At the AWT event in Baja there were several cameras running during our heats. Getting some nice windsurfing photos is always bonus of going to an AWT competition.
But this was the first time I've had footage taken of me windsurfing by a drone. I can't stop watching these 3 wave rides and remembering all the other nice long rides I got.
Carl Baja Drone Waves from Canadian Guy on Vimeo.
The waves at Punta San Carlos are world famous for being long, slow, gentle and consistent. I can't wait to get on some more.
Thanks Joey Sanchez for the footage, and Clark Merritt, Solosports, Dawn Pooley, the AWT and my wife for coming along with me!
Le windsurf, c'est relaxe... Longer blog post with results and photos is here.
Showing posts with label awt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label awt. Show all posts
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Awesome Morocco AWT Experience!
Ok, here's my photo and text heavy blog entry about one of the most unique windsurfing trips I've ever been on. Spoiler alert, it is also the only contest I've ever won 1st place at (even if there were only four competitors in my division)!
Monday May 9
I arrived at Marrakesh airport feeling a bit nervous. What am I doing alone in Africa leaving a stressful time at work and going to windsurf where I don't know the conditions? But world famous professional windsurfer Boujmaa had personally invited me and my good memories of Morocco from a visit 19 years ago were strong.
Boujmaa's and Diony's flight from the Defi in France had just arrived so they waited for me. It was great getting first hand stories about Morocco from Boujmaa on the two hour drive from Marrakesh to Essouira. Diony remembered me from Ho'okipa and from years ago in Margarita when he carried our gear back to the centre at the end of each day.
We stopped for gas and later a roadside snack eaten the traditional way - by hand. The early evening roadside police check was uneventful. We arrived at Boujx sports new guest house in Moulay Bouzerktoun and settled in.
Tuesday May 10
I woke up to a wonderful breakfast spread set out by Ahmed, the kind innkeeper. It looked good for windsurfing and the Russians left for the beach early but soon it was raining. Rain happens here around 15 times a year I was told. Between rainstorms I walked with Diony and Edvan down to the beach to check out the shops. Bouj's shop is nicely stocked and Soufian greeted us warmly.
Later in the afternoon Bouj drove us into Essouira. We did some errands getting a feel for the town. I like the noss noss (1/2 + 1/2) coffee at the beach side coffee shop / windsurf rental place. There are a ton of windsurf / kite / SUP / surf shops on the main promenade that is reminiscent of the French seaside towns which the designers copied. We then went to Bouj's house and met his wonderful mother and enjoyed deep conversations over tea. I understood a lot of her French and Diony kindly translated what I missed while Boujmaa did errands.
A quick visit back in Moulay to Fettah Lawama's beachside cafe and guest house. He's been running that place since 2000. Fettah was also the star of Atlantic the movie. We reminisced about having met during his visit to TIFF in Toronto in 2014.
Then back to the Boujx sports house for dinner as more guests arrived: Colby who I knew from previous events and Mitchell were my new and easygoing roommates.
Wednesday May 11
We awoke to South (wrong direction) wind again but headed to the beach for a morning session. I used a 5.5 Severne gator sail and 110 Severne wave board. It was enough to get out into the waves but there wasn't much planing going on. The Jem Hall clinic doubled the number of sailors on the water from 10 to 20 as they came in and out for their lessons.
After lunch Bouj drove us into Essouira to meet up with Russ, K-Mac, Morgan and Ruben. They were booked into a small Riad in town. We had a great walking tour of the Medina (old walled city). Boujmaa is pretty well known in town and there were posters advertising the event in some storefronts. Colourful shops selling clothes, olives, leather goods etc. line the narrow streets. The harbour is exactly as I remember it from 19 years ago with bright blue fishing boats ready for their next day on the ocean.
Thursday May 12
I didn't leave the house all day. Our international group of 12 house guests (Brazilian, Venezuelan, Russian, Sicilian, American) came and went but the Canadian stayed home and used the newly available but slow Internet. It was good to catch up on a family photo project that I could work on off-line. Dinner was nice local fish with an amazing onion raisin garnish.
There was a music festival in Essouaria that apparently had the city packed. I was happy for the quiet in Moulay but had a hard time falling asleep.
