More videos on the way...

Just too darn busy to finish the road trip story...
But that is partially because I want to include new videos. And videos take LOTS of time: watching, analyzing, cataloging the action, creating outlines, clipping, pasting, editing, adding music, etc..

So here are a few photos in the meantime while I beg your patience:

 Been a few decades since I windsurfed here!

 Yes, that is Fort Point and the Golden Gate.

My first time at "the delta"; Sherman Island.

 Rowena in the Columbia Gorge. My first time on a quad.

 Too high to bail on this one, but then why would I?

This scene is key for the upcoming big production which had a script written beforehand, another first.
All these photos were taken since April 17 this year, and all were using a MoaB repositioner, except for the quad photos. The quad was acquired at one of the THREE swap meets I went to this spring and I always personally test boards before attaching a prototype MoaB.
So, to sum up, I have personally attended 3 swap meets in 2 states, conducted 6 (six) field sessions at 6 different locations, using 6 different boards, and 4 different sails. 5 of the 6 field session have been while I have been nursing multiple injuries which I will get to describing when I finally finish the road trip story.
Meanwhile, I've got to make a foil decision soon, so back to it! - Peter

A break from the road trip story for a current update

I'm still hurt and can barely type but hope to get back out on the water soon.
The Sprinter van "great white" is in the shop getting a new turbo.
STILL have not made it back to the Disruptive Wind shop so focusing right now on planning, tons of other stuff, getting healthy, and testing what is currently ready.

Initiatives: Formula, kite race board, slalom race,  freestyle, beginner, etc., have been pushed to bottom of the list as we continue to focus on bump and jump, wave, and swell riding, which includes down-winders. Foiling has moved up the list. Looking at getting more local involvement vs. HORUE or AHD. or iFOIL( not that I would rule them out if approached). The video shows the best footage I could find of current state of the art. I know folks are working on this. We can get you exposure and a better video (more videos of ours will be out hopefully before not too long!). We can provide the board for a tuttle box type set -up. Alternatively, we can bolt on a prototype MoaB to YOUR board.
We do plan to attend the next swap meet on May 17th at Windance / Hood River.

We did have a secret test session at Stevenson where 3 boards were tested with good success on May 1st. Although I could barely walk (acute plantar fasciitis), once on the water, the cushy pads, and the MoaB advantage made it look easy.

Here again are some of the videos we do have out there. With our new software and footage from multiple cameras on the road trips, hopefully there will be more videos soon!

Shakeout Road Trip #1 - 1877 miles (Part 2)

Turns out my injuries make it hard to type so bear with me please!

At the end of part 1, we had broken down at an unknown beach access off California's Highway 1 and spent the rest of the night there. We woke up to clearing fog, a sunny and cold morning. Took the dogs for a walk to find the ocean, but we were in an area of "endless" sand dunes and so we only saw the distant sea from on top of a high dune after a half mile walk. Worried by all the broken glass in the parking lot, we headed back to our home away from home.

Hoping for a miracle, I started her up. Running as smooth as silk!

Stowed our loose items and drove off. Almost immediately the engine began running roughly and without power. Limp mode is back. Up to maybe 50 MPH on a flat straight road. 15 to 25 on any hill at all. We put up a sign on the back to warn those behind us:

It was time to find a mechanic!

The first town we came to was Point Arena. Stopped at the gas station and talked to the friendly owner. Turns out there is someone in town who does know diesel engines who is only a couple blocks away. He was able to help us right away and his engine code reader informed us that injector #1 was not functioning. He explained how the transmission/computer handled running on only 4 cylinders and that the transmission was fine. He felt that this was probably due to a clog which is very common, especially with bio-diesel as a ubiquitous component nowadays. Could even just be water in the fuel. Solution? A product called Diesel Catalyst which would be available in the next town of Gualala. Just add it to the fuel and drive a couple hundred miles. So, we proceeded to do so. Easier said than done by far! After limping to Gualala, we finally obtained the Catalyst after a long process and proceeded down the coast.

