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Windsurfing: Waihae beach - Gisbourne
Wind Direction: NE
Wind Stength: 15 - 20 knots
Surf / Sea State: 2- 3 foot surf
Air Temperature: 24C
Sea Temperature: 18C
Weather: Sunshine

Arrived at the beach and found 2 other windsurfers chatting on the beach. Had a quick word and rigged my 5.4 again and 100l board.
Was a bit apprehensive about going out in the surf as I had only been out twice before at Borth golf course car park. Another guy turned up and said it looked a bit marginal so rigged his 6.3.
Once out there it was absolutely superb. One of by best sessions ever; the wind was cross shore making it perfect for some big aerial jumps of the surf on port tack out to sea. Had a good few hours of going back and forth playing in the waves catching a few good rides in. The wind was droipping all the time and by the end of the session, there was just enough for me to be planeing. the guy who rigged his 6.3 only had 1or 2 runs and called it a day but I carried on blasting back and forth getting some big jumps.
One of my jumps on the way out felt spectacular, I was just sailing out through the surf when a big wave out the back was on the verge of breaking, a big gust came through at the same time and launched me towards the ramp sending me into a huge jump amongst the surfers nearby. I was expecting a hard landing but the jump was really floaty and I landed ok and managed to sail away with all the surfers pretty impressed. Was really impressed I pulled it off myself. Eventually called it a day as the wind was dying and I didnt want to have to swim back in if the wind completely dropped especially when i dont have an uphaul rope.
This wave sailing is what windsurfing is all about. 10 times better more fun than flat water sailing.

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