great blast and roasted at times ;)

Mistral 112 / koncept 5.8 / clsl34 

6 categories

Sunday 11^th June – windsurf *** - Felixstowe – cloudy start then sunny

F2 Ride 282 + Tushingham Lightning 6.5 – 38 cm fin

F2 Xantos 295 + Tushingham Lightning 7.8 – 42 cm fin

27.17 kt max., 25.62 kt ave., 17.29 kt mile, 17.50 km., 15.71 kt alpha

After yesterday’s epic 80 km, 7-hour session I decided to take it a bit easier today, had an exciting shopping trip to Lidl before heading down to The Dip at 1:30 to meet up with the Hurrells. With the tide high, no one was out on the water, Andy Marshall arrived and spurred us into action. Kit size was the usual problem as it didn’t look as windy as yesterday when 8.5 was needed but didn’t fancy big gear so took a chance with 7.8 on the 133. One run out was enough to confirm that it was way windier than it looked and with the sudden increase in wave size I quickly came in to change down. Paul Smith had just set out with 6m while Neil and I were changing down, it looked very windy now and Paul went down out by the red and white bouy. We soon realised he was in trouble as he started to swim ashore! Then Neil shoot into action as he still had his big kit rigged, first he brought Pauls boom ashore then returned to try and tow him ashore which is very difficult. There were lots of concerned people on the prom but we told them he should be OK even though the wind and tide were pushing Paul toward Bawdsey! Lucky Paul was close enough in to avoid being washed past the River Deben and made it to the beach down by the golf course, well done Neil for helping out with my main contribution being taking a pic of Paul swimming!

Mag was enjoying a catch-up cuppa with Linda in the van so I headed out again on smaller kit 6.5 on the 282. It was not really my favourite conditions, big sea and strong winds but in fact really enjoyed it:) You could have a broad blast out to try for a fast speed, a little scary and even tried a couple of very small jumps before gybing and had fun riding down the waves on the way in. The wind then turned cross off so we all came ashore with several calling it a day, shame really as the sun had just come out! I was just about to pack up when the wind swung back a little and Nick and Ian went out so had a few more runs to enjoy the sunshine and waves getting my fastest speed of the session:)

So a nice breezy weekend more forecast tomorrow but van in the garage then no wind for a week :(