From Mediterranean then to Caliraya soon

In contrast to my present pastime that is tennis of which I am just a mere spectator, in the sport of windsurfing, however, I myself am (or was) the player.

As most of my Tripoli-based colleagues and friends (Eric Bleza, Darwin Tinea, Cesar Principe, Dondon Oraa, etc.) already know that most of my barkadas (Reflex co-members) and neigbors in Cavinti haven't yet, I have been (at least in the cyberspace for now) into this windsurfing thing for some time now. I hope that my ‘kabayans’ would not think of me as making an impression of being ‘pa-sosyal’ in the event they see me being in the company of a group of windsurfers having a good time in Caliraya sometime early next year.

Let me point out that windsurfing is more than just a recreation. It is also about camaraderie among people who share interest in the beauty of nature. I was first introduced into this sport in August of 2003 when Ed Maduli, my officemate and the only Filipino member of the windsurfing group in Tripoli, took me to Regata beach, urging me to try to experience the fun and the thrill of riding the waves in Mediterranean on a windsurfer, and the awesome feeling of being far out in the sea where there’s nothing but just you, the surfing gear, the wind and the water.

Unknown to Ed, I wasn't exactly ignorant about windsurfing. I told him that back in the late 80’s when each time the Reflex Club (our community group in Cavinti) was on picnic in Caliraya, we always had fun watching from the shore the foreigners showcasing their different windsurfing skills out in the middle of Caliraya lake and jeering at them each moment some of them would fall down hard into the water. Their show was awe-inspiring. Imagine them sailing at about the speed of speedboat with just the force of wind powering their sail.

From then on, I have fantasized the idea of becoming a windsurfer even for just a dream, not knowing that two decades later I would set foot in Libya where I would be given the opportunity of learning this sport unexpectedly. So when Ed asked me to come with him to Regata during one non-working day, I did without much prodding and literally transformed that dream into reality.

I was full of excitement and enthusiasm during my first day in Regata, all the more so when told that the water during August usually remained calm for most hours of the day, thus favorable for a first-timer like me. The VAOS group led by master-surfer Mr. Heuritsch along with veteran surfer Mr. Horner, with a bunch of beginners, namely, Mr. Schnek, Ms. Sanaa, and Ms. Isabela, was already in the water by the time we parked by the shore the Peugeot 806 we were driving. I noticed Ms. Sanaa, who was returning from her trip offshore, seemed having a hard time steering her sail as evidenced by the wrong direction she was heading. Mr. Schnek was as well having some problems with his balance as he dropped into the water frequently. About a hundred meters far out the shore, there was Ms. Isabela. It seemed she lost energy as I saw her simply swimming back to shore with her board and sail in tow.

Not long after, Mr. Heuritsch, our HR Manager cum surfing tutor, began with his lecturing on windsurfing lessons. Since he was doing this to me for free, he skipped discussing the most basic, such as how to gear up the sail or matters relating safety, and instead proceeded on demonstrating what I should do in actual practice. From him, I learned that one’s body must be positioned straight up, chest push forward, to prevent back pains when hauling the sail out from the water. When reaching for the sail, one must grab the boom by the right hand first then by the left immediately after. So simple huh? No. it’s not in practice.

For beginners let alone first timers, maintaining balance atop the board was never easy. I’ve had to fall over as many times as I attempted climbing up on it. I don’t know how many hours and days I was in this situation before I finally got used to the proper body positioning and then eventually managed to steer and maneuver the board and sail finally successfully.

If this was in Philippines, this experience might surely not have happened. For how could I afford parting with my hard-earned money in exchange for a luxurious pastime that costs over a hundred thousand (in pesos), not to mention the car you would need to transport the expensive equipment. Were it not for our company’s generosity (by lending me its spare gears ) my windsurfing passion would remain just a dream.

Ed, my surfing buddy, by the way, has eventually managed to buy a second hand at first and then later a brand new one a few months after I transferred to another work assignment so faraway from the beach. I assumed that after all these years he has already nearly perfected his gybing and tacking skills.

Since having assigned here in Ghani field, only once that I had been to Regata beach again. It was last January while I was in transit back to the field from vacation. It was still winter time when the waves were unusually big and the water was still so cold, a condition not suitable for windsurfing but just perfect for sightseeing. A photo op (haha) and a cup of cappuccino was all that we had during that Regata trip.

As I mentioned earlier, the only association I have right now to windsurfing is through the internet. I signed up for membership to Caliraya Windsurfing Fleet Yahoo Group so I could keep track of the news about the different activities and competitions the group has been undertaking. So far I’ve been entertaining myself in just looking at the photos the group has just posted. There are plenty of their pictures taken during the recently concluded windsurfing competition held in Terrazas De Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

When I get home for my next vacation, I would be meeting the group members in person for the first time. Cavinti is just a few kilometers away from Caliraya where they meet once in a while or more precisely when the wind forecast becomes suitable for them to windsurf. I know that most of them come from a well-to-do families judging by the brand of cars and by the brand of board and sail they are using. But these won’t deter me from meeting them as I have the impression that they are kind and accommodating enough.

Months ago one member emailed back asking that I let them know when I get back to Cavinti again so I could be with them.

Wish me luck!!!