Friday May 13
Lucky day. The wind slowly built and after some more photo work and a nice mergez sausage lunch I headed to the beach. I took the same 110l Severne board and 5.5 gator sail. There was much more wind and I was feeling great out on the ocean sailing.
The best part of the trip so far was being out on the water in a strange new place but knowing so many of the windsurfers. Everyone was smiling. The pros were warming up and throwing loops everywhere. I caught a few small waves and managed 2 nice turns on each.
After my session I walked over to Fettah Lawama's place and watched the action from up high. Everyone was gathering there with a great post session vibe. I showed Fettah the photo from the TIFF event which was a nice moment.
Dinner at the house was two huge tajines of couscous and vegetables. I'm guessing I'll sleep better tonight. Tomorrow should have more wind!
Saturday May 14,
Do my arms look longer in this wind? That's what many of the windsurfers were saying as we got off the water.
As predicted, the wind did build. I started on a 5.0 and an 88l twin fin Starboard wave board.
That was too big a sail and it felt like survival sailing. So I went down to a 4.2 which was perfect but the smallest sail I've used in a long time. The waves were small so it was easier getting used to the strong wind. I'm still not a fan of the multi fin boards but that is what everyone is using these days in the waves... at least I was able to get and stay upwind easily.
I had a few short sessions and got used to going in and out of the sandy / rocky / weedy shore where the waves break gently. One time a fisherman coming in on his inner tube indicated to me exactly when it was safe to go and not scratch my fin. Did I mention the locals are all really nice?
I got a few jumps but landed one nose first and bruised my thigh on the catapult landing. Ouch. But I got enough comfort in the waves and felt that I wouldn't be nervous the way I was last year heading into a few of the competitions.
I then headed to Lawama's for a Coke and a delicious Moroccan salad. The place was humming. I met some tourists from Benin who go to Essouaria every year for the music, not the wind. I'm using up almost all of the few French words I know!
Then back to our place for dinner of sardine balls. Not something I would order on a menu but I couldn't stop eating them. We added guests Olivier from France and Chris from Britain to the house and enjoyed memories of San Carlos last summer. It felt like a reunion!
My thighs were killing me as I walked up and down the stairs. My bed was welcome.
Sunday May 15.
Game day. The call was for a 9am beach meeting. We headed over and saw that the tents, judging stand, porta-potties and flags were all set up!
I was in heat 6 so I had time to get set up and watch the first few heats. Colby was nice enough to lend me a watch. I forgot to bring one; again.
The local Moroccan 'amateurs' were landing clean front loops and back loops in the opening heats. Wow.
I sailed OK and managed to get through to the 3rd round of amateurs. They also put me in with the 3 grandmasters as I'm the only one in the 45-55 masters bracket and called us all masters.
Overall it was some decent windsurfing and a great first day of the event. I sailed five 10 minute heats in total and managed to find some waves to ride in and then a few to jump off of on the way out in most of the heats.
I had a quick shower at the house and I managed to get a photo of me in the same T-shirt and belt as 19 years ago. The location is slightly different but the pose and emotion are the same. I'm loving Morocco.
We then rushed into town for the official welcome. The King's representative greeted us in a cool art gallery in the old walled city. We all sung the praises of Boujmaa for organizing such a great event.
Then with our event lanyards we got a back stage pass though the music festival and headed to Taros restaurant which had a great view of the main stage. Even better were the views of the waves crashing outside the harbour. The free drinks and appetizers were quick devoured by the hungry sailors.
Colby's crew and Chris Pow were heading out for dinner and invited me to come along. I ordered the lemon chicken tajine and was pleased that it came with olives.
The 6 of us crammed into a blue Mercedes grand taxi and had a nice intimate ride back to Moulay. It is interesting to know that the street lights and paving were just installed this year. This little sleepy town is coming of age through this event.
Monday May 16
Colby and I as the old guys each had 5 heats the day before and woke up sore. There was great laughter from downstairs where younger guys already enjoying breakfast.
Edvan had captured a bit of my windsurfing on video and kindly dropped those photos on my USB key.