 I thought about our issue as we slowly made our way south. I decided to install the new fuel filter I had "thrown" in during the big pack up. We pulled over at a scenic spot and I got to work. Never having done this complicated procedure, I was aware that this was a big risk and we might have to be towed! Confirmed we did have cell service. The tools and car parts were in the bottom of our large stack of totes so we had to unpack quite a lot of stuff. Panic set in as I realized I did not have the proper hex wrench to remove the sensor from the old filter. Searched the entire van from one end to the other. I was sure I had thrown in a set set of hex wrenches last minute. Could not find them! (I found them later in the trip in a place I would not expect) But I did find the vehicle tool kit "hidden" in a special compartment. In that tool kit was a star drive of the proper size! I dove in on the repair.

Meanwhile, Emma was growing bored and with the ocean not accessible, she asked me to take a break and take some pictures of her "fun":

She was having a good time working on her "full tan"in the blazing California sun. Sadly the other pictures, although great, I have been banned from sharing.

While we were having all this fun, a couple of law enforcement vehicles drove by. Sure enough, the second one of them decided to pay a visit. A very nice female Fish and Game officer pulled in while Emma frantically rushed to put her clothes back on.. "I couldn't help but notice the lack of clothes" she says to Emma, now wearing shorts and a bra. Emma explained  that she was just having a little fun while I worked on the Van. "Are you guys doing any fishing or hunting out here?"  We kinda laughed and said we were just taking a break to work on the van.  She looked at us, and our 5 dogs and subtly mentioned that clothes should be worn at all times and then continued on her way.

I finished up the repair and started up the Van.  No Leaks!!

No improvement either, but at least now we know there is clean fuel going to the injectors.

It was a long, long, long limp to Samuel P. Taylor, but we did manage to get there just before dark.

We had planned to meet friends for a fabulous camp out but they had stayed at the site the night before and had had a cold miserable night so decided not to repeat the experience. Just us and our dogs, we had ourselves a nice camp feast and a huge campfire.  We decided not to pitch the tent.  In fact, our van bed was so comfortable we didn't use it once the whole trip. We had a great night just relaxing.  The only ones unhappy were the dogs who had to be leashed because of all the poison oak.

Shakeout road trip #1 : 1877 miles (Part 1)

Back at last!

On April 12th, 2015 , Disruptive Wind's "great white" Sprinter van left our headquarters and has yet to make it all the way back. We ARE back in the Gorge area and FINALLY I have carved out a piece of time to post.
I was hoping to post while in California but health challenges and vehicle break downs meant I had no time to spare.
Here is a "brief" version of our saga:

The original plan was to leave in March to attend the swap meet in San Rafael, California by 101 Sports. It was obvious that we were not going to be ready and so I worked at the lab and shop instead.

 New goal: the Crissy Field (San Francisco Bay) swap meet on April 18th. We made plans, commitments, and paid for camping at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. Tried to keep it mostly a secret as I really hate letting folks down when plans do not pan out. Frantically finished tax preparation and filing which was quite complicated due to the large amount of R&D expenses. Ended up "donating" a bunch of money to our governments for expenses I ran out of time to process. Got to get on the road!
Well, the new generation of prototypes were anything but complete but I threw a number of them in, along with a bunch of parts and tools. Threw in a bunch of parts and tools for the van as well.
Lack of good sleep, lack of exercise, too much stress, and lack of time took it's toll. Instead of leaving on April 12th as hoped, I was in a serious health crisis instead. Found out the van was using oil at a really high rate so stocked up with over 6 gallons (26 quarts) of oil as well.  Ended up in the hospital and was discharged April 14th in a fragile state. "NO WORK" says the doctors so we took that as YES for the road trip R&R (rest and recuperation). Emma, I, and our 5 dogs left that very same day and drove south on I5 (Interstate freeway 5) until well after dark and then "rested" at a Rest Area by 7 Feathers Casino. Oil use was high but the van ran well and strong. It was a cold night and chilly morning.
Headed out and toward the coast via Grants Pass and Cave Junction. The van did really well on the hilly and curvy roads and we were soon at the sunny coast of California! Stopped at Trees of  Mystery for lunch, to stretch, and to warm up in the sun.

