Personal logs for windsurfing, surfing, kitesurfing and other sports. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php Copyright 2006. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8177&diaryuser=justal 10th, May 2008 - A still, hot and sunny day so we headed off to Aberdovey and had a picnic at picnic island, along with a paddle and a record breaking skimming session! Also did a geocache and then headed of to Tywyn and Bryncrug for another little walk to find a second cache. Drove back via Happy Valley. As well as finding caches we were on the lookout for suitable hiding places for our next series. Containers are being prepared now! Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8177&diaryuser=justal Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8178&diaryuser=sarge 10th, May 2008 - a great ride from stourbridge to kidderminster via iverley blakedown shenstone then into kiddy to pick up the canal 35 miles in total but three out of six caught the train back!!!!!!! Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8178&diaryuser=sarge Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8162&diaryuser=justal 8th, May 2008 - A lovely early morning session in the estuary. Started off well powered with a flatly rigged 5.6 and my Naish Hybrid Freewave. Some nice seed runs in the channel, but nothing too fast as that board just isn't particularly fast. As the tide filled in the wind eased quite a bit but I was still OK on that kit as a few kiters and another windsurfer (Nigel) joined me. The wind continued to ease once the others got on the water and I was soon forced to change u to a bigger board. Still able to cruise nicely around the estuary though. Had a few attempts at Duck Gybes, carving 360's and body drags. Made the duck gybes, got close to a 360 and got wet during the body drags! Good fun though and gorgeous weather. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8162&diaryuser=justal Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8163&diaryuser=shem 8th, May 2008 - What a epic day,again. Decided to take the morning off work, and a good descision it was. Started on the 9 mayhem, well powered in solid 25 knots. Rode my twin and the surf board strapless just to remind my self how to jibe. After a couple of hours, it droppee off to about 18 knots so I stuck up the 13 instinct which was right in its sweet spot again, and had a epic on that as well. Loads of big floaty jumps, and great fun with the crew on da water. Rupe and Al sailed over from Aberdovey to join us as well. What a sesh. feeling guilty that Id had the morning off work, I decided to go out on the motor bike for the afternoon, he he, and did a 80 mile round trip, sweet!!!! Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8163&diaryuser=shem Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8168&diaryuser=paul%20s 8th, May 2008 - Hot, sunny, windy. Had a well powered up hour on 8m with the wind steadily building so decided that 7m would probably be better. A quick rerig, and sure enough it was spot on. Great afternoon of sailing. Short arm summer was almost too warm...time for bare feet next. Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8168&diaryuser=paul%20s Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8169&diaryuser=krafty 8th, May 2008 - Another NWW demo day, this time at Bewl, with sunshine and wind .... RARE Loads of people out using the Kona's, the S-Cross, the Nano, the Rockets with sails from 4.7m thro to 8.0m. Managed a bit of product testing while there today getting out on S-Cross 130 with 8.0m Matrix, Kona 10'5 with 6.0m Remedy, Kona One with 7.4m OD rig, and also with 6.0m Remedy. That Kona 10'5 is such a fun mellow board to sail, I can see me using it loads !!! The S-Cross 130 and 8.0m Matrix were really nice to sail, quick and super easy to go quick on too ... can see these being popular for summer blasters. The Kona One was a hoot as ever to sail. Used it with OD 7.4m rig, but also with 6.0m Remedy and the look on the face of the guy sailing his iSonic & 7.8m as I was catching him up on the Kona when he found out I was 6.0m powered was pure comedy ..... that said, he's flew off back the other way wheras I dropped the daggerboard and cruised upwind ;-) Loads of people enjoying the Rockets and the S-Cross, and the surprise favourite of a few 'testers' was the Nano 125, Exocet's budget option !! The Kona's were out all day, and Bewl have a couple there for people to try as/when they feel the urge .... contact Jill / Bob on 01892 891000 to book your ride. Nice day all round. