Thursday 5th August - Windsurf ***** - The Dip at Felixstowe – sunny periods.

Foil – 16.39 knot max, 15.27 knot ave., 11.40 knot hour, 14.40 knot mile, 42.12 km.,10.78 knot alpha.

Exocet RF AST 91 with Slingshot Hover Glide 76 with Tushingham Thunderbird 6.5m.

What a top day, again a lovely sunny, warm day here in Felixstowe, breakfast then exercises in the back garden. Around to our friendly next-door neighbours for a catch up over a cuppa and with the wind supposed to build this afternoon and stay for several days I was keen to get out windsurfing before the rain arrives! We had such a nice time we did not leave until gone two with sailors already at both The Dip and The Manor. So, no time for lunch I quickly hitched the trailer, took a bag of crisps and a banana and set off for the beach, sadly I was in such a hurry that I got to the end of our road before realising my trailer was not there! I had not hitched it properly so quickly returned home to get it, luckily it had not hit any parked cars! As I was a bit late heading down and a nice day, I thought I might have trouble parking at my spot at The Manor so headed to the windsurfer’s car park at The Dip, not the ideal venue with the SE onshore wind making the launch harder than at The Manor, also you sail straight into the rough water where the Deben enters the sea! Paul Smith was just launching with 5.6 on his foil while Al Parker was rigging his brand new 6.4 for his fin board. At this point I was not sure what to go for, with the wind gusting to around 18 knots and did not look windy enough to fin especially with wind with tide so I went for the foil rigging my favourite Thunderbird 6.5 which in the end proved perfect most of the time:) Paul beat had beat out to the red and white bouy then headed down the coast so after I had my shortie on, I followed suit. It was a little lumpy getting off the beach and then rough out until you passed the exit channel then out by the red and white bouy I tacked and then made it all the way to The Manor in one tack, in a big sea which made you concentrate on flying over the big waves but so much fun especially in the sunshine. At The Manor Andy M was out on his fin, I gybed and then played with the swell at the way back, just mellow sailing, perfect sail size playing with the swell. It was so good I did it twice more now Michael G and Rob with Al Wiz were out with Simon C out winging. You do have to keep your eyes peeled as there is loads of lobster and I did manage to sail over one and had the stop and untangle the rope, I say save the lobster! I was having such a great time even with the lobster pot I continued up the coast turning near east Lane Martello tower before beating back to The Dip. There was some nice waves on the beach but I landed with no problems ending a top session, managing to pack up and get home just as the rain arrived. Several more days of wind to come but with some heavy rain showers I am not sure where to go, just not keen on travelling so will defiantly stay local!

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