You don't have to believe in God to enjoy the irony

[freejoshua7]

I rolled up to Lake Byllesby at 3, the sky overcast with occasional sprinkles. The rigging lawn was muddy. I rigged my SB carve 111, 6.7 NP Sabre with a carbon boom. I can't eyeball wind speeds, but it wasn't anything ridiculously hairy. A good amount of rolling, breaking swell. Its my first time at Byllesby, I'm solo, a little nervous about it. Then I realize all I have to do is reach from shore to shore, fall-in, turn around and beachstart. Thats a great energy saver. I had some frustrations, fell in the middle of the lake a few times, I waterstarted and made it back to the other shore. No big deal. Jibing seemed impossible, my gloves just weren't providing enough grip to unhook and hold on. An hour later the driftwood started coming in, sheets of it. There were pieces that looked like breaching whales. I remained in the shallows while those monstrosities swam by, no big deal. Carving around the smaller pieces was a fun challenge. The thunk, thunk sound at fully powered speed was a bit disheartening though. But the exciting runs worth the risk.
The nice wind, extra challenges, and one hell of an adrenaline rush really brought my emotions to the surface of my consciousness. I imagined what a great place Byllesby would be to sail mid summer, at dusk. The warm wind howling through the hills, sun setting across the fetch, turning the water into a shimmering playground of liquid gold. Even though today was cold and rainy, it was a beautiful day. I fell to my knees, took a minute to thank God for this gift. I was one with and at peace with the world, my maker, and myself. Everything good, nothing bad. I also thought to remember not to curse God this summer after the 40th day of light winds. The idea not to curse God was stressed in my mind. I promised that I wouldn't.
I beachstarted, hooked in, held on, and harnessed the power of the wind. I was flying, completely in control, time slowed down, I was totally dialed in, the driftwood my slalom course. This was the best run of my life, no joke. Then it happened. Catapult. It was bad. I went over the handlebars, slammed on the back of my neck. Its true what they say about water being concrete if you hit it going fast enough. Birds circled my head. Luckily I was in 5 feet of water and had the luxury of standing up. When my eyes cleared, I saw it. My 10month old baby, my carbon boom, ripped. The carbon fibers on a boom arm fractured cleanly across, like a table saw had done the cutting. And whats the first thing I do? I curse God. Was it a test? or just coincidence? I don't care, I still have to replace my d*** boom.

[Dave Z]

Ah, good story - love it! Byllesby is a thing of beauty. If you loved it on a 6.7 then you'll definitely have to hit it on one of those rare days when it's straight West (270) and blowing 35+. Then the magic carpet ride comes alive.

[thenamessean04]

Haha oh man you had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Great story! Sorry to hear about the boom!

[Randy]

You capture well what so many of us have experienced. Thanks for the great read.