DAY 5

As it often happens, the second day at Grada went pretty much the same as the first when it comes to the wind conditions. The plan was to head to Sottomarina to chill out, however Sergio and Luigi suggested we stay one more day in Garda until the afternoon to hopefully catch the Ora wind. Sure enough, the wind picked up and looked like it filled in the lake, and so we went out to give it a try. Out there it was really light, though honestly it seemed stronger :) The few people on 9 meters who went out because all the 12 meter boss' were already taken for demo, ended up going downwind. Luckily they got rescued by the Tender shop boat team who quickly picked up also Lou before he was about to try to land on the mean cliff downwind about half a mile.

Once back on the beach we all hung out and watched Niccolo do some amazing acrobatics on the trampoline they have set up there. Then it was time to pack up the gear and stuff it all in the campers. We did our farewells and one last coffee at the bar and through the mountain tunnels we went toward Sottomarina. While driving Marek realized his cellphone charger was in the other camper so Bertrand did a "high-speed cellphone charger handle-pass" as we were speeding to get to the new spot. Bit cowboy risky, but in the end saving move, as we arrived very last minute for the camp-spot before gate was closed. As soon as we found a suitable spot to park our Rabbit Mobiles we all hit the much needed showers.

Sottomarina is a-lot like Coney Island or Montpellier in France with carnival type atmosphere and camping grounds. We headed to the local shop called Radical Spot and met the shop owner Pino. This guy with the biggest smile ever, gave us the grand tour of his amazing shop that is filled wall to wall with everything surfer/snowboarder/skater/ Stand-up-er or beach gower could need. Especially the Rabbit kites which dominate the show room floor ! (yehaw !).
We then went for a delicious dinner, stuffed our faces and afterward everybody played bar games like the one you put coins on your elbow and try to catch them in your hand. A few beers down and legs up on the table - we closed down the place laughing. Luckily Sergio and Luigi the kite mafia god-fathers of Italy and there consigilere Pino, the friendliest guy in town, drove us back to the camp-site and dropped us off for a good night rest even though about 101 mosquitoes had us all for a mid-night snack.

DAY 6
We woke up in the morning with some real fear that today we once again have to do a marathon as our Italian ambassadors are long distance sprinters. Oh, we were so relieved to find out that Sergio and Luigi decided to give us a little vacation time in Sottomarina today. They knew how hard we worked in Austria and Garda, so they decided that Sottomarina was going to be just fun. No crowds, no Jam Sessions to judge, just us and the o-so-needed rest.
Finally long snoozy morning, after we all got up and got our few shots of espresso we did some skypes to the families back home. Then of course we started to look for some fun. Ben our Video Jockey and cinematographer extraordinaire asked to rent a bicycle from the head office lady and all he heard was NO! We all laughed a lot, because that lady mostly said no. To everything!

It's so hot here and the wind is yet to show but the atmosphere is peacefull and the expressions and stories from Sergio and Luigi (FDM crew) are so funny, everybody is laughing and smiling. We all headed around the corner and set up the new gear on the beach for the locals to see and hung out for a few hours drinking Gilato's (a frozen  syrup and ice slushy type drink). The sand was on fire and no wind in sight but the fun was about to begin as the guys set up "the Grinch" a motorized wakeboarding toy that pulls a ski rope about 10 seconds a rider along the beach. Niccolo was dazzling the crowd once again and we all took turns to pass the time.

The sun was going down and off we headed for the dinner party held by Pino of "Radical spot surf shop" at the club next to his famous shop. The place was awesome for a party with Rabbit kites and all the new boards floating in the pool. Dinner was 5 stars with about 6 courses finished by a water fight right after. "John see a day" the insane rock band playing got a standing ovation. The lead singer was a sight to see, making everybody laugh and changing outfits every set.
What a great way to end the day as we headed back for a good night rest.