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April so far in the Forces-of-Nature Diaries
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Member Details Session Description
Toys Used
Owner: Harry
Member






Member#: 186
Location:
Registered: 14-04-2003
Diary Entries: 418

13th July 2004
Windsurfing: Hillhead
Wind Direction: W
Wind Stength: 12-20 knots
Surf / Sea State: Flat
Air Temperature: 19ºC
Sea Temperature: 15ºC
Weather: Overcast then sunny
Max Speed:
Distance Covered:

Felt I really needed a sail today for exercise and to take my mind off "domestic issues". Martin was busy moving house so it was gonna have to be an on me lonesome session. Should have given Gwyn a ring; he phoned my mobile whilst I was on the water, I'm assuming to ask if I wanted to go for a sail.

Arrived Salterns 3.30pm. Wind was marginal as expected, so rigged the big kit. As I was pulling on my wetsuit though, noticed the wind was picking up a good 4-5 knots. Couldn't be arsed to change down, so swapped to the smaller fin and went out, even though I knew I would be mahussively overpowered.

Which I was. One short run out and back - no way. So had to suffer the long walk back over the stones (t'was low tide) and de-rig. Mucho hassle very annoying. Wind was definitely right for the Bee now, but couldn't decide between the 6.0 and the 5.2. That gap in my quiver is just a bit too big. In the end went for the 5.2. Downhaul snapped whilst rigging ARRRGGGHHH that stupid Naish extension so badly designed why did they make it so that the rope rubs right against the cleat whilst tensioning? NP extensions are sooooo much better. Good thing I have the NP extension at least I could use the rope from that one, although it took bloody ages trying to thread it into the Naish extension.

Grrrrr so much hassle, 40 minutes of faffing, didn't get out again until 5pm. But at least I had chosen correctly. Perfectly powered on the 5.2 at the start, and loving the smooth ride on the Bee. Thought this was too good to be true...and it was. After half-an-hour of very enjoyable blasting, wind started to drop off. Underpowered grrrrr. Strangely had little trouble getting planing on the way out, but could not get going at all on the way back in. Drifted.....and drifted.....and drifted..... Ended up literally miles downwind from my launch point, way beyond the hovercraft. Result: the longest walk-of-shame ever. Must have been a good half-an-hour. Quality effort.

Normally walk-of-shame heralds end-of-session, but I couldn't help but noticing whilst walking back that the wind seemed to be picking up again. Eventually got back to the car and thought sod it, the sun is shining, wind seems to be back, don't wanna end the session on a bad note, I'm cream-crackered but I'll risk it. So back to the water and yes got going again straight away - nice. Wasn't that good though still a bit underpowered, still having trouble getting going on the way back in, always just trying to slog upwind when I did get planing so no fun really. Drifted a short way again so walk-of-shame number two when I finally called it a day around 7.30pm, albeit only a 5 minute effort this time.

Would have been a quality session if I had thrown up the 6.0. Ho-hum never mind still good to get out and all that pumping to get planing plus walking meant I got a proper good work-out.
Toys Used:
JP Freeride Carve 104
Fanatic Bee 260 85L
NP Supernova 7.4
Tushingham Vulcan 5.2
31cm fin  
24cm fin  
NP Winter steamer 

 

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