Ah yes – time to reflect on life and other things in general. The fact that it’s February in Gauteng means that we are not currently blessed with wind and frustration levels within the local sailing community are rather high. And it also doesn’t really help that I’m sitting here in this design review in sunny-bloody-Secunda breathing noxious “fugitive” emissions and having to listen to a bunch of engineers changing the design for the nth time – why ? Because they can. My frustration creeps further up the frusto-meter scale as we enter the next 30 minutes of discussion relating to a “no flow” issue on a 3/4” line – the only “no flow” scenario I’m worried about is that there is no water passing around the fin of my board. What on earth does all of this engineering nonsense have to do with sailing anyway? Absolutely nothing.
And so my mind blanks out the monotone discussion of non-return valves and water hammer. I think of why I’m here. Well simple really – it’s called earning an income. But why is that relevant where the option is to live like a hippy, off the land and free love. Again, simple – I have been conditioned in a Pavlovian way to behave in such a manner dictated by the anticipation of a guaranteed portion of an annual income at the end of the month. And then ? Well, then I can go to Gunter’s place and drop a couple of ronts on some or other windsurfing paraphernalia. That’s why. But I can see you asking – why bother, when here’s no wind anyway ? It’s very simple really – it’s good every now and then, to quote the great Bronks Guru, to have a quick feel. To run your hands over a well crafted piece of windsurfing kit, to smell the neoprene and walk through the hallowed halls of Joluka’s store surrounded by fresh, crisp new boards and sails. Ohhhhh. It’s just so nice.
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Every now and then, I find myself in my garage at home unzipping a board bag or two, caressing the rough upper surface, the smooth underside and the shapely flanks of my JP XciteRide. And then there’s the JP slalom board, shaped in such a manner as to impart a look of eagerness to move forward at great speed. But my favorite is to open my fin bag. Ah yes, there’s that elegantly crafted JP 46cm. And the Select 42 – the last time I used this beauty was at Langebaan in 18 knots and a 7sq.m sail blasting over the lovely rolling swell with the fin singing merrily along in harmony with the rest of us. And, ooh, look here – it’s the Select 33 and 35 fins - sexy elliptically shaped G-10 and carbon in tight weave and shaped to perfection, a slightly matt finish and absolutely wonderful as I run my hands along the sharp trailing edge. So, ja, this is a way to remind myself of the last glorious sailing session and the prospect of the next, even if it is 2 months away. It’s a way of maintaining some perspective on life – the weekends are not all about DIY fix-ups in the house, lawn mowing, kiddie parties or some braai with your wife’s loud mouthed inebriated business colleagues….
My mind wanders back to the present. What ? They’re now discussing the PSV configuration and set limits because the spare one may be subject to chattering. These folks are clearly not sailors. The only chattering I’m used to being subjected to is when Gabi arrives at the dam and goes into another bout of verbal diarrhea. So, anyway, roll on Autumn and the approaching cold fronts. In the meantime, do yourself a favor – hide in the garage after dinner, close the door, relax and enjoy the thrill of a quick feel !
Till next time then.......
Cheers
Malcolm
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