I should probably have managed to go faster but was just too tired after the last few days sailing! Despite my general lack of strength, I still managed PBs for 10s, 5 x 10s, 250m and 500m so I am happy with my results. Bring on the next speed session!

It was our last day of our childminding and we are going to France tomorrow but the forecast looked too good to miss - apart from the rain !!! So Mag looked after the kids - a big thank you :) and I was sitting at Chalkwell in the rain at 8:30 - far too early !!! After lots of huming and haring among the speedsailors gathered from the far corners of England and Ireland !!! including sailors from West Kirby,Weymouth,Leicester to name just a few !!! It was like a whose who from the speedsailing world and even Dave White turned up and then borrowed gear so he could get out !!! I decided to go with 5.8 as it was not strong enough for my 5.2 and used the speedboard - the first time in a year !!! I have not replaced my 100% 430 I used an old 25 % wave mast and the sail didn't set too badly !!! Again the walk is a nightmare and it was breezy and I had to walk backwards the whole way !!! I made it to the channel and my first run to the corner I did 35 kts so it was looking good and even the rain had stopped.With sailors using the west course I tried to beat to the end for a mile run but I struggled getting upwind on my speedboard again and didn't go far enough down and didn't get a good mile run which is very disappointing but I was too knackered to try it again !!! but on my first run down the west course hit a 39 kt peak my best for Southend :) I then stayed on and around the corner just getting some runs in but the times were disappointing only 35/6 kts and although the east course was mirror flat compared to the bumpy west the wind wasn't braod enough :( and even after a master class from Steve Thorpe my times didn't improve as the winds dropped :( Had a great chat with Simon Harris,saw just one seal and walked back !!! After packing up I was amazed that it was 4:30 and I then had a 70 mile trip back on the busy A12 in heavy rain !!! So another typical day at Southend leaving you disappointed !!! it never seems right , wind never quite in the right direction,water too bumpy,raining,walked out with the wrong board/sail :( I will get it right one day !!!

Made the worst kind of mistake when at Southend.  Took a sail to small and spent the session thinking about changing up but the walk is just to much!!!  Will never know how much faster I would have gone with a bit more power....still, the board and sail combo felt great and just needs more wind.  Enjoyed the session.

not the best day at the ray but having not been one a speed board for a few years it felt great to be have a few runs

Arrived 9am, looked very windy and forecast to increase more, opted for 5.8 which ended up about right, after that good call everything went tits up. After alot of faffing about and one decent run my fin decided to snap at 44knots resulting in my fastest crash to date (PB).

So dissapointing numbers for a great forecast but still good fun. 

Anyone selling a TM45???

Great to be out at Southend again after 6 months and to see so many people there. Broke a lot of PBs and especially pleased with the nautical mile, which took some effort today! Felt a lot more comfy with my set up and able to push harder. The sail felt really good and the slingshot fin seems super fast. First time using a weight jacket today - used 5kg which didnt feel that heavy but made me feel a lot more solid going down the course. First impression is they definitely help. Another PB today was my first crash at over 40kts.....my helmet was ripped off, gps ripped off and harness line broke - i was dazed but only bruised :-)

First time sailing Southend and was having a great time until i crashed on my second run down the course and put my knee through the bottom of my sail so that was my session over before i had got warmed up. Dissapointed as i knew i would have been able to go faster but at least i didn't hurt myself. At West Kirby now and gonna get some sleep ready for a 3rd days speedsailing in a row tomorrow at another location which will complete my UK tour of the best speed spots before heading to Farmoor Reservoir to compete at the last round of the UKWA Inland Championships.

Frustrating day at Southend, Should of used 6.2m as quoted by Whitey.