Fredstem

With the recent sell of my company (IDB Consulting France and Canada) and the lack of good wind/tide combination, I haven't been able to seriously practice the dangle pass for a while... But I know I am getting closer and doing way better on my personal HP training station... So I just need a few more good practice sessions at 3rd... Hopefully!

Photos: courtesy of Clint Suson

I got the privilege to ride the new 2010 Naish Helix and Cult when Damien came over to my house. We spent the early afternoon wave-riding waddell with the new Helix 10m with 24 m lines and the new Cult 9m with 12 m lines. Then we headed up to 3rd Avenue for a late freestyle sesh. We had a blast on the water and some very cool discussions at dinner in SF and later in my jacuzzi.

For the record, I found the new helix turning faster and having way more power than the 2009. The new cult is still very easy and stable but with a longer and higher glide.

What a very nice week end... It all started with a Saturday morning session in the Delta with Dimitri taking a few pictures... I simply sent the biggest mega loops of my life between the islands .. Not sure I will have the guts to do it again...

And a Family day at Waddell on Sunday where I got a very great wave riding sesh with unexpected decent waves... Then a kiting lesson for both Fiona and Flo. They all did great. Flo even did some self launches for her first kiting lesson since the one she took in Maui back in 2001... But I have to admit that this talented girl started kiting in 1995 with her 3m foil while I was still windsurfing...

Claude just told me that his pal Peter Johnson left us very recently... Peter was 78 years old, always smiling and still windsurfing 3rd Avenue!!! He was a very good example to all of us as we all hope to rip as old as he was able to...
So long man!!!

I proudly won the latest "3rd avenue carnage contest" with a crazy high air dangle pass no-chance-at-all-to-nail-it attempt... What a day it was, everybody throwing silly tricks... and crashing on top of each other... (sorry again Ignite! :-))

Here is a very nice courtesy shot from Cary Maures of a one-hand-in-the-water transition...

I am selling my beloved F-one Legend surf board (see a review)... It is a very nice board (still in excellent conditions) and so easy in the waves thanks to its twin-tip configuration. Contact me if you are interested!

I spent my entire winter on the coast and as much as I love wave riding, I was quite happy recently to finally go back to 3rd Avenue to do a good freestyle session.

Courtesy pictures from Cary Maures.

I finally team-up with JR to achieve the first HMB down-winder. I have been thinking about it so many times while riding on my own at Dunes or surfing the outer reef...  So we started from the harbor jetty (A) and surfed the waves down to Poplar street (B). The wind was light at times and the waves very different from beach to beach but what a fun to surf all those waves on this spectacular 4 miles ride down the coast!

I am so glad I was able to share this great time with JR on this warm and sunny day. I'll do it again very soon!

I brought the little family to Squaw Valley this week-end for a night boarding session... We all had a lot of fun!!!

Another great flat water session at HMB. I really love this place, both riding waves at Dunes or like today freestyling inside the harbor.

Showing off for the guests having lunch at Sam's restaurant :-)