1/27/2008 Salt Ponds 2.9/3.0

[Eric C Christensen]

Gary and I arrived at 2:30 to strong south winds sunshine and temps in the 50's.We started out on 5.0's then went to 4.0's and settled on 3.0/2.9. Extream conditions liquid smoke, the spray from sailing was misting for 75 yards.It was pure survival sailing.The salt water was brutal, it burned my nose and stung my eyes. I was slamed so hard that my body did a 360 while still hooked in befor hitting the water.But the challenge and success was worth it.We sailed for about an hour quiting about 5:00. This experience was one of the most intense/insane yet.I think I will stick to back country skiing for the rest of the winter.

[Josh Shirley]

Eric and Gary you are my new heros! January sailing, and it had nothing to do with the Olympics. I would have loved to see that.

[bigwavedave]

I remember those days with Mike Rossbuerg and several others. Sailed one year mid Dec and then again the first week in Jan. Parked on the side of the freeway with blobs of thick sea-foam rolling up off the waters edge. It truly is insane to put your body to the kind of torture that water that cold can dish out. I don't do it anymore but I can still remember how painful it was when we put our hands into the cooler of warm water and brought the circulation back. It was one of the most painful things in life that I can remember actually intentionally putting myself through in this life. I now stay out of sub 30 degree water at all costs . . but the penguin club was a good place to visit for those couple of years of desparation!!!

[Kenny]

And everyone thinks I am insane to kite there during the summer...

All I can say is "We're not worthy, we're not worthy!"

[mike rossberg]

Eric - YOU ROCK!! It's been a while since Dave and I sailed there. You can check that one off your bucket list. Way to go.

[Sarah Ranes]

you guys are HARD CORE! I think you get the ULTIMATE PENGUINE SUPREME!