AS the tiny fishing boat slid from her moorings yesterday, underthe pink-tinged sky of a chill Tiree dawn, it was a reminder oflife's economic realities on the Hebridean fringe.
Yet that reality is changing. The watching windsurfers and a BBCcrew, preparing for their day's labours, were testament to this atthe close of a sporting weekwhich may forever change life for theisland's 750 inhabitants.
The shellfish will be decanted, as they have for years now, viarefrigerated trucks on to the restaurant tables of France and Spain.Yet now the bait of the Tiree Wave Classic has landed a catch whichmay prove even more significant.
The annual windsurfing festival, which will celebrate its 21stbirthday next year, has indeed come of age.
Andy Groom competed in the first edition in 1986, and has sincebeen judge, promoter and organiser.
This year and last, the classic has had EventScotland backingforwhat is the blue riband of the sport in Britain. There is furthersupport from a raft of sponsors, including Argyll and Bute Council,and Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, but now they are on a newtack.
EventScotland has signed a threeyear package worth someGBP60,000, because Groom's promotion company is transferring thistourismbooster to the islanders themselves.
It extends the short season, bringing more than 60 competitors,several of them world-class professionals, plus their entourage ofvehicles, supporters and spectators numbering in the hundreds.
The sport itself attracts a remarkably eclectic mix.
The women's runner-up, on her 25th birthday, was Lucy Robson, thereigning British freewave champion, from Brighton, but there was nodisgrace in defeat by professional coach, Ruth Elliott.
Robson, who once represented East Sussex at tennis and as aschoolgirl athlete stunned her parents when she took up the sportjust two years ago, abandoning law, in which she is qualified as abarrister and solicitor. 'They are pretty traditional, ' she said.'They were very pleased when I qualified, but not so enthusiasticwhen I began windsurfing full time.'
She acknowledges that being a barrister and Boardserver Babe ofthe Month is a bit of a contradiction.
'However, I've no plan to use my degree. I'll just see where thistakes me. I may end up in a law office in five years, but probablynot. I'm doing something I've fallen in love with. I'm covering mycosts now and after a winter in South Africa, I will try the ProWindsurferAssociation world tour.'
John Skye, from Hertfordshire, who clinched the Triple Crown forthe third successive time, has had an outstanding two years, 10thand 11th in the world. 'Nobody is in this for the money, ' he says.'You do this for love.'
That was evident as we watched the three disciplines - wave-riding, freestyle and supercross. The first two are subjectivelyassessed, like gymnastics, but the third is a race, an aquatic GrandNational: barrierjumping with similar casualties, with sailors andboards landing on one another.
Clyde Waite had his head sliced open by a fin, and emerged withhis face a mask of blood. Butterfly stitched, head swathed in ducktape, he was soon back.
'I have been lucky, ' continues Skye. 'I've managed to saveenough to buy some land in the Canaries, and in the next few yearsI'll build there, though it won't be a millionaire's mansion. Justsomewhere to get warmth and good wind conditions all the time.'
He used to spend eight-hour shifts clipping electric shavers intotheir boxes: 'mind-numbing. I just switched off and dreamed ofMaui.'
Economics dictated he do the circuit while living in his van,sleeping on a mattress in the back beside boards and sails. Now hehas graduated to a B&B, but runner-up Ben Proffitt is still campingin the van which he drives for his father's business when he is notsailing.
A one-time Olympic contender and contemporary of triple goldmedallist Ben Ainslie, he says: 'I'm a late starter because ofcompetitive Olympic sailing. Ben's done well, but isn't making afortune. There is no really big money to be made - but I love this,just living the life.'
As we speak, wind and wave pound the white sand after itsunfettered trans-Atlantic charge. It provides Britain's bestconditions and provokes comparisons with Hawaii:
Tiree Five-O.
Benefit to the community last yearwas more than GBP300,000 andwill be higherwith greater numbers this week and TV coveragereaching more than 80 countries.
Will Wright, from Leeds, fell in love with the island on awindsurfing holiday years ago. Now he has settled there. He isActive Schools Co-ordinator forTiree's single 100pupil school andruns the local windsurfing club.
'We were enthusiastic when Andy approached to take over and runthe event village, ' says Wright.
Like many locals, he shares the vision of developing the islandas an extreme sports venue. Surf kayaking, kite surfing, blo-karting (sandyachting), dingy and catamaran sailing, supervisedjumping off cliffs, rock-climbing, swimming in sea caves, buggying,fishing and pony trecking, are all being developed.
A wind of change is blowing among the fishing fleet.
