At last the forecast wind actually arrived in Felixstowe perhaps a little early too:) Woke to clear blue skies so nearly went to the Ferry for breakfast on the bikes but we didn't have any pastries so had porridge at home instead. Then Swainy put a message on Facebook saying it was side shore at The Dip and he was heading down, so hitched up the trailer and set off with Mag. We arrived at the same time as Mark so let him unlock the barrier as it’s a new number now but no other windsurfers in sight:( After a quick chat Mag walked home along the prom while Mark rigged 8m and I went for 7.8. To start it was wind with tide so I put on a big 42cm fin on the Xantos 295. This set up was nearly perfect even if a fraction under at times. I started off heading downwind to the River Deben but choppy there and there were shallow spots so left the few kiters to it and set off out to sea. There was a yacht in the distance sailing towards Aldeburgh so I sailed out to say hello ending up 3.25 miles offshore!

I then sailed pack to The Dip and with no sign of Swainy I assumed he had beat towards the pier so set off beating that way. It was great fun sailing upwind being careful to avoid the many lobster pots! While turning close to the beach at The Fludgers Mark was broad reaching back! I made it past the pier and landed to raise the boom for more comfortable broad reaching and set off on the three miles reach back. Broad reaching is just the best sailing as it really smooths the sea out and even if a little under powered it was just brilliant sailing parallel to beach. A few sailors had arrived at The Dip to make the most of the nice breeze and sunshine:) After a quick snack I headed out again beating out a couple of miles I then made the pier in one tack in an increasing wind. Sadly, it eased on the way back and I came off the plan half a mile short of my van so went ashore for a while hoping the breeze would return. It didn’t so I wobbled back to find Mag in the van reading after biking down. Most were now packing up so derigged and headed for home.

Top 5 star day, not fast but great fun beating to the pier a couple of times with some serious broad reaching covering nearly 60 km:)