Thursday 12th June - Windsurf * - The Dip, Felixstowe – Gloomy sea mist:)

F2 Zantos 295 with 36 fin and Tushingham Lightning 7m

Fin – 17.72 knot max, 11.03 knot ave ., 1.51 knot hour, 9.60 knot mile, 2.80 km., 8.06 knot alpha

After two crap windsurfing sessions in a row with lots of breakages and swimming involved, I was not holding much hope of getting out today! I would have liked to get down to The Dip early to make the most of low water but there was very little wind and the forecast sun was absent being replaced by gloomy sea mist and rain but sensible Mag and I had a really good conversation about my recent worries and problems, sorting them in her usual calm and logical way. Now all I have to do is source a foil board!!! Then things bucked up with winds increasing to 20 knots around 9.30 so I quickly hitched the trailer and headed down to find Andy Mexome already out in the mist with his foil saying he was overpowered with 6.6 and that I would be alright on a fin with 7m! To be honest he was right at the time and things looked very promising despite the poor visibility with several kiters several on foils although they were difficult to see! I quickly rigged my 7m, managed to get my wetsuit on and explain to some onlookers impressed by Andy’s foiling skills the joys of foiling before heading out with Andy disappearing down to the pier! It didn’t take long to realise the wind had dropped and I sailed out a mile and back to change to my biggest short board sail, the 7.8! By this time Mark Swain and Richard had turned up and if anything, the wind was even lighter with the sea getting bumpier as the tide came in, definitely not very inviting in very poor visibility so we all decided not to bother and hoped Andy could get back? We did not have to worry as he emerged from the gloom going amazingly well on such a small sail.  We even had a learner kite foil swim past in trouble in the light winds, lucky for him the wind and tide just blew him ashore a few groynes down! Then my Sister and her youngest daughter arrived from Ipswich to walk their two dogs and we had a great catch up having not seen each other this year! With two sails rigged on the beach I hoped to have another try but if anything, conditions got worse.  We made the best of the situation with a great chat, discussing all the recent windsurfing issues we have been having in a surprisingly calm adult manner. I know that’s very hard to believe especially after yet another falling out on the Felixstowe WhatsApp page this morning:( I think the moral of this story is avoid having discussions on the dreadful internet and save it to when you are all face to face where I find there is much less failing out!!!) So, yet another crap windsurfing session but some great chats with much clearing of the air where everyone is entitled to their own opinions with no problems. That’s me off my soapbox and that could be it for wind for a bit, lets hope the sun returns so Mag and I can get back on our bikes in lovely Suffolk.  The search for a foil board goes on - who thought spending money could be so difficult!!!! :)

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