Looking pretty good after being under anaesthesia only 24 hours before!

The wind was nuking as we drove by Humboldt Lagoons and I could easily have rigged up a 4 meter something and windsurfed there in what looked like steady wind with a perfect direction. We did see someone who had loaded up a special cart with all their gear for a trip down an access trail to a launch. Further down the road I saw a launch right off the road with a zero carry. They must know something I do not, or are planning a down winder? Anyway, we were a heck of a long way from Samuel P. Taylor, where we were already paid to camp and meeting friends as well, so on down the road we had to go. On my list as a place to come back to "next time"!

Many miles and hours later it became obvious we were not going to make Samuel P. Taylor that day. So we decided to take advantage of the gorgeous weather and head over to Highway 1 instead in hopes of camping near Fort Bragg. That road from 101 to 1 turned out be be very steep and winding but the van did fantastic and the scenery was beautiful. Got to the coast in time for an awesome sunset!

Good decision!
Emma worked her smart phone magic as we drove and found us a great place with gluten free pizza in Fort Bragg. Very busy, but entertaining (watched a couple on a "blind" date that was going well) and good food:  Piaci Pub and Pizzeria.
Late, full, and tired, we are back on the road looking to camp after putting a few miles in first.
The road became very  STEEP and WINDY. Going up one hairpin turn so steep and sharp I can see the gouges in the road, the check engine light comes on. Engine running badly, we are down to 4 cylinders from 5 and the transmission is dropping in and our of gear. If  I try to press on the accelerator pedal too much, it makes a horrible, throbbing/ shaking , feel / noise as if is one is driving over the "rumble" strip (wake up!) on the shoulder of a modern highway. Later I find out that the transmission is supposed to do this (to deal with less power and to keep the driver  from over-stressing the engine). At the time, I thought we were doomed. We limp down the road, devastated at our fate. A long ways from home. Doomed! Nothing to be done right now, at least we are moving. Saw a sign that said "Beach Access" and turned off Highway 1. Drove until the road ended in a big gravel parking lot with lots of broken glass from break ins. Completely empty and dark. Scary but no signs we can see banning overnight parking. We are "broke down" anyway. Exhausted, we sleep.

Will I ever learn?

This is a morality tale of the dangers of :
1- being too focused
2- not thinking ahead
3- having too much stuff

Almost had to call 911 today.
Now that taxes are finally done, it was time to get to work on the demo van (below photo)  which we recently acquired after I was inspired by the picture above.

I needed some plywood. Being a keeper of a lot of building materials I realized I had some stored in this nice shed I built.

Unfortunately, the plywood was on the left side between the door and the window, that you can see me looking out of , in the picture above. I normally access the shed through the single door on the right.

The door you see me looking out of in this picture.
The shed is FULL of stuff. Too much stuff, and not very well organized. To get the plywood out the small door would mean hours of unloading and a storm was rapidly approaching, although it was sunny and frosty when I started out.
This shed can be used as a garage. The left 2 doors fold open by pulling on the left handle and slide open on a track the top right of the middle door is attached to. So, when fully open, the left 2 doors fold outward and to the left. I have not used these doors since the shed was built. I could probably get the plywood out easily if I just opened the entire front. There are locking slide bolts at the top and bottom on the inside.
I pulled down the top bolt , no problem. I could barely reach the bottom one by reaching along the door but it was stuck. The massive amount of stuff prevented me from getting a good angle on it. I am a persistent and resourceful fellow and I realized that if I could grab it with some pliers from above that it should open. I went in the house and grabbed some pliers and a flashlight (it had quickly clouded up outside and was now dark in the shed).
I went back out to the shed, ready to prevail! Wormed my way through the pile of stuff until I could just barely get the pliers on the bolt from above. I was sandwiched in this massive pile of stuff with my goal in sight. Success! Disaster!
The doors folded open and now provided ZERO support for the pile of stuff leaning against it, of which I was part. I fell headfirst into the space created between the folding out doors and onto the lower ground outside which was about half a foot lower than inside. Trapped!
I mean seriously trapped. I was doing a headstand on the ground with a large amount of stuff pressing against and on top of me. There was not enough room to go under the doors to get out. The further the doors opened, the more they folded together. Yikes! And my roommates/house sitters were both gone at the same time (which is rare).
Now the storm shows up in it's full fury. It's pouring and I'm now fully exposed from above. I could try yelling for help but can barely breathe and I think my closest neighbors may actually be gone as well. I do have my cell phone and can reach it. Who to call? Hypothermia/ arrhythmia is a rapidly approaching threat. 911? I can see the headline now "Local Man Trapped by TOO MUCH STUFF!"
While I'm thinking about this (only seconds have actually passed, or have they?) my muscles give out and I can no longer maintain the head/hand stand. I slide down (lubricated by the rain) into the hole and am now a ball. A very uncomfortable ball. Who soon realizes that the ball can rotate somewhat. OW,OW,OW! Hey, my butt is on the ground! OW,OW,OW, now on my knees. Easier now, I work my way to my feet and then climb up, over, and through all the stuff to safety.
The lessons learned will perhaps stick in my brain better if I write it down. Hey, another blog post.
Thank you for listening. Have a better day than me!

