We did have another comrade in-the-mix, none other than classic Frenchman Julien Taboulet – we call him Wesh Wesh – now a proud father of two beautiful children and a regular to Cabo Verde himself. While racing the freight trains at Ali Baba, we looked up the coast to see Julien rushing it at double-mast-high Curral Joul in very light wind and scoring some amazing rides. I’ve seen a lot of sessions there and been out in bigger, but windier circumstances. We both considered Wesh’s situation, on a 5.8 and 95 liter board in, at most, 10 knots of wind and double-mast-high surf. We gave it a pass. With some regret in hindsight, but we also remembered our own score was very solid. KP had broken a mast at Ali Baba and we deliberated that occurring up at Curral Joul quite unthinkable. In the end it turned out epic for Julien. He truly charged a very difficult scenario, but we all had a full cache of memorable rides to share stories between us and the rest of the world for many moons to come.