Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Going with the Wind

Windsurf Livorno, Tre PontiLast Saturday the sea was a problem for the ships but not for these surfers, sailing the waters of the “Tre Ponti” (Three Bridges) at the Rotonda of Ardenza.Windsurf Livorno, Tre PontiWindsurf Livorno, Tre PontiWindsurf Livorno, Tre PontiWindsurf Livorno, Tre PontiWindsurf Livorno, Tre Ponti
See also: Windsurfers - Three Bridges - Libeccio
External links: Livorno Windsurf School (in Italian)

33 comments:

tapirgal said...

Wow, these shots are spectacular! The lighting and the waves are just beautiful. It must be a wild ride for the wind surfers. I can see you're enjoying your long zoom. These pix and the ships in stormy water from your last post are really outstanding. We have occasional wind surfers here, but mainly they surf in Portland and "The Dalles," which are both a few hours up river. I don't remember these square-topped sails. I think pointed sails are still used here. I'll have to pay attention.

Lois said...

Stunning shots of the windsurfers! I have a friend who is an avid windsurfer and he would love to be out in that!

Gunn said...

Impressive ACTION photos!!
Bravo!

Julie said...

So good, VP. Poetry on the seas. The 4th chap is really riding high and the 3rd is working hard to avoid disaster. Your final image is reminiscent of a triumpant return from battle, the Four Riders of the Apocalypse!

Lowell said...

Positively perfect! Terrific action shots. I have never done this but I understand it takes a great deal of strength under the best of conditions...this looks just plain scary to me!

brattcat said...

These are absolutely thrilling shots, VP. Fantastic work!!!

Luis Gomez said...

Great shots Vogon! Love the ocean and the guys look fantastic. Yes it does take a lot of strength to do this. Again, beautiful photos.

Wolynski said...

You have a great affinity with water - love the ship against the pink sky below.

I was thinking that you might try other times of day than your regular afternoon walks for different lighting conditions - amazing how the same thing changes.

Leif Hagen said...

Are they your wind-surfing students?! Great action photos!

Clueless in Boston said...

Truly great action shots of the windsurfers.

Dina said...

Exciting pictures (again)!
Those guys are really brave.

Fredrik said...

Nice work!

Jilly said...

Wow, rough seas with you and spectacular shots.

joo said...

I can only repeat - great shots! Living here with the heavy snow outside I can't imagine going windsurfing at this time of the year - isn't it too cold?

svenske floyd said...

What a gale! If they tried kitesurfing they probably would fly high!

cieldequimper said...

These are fantastic! You should be the windsurfer's association official photograph.

Kate said...

I would never tire of watching wind surfers just as I will never tire of seeing your lovely photos. I looked at each one several times, impressed by both the action and your photography. What a treat for us!!

Andreea said...

Are you sure this isn't northern California, right south of San Francisco? :) Could have fooled me :) Nice shots, very action filled.

B SQUARED said...

Looks like fun, cold, but fun.

henny said...

And it's winter?

Small City Scenes said...

Great great shots. It looks like so much fun but I think I would be afraid to even try. That water is pretty unforgiving. Daredevils all. MB

Hilda said...

These photos alone got my heart pounding. They're beautiful to watch, but that's all I'll do — watch.

nobu said...

Each of those photos are wonderful.
Beautuiful moments!

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Wonderful photos, I've enjoyed this set very much. I like the last one - they look like they're all "marching" home.
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

That looks like so much fun; wish I'd gotten to try it when I was younger. Nice captures!

Unknown said...

These are brilliant, VP! All of them! Great work!

Cezar and Léia said...

What an impressive set of pictures, really great! I particularly like the fourth pic with this fella kinda flying... :)
Bravo!
God bless you!
Cezar

lodolite said...

che bel mare e che invidia, deve essere bellissimo e appassionante!
ciao simona

Tinsie said...

Great action shots! Me likey very much :-)

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

I recall how strong you have to be to windsurf - especially in wind and waves like that! Great photos.
Three Rivers Daily Photo

Tash said...

You've managed to get excellent colors against the gray, rough sea.
My faves are #5 & #6 - the framing of the 2 red windsurfers by the 2 black ones is really cool.
These guys must be super good. I remember trying it in the '80s and it was really tough to get the hang of it - pun intended.

Unknown said...

Amazing shots! WOW!

Kaori said...

That last photo is superb! Beatiful photo of the wind surfers and the waves :)