Windsurfing

Lynn and I decided to seize the summer and take windsurfing lessons. It looks like a peaceful sport, sailing quietly to the whispers of the wind while gliding across the sparkling water the sun warming your back. I quickly found out it is more difficult than it looks. We took two lessons, got our light wind rating which allows us to take out our own windsurf boards whenever the wind is 0-18 mph. So this Saturday, a beautiful 90 deg summer day Lynn and I head over to the Union.

In the beginning I was very optimistic. I snowboard, I ski, I sail... this should be okay. Within minutes I already knew I would be working my butt off. I was already exhausted and I was still in the mooring field!
Here is a glimpse of my windsurfing day.
I hunch over, kneeling on the board, frantically searching for the up haul (rope) to heave my sail up my board teeters under my shifting weight and I slink into the water. Scramble around, climb up, stand up with up haul in hand, legs quivering. Slowly, pull the up haul, sail rising, slowly. Then POOF a gust of wind yanks the sail out of my hands and I front flip into the water. Second try- sail is up and waving, arms are strong. I let the wind guide me, I am going out towards the middle of the lake but I do not want to stop because I AM UP! Onward! The wind picks up, swirls- yanks the sail and the two of us, sail on top of me flail into the lake. For a minute I am trapped under the sail- drowning! Panicking!! And then I am out. Safe again. I look around me, and realize I am now way beyond the area I was hoping to stay sailing within. I am nearly past picnic point! So, for the next 3 hours I am trying to sail back (UPwind). When I get back into the mooring field I get too close to a sailboat- ram into its side, drop my sail on its mast and wires, get tangled, crowds of boaters are watching and laughing. I am thinking this sail boat probably costs more than my life. I get out of the mast and wires, but get stuck on the buoy and have to pull yards of slimy rope out from under my board. Eventually, I get close enough to swim.... pulling the sail behind me, inching along. I was utterly exhausted, every ounce of energy used in those 4 hours.