Unlike me normally, I actually packed a lot of clothes because I was in a rush to leave; then naturally I only wore the same clothes the entire trip. Kit wise, I packed my Quatro Cube 85 and 95. I only used the 95l the entire trip – it was pure wave riding and pure joy linking turns. Sail wise I used the three batten Ezzy Taka 2s. The first day was really light but I got away with a 4.7m when I wrongly anticipated the wind to pick up. Still it didn’t matter, the sail performed beautifully on the wave.
Sleepless nights are relative these days as a father of two young children. I slept less than normal out and back, but when I went to sleep there were no surprises. But I haven’t read many adventure novels where sleep features too highly in the story line. I think it’s really important to hang out with the lads because it brings back a bit of perspective. When you’re trying to earn a living and doing all those things that go with it and have an obligation to the family, it can be hard to say yep, I’m going to get away here, see you all later. In one way or another, we all get tied down a bit. Escaping away with the boys makes you realise that you just have to do it more often and that’s only a good thing. It strengthens me, plus I get some stories to tell the kids when I get back home.