The Triple L Challenge, Howard Davey and the RNLI

12th Mar 2008 @ 06:44:10 PM

sSs Team riders have been taking advantage of this weeks wild and windy conditions, as they limber up to try and earn the glory and recognition from the windsurfing community by winning the SeaSprite Sports RRD & Ezzy Triple L Challenge (Triple L Challenge Launch)

sSs Team Rider, Howard Davey, had an experience of a different kind and takes up the story:-

The kind folks of Seasprite Sports have most recently been promoting there Triple L challenge, so when one thinks of going big and perhaps getting some form of proof, you would instinctively psyche up for the windiest days.

However it seems like the good folk of Teignmouth lifeboat have also been reading the Windsurfing press too, and are not so keen to rescue those that they fear are the worst offenders. To date no rescue has been required, but it seems that with all our playful antics over the years, our notoriety has caught on.

Like some type of hardened criminal wearing a curfew tagging device, my phone line was hot on the morning of March 10th. The windiest day of the year, and the coast guard was calling me!

CG - ‘Good morning Howard, I am glad you answered the phone’,
CG - ‘You aren’t thinking of sailing off the front today are you’
HD - ‘uhmmm no is it windy ? - I thought it had more west in it, is it sailable? ’
CG – ‘Thats why I am calling - please don’t’
HD – ‘But you are saying its big – right ? Are you serious ?’
CG – ‘Yes – the BBC are here hence please don’t, someone was seen getting in the water, and I had a hunch it was you, any ideas who’
HD – ‘Sorry to disappoint – are they ok ? ’
CG- ‘no sign as yet –and we can’t confirm anything’
HD – ‘So this isn’t a tip off ?’
CG – ‘no please don’t go in’
HD – OK

So whoever did get in the water on March 10th and ripped up the huge walls of water. They may not have been down the line, or even vaguely clean, but you took part in a great day, and you got away with it. Enjoy !

Howard Davey has been recovering from Pneumonia since January (forsaking most sailing to only get wet on the bigger days). His reflection on March 10th was - ‘When you are on first name terms with the RNLI boat crew it pays to be incognito.’

Howard is also sponsored by Edge Watersports in Exmouth. www.edgewatersports.com

Steve Waller having more luck on March 10th

steve waller