I had my first attempt to the obviously wonderful world of wave windsurfing. Weather forecast promised great for Yyteri, Pori. "Everybody" else also going there. So I too started early and drove 260km there. Rigged the gear, got into suit/helmet (thank Good for helmets :) ) and carried my gear to the shoreline in full excitement. Marched into the water. Nice exciting but short planing. And then the reality hit. The waves were really big for my skills, wind on the edge (15m/s for my 5.8 sail). And, it become very soon obvious that in order to windsurf there I must head further straight to the open waters. To the bigger waves and less gusty winds.
Not having the guts needed to head straight to the open waters, I kept surfing safely close to shore. And started slowly but firmly slide downwards in the shoreline. And hit occasionally the sea bottom when waters run away after the waves.
Constantly cursing my lack of courage. But finding excuses why I stayed next to shore.
In the 1.5hrs I had occasional short moments of "YEAH", lot's of washing machine experiences... and then looking at the other windsurfers from the shore after my session I found confirmation that when I crossed the waves I took them pretty ok compared to others. Just that I did not head to open waters (and yep the gear... 125litres instead of 90ish-70ish others had which would have likely made my open waters experience somewhat more challenging).
Results? A firm understanding that that was exactly what I had to do. I had to go there and experience. I had to swim a lot. See others going. And know (now safely here behind computer and after few days) that I would have made it also in the open waters I only had had the guts, the trust (The worst thing that could have happened would have been that I drift/swim to shore a km or so from point of starting).
Funny to realize that the situation is so analogous with the start-up we have been developing with our small team. The same feelings pretty much exactly.
We have now about made the trip to Yyteri. Sea looks bloody exciting. But also scary, wild. Now, we should really have the guts to go to the open waters. Get washed over. Many times. But lift the mast again and waterstart. Have fun occasionally riding the waves - surviving them.
If we stay sort of semi safely next to shore we will slowly but surely just drift down the shore. And miss all the potential fun.
It will be fun.... but it's scary.
Pictures from that very same day and from http://but.fi/sl
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