2009 I-to-I Recap from Brad Couden
Everyone's heard the motto, "Save the best for last" correct?
Well... that fits my style of
windsurfing quite nicely. I have lots to learn about the
progression of the sport, but enjoying every minute of the ride.
Saturday at the i to i, as the
motto goes, I was the last to get planing at the start line, and I was
the last to round the first marker at Port Everglades, (the lone Kona
was cruising along in front of me) On the downwind run up to Hillsboro
Inlet, I spent a minute in the water after a high profile unintentional
aerial catapult, wondering why the stars were out so early today.
Once again, I appeared to be last on the approach to the marker.
Any GPS unit would have given up on mapping my course from the number
of times I had to tack to get a good run downwind. Then the rain
came, the wind crapped out again, and I spent some more time in the
water, not by choice.
I realized that the
well-orchestrated wipe out had knocked my water bottles out of the sail
mast sleeve, not good. On the return, wind picked back up out of
the SW for a good run SE to start making it back to the start
line....very thirsty now..... A gust caused the 3rd catapult and
somehow sent some body limb through the bottom panel of my aging NP V8
9.8. Now I know why Ron says cell phones mandatory!!
Slogged back into Pompano Beach area in the rain with no wind, and
those lifeguards were so generous to sit and watch me with binoculars
about to pass out unloading formula gear onto the beach in 3 foot
surf. And yes, I was the last back to the parking lot!
Busted Sail? Yes, but I don't
care. The sail repair does not compare to the experience gained
for the first time, it was awesome! I look forward to the
charging hard and the challenge of the race next year.....and maybe not
finishing last! :)
Brad Couden