I met a nice kid nameed Rida Aadi on the beach who wanted to connect on Facebook. He of course sold me a hat!
The notice board indicated that heat 12 will be re-run. Oh well more work to do!
I wasn't comfortable in that re-run amateur heat since I had a different boom and board that I hadn't adjusted properly. As expected I didn't advance.
Then the four old guys (of which at age 51 I was the youngest) headed out for our heat. I felt more comfortable. But on my best wave I did two nice bottom turns that felt great, and then I realized I was heading right into my friend Colby who was heading out and had right of way. We both fell and I apologized as the waves rolled over us. Luckily we didn't hurt ourselves and he wasn't mad and got going quickly.
After my heat was done I headed back out for some free sailing during the break before the pros. I caught a sweet wave behind Kevin Pritchard who was ripping up the one in front of me. I did 3 nice turns and saw Boujmaa down the line giving me a shaka. Sweet.
As the pros headed out for their heats. The level of action on the water increased. The jet ski was out with photographers taking turns capturing the action.
During one heat the jet ski stopped working and KP was waving for help as it drifted downwind and slowly away from shore. Boujmaa hopped on his board, sailed downwind and pushed the ski to shore with his windsurfer. He then sailed back up wind in time for his heat. Unbelievable.
We watched the pros and then I did some hat shopping from the local kids. I said goodbye to Colby's good friend Mitchell who was heading to visit points south.
After the pros were done a bunch of us wound up at Lawama. Fettah offered us some Rose wine which turned out to have a photo of Boujmaa on it and the AWT logo. Very nice.
I headed back for dinner and we added a professional photographer to our house. It felt great going to bed and I was excited that we were going to hear the results at the skippers meeting the next morning.
Tuesday May 17
This was my day to leave Moulay. I had woken up at 4am and managed to get an hour of slow internet access and connect to work. Then off to bed for a bit more sleep but I was excited to get to the beach for a last session.
After breakfast I got my gear selected and went to the beach for the skippers meeting. They pulled the 4 masters to the event poster and announce the winners. Gerhardt from Austria in 4th, Chris from England in 3rd, and Colby from the US in 2nd. I'd won my first ever windsurfing event.
I then headed out to the water on my 4.7 and a single fin 93l board and battled my way through the now larger waves. It was a struggle but I slogged out. But even on the way back I wasn't planing and was already 50m downwind in the rocky area. I decided the I should humbly call it a windsurfing week.
I walked back with my gear, said some goodbyes and went to the house to pack. One last delicious meal from Ahmed, (the coriander in the salad was great) and my transfer came to take me to Marrakesh. It was fun being able to phone my mother from the van as we drove into better cell service and give her my result.
In the airport the news of my win was already on Facebook. I felt a bit sheepish because the fleet was small, and the others were technically from an older men's division. But we all faced the same challenge of going somewhere new and dealing with the same conditions. It was nice that Boujmaa said he wants to grow up to be like us old guys. And I admire the guys who are 10 years older than me and still rip!
I really appreciate that Boujmaa organized the event. And the volunteer judges from the AWT perform a really tough job very well. The media coverage that the AWT gets is spectacular and makes it really fun to have a visual record of what happened. I also have the awesome trophy to remind me of the event!
Morocco was as I remembered it from 19 years ago: Friendly, safe, different, kind, delicious and eye opening. It was great fun being with Boujmaa and the AWT regulars and international stars. I did miss my family, and prefer having a wife, sister, niece or son at the events with me. But I want to keep doing these events and pushing myself to stay fit and keep getting better in the waves. What's next, Baja?
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| Spoiler alert - Boujmaa Guilloul announcing that I came in 1st out of 4 old guys |
I arrived at Marrakesh airport feeling a bit nervous. What am I doing alone in Africa leaving a stressful time at work and going to windsurf where I don't know the conditions? But world famous professional windsurfer Boujmaa had personally invited me and my good memories of Morocco from a visit 19 years ago were strong.
 |
| Diony and Boujmaa picking me up at Marrakesh airport |
We stopped for gas and later a roadside snack eaten the traditional way - by hand. The early evening roadside police check was uneventful. We arrived at Boujx sports new guest house in Moulay Bouzerktoun and settled in.
