KPWT France and the Great Airline Conspiracy: Lost Again!
A Definitive Guide to Competing without Gear

By Clinton Bolton
Posted Wednesday August 29th

Ed. Note: I don't think Clinton's been to ONE competition this year where they haven't lost his luggage. At this point, I'd almost be disappointed if they DIDN'T lose his luggage, because it's sort of become Clinton's "thing," and it's reassuring to have at least ONE constant in this world full of change: "Oh, Clinton's going on a trip? Guess they'll lose his luggage again." You can almost set your CLOCK by it. And, he's become the master of getting through a competition on borrowed gear. In fact, why do we even bother GIVING him gear if it's just going to end up in a city where he is not? We'll just have him be our Gearless Team Rider ... think of the money we'll save on equipment and excess luggage fees! Clinton, you're hired!! Starting immediately, NO MORE GEAR FOR YOU :)

Sunday 19th August

So right now I'm in Belgium. I just arrived and yet again, I have no bags. With a direct flight, they STILL didn't put my bags on the plane. I guess where ever I go they see my name and then decide not to put my bags on. So yeah ... got no gear or clothes they say it will arrive either tomorrow or in 2 days, and whenever it gets here, they'll deliver it to where ever I'm staying at - even Dunkerque, France where I'll be on Tuesday for the 4th stop of the KPWT.

So it's going to be a light travel for me to France. We're going to drive from Belgium to France – it's not far, just an hour and half to the event site. Tuesday the 21st is registration day. Right now dinner is on the table and my friends are shouting at me to get off the computer so I'm going to go now. Tomorrow there's going to be wind so I hope my gear arrives in the morning.

Monday 20th August

Yet my bags have not arrived, called the office and they don't know if it's on the flight today, so just have to wait. It's windy so going to go to the beach with some gear I'm borrowing and check it out.

Just got back from an awesome session. I've been out on the water all day lit on an 8. The weather here is weird. It's sunny for a few minutes then it just rains hard for 30 minutes, stops, sun comes out, but I really didn't care ... the wind was good and it wasn't as cold as I thought which was great. Tomorrow there's no wind so we're going to head early to Dunkerque to register and check into our hotel. I just hope my bags arrive 

Tuesday 21st August

We just arrived at the event site. It's cold, raining, and blowing 15 knots. We have internet here so at least we have something to do and not get bored.

I just registered. The competition starts tomorrow. Skippers meeting is at 8:30 AM, so early start. The wind's going to be nuking, with 30 knots predicted for tomorrow, and it seems I won't have my gear again as I cant get through to the lost luggage office. There's something wrong with their telephone service, but I'm not going to give up. Maybe it will work later today. Tonight we are going to the casino for the opening ceremony.

Wednesday 22nd August

Today they're going to do the freestyle. It's blowing 22 knots already, but it's cold and raining so hard you can't even see 100 feet into the distance. Still no gear nor clothes so I'm really bummed right now but got to concentrate on the competition. Will be back at the end of the day to let you guys know how it all went.

So, we finished the Men's and Women's Single Elimination. I made it all the way to the quarter finals against Sebastian. It was a tight heat as we were both riding on 5m's lit so it was a lottery out there for everyone. Anyone could win ... it's who was the most consistent. As for me, I wasn't having any luck ... crashing a lot more than Sebastian so he advanced to the semis and to the finals, winning the Singles. So right now I'm sitting on 5th place we have to wait and see for the Double Elimination if I can do better and hopefully get into the top 3. Tomorrow the wind doesn't look like its going to be strong so they're looking to do a long distance race.

Thursday 23rd August

Wind is light - only blowing 12 knots. Been trying all morning to get a hold of the airline but nothing. Their telephone service is still down so I'm really mad at this moment but can't do anything right now, being in France.

They're going to do a long distance race 2 miles up the beach so it will be interesting to see who makes it off the beach with 12 knots. Tomorrow the wind doesn't look like it's going to get any stronger but it's going to be sunshine and warm.

Friday 24th August

The weather is beautiful - sunny and warm, but no wind. The next announcement will be in an hour.

1 hour later.....

The wind has picked up slightly so they want to do a slider competition which is a joke as it's not enough to hop onto the sliders, but we will have to see. They're going to do the Women's first then the Juniors and later the Men's.

So, they got to finish the Women's and the Juniors but the wind wasn't enough for the Men's, but anyways it wasn't even enough for the women or juniors but I have to say it was hilarious watching them trying to get on the slider. Hahahahahha!

So tonight we going to head back to Belgium as there is wind predicted over there, so going over for the weekend to session it over there and have fun. If the wind picks up at the event site someone will call us.

Monday 27th August

So on Friday we had a sick session in Knokke Heist in Belgium riding on 12's I still borrowed my friends gear as I still haven't received my luggage now being a week with no bags and the airline telephone service is still not working, and I'm wondering to myself why don't they call me as they have my number. Saturday was no wind in Belgium so just chilled on the beach and did some site seeing.

Right now, we are back in France at the event site for the prize giving. I'm 5th at the event as they didn't get to run the doubles. Sebastian has now won this event - congrats to him. So straight after the prize-giving we headed back to Belgium as we need to get the rest of our stuff and drive down to Holland where I'll be staying with friends for the week. We leave on Sunday for Portugal for the 5th tour stop of the KPWT but this will be for the wave masters. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

~Clinton