Sailing the Ocean Blue

There is absolutely nothing more fun than grabbing one's windsurfing gear, heading down to the beach, and spending the afternoon sailing with friends. Which is exactly what Al and I did one afternoon. On the water, we met up with Superman (John from Norway). Immediately, a discussion broke out about organizing a race. As we are all practising our carve jibes, these turns had to be an integral part of the race. So, we decided to create a course which was essentially a figure 8 - starting from the pier, sailing upwind to a yacht moored on the outside, carving around the yacht, sailing back to the pier, and carving again. This was considered one lap. The race consisted of 5 laps, 5 carve jibes on the outside, and four on the inside. Thanks to Tom Discart (our pal from Belgium), lap one of the race has been immortalized in these photos!

All of the competitors have assembed for the skippers' meeting, where the parameters and rules of the race were discussed and agreed upon.

Sails are in the ready position - racers are ready. Al = green sail, Nora = blue sail, Superman = orange sail.

And they're off, with Nora holding a very slim lead.

A great start for all of the competitors, although Superman looks a little off-balance.

Nora's initial lead is diminishing as Al is powering up behind her.

And here, he is shamelessly sailing upwind of her, and stealing her wind.

And the lead has changed, with Al in the upwind and lead position, Nora just behind, and Superman........hhmmmm, where is Superman?

Al is pulling away, and maintaing a very nice lead, heading into the first carve jibe.



Approaching the yacht, Al has the inside track for the carve jibe, while Nora has opted to carve a little on the outside. During the execution of the jibe, Al starts trash talking, and throws off Nora's concentration..........



Almost at the end of Lap One, all racers have navigated the first turn, and are heading back to the beach. And there, with the orange sail is Superman - gaining ground.

In third, Superman, sponsored by 'Diesel', (a company that promotes snuggling with other peoples' cats and trying to lure them away from their loving owners) is really digging in, and making up some lost ground.

Alone in second, Nora, sponsored by "Maryluz' Booty Camp" (an incredibly difficult work-out led by Maryluz, that focusses on one's glutes and abs) can hear the chatter of Superman's rig behind her, and is terrified!

Big Al, sponsored by "Deisy Shake" (a healthy breakfast shake containing nuts, seeds, bark and gravel, invented by our friend and Venezuelan supermodel Deisy Arvelo -http://www.deisyarvelo.net/ )
is alone in first. But, not for long......

Al blows his carve jibe on the inside (hee hee hee), and Nora is hot on his tail.

Nora executes an ugly, yet functional carve jibe around Al, who is desperately trying to get his gear organized.

But, here comes Superman.

Super executes a flawless carve jibe, while Nora is powering up behind him.

Super flips his sail, Nora is powering up, but where is Al?

And they're off on Lap Two, with Superman in the lead, Nora is second, and Al bringing up the rear.

Crapola - Al is up to his wind stealing tricks again.

There really is no need for any photos of the rest of the race, as this photo says it all. Superman won, Big Al came in second and Nora came in third. Congratulations Super! In fact, he won the subsequent next two races.

Mountain biking

We have had quite a mountain biking season this year. All kinds of biking enthusiasts have joined Big Al at 7:00 a.m. for one of his guided tours - we've had triathletes, Iron Men, marathon runners, road racers and Super Heroes - from all parts of the world. But, I have never seen a better looking group than these folks!

Meet Joelle (from Belgium), Kathy (from El Yaque) and Anne (from Norway). Please keep in mind, it is 7:00 a.m. and these girls look like they're ready for a photo shoot.

Here are Big Al and Superman - a.k.a John from Norway. (More on Superman and his incredible feats of endurance a little later.....!)

There's always time for a little romance at Casa Nora - apparently.....................................................

Shine-y, happy people! I am willing to bet 10,000 bolivars viejo that Tom's white outfit won't stay white for long.......!

Kathy, Al, Anne, John, Joelle and Tom enjoyed the 'Musipan Tour', which begins at Casa Nora, winds through the village on a paved surface, cuts into the desert for some single track riding, continues along the coast through a few fishing villages, crosses over a 'salina' or salt flat, and returns to El Yaque on a paved road, riding right into strong headwinds. For most riders, this is considered a good 1.5 hour work-out. For Superman, this is a warm-up ride.

