The faster I sail, the more I relax

I would like to share two stories about my love for fast sailing. Each has a very different outcome, but both make me think of the Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers.

For me Malcolm’s rule has a different meaning. Not you will Become world-class in any field in 10,000 hrs. I do not agree with that point. Millions work for 10,000 hrs at something. That does not mean they will be world class at it? No, it means hopefully they are competent at it. To be world-class you need to have the passion, deep desire to constantly improve, learn from failure, and not be interested in measuring success by money, or climbing the corporate ladder.

Success is living a fulfilling, loving, passionate, and unmistakable life. That leads me to another great book. Unmistakable, When Only Is Better Than Best, by Srinivas Rao. Wow what a great book. This book is spot on for how to live and unmistakable life and why. I love it.

OK, now my first sailing story from 2017

(Current update, as of October 2021 I now Wing Foil which has replaced my Windsurfing)

I windsurf, and have windsurfed since 1978 on the first Classic Windsurfer. It is one of my passions. Windsurfing is some of the best raw sailing I have ever done. To go out and rip around at 25+ kts, feeling the acceleration, and freedom, all on a 15 pound board with a sail bigger than a laser sail, well you have to experience it to understand.

**Riding my Mikes Lab Formula Board, I never went more than 24 kts on that board, but upwind at 16-18 kts**

To say windsurfing is fast, well that is an understatement. Top speed by a windsurfer (Antoine Albeau) is 52.05 kts (59.9 MPH), now that is ripping fast. For me my top speed is 32.5 kts (37.38 MPH) for about 30 yards, I carry a GPS in my lifejacket. When this happened I needed the perfect combination of conditions, steady breeze 23-25 kts from the Southwest, and flood tide.

I rig and head upwind on port tack, dialing in for the conditions. Then I jibe onto starboard reaching just a little deeper then down the line on the waves, hopping them at times. At this point I am going 20-22 kts max due to the waves and not closing out the foot of the sail.

Then I clear the pier into our harbor and hit the flat water. Here the breeze comes across the salt marsh and fans with a little extra punch. Again all the conditions have to be perfect. It takes me a few tries to get the hammer down for max speed. I torque the board onto a free running reach, perfectly balanced then close out the foot. At this point my mind and body are fully relax, and mentally I leave the board. Why do I relax, well because I am doing exactly what I love, and to the best of my ability. To me that is success.

**My Windsurf Travel Rig, did a lot of miles in that van**

Go out and find you’re fast, fun ride, and give your mind and body the full relaxation of success.

Next week is the second story.

Happy New Year, Paul

Bonus short sail onboard video, topping out at 24 kts.