P.S. Giving up on that plywood for now, going to go buy more!

Introducing the FoaB!

Greetings and welcome to April!
I hope you read my last post.

I've been getting inquiries about the secret Mass Force project for "anything at all", "even some teasing", "throw us a bone"!

OK, I cave a little bit...

It's a new board called "FoaB" that I built myself with "help" from 5 of the world's top shaper/ designers. FoaB stands for "Frankenstein of all Boards".

No, this is not it. The board I built will break cameras, combust film, cause women to shriek, children cry, and expert windsurfers gag and/or outright vomit. It is meant to be ridden, not looked at. It is purely about function and what can be done with it. It also goes against just about everything the modern board designer now embraces. It has the added bonus of being a shameful attention getter,

If it even works. So it will be in the MoaBmobile aka Great White on her maiden road trip with a top secret itinerary. Here's hoping...   Peter Schulz

P.S. Accuracy disclaimer: Given the date, I could not resist some embellishment on a few things in this post. The FoaB is real. It yearns to get wet!

Time to fess up ?

This post is about SECRETS and teasing , both of which I unabashedly admit to.

You will NOT hear everything on this blog. It would ill advised from a business standpoint. 
Besides, both people and companies ask me to keep some things confidential. I will do my best to do so. I have my own secrets as well. I was going to do a blog post "Who is Peter  Schulz?" and give all sorts of interesting, and probably surprising to many I know, stories and facts about my prior life. Common sense has me holding off , at least for now. May have to wait for my autobiography...  

Teasing: Here is Boujmaa Guilloul on a new board being tested on Maui (photo by Jimmie Hepp).
Is he using a MoaB (TM) repositioner? Can not tell just from the photo. I am not going to tell you either. You'll have to ask him! I can only imagine his response. Then you really will be wondering.

At times I am going to allude to something and then not explain or give details. This is foreshadowing (hopefully) and will be important to the final story, if all goes right. I do get very excited about new ideas, and experiments, and just have to say something sometimes.
Like Project Mass Force! NOBODY knows what this one is but me. Almost ready for testing on the water. It will be tested in utmost secrecy. And almost certainly NOT in the Gorge or on Maui. If it's a big failure, or even just disappointing, well then I have wisely managed not to let anyone else down.

The bottom line: I am NOT going to be inaccurate or try to trick anyone. I AM going to try to deliver on what I talk about hoping to achieve. I AM holding a lot back, mainly because I do not yet have indisputable  PROOF. Another reason is lack of time to put together yet another video. Or I have somehow missed that I have yet to communicate something. Or it is just too much, too soon.

Yesterday, I ran into a good friend, who I rarely see anymore, who lives at the coast. He is friends with me on Facebook. He made a comment that I hear a lot    " I like what you are doing, but I do not really understand it". He does not windsurf. I get this even from some folks that do windsurf. I even get this from folks who do this for a living! It's a big challenge. The old way is quite ingrained in many.
Change is hard. I get this.
       I will do my best to ease your way...     - Peter