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Never thought I windsurf in december in Switzerland. Storm Joachim past Europe and I sailed for the first time with my very small sail 3.5. Before I got on the water I had to buy a mast for my 3.5 sail and some warm accessories like shoes, gloves and hootie and suit.

Windgust up to 50knots was a challenge together with the air and water temparatur.

While I was rigging a cop car pulled next to me.

Cop: What are you doing?

me: Go windsurfing.

Cop: There is no rescue and it is dangerours.

me: I know, but I gotta go.

Cop: Enjoy and take care.

What a difference to Maui, which was taken over by the USA. Park rangers and cops would close down every park and keep you away from enjoying stormy and challenging conditions. Once the storm is over, Kanaha Beach would stay closed for days, because there would be some falling down branches. They call it safety reason.

In Switzerland there are less laws and lawyers and law suits. The cops wish you good luck and let you do. Every individual can decide what he wants to do and when.

Photo’s taken by Lorenz from Bise Noir and Ralf König

Past Sunday I started my journey back to Maui. And it was a journey I will never forget.

Arriving at the US Mainland and presentig my passport and the ESTA visa, I got transfered to the secondary inspection room.

There one officer told me that my visa is not good. I am black marked now and I cannot travel under the Visa waiver program.

You must know, that before you get on the plane, everybody has to fill out, and pay the fee, an ESTA formular and then you get the ok confirmation and you get checked the first time befor you board.

Just now there is a big threat from the us goverment, that they want to cancel the visa waiver program and that every Swiss has to pass at the Embassy, paying 140$ in advance, spending half a day at the embassy and asking for a visa. After the USA knocked the Swiss banks they want to knock out our privacy.

So, there I was after a long flight. First I got fingerprinted, photographed and questioned.

Then after a few hours the officer told me the final word is NO and that I have to get on the next plane back to Switzerland (the next day at 7pm). I had to take off my jewelry (including earring), my luggage and myself got fully checked and had to wait in a locked room.

After about 4hrs they put me in handcuffs and in a prisonbus it went to another fasciliy. They were wearing jackets with the sign police ICE. Arriving there I knew why they call themselves ICE. They were screaming and very unfriendly. Even more rude were the guards in their green suit and their grimly faces.

Transferred with me was also an older French woman (she missed the handcuff experience), which did not speak or understand English. They asked me if I can translate. “The A… asks B to work for them?“ I asked. I don’t think so!

My hat and belt they put in a paper bag and put me in a very cold room. The door snapped really loud and you could here it’s locked.

The room had a toilet, a phone and one wall with stainless steel bench. It felt cold and together with this stupid AC is was very cold. So I knocked and asked to turn off the AC and for a blanket. The answer was a very rude NO. I was freezing and did not know whether I should lay down on the concrete or the bench. Tryed both and both did not work well.

There was no watch and I did not know how time pass. Anyway after some time I had to move to room No 1. Same but bigger and I could do more steps without turning.

Once an officer came and gave me a paper with a pincode and said I can call for 3minutes. I asked nicely if he can look up some numbers for me, because I do not remember the phonenumbers. Honestly at this time with the handy you do not remember the phonenumbers. Make a guess. NO!

The only number I remember, was the number of my mother. She has the same number forever. So I called her and explained the situation.

Since there was no time, I never knew how long I was in this cell and how long I still will be in it. Once handcuffed and brought back to the airport, I knew I was there about for 12hrs.

In the locked airport room it was much nicer! It had two armybeds and blankets. I said that I am hungry, but the only food was chips, so I decided to starve and wait for the food on the airplane.

At 5:15 two officer transferred me to the check-in and through the security. Not in handcuffs this time since I had to carry my luggage. At the alley just in front of the airplane I had to wait with these two guys and listen to their stupid conversation. Good I was tired, so I could block out whatever they discussed.

Then the captains and crew past and everybody who got on this plane and once they had their seat, the two convoyed me to the planedoor and handed over to the staff my papers.

I had the worst seat. On the very back in the middle next to the toilet.

But after all that it was not so bad. All the crewmembers of this Swiss flight were very friendly. I was very happy to fly Swiss and not United or American with their aged bitches.

The Swiss staff were concerned and looking after me. It felt good. Thank you Swiss.

Now I am back again in Switzerland and feeling emty. Don’t know what to do. And the worst part is, that in 10days my girlfriend Andrea is leaving for Maui for 2month. Merry Christmas!

This morning I got my passeport back from the Embassy together with a photocopy letter. When I opened the envelope I saw the photocopy and knew this is not a good sign.

After the bad news I escaped the grey weather and went on top of the Chasseral enjoying sunshine and the great view of the Swiss Alpes.

