Friday 13th October – windsurfing ***** The Manor - Felixstowe – mainly cloudy

25.21 kt. max, 23.94 kt. ave., 15.88 kt. hr., 21.72 kt mile, 95.2 km., 16.13 kt. alpha.

With a SW 17 knot wind forecast all day The Manor was the spot today and I was there by ten to get my favourite parking spot. I nearly rigged 8.5 on my 310 but the wind seemed to be building so I went with 7.8 on the 295. There was one fisherman tucked in by the right-hand breakwater so I walked to the left and launched but the wind looked light? Today’s plan was to sail to Wadgate Post eight times to start with going for an hour but the wind didn’t really play ball and to be honest I was fractionally under the whole session! The post is actually 1.5 miles out to see and I made 9 runs out but unfortunately was not planning the whole time but I was out nearly two hours covering 25 miles before I was joined on the water by Neil and Roger:) I bumped into a face from 30 years ago lady longboard racer Leslie whose son Andrew was out enjoying the conditions. After a sandwich I headed out again to try and improve my slow max of only 23 knots as Peter Cutts had done 24! I did at least another 8/9 runs out to Wadgate even going to the shipping channel a couple of times to see how far it is, it’s 2 miles from the shore! I had some nice runs out racing Andy Mexome and tried some fast mile runs in but only managed 21 kts:( I found a great section of flatter water out by the post. As the tide came in a half mile section of rolling surf over a shallow bank had created a big area of smooth water which is where I got my fastest speed of 25.21 and I think Pete just pipped me again! I had down 47 n/miles so after a short break decided to get over 50 even though the wind was becoming gusty. I got to my target and with the winds light inshore I wobbled back losing a couple of groynes upwind! Time to back up after covering 95 km. not flat out but good fun non- the less! This is my 7th session so far, this month and more wind on the way:)

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.squirrell.1/media_set?set=a.10211650611433486.1073741898.1012660562&type=3