Mackay, QLD, AU

Tough day at the office. Winds between 18 and 35 knots, rain squalls and big tide made it as gnarly as it gets. Rigged 84L Naish Supercross, 5.3 Koyote and ranged from struggling to plane to full blown survival. Plenty of ramps, about shoulder height so good fun jumping, but very physical with the constant gusts. Everything went to jelly by the end and I called it while still in one piece.

Would have been some big speeds with the right gear and more easterly. Couldn't get the power down today.

3 categories

Green Island, QLD, AU

Fun speed session at the island with Bill, Ben and Ed. Had a 40 on the first run in the choppy stuff using the 80 so had big hopes for a PB today,

but as usual when the water state gets better the wind drops the extra 5knts you need 

Still awsome to get a windy session in December!

Used 2016 Isonic 80, 2013 Isonic SS49 and R8 Overdrive 6.2

3 categories

Leighton Beach, WA, AU  SW Seabreeze at 15-18 knots.

Gorgeous day in Perth .

Sailed with Bennie who's a week away from his wedding ...!! Great to catch up ...

Used RRD Xfire 90 -new deck pad helps ... Evo 10 7m2 & Tribal SW 29 . (bit underdone )

The water over here is so clear & so blue .

Great Day 

Green Island, QLD, AU

Dinner is on the table lads...report on its way - Super Cranking Day at the Island

Insane is the best description one could apply when the boat arrived ay 0930. Three attempts to tie up and disgorge dozens of sea sick passengers. The crush for the ramp was a bit of an eye opener. It was honking, sea state was horrilble and our first thoughts were definatly of survival. Great to have the company of Ed, Simmi and B2. Indicators online were suggesting that it was a solid 35 kts with gusts upto 40...which by the way, was the size of our eyballs heading down the speed strip in the arvo. 

Any ways, out we go, its either just have a red hot crack or die wondering. It was horrendous. Ed blew out his 5.4 after looking quite at ease there for a while, Simmi struggled on her 4.7 and B2 and I just manged a few runs in on a very high tide, rested, then tried again. The Capt turned up for the afternoon shift and after being regailed with the morning goings on, laughedit all off as a non event and preceded to wollop a 40kt run on his first pass !!!!!

B2 and I decided that we wasnt going to let him get away with those shenanigans and hit run after run, ever increasing our 2 Sec and 5x10. B2 smashed his previous 2 Sec which was pretty awesome and im confident he has it all on the gopro. It help heaps that he changed out his 42cm fim for something a little bit more appropriate and pushed out run after run until the old body just said "enough is enough". 

Tried hard for a solid NM today as well, but due to the wind direction, we wernt able to get high enough and it was still rough as guts out wide. Was a shame that Ed and Simmi headed home on the early bus as the water state really dropped remarkably when the tide fell way and all 3 of the remaining mobsters got in some sintilating runs - thanks heaps for the advice Kel and feed back. 

It was a day to remember and well worth the effort: Used: iS90, 31WS, 6.2 M1 OD

Green Island, QLD, AU

Super fun session today with Capt'n Kel, Ed, B1 & Simmi.  Was all about the 2sec & 5X10 today- Holy crap!  It was howling!!  Windiest conditions I've sailed in (or attempted to) at GI.  Probably not the best day to introduce Simmi to this magical spot considering she's less than a light flyweight!  Didn't think we were even going to get a sail in as the ferry had big troubles docking (snapping mooring ropes, etc).  Was oh so close to turning around and heading back to Cairns but after the fourth attempt, we eventually docked...  Even the seagulls were being blown off the jetty!

Spent a bit of time in the water today peeing & waiting for the wind to ease...  Not very often we wish for less breeze...  It was full on survival mode at times- seriously had to put my eyes back into their sockets on numerous occasions!

Poor Ed the Fox had to call it a day early as one of his sails panels blew out.  Bummer!    

Capt'n Kel cleverly rocked up on a later boat as the tide was easing, just as B1 and I were contemplating giving it a miss, and put out the order that we were to stop being pansies & get back out on the water.  So we did, and very happy that we did in hindsight!  Spent the rest of the time playing on the speed strip...  Geeeed B1 up by announcing I had a 33.5 on the dial- then the bugger put his game face on and went out a cracked a 35+!  Congratulations mate!!! Capt'n Kel blew us both out of the water with some serious speed runs!  Big Kudos, super cool!

First sail on Dr Cam's ol' hand, hand me down board- Exocet 106 I think...  Had a few issues with the new footstraps trying to jam the clodhoppers with booties in them.  Still felt like the rig had a lot more to give with some more skill and bravado...  Just wished there was a prize for doing 27+ knots with your ass sitting on the back of the board!

As Ed says, "we all live to fright another day"...  I'm suprised there wasn't more gear broken!  

There is some go pro footage which I'll have a look at.  Definately a day to remember!

Used Exocet 106 (I think) Severne OD 6.2 BP Sabre 42.5 then B1's Tribal 36

"Long May our Big Jibs Draw!"   

Quick session at Leighton with Cam to see if I could remember how to on the slalom gear. Lacking strength and power still from shoulder surgery but felt good to get out there again on the straight line equipment. Its been about 10 months. 7.0 simmer scr, 105 simmer 3xs and 36 vector volt. felt pretty good.

Trying to rig up was the slowest part!!

Found my gps Kelly :-)

Nelly Bay, QLD, AU