that I have to ignore what others rig, or I can expect major frustration. The C121 I bought at the beginning of '04 to replace my '98 Drops 9'6", turned out to be a higher wind board than I originally thought. I wanted it to be my only board for CC and leave the F175 at home. I bought a closeout '04 C145 on a whim at the end of '04 just to fill that gap. Turned out the C145, which looks like a short fat pig, works really well for my size. I was able to sail it up to the upper 20's with a 6.0m2. I also stuck a 9.3m2 formula rig (I thought 8.0 would be the max it could handle) and a left over 52cm race fin in it in 15mph and planed faster than some of my lighter friends.

I started to survey guys my weight/size and sold off the C121 for the Cross 117 to better space off the C145. What a winner combo I have for me. It took a long time to figure it all out, but it is really a lot more enjoyable to have gear that works for me. It has been a learning process.

I still have the formula gear, and will be using it to try to get more days in. I have changed my work schedule a little and hope to sail a few more tuesday and thursday afternoons after work. I did not achieve the progress with the kids sailing this year I had hoped. Lots of stuff to work on in '06. Hope to go to Hatteras, Gorge, and maybe Jeri.. (in the next few yrs). We will see...