sweet spot

Griz - great looking board. Are the quad straps buckled individually , and how do you get out of them in a hurry? Your comment about fatigue caused by being strapped in the whole time - one of the things I like about thigh straps is the ease of getting out of them by simply releasing inward leg pressure ; how is it that you felt strapped in the whole time? Just trying to understand...

Brian - what is your surf location? Sounds a lot like my area.

to get into the thigh straps first then pull the lap belt over the thigh straps. At that point, I was totally committed. That's the way Mike Johnson designs his designed skis. I just figured a better way to strap onto his skis.
If you're surfing thigh straps w/o a lap belt, then yes they're easy to get out of in a hurry.
As to the quad, yes each one is buckled individually and there's a single strap in front of the quad that is a release. Pulling on it unhooks both straps. Takes a little getting used to, but works great.
I just saw our cam and surf came way up overnight, might be overhead and there's an offshore wind about to hit. Guess what I'm about to do?

Griz , at this point in time I envy you for your location. Really , really eny!

Last week our water temp dipped below 50 and I couldn't even imagine what it must be like for you, not to mention the air temp up there...
I've got an idea, why don't you meet us down at Cocoa Beach in April for the Island Spring Fling contest. You'll get to experience some warm water and warm air for a change. I fly from Texas, which is not much different from where you live. If you can't make that, then meet us at Ventura in Oct for Nationals. It's a blast!

That's a very thoughtfull invitation , but all of my time and money is committed to the renovation of an old Columbia 34 sailboat. "Sabina" has been laid up for 6 (or is it 7 ?) years now - wiring , engine upgrade , plumbing , carbon fiber mast conversion - the whole nine yards. This has to be my launch year , so I must stay focused on the prize.

I'll just have to wait for the Cocoa photos to be posted and dream...

Thanks anyway ,

Charles

This sounds interesting!
And it would be a good spring starter for us folks in The Great White North.
Are there many inexpensive places to stay near Cocoa?
Is it possible to rent a ride from Island? Always wanted to try a G Force.
Sounds like a good time.

A while back I spent several very happy days at Tuckaway Shores Resort. Right on the beach ; suitable for the entire family. On the web.
CJK

ride one of his demo G-force skis, free. After all, if you like it, you'll probably order one from him. Cocoa Beach isn't too expensive. If you need a roomy, we can share a room or a few of us can share a suite somewhere...
Usually the contest is in late April, but I haven't seen it posted on this forum yet nor on Island's website, so can't say for sure anything about it this year?
I hope it comes together, because I'm probably going to forgo the Santa Cruz contest and go to Cocoa Beach instead. It's a real fun get together with great vibe and lots of surfing time! Last year, we surfed so many heats I was beaten by the end of the day on Saturday. On Sunday, I drove down to Sebastian and caught some real fun waves.

Scooter, Orlando is about an hour drive but you can find quality rooms for practically nothing there. The extended stay right off the beeline exp is an example.

Laker I'm in North Miami. We get good conditions on occasion but being blocked by the Bahamas most of the surf is a messy wind swell. I can't complain though since I practically have my own private break across the street with water temps over 70 and where an exceptionally cold day is in the 50's.

I was out 5 out of six days this past week and discovered that it is not just the lower back that wears out when paddling with both feet on the board during a choppy day. I noticed a lot of pain in the muscle that connects my legs to the rest of my body. Paddling is so good for exercising some of the strangest muscles.

Biggritz, I'll keep your warning in mind. I tend to have both feet out facing the wave when I'm waiting for something to happen. If a wave breaks that I think will just fizzle it is more of a ah shucks I just missed a good ride moment. When facing the shore I am committed and usually have the left foot on the board but may or may not put the foot under the strap.

North Miami ... I would happily trade my neck of the woods for north Miami today! I understand that you are blocked by islands for a south swell , but I bet that the occasional north slips through.

CJK

I'll keep an eye on the Island site and see what the dates are for the Spring Fling.
Sounds like fun.
Only three other waveskiers up here, so it would be nice to chat & catch a few with others.
Friggin cold up here right now.
Scooterboy

The day before my surgery last monday it hit me. It's not exactly a "sweet spot" but rather the deliverance of stored elastic kinetic energy that is moving in 3d (or more but that is for another day) motion thru the wave, board and body in mass. As a rider I caress the mass of energy in a winding and unwinding snakish motion. In my down time now I will sketch it out in pic form and post b4 I reenter the ocean. I'm ready today but they will say weeks I'm sure. .......r and no I'm not under any influence of meds. none cept during post op. but I'm craving my endorphins