Things have really gone pretty well so far. First flight from San Diego to LA was delayed a little, but you know what...Korean Air knows how much I love them and would not leave with out me. At this point it is a bit of a toss up between Lufthansa and Korean Air for my favorite airline. Lufthansa is the undisputed leader for European travel because of their large downstairs restrooms with mirrors that run the length of the wall, other wise known as the “Mile High Club House” on trans-Atlantic routes. But sadly enough at my advanced age; good food, really nice flight attendants, and a plasma screen that is the size of the whole back of the seat in front of me have a greater appeal than the mile high club...besides with Lizzy at home it is a pretty lonely club up there for me.
I was very happy to get waived through customs without having a bag check upon arrival . Although it is always fun to try and explain to foreign official why exactly I'm carrying enough Blowzionized billet goodies to stock a warehouse, and further why I should not have to pay taxes on all the sparkly new parts that I am (smuggling) legally bringing in to the country...I've already had enough fun on this trip, what with the plasma screen on the back of the seat and all. So I'm happy save the blatant smuggling of goods and lying to officials for another country and time.
Conditions are not looking too promising for this weekend. I'm going to have a great boat prepared by the guys at Jetmotion in Argentina, and I am sure if we have surf I will be in good shape but I'm not too optimistic that we will have any waves. The venue for this year is the same as last year, Picassa. It is a beautiful town on the beach and is where Lenzi has a summer home on the river. But the beach is a protected bay that rarely gets waves. And it is not the place where a world class surf event should be held. But there are a number of rea$on$ why it is held there, and I don't think there is any money to have a contest else where. So if the choice is Picassas or nothing...well Picassas it is. It is just such a shame when the old venue at Pria Brava is such a good wave.
Truth be told, the Argentinians are the real reason that I am at the event this year. JetWaves is a great contest and a great time, but it has been a really tough year for me. I was hurt and working on other projects for the first part of this year, and my riding program really suffered as a result. JetWaves was not really high on the list of priorities this year considering I've had some major difficulties down here in years past...actually I'm pretty sure that I vowed never to come back at the end of last year. (But that is another story.) There are 30+ guys coming from Argentina this year, and those guys have become like family to me the past couple of years. The gratitude and hospitality these guys have shown Lizzy and myself is just unreal...and I could not let these guys down by not showing up. I can't wait to see all of them.
This year I am fortunate to have a manager of sorts helping me to solicit some sponsorship outside of the industry. I had an agent a couple of years ago who seemed to have some great ideas, but for what ever reason was not able to put anything together...then stopped returning my phone calls. This year though, I have friend and guy that I trust helping me. So we will see what happens. I know there is value to the exposure that we get, but I am not good or comfortable selling myself. Hopefully Glenn will be. We are really getting to crunch time at this point, if I don't have a solid deal lined up by the end of the year it will be time for me to focus on other life goals...which is not entirely a bad thing.