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8169&diaryuser=krafty Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8170&diaryuser=pete%20b 8th, May 2008 - An hour of post-work planing-some-of-the-time. Difficult to qualify as the windsurfing in itself was lacklustre but the hot, sunny day and space on the water counted for a lot. Just nice to be out. Rating: 3 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8170&diaryuser=pete%20b Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8171&diaryuser=squiz 8th, May 2008 - With light winds at The Dip I met up with Steve Carter at The Manor to see if it was any better there.Andrew Mexome and David Coles were out with 11m on their formula boards going well. With the winds touching 12 mph I again rigged 9.4.I beat to the ferry where there were 3 kiters and 3 windsurfers out and then had some really good reaches back recording similar speeds and distance as yesterday,a really pleasant 1hr 45mins on the water !!!! Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8171&diaryuser=squiz Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8172&diaryuser=Tim 8th, May 2008 - Took the day off to have a "board meeting". It was lovely 7-5 conditions. A little overpowered at times but perfect practice on the slalom board. Did a few planing exits but generally good practice. By 3pm it was starting to drop a little. I changed up at 4pm to 8-5 with the evening race in mind. Out again and heavy but still quite good. By 5pm is was on off. Race time approached and a few were planing occasionally, but not a lot. Most people was a slalom race - because it is easier on the arms I think. Luckily Dave & I managed to convince Tony it was silly. I had a good start but got overhauled by Dave and Mike. Andre on an old race board disappeared into the sunset. John B also on a race board pipped me on the line. 5th, which is better than last week, when I gave up! Slightly sunburnt. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8172&diaryuser=Tim Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8173&diaryuser=justal 8th, May 2008 - Nice ride with Bernd. Started off with the northern loop of the Conti Trail, then did the Visitor Centre loop. Good weather and good conditions and with just the two of us we kept up a decent pace with few stops. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8173&diaryuser=justal Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8174&diaryuser=Spooker 8th, May 2008 - Cheeky little evening session in Sea Palling - my first on this coast. Wind was a bit fitfull when I arrived but by 7:00pm had picked up nicely. Little bit of turbulence kicked up from the off-shore pontoons, but big flat lagoons to play in. Met a few of the locals. Great to be back in the water - and the 13m still flies well despite the repairs :o) Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8174&diaryuser=Spooker Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8176&diaryuser=mat_thorn 8th, May 2008 - Went for a float after work, was windy earlier in the day, but by the time I got there it had dropped! Still, nice to be on/in the water. First time in summer suit this year! Rating: 2 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8176&diaryuser=mat_thorn Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8158&diaryuser=justal 7th, May 2008 - A gorgeous sunny day and Shem persuaded me to go for a sail in the estuary. There was another guy rigging a 5.5 and he seemed to be going OK, so despite thinking the 6.7m would have been a better option I plumped for the 5.6m Should have taken the 6.7m really as there was only just enough for the smaller sail. I did get going though and worked my way upwind a little, but it was never too exciting. Just a quick session before getting back to work. Rating: 2 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8158&diaryuser=justal Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8159&diaryuser=squiz 7th, May 2008 - Could'nt get down till 5 o clock,but arrived to find 3/4 windsurfers just about to go out and as many kiters although the wind appeared light.I rigged 9.4 on the longboard and was surprised at how well I was going although the shortboaders were struggling abit.I beat up the river then had some great reaches out to the shipping lane and to the pier.After a good beat back I played with the dinghys racing at the ferry then returned to The Dip after 2 good hrs on the water. Rating: 4 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8159&diaryuser=squiz Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8160&diaryuser=shem 7th, May 2008 - A epic sesh in the estuary, probably one of my best ever, totally on the sweet spot of the 13 instinct. Loads of 20foot plus jumps, and super floaty at that, just myself, Al and another windsurfer out, with Mart taking photos. Epic sesh, hope tommorow brings the same, a rare 5 stars!!!!! Rating: 5 stars. http://www.forces-of-nature.co.uk/dbdriven/diary/diary.php?action=viewentrydetails&diaryid=8160&diaryuser=shem Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 +0100