I’ve tried a lot of sports from motorbikes to snowboarding, but nothing comes close to the feeling of windsurfing, so why do people stop. I can’t figure that one out, but I’ve realized it’s easy to reawaken the sleeping beast inside, and just like riding a bike, you never forget. What made getting Jonathan back on the water was that bit more special, he was my first real sponsor.

Skiing had a hard time when snowboarding hit the mountain, but now its more popular than ever, I’ve got a feeling that kitesurfing will do the same for windsurfing. It’s giving retired windsurfers a fresh look at the water and banishing the light wind blues, but once the wind does kick in the bar is soon changed for boom.

Jonathan came back for the challenge of kitting, rather than giving him my do or die introduction I got Al from wet ‘n’ Dry to give him a lesson at Southend. He’s a great instructor, but more important, it’s a safer introduction. The true success of the day didn’t come until Saturday when he came down to Frinton-on-sea and opted for windsurfing.

Jonathan was my first true sponsor, back then he was importing F2, but while changed over the years he was always there with his support, particularly when I took it on with Whiteboarders. It would have been hard to find a better day to get him back on a board, perfect blue skies, and a solid cross shore wind made it one of the best days of the year, or was it, just having an old mate back.

Looks like I’ve got another best friend, we got our puppy this week. Picked up Raffles from Ray and the house hasn’t been empty since. The poor boy gets picked up ever five minutes as everyone wants to come round for a visit.