sboardcrazy (25757km):
503 days ago 1 categories 20-25kts plus S- SSE Valentine, NSW, AU
5m Gator - Windtech 85ltre waveboard - 23cm centre fin
then 4.5m Blade - waveboard
Well that was the crappiest session I can remember. I should have gone out earlier but last time I wore myself out and didn't have any energy when it got good. Of course this time I had too much sail up by the time it came in and I'm nowhere near fit enough to cope with those conditions.
I'm still in self protection mode so I wasn't taking any chances today.
I figured the 5m would be too much so I just went out 100m , decided yes too big , dropped in and waterstarted and back in. the first time I did it the board went upside down and the sail totally disappeared underwater with the mast pointing at the bottom.
I waited a while and thought it had eased and had another go with the same result so rerigged the 4.5m thinking I should really be rigging the 4.2m or 3.8m.
By now it was SSe and there was a big dead patch in close. I walked up to the point where more wind was coming through but starting was exhausting. There'd be crazy bullets coming through. If I tried to beachstart I'd get thrown around the front but they only lasted a few seconds and by the time I got setup to waterstart it would be 0 knots again.. When I finally got up it was then put my front foot in front of the mast , feather the sail in the ballistic gusts, and try and stay upright in the lulls, until I got into clear wind..By then I was too stuffed to do much.
My first run wasn't bad , I was dodging ramps and spilling power but I surprised myself by doing a good gybe and getting a fun run in.
The second I was too buggered, fell in on a gybe and just managed to get going again. I stopped too early in the lee thinking I'd swim in but ended up body dragging a long way into shore.
After the fun session last time it was so frustrating and a waste of time. Many more like this and I'll take up winging..
Andrew came down for a visit and looked like he was enjoying himself once it settled down a bit.
It looked good as I was leaving but I was too tired.
Heaps of wingers and Paul on a windfoil. He went out on a 7m just before it came in. I didn't think he'd got back so I called the marine rescue and they sent a boat but he must have got back in and packed up earlier.
I hope tomorrow is more fun.
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