Tuesday May 10
I woke up to a wonderful breakfast spread set out by Ahmed, the kind innkeeper. It looked good for windsurfing and the Russians left for the beach early but soon it was raining. Rain happens here around 15 times a year I was told. Between rainstorms I walked with Diony and Edvan down to the beach to check out the shops. Bouj's shop is nicely stocked and Soufian greeted us warmly.
 |
| The view from Boujx Sports shop in Moulay |
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| The view from Boujx Sports guest house |
A quick visit back in Moulay to Fettah Lawama's beachside cafe and guest house. He's been running that place since 2000. Fettah was also the star of Atlantic the movie. We reminisced about having met during his visit to TIFF in Toronto in 2014.
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| Fettah remembered meeting me in Toronto in 2014 |
 |
| The view from Lawama cafe/restaurant and guest house |
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| The Boujx Sports house |
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| Our common room in the great Boujx Sports house |
We awoke to South (wrong direction) wind again but headed to the beach for a morning session. I used a 5.5 Severne gator sail and 110 Severne wave board. It was enough to get out into the waves but there wasn't much planing going on. The Jem Hall clinic doubled the number of sailors on the water from 10 to 20 as they came in and out for their lessons.
After lunch Bouj drove us into Essouira to meet up with Russ, K-Mac, Morgan and Ruben. They were booked into a small Riad in town. We had a great walking tour of the Medina (old walled city). Boujmaa is pretty well known in town and there were posters advertising the event in some storefronts. Colourful shops selling clothes, olives, leather goods etc. line the narrow streets. The harbour is exactly as I remember it from 19 years ago with bright blue fishing boats ready for their next day on the ocean.
Thursday May 12
I didn't leave the house all day. Our international group of 12 house guests (Brazilian, Venezuelan, Russian, Sicilian, American) came and went but the Canadian stayed home and used the newly available but slow Internet. It was good to catch up on a family photo project that I could work on off-line. Dinner was nice local fish with an amazing onion raisin garnish.
There was a music festival in Essouaria that apparently had the city packed. I was happy for the quiet in Moulay but had a hard time falling asleep.
Friday May 13
Lucky day. The wind slowly built and after some more photo work and a nice mergez sausage lunch I headed to the beach. I took the same 110l Severne board and 5.5 gator sail. There was much more wind and I was feeling great out on the ocean sailing.
The best part of the trip so far was being out on the water in a strange new place but knowing so many of the windsurfers. Everyone was smiling. The pros were warming up and throwing loops everywhere. I caught a few small waves and managed 2 nice turns on each.
 |
| The pros heading back with their gear |
 |
| My road home was temporarily blocked by cute goats |
After my session I walked over to Fettah Lawama's place and watched the action from up high. Everyone was gathering there with a great post session vibe. I showed Fettah the photo from the TIFF event which was a nice moment.
Dinner at the house was two huge tajines of couscous and vegetables. I'm guessing I'll sleep better tonight. Tomorrow should have more wind!
Saturday May 14,
Do my arms look longer in this wind? That's what many of the windsurfers were saying as we got off the water.
As predicted, the wind did build. I started on a 5.0 and an 88l twin fin Starboard wave board.
That was too big a sail and it felt like survival sailing. So I went down to a 4.2 which was perfect but the smallest sail I've used in a long time. The waves were small so it was easier getting used to the strong wind. I'm still not a fan of the multi fin boards but that is what everyone is using these days in the waves... at least I was able to get and stay upwind easily.
I had a few short sessions and got used to going in and out of the sandy / rocky / weedy shore where the waves break gently. One time a fisherman coming in on his inner tube indicated to me exactly when it was safe to go and not scratch my fin. Did I mention the locals are all really nice?
I got a few jumps but landed one nose first and bruised my thigh on the catapult landing. Ouch. But I got enough comfort in the waves and felt that I wouldn't be nervous the way I was last year heading into a few of the competitions.
I then headed to Lawama's for a Coke and a delicious Moroccan salad. The place was humming. I met some tourists from Benin who go to Essouaria every year for the music, not the wind. I'm using up almost all of the few French words I know!
