As sailors cruising around that wide blue expanse of ocean out there, we encounter many special and memorable moments of pure freedom that others could only dream of experiencing. Be it blasting along with a pod of playful Dolphins in your local bay, or coming close enough to see the barnacles along the back of a gentle Humpback whale migrating past Gnaraloo in West Oz. It's moments like these that imprint in your mind and remind you how insignificant our normal lives really are.

Yesterday while sailing 3 km out from Back of Lighthouse (West Point Marrawah) I came face to face (no not the seal that popped up inside the break and scared the poo out of me) with one of the most incredible situations I've encountered.

Picture this; sailing along 3 km out in the ocean, total solitude no one else. I'm doing around 18-20knots in about 25 knots of wind with a 3-4 meter swell with added crazy chop going everywhere. I'm concentrating really hard to stay in control as I'm running down wind on a swell face then climbing up the mountain hitting chop and getting bounced and spun all over the place free falling down the other side to do it all over again. For some strange reason I felt the need to look downwind through my sail just above the boom about where my back hand was glued in white knuckled pain. And that’s when I saw it, just sitting there about 5-10 meters directly downwind hovering at head height starring straight at me, trimming its huge expanse of wing to stay in the same position relative to my face as I trim up and down the swell. To start with, as I glanced back I thought it was coming straight at me but as I stared in fascination, and totally forgot about sailing, I realised that he/she was just gliding sideways, travelling the same course as me but sideways at 20 knots. If you've ever had the privilege to see a Shy Albatross up close you will understand how awestruck I was by interacting with this magnificent and majestic creature. He/she stayed with me for 2 runs of about 13 kilometres in total. He/she would glide along as mentioned for a while then veer off and come cruising up behind and sit about 10 meters back skimming the water just to prove how in control he/she was in the wild elements. At times the wing tips would just skim the water as chop would lurch up in front of him/her. Then he/she would rise slightly and accelerate with seemingly no input and take the lead for a while skimming the crests of the ocean before returning to the downwind position gliding effortlessly sideways.
Every time I think about the beautiful look of that huge bird, with a wing span greater than my boom and those eyes that seemed to bore deep into my being, I can’t help but feel extremely emotional, and sorry for what we do to their world.

Wow!

Nicely put, that's a memory for ever!!

I reckon it was Kenny following you.

That's awwwwesome Kaleb, what a great experience

Well like Bizzy I also had two very special moments over the weekend.
Firstly was sailing with Buz at back of Lighthouse on friday in a 25 knot SW and some very nice waves up to 3/4 mast high. Absolutely stoked and for me without a doubt the best wave sailing spot in Tas. To start we wallow out of a very rocky little bay into a deep water channel where the wind kicks in. You sail out over the swell (not breaking) for vabout a Km, jibe and head back in on the biggest wave you can find, wait til it jacks up and starts breaking then crank into the turns. at the end of the wave we're back into the deep channel, so forgiving you can just lie on you back and get you breath back. The adrenaline rush is so great, exhausted you have to get just one more run in. After 2 hours I was f.....d but kept going for another hour saying "this has to be the last run"

My second adventure was sailing at Greens saturday in very little wind and the swell dropped off. Wasn't much to talk aboout so went for a cruise out about the 2-3 km mark. decided not a good idea to get stuck out here with no wind and off shore so headed in, jumped off the board and had a bloody heart attack. Got driven into Smithton, flown to Hobart, quick op yesterday, back home today and ready for a sail...... maybe not just yet.
So I think I go down in the windsurfing history book and might be my only claim to fame, ever

Houston, I am so glad you stuffed up and didn't come to Back of Lighthouse to sail with me on Saturday.
You having a heart attack out there would have ruined my fun and pissed me off totally, the last thing I want to have to do is drag your sorry ass through the water and over the rocks, just to put your salt water ridden ass in my not yet rusted 4wd and drive all the way back to Smithton just so you can use your private jet to fly back to Hobart. Harden the f#&k up!!

Glad to hear your ok! It would be lonely in the waves without ya old fella

Yeah Buzzy I know what you are like with your pathetic car which will one day look like your van, to make you feel better if i did manage to get back to shore I would have refused a ride with you to Yourtown (Smithtown) and bloody walked........what the f$%%##@@ were you doing to that albotross anyway it, having more brains than you probably wondered what you were bloody staring at.

Good to hear you're OK Anthony!!

Thank god it was only a minor HA, a little warning sign. Now you've got a second chance you'd better live life to the fullest!.....that's right you already do!!
Better lay off those sausage sizzles & beers after sailing. It's fun not being able to eat fatty foods isn't it.
Glad your ok and still full of humour.

good to hear your OK.
Does this mean some cheap gear soon ?

Glad you are OK Ant, damm it I was going to try to sell you some cheap slalom gear. Nice report Kalab, sounds like an amazing experience. Looking forward to seeing you out on some slalom gear well done.

Wow, sailing with Albatross, near death experiences on the beach . . .this all makes baf'ing around at Dorans with a GPS seem a bit pedestrian !

Speaking of GPSs, I think you need to upgrade Anthony. I am thinking GPS with heart rate monitor that automatically posts to the site via wireless link. That we we can keep an eye on you ;-)

Looking forward to seeing you back on the water ASAP.

Cheers
Marlon

Anthony,
Sim and I hope you are feeling better soon.
Stay safe, looks like it flat water for you. I said to Sim I could pull you around behind me with rope and some of the boys floaties on you if you like???
Cheers Russ

Hey Ant sounds like you're ok, which is greeeat news. Hope to see back on the water soon

Thanks guys for all your concern, it takes a bloody heart attack to get you all to be nice to me, don't know why but most of my so called mates just pour s....t on me.
I was told to keep off the water for 6 weeks, but Marlon's idea of a pacemaker hooked up to the GPS might mean I can get into it now. Can anyone help me set the pacemaker up to GPS Challenge.

Why don't you take this time to learn how to get your data onto GPS team Challenge!
While your there you can have a cry over my 32.16 knots at Dorans

Now I've had a gease and oil change and installed a turbo I'll leave you for dead once I'm back on the water

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houston said...

Thanks guys for all your concern, it takes a bloody heart attack to get you all to be nice to me, don't know why but most of my so called mates just pour s....t on me.

Oh boo hoo. Dry your eyes princes and get a can of harden the #%*^%# up.

C ya soon. Hugs and kisses.

6 weeks off the water? Does that mean that you'll be posting even more s%*t on the forum because your bored.

By the way, get well soon.

Gees Houston, lucky you decided to come in when you did! Glad you're ok and ready to fire again.