The other day I left Kanaha without putting my board in the van. Getting ready to go to the beach the next morning I noticed that my board was not in the van. Since I left early the day before I was asking everybody at the beach and my last chance was Chicken-man Ono, who always comes late afternoon to Kanaha feeding the wild chickens and drinking a few beer. He has collected many forgotton gears.

Around 5pm he drove up and down with his pickup having my board in the back. I was lucky and very happy to get it back. Thank you Ono.

He like’s as reward a box of his favorite beer: It used to be Steinlager, but after many years he changed to Beck’s!

This year’s trip to Maui started well. I upgraded to Businessclass for the long Swiss Air Flight. For the first time I could visit the Airport Lounge. Food and all the Drinks you like! As a Barman I mixed some fancy drinks for myself.

Business Class: What a difference to the “wood” class in the back of the plane. I enjoyed every minute of the flight, specially all the legroom I got. In Lounge position I did not touch the front. And for the first time in the air I could really sleep. The chair folds down to a 2meter bed.

Our flight arrived one hour earlier then expected at Los Angeles and arriving at custom there were no lines. I showed my passeport and answered the questions. What u do? How long u stay? … Then my movie stopped.

I got arrested and spend nearly 6 hrs in a special room. After one hrs a custon officer told me that 3 years ago I stayed one day too long in the United States and for this reason the custom bureau is cancelling my visa and  I have to go back to Switzerland.

No problem 2 years ago, no problem last winter. 3 years ago!

Then they told me to sit down again and wait. While waiting I watched all the other persons coming in to this room and leaving again. I stayed. Another hour passed and the custom officer asked me more questions. “Where do you stayed in 2009-2010-2011?”, “What is your salary in Switzerland?”, “Why can you leave your job for 6month?”, “Where do you live in Switzerland?” and many more like this…

Two officers asked me to follow them to another room where my fingerprints and pictures were taken. I have seen it many times in movies. This time it was “live”.

After 5 hrs the officer came back and gave me 2 solutions:

No. one: sign a paper and agree that I stayed one day too long 3 years ago and I can ask the Embassy in Switzerland to give me a new visa.

No. two: not sign and go straight back! And not coming back for 5 years!

I signed and waited another hrs not knowing whats gonna happen next. Then the officer came again and told me that I can visit the United States for 30 days.

Of course I lost my bag, since I was not able to pick it up. The officer told me to go upstairs, but it was too late, nobody around anymore at 11 pm.

I missed a good dinner at the Restaurant Edelweiss, but tryed to enjoy the real american food: Burger King.

Early next morning I flew to Maui without my luggage. I guess I was the only not happy person on that flight. It was quite strange coming back to Maui and not smiling all the time.

My first 3 days I go on the water only short times. My head was not free for anything. Also I had to change my flights (cost me 350$), pay registration for my car, do safety check and renew car insurance.

Now I look forward and hope for the best. I try to enjoy my 20 upcoming days in paradise.

Aloha

6 month are over and I had to leave Maui. Now sitting at the Los Angeles Airport and leaving with good memories and a swollen ankle. The last day windsurfing I got hurt again. Maybe I am getting too old for this….

Don’t think so and thats why I will be back in fall and try to ripp again and again.

Most of the times it’s  broken or damaged gear, which is not so bad, because it’s been produced every day. This is a list of this winterseason damages:

- 2 boards (1 custom + 1 production)

- 2 mast

- 2 extensions

- 1 mastfoot

- 1 carbon boom

- 1 sail

Thank you very much to Jimmie, James and Franck for taking pictures. Love also to see my mistakes.

Only one more week left in paradise and then the other (working) life starts again. Hopefully I have some sailing days left. With not too strong wind, since I destroyed my second little board this winter. The forcast looks good for a few days and then I have plenty of time to wash and store everything.

For the memory of my customized rrd-board.

Today an unexpected swell hit the Northshore of Maui and the wind is still strong. For me it was one of these days, when timing is mostly bad. So for once I just got some crash pics. On my very first time going out I went for a huge jump and lost control. Falling down unfortunately I got stuck in one footstrap for a moment and fell flat on my back.

This shot is for my two sponsors: 3H watch and the LeNidaux Bar. Mahalo

Like last year in March I am sailing again more at Ho’okipa. Out there it is for me a hole different story then at Lower Kanaha. A much faster and more powerful wave, even if the waves are very small. Also the wind can be very light inside, which makes it more challenging.

The best part is that you end up with some photos. Unlike Kanaha the Ho’okipa spot is great for pictures. The past days I was very lucky to get a few. Thank you all the photographers. Specially Päde, Franckie, James and Jimmie.

Not always sunny, but with wind and waves still a very good day in paradise.

Thanks to Päde for taking pictures while myself and Lianel go to “work”.