GP2K1 Revisited - Part 3- Sunday Sesh/Party
by Foontonio
"Remember, happiness is a way of travel -not a destination." -Ray GoodmanSunday dawned sunny and bright. The powerful cold front had moved through minus
much of the rain I'd driven through but accompanied by strong NE winds. This was
only good because at a steady 15-20 knots, it was the only weather that was
going to provide windswell waves for the week. No other weather system was
within reach to generate significant surf.I was quite groggy that morning (how odd) and others seemed to rise late
ignoring the promise of a dawn patrol and embracing Todd's definition of the
activity ("When I get up.") Some ventured out only to return with comments on
the swell (there was one) and the fact it was subject to wind direction and tide
conditions (HOW COULD THAT BE ON THE EAST COAST!!) The previous nights
festivities had taken their toll. Strong coffee was needed but Neal jumped to
the rescue promising individually made to order omelets on his own grill! TWIST
MY ARM!! With fresh ingredients and masterful cooking Neal single handedly
brought several of us back from the abyss and put us in the mood for surf.http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-13.JPG
Note: That's not a can of Guinness Neal was drinking while making breakfast. It
was to hold bacon grease. :) Neal was drinking Bombay Blue Sapphire Gin.Later that day, several of us attempted to go out at the Light House point. I
watched from the dune as both Andy and Ferg milked waist high swells from far
out side through several reforms, both getting some tip time on the inside
sections. That was enough to convince me there was enough juice there to
bodyboard.I suited up quickly and headed out, loaning my backup pair of fins (old
Churchills) to Dee Dee who had been attempting to surf that week without fins.
The paddle out near the first groin was almost a conveyor belt ride. But once
you cleared the the steel groin the wind and current swept you quickly into one
of several breaks. If you lingered too long to take a wave, you'd get blown out
of the lineup with little chance of paddling back, unless you were really gung
ho. My drill was to paddle outside, drift slightly inside, catch a steeper
inside reform (the outside peak was longboardland) and take it to the beach,
then walk down to the first groin and paddle back out. This worked quite well
for awhile and I got to see many of the GPers in action, sometimes closer than I
wanted, Andy. Many charged this spot all afternoon until the tide came in.
The prevailing wind and current combined with what seemed liked endless
sets of whitewater gave everyone a good workout.At one point I was walking to the paddle out spot when I saw one of my old
Churchills lying on the sand, the heel strap broken. I laughed out loud knowing
Dee Dee would be the model of contrition over breaking my fin. In fact, the
fins were well over 10 years old, I hated them because they tore up my toes, and
they were dry rotted from lack of use. Sure enough D2 promised to replace them
but whatdahell, I told her it was not necessary and hoped she could use the
remaining one to her advantage.Everyone who surfed that day got a good dose of fun but difficult East Coast
conditions. Outstanding in the wavehog category would be Ferg, Andy and Rod,
who all seemed to get the break wired. The incoming tide took its toll and soon
everyone was heading back to the TB for the evenings activities. Food, drink,
videos, and awards.Night two was even better than the kickoff party. Ferg volunteered to BBQ a
bunch of ribs and Dee Dee made enormous salads and munchie platters. The
planning committee met to discuss awarding the many prizes we had to distribute
(everyone got something) and Dee Dee and Edmund went off to rehearse some tunes.I could go through the ceremony step by step, but unless you were there the fun
and hilarity of the event would not compute. Needless to say as MC I had the
most fun handing out and making comments about each award. Some of the pics
posted previously may indicate what a goofy time it was.http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-15.JPG
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-17.JPG
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-18.JPG
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-22.JPG
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries2/original/GPFerg.jpg
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries2/original/GPFoonThermos.jpg
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries2/original/GPAward4Sveta.jpg
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-12.JPG
http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-21-crop.JPG
Most assuredly the best moment was when our dearest Dee Dee favored us with a
couple of inspirational songs on her guitar. I was transported with warm
feelings to have her serenade this group, who all sincerely appreciated what she
was doing for us.http://alt-surfing.org/altsurfing/as_points/gp01_pics/FoonSeries1/original/ROLL1DX-16.JPG
Receiving her gift (Baseball Hats and NE chowdah) and a warm hug afterwards made
me think, "HAH!! This is something Preston will never experience!!" (just
kidding) No, I thought what a great thing was happening here with these people,
something we can all look back on in our surfing remembrances and smile at.The ceremony over, pics taken and shirts tried on, the party roared on into the
night full throttle. I have no idea what time I crashed but it was somewhat
early. A rumor started by Todd and others, that an evening sesh at Frisco Pier
had been a great success with clean but small surf that wrapped around the point
of Cape Hatteras and broke near the South facing Frisco pier into almost off
shore winds. Though dawn patrol was again our goal, it didn't happen for most,
knowing what the conditions would be. But by the next day nearly everyone could
see the changing conditions indicated an evening session at Frisco. Knowing it
might be the only clean conditions we may see I intended to document whatever
came our way on film.
From the left: KC, Sarge, Foon, D2, Andy, Rod, Todd, Ferg, Edmund, and Neal
Not shown: Lucy, Sveta, Myron, SteveM. (Photo by Sveta)"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be
stupid with them." -Ralph Walso EmersonNext: Monday at Frisco.
-Foon
Posted to the alt.surfing newgroup
Subject: GP2K1 Revisited:Pt3,Sunday Sesh/Party
Date: 2 Nov 2001 06:57:27 -0800
Organization: alt.surfing Team MarylandSearch the thread at here.
