Please meet Igor and Caroline. They are both very experienced sailors from Brazil and England. They are the type of people you feel very lucky to meet. I am happy to report that they wear their jackets often. They live on a 1984 Islander Freeport Ketch, currently in Antigua. Their dog is named Laika, after the first dog in space (Russian). Laika means 'barker'. They adopted her while repairing the boat in the Dominican Republic. She keeps the pirates away.

People often ask if we manufacture in China. We do not.

If you get a chance, click this link from the photo, www.cdpwu.org, and take a look at the 'kidnapped' section. It is serious business and pretty scary stuff. For security, I felt I had to white out the faces in this photo. Mysterious people were taking my photo when I took this photo. The location is across the street from the Chinese Embassy in NYC. This is only one of many groups that regularly protest the Chinese for similiar mal-treatment to their respective causes. I hope things change soon.

In Montauk, after you get done surfing, or whatever fun you are having, you should visit the Naturally Good Cafe. Lauren and Andrea are two young entrprenuers and they are doing a really good job making healthy organic food. They are super nice people.
:-)

Jalama state park is North of Santa Barbara and about another hour towards the coast. If you have a minute, youtube 'Jalama Surf'. It is really good there. By the way, if you plan on camping, the park is pretty full. the war on drugs in mexico is making it too dangerous to head south, so everyone is going to Jalama.

Meanwhile, off the north coast of south america, in Trinidad, Igor and Caroline have decided to rebuild the Conch Pearl's motor. After being on the water for 3 years, she also needs some TLC. With the help of Joe and Meg, they pulled both the motor and generator in 4 days. Pretty swift. Also, removing some wood rot from the back bedroom, where water leaks in rough seas. One time, the Conch Pearl was in such a bad storm that her whole belly was over and her keel was exposed several times during one entire day and night. this happens along the edge of the bermuda triangle in between Rum Cay (bahamas) and hispanola (haiti). Storms pop up here without warning. Also in this area, is the worlds most darmatic elevation change, 38,000 feet, from the bottom of the puerto rican trench, to the highest mountain peak in the Dominican Republic. that is higher than mount everest and the mariana trench. Mix that with hot, carribean water, the trade winds, and I think we can solve the Bermuda Traingle mystery, LOL!

Please meet Andrew. If you can see the look on his face, you'll see it is one of victory, supreme victory. Victory, not because this picture shows him catching six solid waves in the C Street Long Board Classic, in Ventura...but, because last year, he was laid up fighting cancer. he was kicking ass and taking names, hoping to surf again this year. Which, with awesome style, is what he just did. that, my friends, is the most genuine victory face I have ever seen...to me, it looks kinda like he knew it already.

Right on, Andrew, the utmost respect!

Btw, in the next day's overall championship, Andrew took third. Also, look at those pretty waves in the background. C street has the coolest crowd. real deal surfers from southern califonia.