Glory Holes, Australind, WA, AU. High tide and choppy conditions. Some strong wind when we first arrived, so rigged small, but the promise of more never really eventuated so underdone more most of the sesh.  Looks like there was a fair bit more wind in Mandurah, so I expect improved posts to follow.  Good to be out with Lachy, SLugger, Boz, John and Otts a late arrival.

Glory Holes, Australind, WA, AU

hard work, but had a ball, 

Glory Holes, Australind, WA, AU

yahoo missed that wind window due to parent uber missions

foiing tomorrow

It was the first good front of the season, so I thought a Boombas session might be in order. Decrepit, Swindy, Fairiebob and Stroppo were already loitering at South Yunderup when I got there, but Fairie and Stroppo showed no inclination to slip on some rubber, so it was left to Decrep, Swindy and me to show them how it was done. 

Or at least that was the plan. By the time I had rigged the Barge, Koncept 7.5 FF24 combo and edged my way out past the sheltered water, Huey turned up with full noise and lights. I was so overpowered I almost made it in Elmo’s world. I hung on for an eternity for the run down to Boombas, never comfortable or confident that I wasn’t about to get splattered; just full-on survival mode sailing. 

Initially, I was thinking I had picked up a bit of a squall and soon the wind would back off and things would be rosy. That didn’t happen. I tightened everything from sphincter to outhaul and tried to sail around a bit, but there was no easing of the conditions. The tide was high and the water not especially smooth, but I think if I had the right sail I would have had an enjoyable splash. Instead, it was 20k’s of grim death, which was way too exhausting to continue. 

I headed in to change down, as I was keen to try out the Swoody 22 and maybe even my FF18 if conditions kept building. But no sooner had I de-rigged, the others joined me on the shore, also complaining their party dresses were getting blown about. A quick confab and it was decided to charge back around to the more sheltered waters of Coodanup. This was mistake number two. By the time we got there, things were looking decidedly calmer and the inspiration to rig up again evaporated faster than Barnaby’s No Same Sex marriage cred. 

We probably should have stayed at Boombas and just had a cuppa to wait and see. But instead, we ended just gas bagging at the Creery carpark with a big mob. Not the best sailing and a bit disappointed I didn’t get a go on the Swoody, but quite an enjoyable social arvo all the same. Big thanks to Decrepit for taking the FF18 for its test run in challenging conditions. 

Coodanup, WA, Isonic 110, warp 6.3, FF24 Good news peasants Coodanup has a new queen! Having ousted Slugger who now simply goes by the title of The Queen of Glory Holes I do hereby royally decree that we shall rebuild the Pinna proof fence and make them pay for it.

Mission today, was a test of Sue's ex fangy 18, for any asymetry.

Wind was a problem though. it was way under forecast and late turning WNW, which is what we wanted for Yunderup. So with it light and off shore, I rigged the biggest I'd brought with me.

The 6.2 and 53, the 18 didn't look too small, it's got more area than my 19 and a tad less than my 20.

Intermitent rain squalls slowed my rigging, as I decided to have lunch while it was raining.

By the time I hit the water, the wind had swung to the desired direction and picked up nicely. I tried to stay in front of Swindy as we headed for Boombas, but there was no chance of that, he passed me going further upwind. So I took that oportunity to gybe and test the other tack. arived back higher than I left, so decided to go all the way over where Ross and Roger had disappeared, wind had picked up a bit more and this run wasn't as comfortable.

Looked for smooth water and could only find a very small length of weed running straight down wind. So I had a couple of goes at bearing off in it, at the bottom end weed was nice and light but in the middle was a tad too heavy.

Would have to be the shortest speed run I've ever sailed, think I'll call it a micro run! I was still accelerating coming out the other side into the chop.

Wind continued to increase and the chop got bigger. So headed back, and this was the only time the fin let go on me. I was very overpowered and sheeted out, hit some chop and away it went. It was a real struggle to get it bite, but eventually a savage back heel brought it under control.

So mission accoplished, the fin felt great, stacks of lift without much drag, normally powered in chop not a problem.

I had the mast track back for when it was flatter, so in the less extreme gusts, when I could still keep the power down, I was surprised by how little board was in the water, the point of entry must have been very close to the fins leading edge, but it remained solid, no sign of it wanting to give even a little bit.

Coodanup, WA, AU

That was whole lot of fun!  Got to try out my new board, got a few hops off some chops. Sunshine, a nice breeze and a good chat with a few people in the rigging area. All in all good. Packed up with a grin on in the sunset.

Exocet Warp SL 94, HSM GPS 6.6

Coodanup, WA, AU

Back on home turf. Caught up with the mob at Yunderup where it was on and off drizzle and gusty, I just couldn't get motovated. I did try to get my blouse shopping buddy Fang to go to Kmart, but he said since I've been away he has grown some real big man hangers and was going out with a 7.5 sail.

I snuck off while the mob were looking the other way and followed the Strop to Coodanup, when we got there it was honking. Rigged up and it dropped off of course, hung around cos there was plenty a yackers to yack to. The wind did pick up and I had a real good sail, so happy I didn't go to Kmart. I stayed till Paul came in and he was another happy boy.

CA SL87, Tribal 27 SW, 5.8 Koncept and a rubber just in case.

South Yunderup, WA, AU 

Pat SL 115, Sim SCR 7.0, FF Woody 26

Started off well powered up and had a few great super long runs down to boombas and back. The final run down and back was a little too exciting so decided to go in and change down. Being the three stooges we collectively decided to pack up and head to fangys. Poor decision. I think we missed a great opertunity for an amazing hour.

Good to catch up with Firie and Stroppo before we headed off round the curvature of the earth.