The summer was coming in the end and it was time to search for waves again. So, I phoned to Giannis and he took the boat for Chania. We packed the car with loving wave equipment and we started the big trip to Faneromeni, the well known spot for wave action located in the east side of Crete! Some days later we would run there the first wave contest for the Greek Wave Tour (it has been a long time ago from the last wave tour ever made in Greece), that made us so enthusiast for.We spent there two days with a lot of wave riding and some nice jumps. The conditions were not like a big day, but fun size waves with side/side-on shore wind were there to put a big smile on our faces.
Sunrise View from Faneromeni's church
Giannis enjoy the waves alone
Our bedroom, kitchen, desk and board garage
When the weather calmed down tow days later, we headed for Kouremenos beach. We met there our friend and crazy windsurfer Christos who runs the windsurfing club GONE SURFING CRETE and passed another two days chilling and relaxing in front of the beach. I have to say that those guys in the windsurfing center have a really good energy and every windsurfer will find there an unforgettable holiday.
Christos and Maria at the 'Gone Surfing Crete' Center
Gooooona Surffiiiiiiiing!!!
Maria stoked to the bone
When my body stopped complaining for the hard use of last days it was time for round two! The Faneromeni wave contest was on and wave riders from Greece would met there to surf this beautiful spot with the finest conditions. But the weather had another opinion. The first day the swell hadn't arrived yet and the second day the wind didn't came from the right side making the conditions tricky to sail with logo high waves braking on the reef. Still,we had a lot of fun in and out of the water and it was great to see all this passionate windsurfers together.
The only good session was early in he morning (8:00 am), but we didn't expect the wind drop and we had not been ready for the heats. The most lucky guy was Vagelis Divis who was flying with his 4.4m sail for a half an hour before the wind drop down. Thirty minutes later, I joined him with my 4.7 but it was already late. The wind had dropped down and was ok for 5.0/5.3 m sails for another one hour and then the place was not windsurf-able at all. One by one the windsurfers were visiting the rocks, cause to the strong current, the hollow waves and the lack of wind.
But as long as we were in the water, the action was on fire! GoScrus, backloops, aerials and hard turns were in the menu. With the waves picking logo high size, it was a really exciting picture to see from the church (located on the rocks). Andrew draw some really technical turns on the wave face, while local Michalis Farsaris was flying above the lip. Vagelis Divis was showing his new school style and Dimitris Apalagakis was executing his powerful riding,showing that he became a wave sailor in this waters few years ago.
The locals hadn't worry yet because the wind use to turn more side shore in the afternoon there. There was still time to run an expression session, but there was not luck at all. When the wind turned from the correct direction I was the first who entered the water. But ten minutes later, I had the most hard crash of my windsurfing life. My foot was stuck in the bootstrap while I was crashed in a big barreling wave and it kicked me out in the rocks with broken ankle.
It was the last gone chance to run the contest. No luck this trime... Maybe some could be disappointed for the unsuccessful contest, but I'm sure that all will be waiting to meet again at this hardcore place next year. Below you will find some photos that Manolis Vardakis took from the event.
Vagelis Divis, the first man in the water takes it all !!!
Vagelis on a scary background
Me playing fun size
Andreas on the right spot!
But always there was someone on the wrong one!
But luckily we had no equipment losses...
M. Farsaris on a stylish aerial of the lip. Hard move for this place.
Me again. I wanted a little bit more wind, but never happened
Taking the way back on land with a smashed sail
And Nikolas joins me few hours later
D. Apalagakis executing powerful riding
Panagiotis seems happy on the lip
Spray...!!!
Andrew had private lessons from Floral last winter in Africa
and show DTL style
like he returned back in Greece a day before
I wish this table could fill up to the end, but it didn't...Next time...
As the wind stayed weak, the interest became the slack line. From the left Nikos, Argiro, Eirini are executing acrobatics.
But when Argiro started the ballet on the rope, Floral came and showed who is the boss with Cretan original dance!!! Ha Ha Ha !
See you next time my friends...
