Tuesday, March 25, 2003 :::
 

In Hawaii the lore has it that sea turtles seen off shore are your long dead relatives there to watch over you in the great blue expanse great mana, they posses.

He faced death many times before. This time was no different. Your reaction happens quickly fate decides.

A go out in heavy conditions should not be taken lightly.

The seas in the Molokai channel were high. The northeast trades had been blowing a gale for 2 weeks straight. Marine report south shore Oahu seas 12-15 feet wind northeast 35 knots.

Only the biggest ships would brave the channel, or the smallest. Walking down the long path at Diamond Head he knew a windsurfer would be perfect for racing the giant swells far off shore. Rigging up a 4 metre sail he couldn't help but admire the topless German blondes crowding around their surf sailing boy friends.

Paradise he thought.

Once out past the mayhem of the surf line the wind picks up, the ocean turns an ominous cobalt blue and the swells are so big that when you drop to the bottom of a trough, you are surrounded on all sides by dark blue ocean. Then as a swell lifts you on its peak suddenly the wind catches your sail and you're propelled skimming across the sea at speeds near 35 mph. Just you and the elements. Huge open ocean rollers begged to be ridden.

Diamond Head angular and dramatic juts up in the distance.

Suddenly a huge gust strains your rig, CRACK! Your mast has broken. You are no longer master of the domain. You float helpless, invisible a mile offshore in a 10 knot current headed for tahiti. Not good. The only solution is a quick self rescue. Take apart your rig ditch the broken mast roll the sail and paddle your board back to land.

Your board! The Board! Fuck you notice as you began the de-rig the trades caught the board and its quickly being blown away! You swim as fast as you can miraculously you get the board and paddle it back where what's left of your rig is now sinking! Fuck! You dive for it, surface and grab for the board before it floats away again. Finally you manage to get the gear arranged and begin to paddle.

By now you're 2 miles off shore. But you begin to make some headway against the current. Soon you see a giant sea turtle pass by close enough for eye contact. You feel the mana.

You will be safe

Tumble though the surf line and drag your sorry ass on the beach.

A go out in heavy conditions should not be taken lightly.

::: posted by Mega at 7:40 AM

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Mega means big or large stir because I like to mix it up