Archive for May, 2007

Lake Isabella Goes OFF

Southwest Boardsports and Groundswell, LLC are happy to report that the 5th annual Isabella Demo was once again a huge success. A big thanks to Peter Jones of Southwest Boardsports for organizing this incredible weekend. I got a real behind the scenes look as to how much work Peter puts into this event. For those of you that didn’t notice, Peter hauled up dozens of boards and gallons of Tequila…not to mention tremendous winds.

Mother’s Day weekend has proven once again to be a solid windy weekend despite a meager forecast crusing into the weekend. Fog rolled into the coast bringing solid sailable wind on Friday. Tim Ortlieb and Jake Miller of Ezzy whipped out 14 rigs to try all rigged with Ezzy masts and Chinook hardware. By the end of the day most all of the 14 sails had gotten wet.


Peter Jones and John Drab catch their breath between sessions

By Saturday, things were off to a roaring start. The wind quickly built into the 5.5 range. Jake, Peter, and Tim were busy tuning and securing rigs. The Ezzy SE’s were on the water from about 11am to 6pm without a break. Most loved was the 5.8 and 5.2.

John Drab tears it up on the Ezzy Freeride 6.0

Most sailors gathered around the beach and marveled as Jake Miller, fresh from Maui, turned the lake into his playground. Jake was showing the locals how to pass an afternoon by tossing forwards, body drags, and a variety of freestyle moves.

One body drag was clocked in at nearly 20 seconds!!

which way is Jake headed next?

Things got really zany when the Starboard Tandem made an appearance. Here Dave Goering displays a “Cirque de Soleil” finesse as he powers the freighter around to weather.

A full day of sailing would not be complete without grub. Thanks to the town of Lake Isabella for providing much needed nurishment and fluids.

Jake is obviously pleased by the fare of the evening

Brad and crew after refueling

Sunday morning began with a bang once again. By 11 the lake was filled with most of the 14 Ezzy demo rigs once again.

Peter Jones rips thru another jybe on his 8.5 Infinity…while others were grasping their 6.0’s.

By early afternoon the wind built to a serious 4.2 level for most sailors. Jake, Peter, John, and a host of others were popping jumps around the lake. The wind refused to quit!

Breakdown began at approximately 5pm. Let me tell you…breaking down all of these rigs was a chore with the wind pounding at our backs.

The masses headed out. Highways in all directions were filled with SUV’s packed with gear, sand, and smiling satisfied faces.

We’ll see you again next year!

Regards,
Tim