Next mountain biking blog: The Six Summits of Superman

Blue water sailing

After the relative and totally inadvertant success of the downwinder, I e-mailed our adventure pal, Pedro, in Toronto, and invited him to sail across the channel to the island of Coche. Without a moment's hesitatio, he agreed. We planned this blue water sail a little more diligently that we did the downwinder. This time, we hired Alex (head instructor at Vela) to be our guide. He, in turn, hired Alexi (former freestyle competitor on the World Tour) as an auxiliary guide. And, most importantly, we hired a chase boat. However, still no life jackets, flares, walkie-talkies........ But, Alex did throw in some extra harness lines, and mast foot bases. Good thinkin' Alex!

After Alex conducted a skipper's meeting, where he drew a diagram showing wind direction, the coast line of Coche, the slight upwind line that we would have to take, and after checking our gear, and switching all of the guys to much larger sails, off we went. Funny, how Coche looks so close when you are standing on the beach at El Yaque......... But impossibly far when you are out in the ocean, surfing the swells, as your front leg starts cramping.........!

We were almost there, about a 1/2 kilometre off the coast of Coche, when suddenly the wind either dies, or the direction changes completely. The swells seemingly grew in size, and also changed direction. I get out of my straps and harness, and am trying to balance on these swells, when disaster strikes. I fall in. I heard Superman racing behind me, and frankly, laughing maniacally. He passed me as I fell in, and then, he also falls. The others sail past us, and the Alex sails over to give me some much needed instruction. He said, 'Welcome to the hole. From here until shore, bear off severely downwind." Excellent advice, if I could only lift my sail high enough above the huge swells to execute my water start. With all the strength I had left, I manage to lift my sail, and get on my board. I see Superman do the same, and off we sail to the shore. But, the conditions about 200 metres off shore were also dodgy. Tough sailing getting to the beach. But we made it.

The Coche crossing team from left to right: Alexi, Alex, Nora, Al, Pedro and Superman.

We had some chocolate and water, and while I de-rigged my gear for the boat ride back, the boys prepared to sail back.

The coastline of Coche, showing the 'hole' or windless spot in the middle of the ocean. Weird...

Big Al, Pedro and Superman contemplating the sail back to El Yaque.

And off they go. Of course, it was after this photo that my camera ran out of battery power...... The sail back was difficult as the wind seemed to drop, and the group of sailors could not stay together in the ocean. Superman took off in a downwind direction, and Alexi chased him to guide him back to El Yaque. (The village and beach of El Yaque is impossible to see from the ocean, so the guides were much appreciated.) Big Al took off on a serious upwind line, and from my position in the boat, I soon lost sight of his sail. I thought that perhaps he had decided to sail to Porlamar. Pedro and Alex sailed in together. Some 30 minutes of seriously difficult slogging and some 10 minutes of high speed sailing saw the group reconvene on our home beach. Fun!

Next blue water sail - Punta de Piedras to the island of Cubagua.

Pool Party

We have so many good friends visiting us at the moment, that Al and I decided to throw a pool party for our visitors, and for our friends in the village.

Far left - Francisco (our houseguest from Spain) is clearly engaged in an intellectual conversation with Peter (Pedro) from Canada. Francisco is working on a new technology that very well may revolutionize mobile phone use. Francisco - after you've made your billions, don't forget my 10% introduction fee to Pedro.........!

Mary and I are giving Pedro a traditional island greeting for those who have travelled from cold, and far off lands.

Pedro and Al seem to be greeting Elita in the same manner. However, she lives here on the island........ hhhhhhmmmmmmm

This is Stefan, our neighbour, who frankly has the best collection of tropical shirts that I have ever seen!

Mary and Emile (our friend and neighbour) appear to be practising for the .......... well ........ something............

This is our Norwegian friend John, a.k.a. Superman, demonstrating his super powers.

Tom (our houseguest from Belgium) and Big Al are bonding.

Emile and Stefan are engaged in very serious conversation, probably about who has the snappiest wardrobe.

Superman and his girl, Anne, from Norway.

Contrary to popular opinion, these Norwegians sure do have rythm. The Latinas have been put on notice.

Mary and I - two coconut heads!

Al and Mary - two more coconut heads!

Mary and Pedro. I guess at this point, Mary took control of the camera.

Some of the party guests.

Some of the female party guests.

John and Anne snogging - aawwww!


Belgian Tom telling us about his street cred......and we are spellbound.

Faye, our neigbour, who just returned from a visit to the USA. Welcome back Faye!

Thomas Layton Mastbaum (owner of Vela), Mary (of course), Martin (owner of Casa Viva and Sharks), and Kathy (my pal and yoga partner, and owner of Vela, and wife of Thomas Layton).

Our Swedish friend Pele discussing life in Moscow with Pedro. Pele manages the most successful and longest running bar/nightclub in that fair city.