Then back to our place for dinner of sardine balls. Not something I would order on a menu but I couldn't stop eating them. We added guests Olivier from France and Chris from Britain to the house and enjoyed memories of San Carlos last summer. It felt like a reunion!
My thighs were killing me as I walked up and down the stairs. My bed was welcome.
 |
| I should have taken a donkey ride |
Game day. The call was for a 9am beach meeting. We headed over and saw that the tents, judging stand, porta-potties and flags were all set up!
 |
| Flying the Canadian Flag! |
 |
| Skippers meeting |
 |
| Traditional musicians greeted us |
The local Moroccan 'amateurs' were landing clean front loops and back loops in the opening heats. Wow.
I sailed OK and managed to get through to the 3rd round of amateurs. They also put me in with the 3 grandmasters as I'm the only one in the 45-55 masters bracket and called us all masters.
 |
| A jump that likely counted, but wasn't my best... Thanks Edvan for the photos! |
I had a quick shower at the house and I managed to get a photo of me in the same T-shirt and belt as 19 years ago. The location is slightly different but the pose and emotion are the same. I'm loving Morocco.
 |
| Me, my wife and mother in law in Morocco in 1997 |
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| Me re-enacting my pose in Morocco in 2016 |
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| One of the many event posters in Essaouira |
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| The official greeting |
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| The view from the private party above the music festival |
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| Lemon chicken with olives - I love Moroccan food |
Monday May 16
Colby and I as the old guys each had 5 heats the day before and woke up sore. There was great laughter from downstairs where younger guys already enjoying breakfast.
Edvan had captured a bit of my windsurfing on video and kindly dropped those photos on my USB key.
I met a nice kid nameed Rida Aadi on the beach who wanted to connect on Facebook. He of course sold me a hat!
The notice board indicated that heat 12 will be re-run. Oh well more work to do!
 |
| The notice board |
 |
| Morning meeting |
 |
| The gear storage |
 |
| Government officials came to visit |
Then the four old guys (of which at age 51 I was the youngest) headed out for our heat. I felt more comfortable. But on my best wave I did two nice bottom turns that felt great, and then I realized I was heading right into my friend Colby who was heading out and had right of way. We both fell and I apologized as the waves rolled over us. Luckily we didn't hurt ourselves and he wasn't mad and got going quickly.
 |
| The old guys getting ready to rock it! |
As the pros headed out for their heats. The level of action on the water increased. The jet ski was out with photographers taking turns capturing the action.
During one heat the jet ski stopped working and KP was waving for help as it drifted downwind and slowly away from shore. Boujmaa hopped on his board, sailed downwind and pushed the ski to shore with his windsurfer. He then sailed back up wind in time for his heat. Unbelievable.
We watched the pros and then I did some hat shopping from the local kids. I said goodbye to Colby's good friend Mitchell who was heading to visit points south.
After the pros were done a bunch of us wound up at Lawama. Fettah offered us some Rose wine which turned out to have a photo of Boujmaa on it and the AWT logo. Very nice.
I headed back for dinner and we added a professional photographer to our house. It felt great going to bed and I was excited that we were going to hear the results at the skippers meeting the next morning.
Tuesday May 17
This was my day to leave Moulay. I had woken up at 4am and managed to get an hour of slow internet access and connect to work. Then off to bed for a bit more sleep but I was excited to get to the beach for a last session.
After breakfast I got my gear selected and went to the beach for the skippers meeting. They pulled the 4 masters to the event poster and announce the winners. Gerhardt from Austria in 4th, Chris from England in 3rd, and Colby from the US in 2nd. I'd won my first ever windsurfing event.
 |
| My first ever windsurfing contest win! |
I walked back with my gear, said some goodbyes and went to the house to pack. One last delicious meal from Ahmed, (the coriander in the salad was great) and my transfer came to take me to Marrakesh. It was fun being able to phone my mother from the van as we drove into better cell service and give her my result.
 |
| The road out of Moulay |
 |
| Headed for Marrakesh Airport |
I really appreciate that Boujmaa organized the event. And the volunteer judges from the AWT perform a really tough job very well. The media coverage that the AWT gets is spectacular and makes it really fun to have a visual record of what happened. I also have the awesome trophy to remind me of the event!
