Team East (Engl-E, Great Britain) - 2021-04-01
Sailor 2 Second Peak (Kts)5 x 10 Second Average (Kts)1 Hour (Kts)Alpha Racing 500m (Kts)Nautical Mile (Kts)Distance Travelled (km)
Stephen Squirrell
18.53(D)
17.85(D)
10.46(D)
13.24(D)
16.5(D)
37.54(D)
Ian Richards
Peter Cutts
Lance Newbery
Ben Tilston
Hotdog
Jamie Bore
Tris Haskins
Rik Jones
benno
Will Trossell
Steve Carter
Trollope
Whitey
plum
matty
Ant
Venga Boy
tccambs
Killer Miller
Alex Lewin
Lewis Limm
Average
Stephen Squirrell (34966km):
1092 days ago

Thursday 1st April - Windsurf **** - River Stour at Bradfield – sunny periods and slightly cooler.

 

 

Foil – 18.60 knot max, 17.84 knot ave.,(spot PB) 10.45 knot hour, 16.46 knot mile, 45.58 km.,13.24 knot alpha (PB).

 

Exocet RF AST 91 with Slingshot Hover Glide 76 with Tushingham Lightning 7m.

 

After some lovely mild days, the wind has switched around to the North meaning the temperatures are set to drop so today looked like a good opportunity to get a session before it cools off too much! With the wind NE and with a late afternoon high Bradfield on the River Stour looked the best bet, a thought held by several windsurfers as there was a good turnout in Essex today. So spent the morning in Felixstowe, me doing my exercises while Mag went to Lidl then she decided she would come, the first time in ages, it was great to be out in the van again and Bradfield is a beautiful spot to spend a few hours! Actually, it is the first time we have crossed the Orwell Bridge since before Christmas. I left home around 11 which was probably a little early but I was hoping to fin to start with if windy enough. Arriving at the Stour first, the tide was still fairly low but enough water to fin sadly not enough wind, shame really as it is super flat when the tide is low! So, I set my foil board up while Mag had a short out with the poor old van which has been abused of late! Sail choice is always a little hit and miss here but went with my favourite Lightning 7m which was fine for three quarters of the session, absolutely perfect when the wind was up but could have used 7.8 or even my 8.5 which I had rigged just in case it was not that windy. Several had arrived but were in no hurry to set off because of the tide but it was a nice day with sunny periods and not as cold as expected so I decided to wade out. The mud was a little soft out by the yellow bouy but I found deep enough water after about 90m and was soon up and flying towards Mistley. The wind dropped that way so I spent most of the session beating just past Wrabness being by myself for most of the time, I was joined by local James who’s foiling as come on leaps and bounds:) I spotted a seal and there was a couple of yachts out too and it is always good sailing close to the shore past the beach huts at Wrabness. The best conditions are nearly always in Holbrook bay and today was no different, it was windier there too! I gently touched the bottom at Wrabness and then as I sailed towards the Grand school at Holbrook my board would not fly even though there was loads of wind, weed on the foil me thinks, I didn’t want to drop in the cold water so wobbled well over a mile to the Suffolk bank to check it and take a few pics! I then had some nice broad runs back but the wind was a little up and down. I just didn’t want to pump vigorously all the time as it knackers my hands! It was good fun trying to go fast broad, that definitely need working on as I still crash now and again. Also gybing is a work in progress and I am still way sort of foiling gybes but I am not overly bothered! There was several out wing foiling from Wrabness, I am still not convinced about that, just looks odd! With the wind up and down now I had a few runs in front of the van before calling it a day. Then warmed up in the van with the diesel heater blasting having a cuppa and cake with Mag who had enjoyed her day dozing and chatting to Jason who had come down to watch. Then Dave White came down briefly with his big lens which gave me the opportunity to have a word about him collecting a couple of masts I have bought:) Mag went for a nice walk while I packed up before the 25 mile trip home, we had the stop at Mistley as three swans crossed the road:)

Good turn out today, must have been ten out, all those foiling having a good day, just not enough wind to fin.

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=stephen.squirrell.1&set=a.10221429430297846

 

http://mkwindsurfing.co.uk/booms

 

https://www.77sports.co.uk/



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