Thursday 16th August – windsurf **** The Manor – Felixstowe – cloudy with rain later

F2 Ride 282 with Tushingham Lightning 7.0 and 38 cm fin.

27.33 knot max., 25.05 knot ave., 16.81 knot hour, 22.71 knot mile, 77.90 km., 16.61 knot alpha.

After missing yesterdays evening session, I took my gear down to The Dip in the afternoon but wind too light, it picked up nicely by 6 but couldn’t be bothered to go down again and with todays forecast being SW 20 knots early before turning offshore and raining by eleven. So, it was another early start and Landguard carpark to sail The Manor with Mag at 7.30. Again, Mag walks home while I decide what to rig, with my wind gauge mislaid I have to guess (Mag finds the gauge in a hoodie at home) I took a chance with the 282 with 7m and although not super overpowered I could have done with the 6.5 as the sea was pretty big! I was on the water just before eight with the aim of going for an hour which means sailing out to Wadgate post about 8 times. With the wind gusting 20 knots plus from just west of SW the post was a bit broad, the reach out was fine but you struggled to get back in one beat so I sailed to the right of the post which takes you close to the shipping channel and there were several ferries heading out from Harwich! Not overly relaxing in a big sea when you are out by yourself a mile and a half out! The nice thing here is that you have people watching from the Coastwatch from the Manor Martello tower:) On the WhatsApp chat last night I was expecting Andy Mexome and Strawberry to come early but they didn’t show, sadly Andy didn’t come as some lowlife broke into his property and he had to wait for the police, I hope the Bastards didn’t get anything!!!! I came ashore after covering 21 n/miles for a drink and then decided to give it another try as I now had wind against tide and the sea had smoothed off even if the wind was a little patchy but I had several broad reaches out to Wadgate even managing a planing gybe around the large post :) I had had 8 runs out and with a large black cloud approaching I said I would have one more run, big mistake!!! I got out fine but, on the way, back and only 400m from safety the wind switched offshore and dropped :( I was now well and truly in the crap and was being pushed up the coast and hoping I could get ashore before I reached the rocks at Jacobs Ladder! The rain came down and the visibility dropped but the 282 is just big enough to sail in light airs, I soon passed the Coastguard Martello, heading towards the pier but didn’t seem to be getting any closer to the beach. I got the odd gust and eventually sailed within swimming distance of the beach at The Spa and after 20 minutes in the water I made it to the beach. All I had then was a two mile walk along the prom to the van in the rain! Nearing the van I spotted the brand new RLNI inshore lifeboat whizzing back to Harwich, so someone had spotted me in trouble and called it in, luckily I had made it ashore without their help but it is nice to know they are close at hand if you need help:) I drive the van to The Spa and pack up in the rain as the Lifeguard 4x4 arrives to see if I am OK, after a quick chat I head for home, the end of another eventful windsurfing session but I did manage to post my best times of the month even if I am still having a bit of trouble with the new GW-60 gps watch, but we will get there in the end!!!!

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