LOCALadk Magazine
Issue link: https://localadkmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1170390
Fall 2019 LOCALadk Magazine 41 LOCALadk Board and sail move through the turn faster than usual because I've rigged my sail for wave maneuvers. I skim back across the bay into the green cove, tossing jumps and skip- ping across swells. Bob is in the water now. He adjusts his rig and sails toward the deep water outside the break. I stick to the waves, popping over the back of them to ride the faces. It's the kind of fun that I wish could last forever. As the wind begins to wane, I take more risks, riding each wave a little bit longer. When I stay in the hollow of one wave too long it slurps up my board like a dog licking water from a bowl. Suddenly I'm upside down and still in the foot straps. I wiggle my feet free and unhook the harness loop that links my hips to the boom while small waves wash over my head. This kind of incident is a bit panic inducing, as it is possible to become trapped underneath the sail by hydraulic pressure from breaking waves. Aside from thrilling conditions and natural beauty, Point Au Roche is a perfect place for windsurfers to learn about surf conditions. The gradual beach slope and easy-to-gauge water depth make for a forgiving environment. The waves break smoothly and maintain their shape even in strong winds. If something breaks, you simply wash up where you started. There are no fearsome ocean creatures likely to chew on your body parts. Although I've encountered floating logs near river mouths on the lake, I have yet to ram Champy the Champlain monster at planing speed. For windsurfers, Point Au Roche provides the opportunity to build confidence and skills. Three hours after I hit the water, I'm still smiling. Windsurf- ing at Point Au Roche is just that satisf ying. There are pleasures in the way the lake is nestled into the cur ves of sand and grass. The High Peaks looming out of the clouds to the south are a reminder of human insignificance. The way the trees twitch and sway in the wind on the cliff tops adds softness to the scene. And then the sun suddenly breaks under the clouds on the western horizon to illuminate the cliff and the grass on the shore —a stunning view avail- able only from out on the water. Soon the park will turn white, the water frozen, and we windsurfers will migrate to the slopes on skis and snow- boards. But when we stand near the summit chair at White- face, we will pause and look to the northeast. We will squint to focus on Lake Champlain and this place. For a moment we may seem oblivious. We remember muscles drawn taught against the autumn gales, the sight of water sluicing away from the back of the board in a rainbowed rooster tail of spray, and the feeling of Mother Nature's power harnessed by one human being. We remember the catharsis of wind- surfing Point Au Roche. Windsurfing at this place often marks my last moments on the water before winter closes in. So to me Point Au Roche feels bittersweet. This complexity is what makes me dream about it for the rest of the year. Come autumn, I'll be back.