Flex (17968km):
527 days ago South Yunderup, WA, AU. Foolishly planned my day around the forecast and arrived at Coods ready for the wind at its best. Dial was reading 17-23kt so should have been pretty epic. However, Richo and Boz were in the pond going exactly nowhere, probaby getting their nails done. Was a bit confused what to rig with the dial reading so high but not even enough breeze for the big guns so went for a walk to the pond with the drone instead.
For the whole 1.8km walk into the pond there was no sailing going on, but got the drone ready when a slight breeze came in and the boyz started sailing. Since there was some sea eagles nearby I flew fast so these birdies didn't take me out and this had the added side effect of scaring the daylights out of the unsuspecting sailors who hadn't spotted me. Wasn't exactly epic sailing, far from it and the breeze soon faded so went for a walk into the pond for a chat. The guys were exactly selling the place and ordered a cup of tea a pizza and some extra nail polish but I wasn't up for that, neither was sailing like this my cup of tea either so walked back with again no sailing being done. Was a nice walk though.
By this time Antman had arrived and just launched as I got back to the car park with the wind dying further. Since the dial was still reading big numbers decided would check out Yunderup for more consistent wind. On arrival there was much more water than last time so clearance should be fine. Gut said to rig the big guns but the brain said to downsize due to the big numbers on the dial so went out on 7.8 and small board in the off chance there was better wind once out. There was not and no chance of getting going. Was thinking of going to the Blouse sale at Katies the mobsters were talking about but decided to give the big guns a crack so rigged them.
As launched wind picked up a tiny notch and was nicely powered with nice long runs in consistent wind but the FF18 fin was a bit sketchy in the light chop and couldn't put the power down so came in to change to FF22. This was better but not perfect but started to get a nice rythym in the steady breeze. Had I come earlier might have been a nice hr or distance day. I thought all the water depth clearance issues were ok but after clearing one point the board suddenly stopped dead on a shallow spot and I was flung into the mast and then, still hooked in, the rib cage crushed big time against the mast. Was badly winded and knew I had wiped out a few ribs and piles of muscles. Once could breathe again, the whole right side of body didn't want to sail so started walking the 2km back to base. With the day getting on figured this would take too long and if I had done major damage was better to get to shore quick and pass out on the beach so attempted to sail. Took a few very painful goes but once in the harness was bearable and thankfully got to the bank without further drama. Rigging down was a painful nightmare and almost gave up getting the wetsuit off.
Managed to just drive back but body had seized up and getting sore so the wifey had the glamorous job of undressing and dressing me for the shower as what left of my flexibility had been eliminated in the crash. A few Tylonols and Aspirins later though feeling way better so probably just badly bruised. I think the mobsters heading to the Blouse sale made the right call today. iSonic 117, FF18 and 22, SvT8.6
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