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| What a great trophy! Made of wood unique to the Essaouira region. |
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| Leaving Morocco feeling good! |
Saturday, September 26, 2015
4th in Masters at AWT Hatteras Wave Jam
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| Opening party at Wind-NC (get it? wind & sea) |
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| Getting used to the waves - small on the first day |
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| Happy to be back after my 1st warm up session |
I decided to rent a sturdier 6.0 m wave sail as my 6.2 m wasn't designed for rolling in surf. I was excited though to be using the new 116 Free Wave board I purchased earlier in the year and used just once.
Everyone was getting gear ready and dabbling in the waves for the first time. The conditions never materialized with only marginal planing winds and smaller waves. I went out for a quick sail once it started raining and then we were released for the day.
Day two had a early start with 12 amateur heats being run. I came in 3/4 and 2/5 in my two heats. I was not feeling comfortable though in the big waves and gusty offshore conditions. It really felt like survival sailing to me. I wasn't even able to get back to my starting point after each session and had a long walk back upwind each time.
 |
| Survived my first day of competition! |
I then sailed my first heat of masters and was heading back to shore when the postponement flag went up - no one had found a wave in the 13 minutes as the conditions were too light.
In the meantime, the conditions had built up at the lighthouse. So the afternoon call was to move over there and run the pro division. What good call by race director Andy!
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| Boujmaa's massive wave at the lighthouse - pros only! |
The shore break for the pros was formidable but the waves were awesome. We cheered on Sherkston, Ontario reef warrior Casey who made his way through the brackets to be in the final.
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| Kevin with a kiter who ignored the request to stay out of the contest area and then wiped out! |
For the final, it was decided to add 1 jump to the 2 wave rides to be scored. Naturally Boujmaa hit some nice aerials but it was Kevin Pritchard's one footed back loop that scored him the win. (Even after a kiter dropped his lines on Kevin mid-competition.)
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| Kevin's awesome one footed back loop for the win! |
It was a super exciting final and the champion was crowned right there on the beach as the sun came out. A terrific day.
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| My paparazzi shot with Boujmaa |
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| Masters elimination ladder |
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| Adjusting my rental sail.. |
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| Found one! |
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| My fan club on the right... |
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| Yeah! |
I came 3/3 in my first masters' heat, 1/2 in the second so I advanced to the third round in masters.
Next though I had my last amateur heat and came 4/4 against Casey (who the day before came in 4th in the pros - as last year's amateur champ he had a pro wildcard spot) and two other great sailors. I wasn't surprised that I didn't move forward especially since I'd wasted so much energy trying to get out through the shore break.
I was pretty tired but still had one more master's heat to sail. Boujmaa had kindly given me some great tips on getting out through shore break.
So this time I headed out early and got out through it did a long reach and was upwind, rested, and I was on my first wave when the green flag went up. I caught some more waves and even made it back to shore where I started.
My fan club was cheering and my result came in.... 2/4 in round three so I made it into the masters' final!
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| Formidable conditions... |
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| Heading out through the shore break for the masters' final |
I felt comfortable heading out and sailing in the final but I wasn't surprised by my 4/4 end result considering that I was up against Maui long time pro and windsurfing coach Ferdinando Loffreda and two other great windsurf masters.
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| A nice wave |
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| The best - last wave ride! |
The AWT even used this shot of me on my last wave ride on their site (right under the beach group photo) :
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| The 4 masters finalists.... |
Later that night we hosted a pot luck party at our shared house and got to know all the competitors a bit better.
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| Beach shot! |
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| My sister heading out on the flat sound side |
The water was very warm and the soft waist deep bottom makes waterstart practice very easy. She sailed for 2.5 hours and even found her way back during a torrential downpour. A return to Hatteras with a sound side rental house is in order.
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| Event video... |
Thanks to Andy for hosting, to Si Crowther for the great photos, to Sam for organizing, to Russ for posting, to KP, Bouj and the Schettewi boys for inspiring and everyone else for their stoke and comraderie.
Here's the event video - I'm briefly at 2:29...
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