For me, summer means Greek islands & windsurfing and this summer started promising.
My dear friend George, offered me a wonderful set of windsurfing memorabilia:
A wooden boom, a mast with a wooden extension & the wooden mast foot of a Ten Cate original Windsurfer he had back in the ‘80’s, a time he was even building his own boards.
Then came windsurfing in Paros with plenty of wind, conditions that allowed me to use a smaller board than the usual Ride 277. Last year my brother’s wife got new equipment & when I realized her yellow Axxis 267 was evaluated for peanuts, I expressed my interest about it and got it as a present!
Sail wise, I had 2 sails to try for the first time: a 2009 4,7m Simmer Icon I bought last November and the 2008 Naish Force 3,7m I had bought last summer from the Bit of Salt – exceptionally modern stuff compared to my ’98 boards.
Not only the combinations worked fine, I was lucky one windy day to have around Yiorgos Kaplanidis (of the Linardo bar), a pro photographer who thankfully is not surfing…so although I cannot claim I surf as hard as a few years ago, I got some photos like NEVER before. Take my advise: next time you hit the water make sure you have a good photographer around!
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The wind was down, when we received the invitation by Calypso for a 3 day sailing from Rhodos to Kastellorizo with the 43 METERS Perini & Navi OHANA. Cruising on such a sailing boat is an unforgettable experience, I wouldn’t miss for anything.
Luxury sail yacht Ohana was built in 2004 by Italian shipyard Perini Navi and has carbon fibre in-boom furling. With an aluminium hull and superstructure, she features naval architecture by Perini Navi and Ron Holland, and interior and exterior design by Perini Navi. This twin screw superyacht measures 43.45 metres and can accommodate up to 12 guests.
While in Kastellorizo we saw this sailing hotel. Kinky way of sailing!
On the way back to Paros I took this picture of an inexperienced sailing crew having a very bad time. I wonder if upon arrival their dinghy was still behind them…
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Back in Paros, SELINI, the 15 meters kaique of my late uncle, together with Jan & Vag who lovingly look after her, were waiting for our first long journey after more than 15 years of idle. As soon as the wind dropped, we sailed for a wonderful journey to Patmos & the small islands around .
SUMMER IS NOT OVER YET…
The best period for leisure sailing at affordable prices just begins.
For those who would like to charter a sailing boat, my dear friend Yannis Theodoridis – ISLANDSAILING.GR is stongly recommended as the best bet I know : always reliable, pampering the less experienced clients, offering an extensive fleet at very competitive prices.
To be continued
zaosan
Hitthewave 