A front came across the Caribbean bringing strong swell to the Eastern Caribbean and for Bonaire, HOWLING winds. I woke at 7 AM to my windows rattling. I got all anxious grabbing my gear and tossing in the back of my rental truck (my Toyota Starlet recently died a sad death but that’s another story). Off I went by 8 AM. I noticed the bottom of my Angulo Chango had 3 punctures. DAMN. Now what…well I decided it was the perfect time to demo one of Dj’s new Tabous that he has in his Jibe City rental pool. He has one 86 L 3 S. Man, I was excited to try this board. I grabbed my 4.2 Gun sail and was off…the winds were howling and the chop in the bay pretty chunky. Off I went..WOW, what a sweet board. Apparently Cinda Sebastian, who spent 7 weeks on island hijacked it for her duration so everyone told me her vibes were imbedded into the soul of the board. I felt blonde and wild and took some decent air on a few ramps. Most times I could barely hold on. I tried a few jibes and each time was blown out of the water. A 3.3 would have sufficed. The winds are NE and strong. Few sailors were on the water. The ones that were, were hard core. Back to my board demo. I want this board, I need this board. I told DJ he has to get more as this 86 will be in demand in the days to come.
http://www.tabou-boards.com/boards/2009/boards/3s
Posts Tagged ‘Angulo’
Nuking Power Sesh and a Board Demo
March 7, 2009Christmas Trades and Veerwerks
December 22, 2008
December is a busy time on the island of Bonaire. The snowbirds return for their Winter Migration. I of course refer to the retired and rich who spend the Winter windsurfing, diving or simply chilling. Most head down to dive one of the 80+ dive sites. Some come to windsurf in pristine Lac Bay. Others simply come to bask in the sun. Tourists from Europe and the America’s return in Dec. for the holidays. All incoming flights were packed which is healthy for our economy.
Right around Christmas the trades returned this year making it windsurf paradise. There were a few days I enjoyed my 4.7 meter Gaastra sail and my 85 liter Angulo wave board. My friends the Hibdiges from New Forest (England) were dazzled by the winds burning themselves out each day sailing non stop. Daddy Trevor was setting his goal to beat his previous speed record. I think he topped 3o knots but need to double check. Son Sam turned 16. We had a marvelous time at his birthday dinner at Patagonia, one of two Argentinian steak houses on Bonaire.
Dec. 27th the entire island seems to have a fireworks stand. Veerwerks are blown off by businesses all day Dec. 31 to send off the new year and for hopes of prosperity and luck next year. It’s called a Pagara and is essentially a long tied massive rope of thousands of fireworks. A good Pagara can last up to 5 minutes. The smoke and noise is massive but it’s good fun. Our wonderful sanitation company Selibon is on hand to clean up and move on to the next Pagara. This year a flu bug prevented me from enjoying the revelry.
Jan. 1 is a quiet day on island. Here’s to a prosperous and joyful New Year.
Travel Bliss 