Wednesday 7th July- Windsurf ***** - The Manor at Felixstowe – sunny periods.

Fin – 26.11 knot max, 24.72 knot ave., 15.67 knot hour (year PB), 21.91 knot mile, 93.46 km (year PB).,14.02 knot alpha.

F2 282 Ride with Tushingham Thunderbird 6.5 and 36 fin.

With a moderate South Westerly and sunshine forecast it looked ideal for another windsurf, July just keeps on giving with this being my 4th day in a row:) Gave it some time to let the tide drop while doing my exercises in the garden, my original plan was to head down to The Manor and take the longboard up the coast and then up the Deben to Waldringfield or Woodbridge? Arrived at the beach at 12.15 taking Mag so she could walk back and I was very quickly surprised how windy it was! My gauge was reading gusts to 30 mph but that was on top of a groyne, it was less on the beach, the wind was blowing straight down the beach, it turned a little more onshore later. I set up my favourite F2 Ride 282 at 115 lt. and went for my newly bought Tushingham Lightning 6.5, the combination was pretty much ideal, a fraction over powered to start a fraction under to finish but non-stop planing:) As usual I went for a fast hour by sailing out to the Wadgate Post just over a mile and a half offshore and the sea was pretty big making going fast challenging! The first session lasted the best part of two hours covering nearly 30 miles having it all to myself, Andy and Robert arrived and went out on a fin for a change! I had a break as I was starving so had my snack before setting off again with the sun now out and the tide turned so hoped the conditions would improve which they did but the wind dropped a notch but still very pleasant sailing, much better now the sun was out:) I went ashore for a chat with Robert and Al Wizz before setting off again doing more long runs out, I probably more it to Wadgate at least 20 times covering a years best of 93.46 km that’s 58 miles getting an year PB hour too one at 15.67 and another at 14.02 kts. I tried several fast miles but it was hard on the back leg especially in the swell. Absolutely knackered I at last called it a day, packed up and headed for home. My Slingshot 76 front wing arrived today, so all I need now is a fuselage and my board pack and I will be back foiling but no hurries as I think the wind has gone for a few days!

PS – a warning to anyone sailing from this goyne at The Manor beware of a metal spike that comes out when the tide drops, very dangerous!

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