2 categories

Didn't know what to do today as most of my mates couldn't make ot so with the wind offshore I decided to stay local and went to the River Orwell at Levington.I arrived at the marina at about 11 and with high water at 3:30 I had plenty of time. I tried parking at the marina entance end but there was too many cars so went and stopped by the BBQ enclosure. There were notices up warning of ground nesting birds and the fence blocking your way to the river but you could walk around the end which I did to check the wind. It didn't look that windy and the tide was still a little way out and there was someone in a tent right on the river. With winds gusting to 20 mph I went with my well used 7.8 but decided on the bigger 147lt. Xantos to help me through the lulls. I was on the water by 11.30 and was out for approx. 4 hours! I thought I might have to change down as I headed out as there were some strong gusts but the set-up was good, the 133 would have been a little faster but the bigger board was easier to sail when the wind went light. I spent the session beating the 1.65 mile to the docks and sailing back broad and fast managing to plan 70% of the time. I nearly made 27kts not bad for my big board and it was good fun flying along in the flatish water near the Trimley marshes bank:) After 2.5 hrs out I came ashore as I was expecting Mag to turn up on her bike with lunch at two and that was the time I stopped! Mag turned up with a top salad along with two more sailors Alistar Parker and Mark Davis who both rigged 6.9 and had a good sail. After my break I headed out again for another 1.50 hrs:) It was nice being out with the many boats on the river flying past all of them, We had to avoid a small oil tanker as it headed out to sea. Then when the tide turned it was time to pack up with the wind dropping a little too. We had a nice chat with Alistar before heading home - top session:)

PS - Some sad news, the police helicopter has been up most of the night and was over Trimley Marshes when I got there searching for a missing local man. Then I have just heard that a body has been found on the marshes :(

4 categories

Rigged 96l/6m about 11am which was about right. Well powered ot start with and wind gradually declined over 3 hour session and too tired to change up. Nice runs and a few tiny jumps