Oh fudge...I got nudged!

What do you get when some kooks get together with a motorized winch, some surf borts, and a mountain lake? You get the Willow Corner Kook Squad getting sendy up at Hyalite.  Recently the Willow Corner Kook Squad has been testing their metal as mountain lake surfing comes onto the scene.  The video to the left is the good times that were had while getting absolutely pitted on tasty swells mah dudes. Just to give some actual background, a winch is a motorized rope pulling device.  To this we attached a handle, and thus we could be pulled.  The pull from the small motor is enough to get a rider going approximately 20-30 mph.


Yeah, impressive right? Not always though.  Sometimes when getting too sendy one can end up with injuries.  This injury that I endured was most definitely a nudge.  I was nudged by Hyalite reservoir.  A nudge is defined as to touch or push someone gently.  In the context of the novel by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein, a nudge is a positive reinforcement and indirect suggestion to try and achieve non-forced compliance.  This is the part where you may be wondering how a lake could have nudged me.  Keep in mind that this series of events took place in November, in Montana, at a mountain lake, without a wetsuit.  Now you get it, it is wicked cold.

Now that the scene is set, let's roll.  After achieving successful runs on the board, and falling into the freezing cold water.  It was time to do another lap.  As the sun set down on the mountains, it began to get very cold.  As I began my last run I was very cold, frigid, and dying (I wasn't actually dying).  But, as I neared the edge of the beach, I subconsciously made a decision.  I made the decision that the water was too cold, and that trying to ride right onto the beach would be the best decision.  Low and behold it was the worst decision.  As I came to the beach at a mach 25 mph, I hit the sand and rocks.  The rest is a blur, but I can assume that I attempted to run out the crash only to fall on my right shoulder and slam my head on the rocks.  Luckily I lived (I was never in any danger, I am invincible).

The cold water nudged me to make a decision.  I was indirectly suggested to take the run to the beach, and slam, rather than fall in the water.  This realization of nudges, even when conducting something so unique as winch surfing, brings to light that nudges are everywhere, even when they are not set up by someone.  Long live the stoke.