Succumbed to temptation--and worth it--but there was a stingray incident!

The problem with our house is I have a clear view of the ocean, and today the ocean called. The book chapter will have to wait until tomorrow (unless it really blows--which it just might do)

Arrived at Surfdale to see "Dad with daughters" rigging a 6.0. Found out he does indeed have a name. It is Rudy. Mark was in the van, but couldn't get in the water since he had to teach a class at the high school shortly (a windsurfing class? I'm going back to school!)

I went with my 6.0 "Twister" as well. Just as I was about to get in I saw Rudy flying along--we selected the right sails. But once I'm on the water I can't find Rudy. Then I finally spot his board on the rocky shore where the Esplanade dirt road juts out from Blackpool to Surfdale. Then I spot Rudy on the road with his sail with him. A problem with the rig that required such an emergency exit? Mark spotted him too and rushed over in the van. I'm flying along (it is FINALLY my day where the 125 L Fanatic and 6.0 sail are perfect). But no sign of them getting the rig back into the water. THEN the ambulance shows up! WTF?? Mark takes off in the van toward Blackpool and I race him around the point (the sail-powered craft wins as the van encountered a few pedestrians on the dirt road and had to slow down). I check back on the Surfdale side and the ambulance is going away. I go to shore to see what the boys are up to (see video for an idea) and talk with Rudy's wife who has arrived to pick up his shoes from his car to take to the hospital--she tells me he has a gash on his leg. I didn't ask how he got it, I figured a bad encounter with the skeg or a sumberged rock, or something inorganic. But it turns out to be a freak encounter with a stingray during a waterstart! WTF??? Details below

So after Rudy's wife leaves I talk with a newly arriving windsurfer ("the Calgary Kid") and a kitesurfer (the same one who was out last night--he did better today with the stronger winds). So the kitesurfer tells me that Rudy was impaled by a stingray, and in addition to the ambulance the local news reporter was there taking photos and interviewing Rudy. Crikey!! A f'n rouge stingray!!

So I windsurf for hours (taking a short break with the kids). Finally I'm done and as I'm heading to the beach I see Rudy's family van returning--In addition to watching the kids I've been keeping an eye on Rudy's car that has the hatchback partially open to accommodate his board and sails (Mark must have taken care of this). So I get out of the water to see Rudy, who has traded his boom for a cane and his wetsuit for a leg bandage. I tell him it is still really good wind and he can borrow my rig if he wants to head out (he is in good spirits despite the wound, but shivering and unable to put much weight on the leg--poor guy). The doctor was able to stick his finger about 4 inches into the wound while probing for a stinger. He'll get an ultrasound to be sure. Lucky the stinger didn't hit an artery. Rudy said it felt like a bite or being hit really hard. The water is very murky so you can't see your own feet in the shallows.

At the end of the day Ole showed up and he and the Calgary Kid took a few more runs. Ole was on an 80-something L board with a sub-6.0 sail and was unable to do much...a bit overly-optimistic Ole? Next high wind day I will try his AHD 80 L board that he no longer uses--I'm determined to have a small board for the next screaming southwesterly flow. Mark also is liquidating his gear. He is hanging up his hat on the Windsurfing-Waiheke Business. Apparently there is still an old web site out there that I need to check. Mark looked strangely at me when I told him I windsurfed Owhanake bay when the wind was from the west. Apparently there are better options and he highlights them on his web page. I may be the first and only windsurfer to take on the narrow Owhanake bay! (stupid American)

Finally, in addition to wishing Rudy a quick recovery I need to send positive vibes to dad who is undergoing open heart surgery on Monday for valve replacement--an operation that was always looming, and has now finally arrived. The outlook is good and we will see him here in Waiheke in March.

PS. "The Calgary Kid" has been on Waiheke since 1988, the Summer I spent on Oahu learning the fundamentals of windsurfing. So 21 years later...still learning!