Rigged to Sail - a discovery of Asian masculinity
The tops of the trees were blowing during the drive to the beach launch and it was driving me crazy...I had to get there. I was anxious all the way driving to the launch site at the beach. It had been ten days since my last session and I was hungry for good session on the water...
Sunny, 58 degrees, dry air, and wind from the northwest. It was white capping....Blowing a solid 18 to 22 knots, it was a perfect 6.0 day on my 101 liter board....
The usual crew was at the launch site....and we all greeted each other and inquired on what each other was rigging...
There was an unfamiliar vehicle in launch parking area with east coast plates, with a single board on top of the roof racks. The guy began to unload his board and gear from his vehicle inorder to rig....
It is typical for someone new to our launch site to approach the locals and learn about the conditions and water. As I was rigging, he walked over and said hello, and asked what I was rigging. He said he was thinking on rigging a 6.0 sail. I let him know I was rigging a 6.0.... He asked what size board, and I said my 101 freestyle wave.
At 185#'s, I needed a 6.0 for the conditions on my 101 liter board. I looked at him....about 5' 9" and 150 lbs. I observed he was definitely fit and in shape for his size and frame and I knew he should rig a 5.0 to 5.5 depending on his board size and ability.
He introduced himself as Alex and he said this is his first time here, and wondered about any water hazards. I welcomed him, introduced myself as Andrew, and gave him the 411 on the launch site and water conditions... I inquired about his sailing experience, we talked a bit, and then I suggested he should rig something smaller than a 6.0. He thanked me for the advice and site intel and said he looked forward to seeing me on the water.
Rigged to sail, I put on my 3/2 wet suit to keep warm. My first session was awesome. About 20 minutes in to my session, I noticed Alex on the water. He was a good sailor, solid in his riding in the foot straps, however he was still working on his jibes. He didn't max out on board speed, however he looked confident riding the board
Sailing for nearly a decade, I had my jibes down and I ripped with my board speed. Back up at the van for a water break, Alex came in and walked up to me and complimented me on how great I looked out there. He said I really looked like I was ripping...I thanked him, and to be polite, I told him he looked good as well. He blushed a bit and said, he said he was not as good as me. He asked me how he could improve his board speed and work on his jibes...
I said when I go back out, we can sail together...he smiled and said he would love too. We sailed the next 4 hours together till the wind began to back down. During our session, I advised him that inorder to sail faster and nail his jibes, he had to push himself beyond his current comfort zone. Alex began to nail his jibes and he attacked both the board and wind to get more speed. It was a good session. It was after 4 pm, and the beach closed at sunset, which would be in less than an hour. We called it a day.
Derigging our windsurfing gear, we talked, and I learned from Alex he was here visiting, and seeking to find a job. I learned he was from Taiwan and observed he was a very genuine person who was both confident and nice. He asked me if I knew of a good place to catch a bite to eat and also to spend the nite. I told him about a good bar food place, however I said I did not know of any good hotels since I live about 30 mins away.
Instead of going out to eat, I suggested to Alex that he was welcome to come over to my place, as I was planning to grill some swordfish and enjoy an IPA and some white wine. At the time, and in the back of my mind, I knew I had a spare bedroom which in the windsurfing community you offer up to a fellow sailor.
After loading the gear in my van, and helping Alex load the top of his car we both changed out of our wet suits. We were both talking to each other as we removed our wet suits and I noticed Alex was very muscular and had a well defined body. Similarly, I noticed he was looking directly at me while I was changing out of my wetsuit.
Alex followed me for the 30 minute ride back to my house. Arriving at the house we unloaded the gear from the van and went inside. I gave Alex the 60 second house tour and he said he loved the place. I told him I needed to shower, and offered him to use the second bathroom shower. At first he was hesitant about showering, however I asked him about the sticky feeling of the saltwater and he grunted and said yeah...it sucks...
I grabbed him a towel and showed him how to use the shower in the second bathroom. After we both showered, I came out into the living room and turned on my amplifier and put on the Thievery Corporation playlist. Alex came out from the bathroom and stated the shower felt amazing...
I grabbed two IPA's from the fridge, opened them up, and handed him one...we toasted to a great day on the water!....
I had both flower and edibles at the house, and asked Alex if he minded if I took some and offered him as well. He said, he would normally say yes, however he had to drive later to find a hotel. I suggested he was welcome to spend the night and use the second bedroom. He pushed back a little as he felt he was imposing. I told him I crash at my friend's places in Maui and Oregon when I visit for windsurfing.