Hot Dog! Look at that Big Dog Go!
I have large aspiration's of obtaining the skill and finesse in which this salty dog graces the wind and sea. He is truly an inspiration. This past week we sailed on the south shore as the trade winds were light and the north shore was calm. I was the wind dummy and went out on a 5.3 meter sail at about 12:00. On the reach out, a good sized wave broke over the reef and I popped right over it!. Adrenaline rush... But pretty fun! Caught it twice and survived both passes! HUGE! When it was time to turn the rig over to Big, there was a mayday alert on the beach. Two windsurfers where in trouble drifting out to sea with a broken down rig. Rescue Dog sailed down wind to check check on the situation. A woman had rigged her sail incorrectly and the sail had slid off the top of the mast while she was sailing. She was in a total panic, scared to death and flailing. Her gentleman friend gave her his rig and took hers. She sailed to safety, while he tried to de-rig the sail in the ocean and swim back to the beach. When Rescue Dog arrived, the gentleman was as bit clueless as to what kind of danger he was in. He was very far from shore, downwind and being pulled out to sea by the currents. Rescue Dog helped him gather his gear and began to tow him in to shore. The victim was a bit clumbsy and made it a very difficult rescue. Rescue Dog was doing his best to windsurf in light wind with what amounted to a nearly 200 pound anchor. Muscles aching, and tensions rising, Rescue Dog was able to make steady but gradual progress to the shoreline. Rescue Dog was wearing down, feeling the pain of the heavy load and hoping that he had the strength to make it to the beach, when the coast guard arrived! Rescue Dog sailed into the beach down wind a good distance from where he launched and walked his trusty rig up the beach to his original launch.
Kai Whakini, formerly...aka Chicken of the Sea...aka....Angie...Faithful and devoted spouse.... In the mean time, had taken a nice beach walk, at the encouragement of Rescue Dog, and was unaware of the entire situation, which in retrospect is good thing. Rescue Dog found Kai Whakini, relaxing in the shade of a palm tree reading a book and sipping fresh ice water from a bottle, when he arrive on the beach, dog tired, thirsty and with no hero's welcome what so ever!
After about 10 minutes, he casually told Kai Whakini about his Rescue Dog adventure. More disappointed that he had missed out on over an hour of windsurfing, than he was excited to tell the story of his heroic rescue.
The victim; delivered safely on the beach, still unaware of his imminent danger less than an hour earlier, approached Rescue Dog on the beach to thank him for his heroic actions. He was making arrangements for a buddy to go to the store and pick up a couple of six packs to celebrate this good fortune, however it seems that his buddy locked his keys in the car, so the beer never arrived.
No worries... Just another day in the life of a pretty cool guy, Rescue Dog, ready, willing and able, with no hesitation to help a brother in need.
That is my Big Dog! aka...Johnny Page, after nearly 20 years I keep falling in love with him! :)
