Ice-cold in Ireland

The phone rang.

Jaeger Stone picked it up, spoke, put it down and flew out the door.

Off to Ireland on a storm chase.

This was nearly three weeks ago.

The trip had been in the making for three years.

Stone, Geraldton’s windsurfing guru, was one of eight windsurfers throughout the world on a waitlist for the Red Bull storm chase.

The conditions had to be “just right” in the northern hemisphere.

“It was at Donegal in north-west Ireland, such beautiful country but so very cold,” Stone, 28, said.

“We were windsurfing in 130km/h winds and waves of 8m.

“The temperature on the opening day was 0C.

“When I got home I crashed with a bad cold and chest infection.

“But I’m getting better and (am) off to Hawaii, to train and practise for a month.

“Then I’m home for a month, before starting the world tour.”