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Today I went to Bird Island after getting up at 6am to do some work and checking out the sensors and seeing 40+, gusting into the 50's. I thought "no way I'm going to survive in that with a 111 liter board."
By the time I finished work and headed out, it was down to a more manageable 25 to 30. I stopped by Cline Street to see if they had any cheap used small boards. Oliver was rocking, with a long line and people walking out with boards and all sorts of stuff. I didn't talk to him, but I'm sure he's happy with a good day like that.
When I got to Bird it was blowing pretty well. I'd had some trouble keeping my board on the water the day before, and I wasn't really pumped to go back out for more of the same. I finally mustered up the energy and rigged the Sailworks 4.7 Quaddro and put on the smallest fin I have (12.5").
Because of my laid-back feeling, and not being agressive at all, I wasn't having any fun. I'm a pretty fast sailor usually, but I wasn't going fast, I couldn't come close to a jibe (told you a couple of days ago I'd suck after saying I felt good about them). Nothing felt right. I used the wrong boom on the 4.7 and everything was out-of-whack. The other times on that sail were fun, but today it just wasn't.
After about 30 or 45 minutes I finally started getting agressive and having fun. I still wasn't super, but it wasn't a total loss. Part of what helped was seeing some people I know pass me, then dragging and passing them. I instantly felt better.
I need to bottle agressiveness so I can sail better more often. Getting out there and just pussy-footing around is no fun, probably somewhat dangerous and energy-sapping. I was worn out after only two hours. I think I pulled a muscle in my left bicep on Friday (yesterday), and it was hurting again today.
I had a few great wipeouts again today, but it was pretty crowded when I was in the main alley, so I couldn't go blazing into any good jibes, which is when I usually wipe out. My outside jibes, in the closely spaced chop, were murder. I don't think I planed through one of them. For awhile, I couldn't even stay on my board through one, though I eventually got better at that.
For the most part, a so-so day. I probably won't be able to sleep tonight because I'll be hating myself for not getting out there and being more agressive when I had some good wind. The 4.7 wasn't nearly as fun today as it has been, but I think it's more my attitude than anything. The biggest bummer is that I had the bad attitude because I thought I was going to fight it all day, but the wind was actually less today than it was yesterday, and I was out on my 5.4 and generally having a decent time (though tailwalking a lot). ARGHHH.
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