How would you describe the feeling you get from a good top-turn?
A Deep-Thoughts moment, by Jack Handy...
I read a few comments today on Quebecwind.com where there is a bit of a debate between why people would choose to sail at Outlet Beach (yesterday) when they could have been sailing at Mac's (and vice versa). Obviously, the usual logic applies and answers the question, sortof - everyone is different, personal choice etc... - but fundamentally I think the comparison is between the beach (bigger waves = bigger air (debatable), cleaner(?), but generally backside riding or one-hit wonders) and Upper Mac's (smaller waves = less air, cleaner(?), and wrapping waves that produce conditions that approach sideshore DTL). Trying to pin point the differences isn't really the objective here, but there are clearly differences, and I'd sum it up by saying; beach = backside, Mac's = frontside. But, I am biased.
For me, since first sailing Mac's nearly 10 years ago, I don't think I've ever gone back to the beach. It has always been about the frontside. Nothing comes even close in windsurfing to the feeling I get from a good top-turn, except multiple good top-turns on the same wave. Nothing comes even close in any other sport for me. Backside cuts aren't even on the same map. Jumps, not even close. I could care less if the wave is 1/4 the size, a nice full-power aggro frontside hit beats a backside hack any day of the week, and that is why I've never gone back to the beach. I know a lot of you other Mac's regulars feel the same way, maybe not to the same extent, but probably.
So, how would you describe to a friend, sailor or not, that feeling you get from it? I challenge you, because I don't think I can put the right words to it. Maybe I need a thesaurus, or an education involving bigger words & fewer numbers. Can you?
4 comments:
Hey Fish,
Couldn't find another way of contacting you so this is off topic from your current post. I was wondering if you had an opinion (or noticed) that there are no Kiwis representing in wave or freestyle world cups? You've lived and sailed there and i would assume there are world class conditions and riders there. What do you think?
Mark
Calgary
Hey Mark. I certainly have noticed that but I would also say that even larger population countries like Canada and Australia don't have a whole lot of participants in the PWA either (there are only Phil Soltysiak from Canada and Jaeger Stone from Oz at the moment I think?). Similar to Western Australia, NZ certainly gets its good share of wind and has some world class wave spots. I think Scott Fenton from 10-20yrs back was NZ's top competing pro. Maybe they are just too laid back... ;) not sure. I can tell you for sure there are world class riders there. In Wellington they were lots of really well rounded and very talented freestylers and wave sailors. Other places breed pure wavesailors - Taranaki in particular, and I know there are some incredible wavesailors there. Maybe they just don't want to leave? I can totally understand that. New Zealand has to be one of the most stunning countries in the world. What do you think?
I guess i'm not as surprised about Canada only having Phil to represent (that i know of) and i didn't realize Jaeger might be the only one from Oz. New Zealand and Western Australia are on my list of windsurf travel destinations. Going to Brazil in a few weeks, so i'll check that one off the list!
Mark
I'd say NZ would be unreliable as a short term destination, but for a couple months bracketting Christmas, Wellington would be a pretty good place to hang out. Sail on the windy days (probably several per week) and MTB/Hike on the rest.
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