Taboo

Windsurfing in Tonga

The word taboo originated from Tonga. This picture is of windsurfing in Tonga. Windsurfing is not taboo in Tonga.

Janitor's Note: We worked real hard this time to lead with an actual windsurfing photo related to the topic. Unfortunately, to do this, we had to google the word taboo. I had no idea that people used leather for things other than shoes, belts and jackets. I still wish I had no idea. Some things can't be unseen. And, yeah, there are some adult words in the links. I figure if you are old enough to click, you've heard them before.

Some things can't be said or written. It's bad luck, karma, profane or will steal your soul.

George Carlin is famous for his "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television." While we might think that bit quaint and that in our more enlightened times, we've advanced and can, we still find some of those words on the naughty list, at least here in the U.S. Cee Lo Green really isn't singing "Forget You" and Mumford and Sons aren't singing "I really ... it up this time my dear.". This Canadian band, F-bombed Up (see, I can't even print it), was at the top, Numero Uno, of Spin Magazine's top 50 albums of 2011. Have you heard their name on the radio? Don't think so (unless you get satellite).

The 5 Stages of Spring Windsurfing

Oracle of NOAA
Consulting the weather forecast circa 450 B.C.

This time of year (May-June) finds many of us consulting the weather forecast much like temple priests who hovered lamb entrails, searching for signs that their gods might treat them favorably. We scan, poke, prod and revisit the putrefying remains as if the dismal prognostication may somehow and mysteriously change.

With memories of great spring sessions, the last ones without even a shortie, still fresh in our minds, we are convinced that there will be one more good day, defying our knowledge of what happens this time of year - namely, nothing.

Vintage

Late again?Yes, I think it's from an O'Neill neoprene boot, maybe size 9? No, make that Euro 43. Young, with that subtle touch of the Chattahoochee.

Janitor's Note: This article weaves all over the road (pun intended) but it really is about windsurfing (and bikinis). Don't let the first paragraphs mislead you.

I don't always windsurf and when I don't, I'm often out biking. Despite a fair amount of carbon hanging in the garage, my bikes of choice seem to be older bikes, or as they are referred to on Craigslist, vintage bikes. They have a pleasant ride and I enjoy riding a bike that has a "story" and almost all of mine do.

Actually, what qualifies as a vintage bike on CL varies. For some, it's a classic bike: nice chromoly steel tubing, better aluminum Japanese, French or Italian parts and good hand crafting. This is the stuff I try to find - a little French, a few Japanese - all ride great. The ad below is a great example, some of Trek's better work, made in Waterloo, Wisconsin.

When in doubt, bring everything

From the cool Italian site: www.sottomarinakite.it (both kite and windsurfing) comes this pic which appears to be taken in CA.

boards, lots of boards

We do ask that those driving to Hatteras show a bit more restraint. Last year, an elderly snowbird couple driving back to Montreal had a accident (fortunately no injuries) after a similarly packed vehicle cast a large shadow over their car. The couple, seeing the shadow and hearing the rush of air around the boards, thought they'd strayed onto the runway of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and swerved off the road.

They also have a neat wind forecast set of icons. When the prediction is light wind (

it's all good

Translation:
Tuesday 05: 9 knots from the southeast by mid-afternoon
Wednesday 06: 13 knots from the southeast at dawn and cross our fingers hoping to get another 13 knots in the afternoon

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