Monday 25th March – windsurf ***** Wrabness – sunny periods:)

F2 Zantos 133 with Tushingham Lightning 7m and 38 cm fin.

26.32 knot max, 24.58 knot ave ., 14.48 knot hour, 21.79  knot mile, 50.70 km., 15.91 knot alpha.

Today was the last opportunity for a windsurf before a high pressure moves in, increasing temperatures but light winds. With the wind from the North the only local option for me was another trip to the River Stour at Wrabness, my 4th session there this year as it is one of my favourite venues, a huge estuary with stunning views. This direction is good direction for the Stour for long reaches from Wrabness to Mistley and beyond, 2/3 mile runs although it does make the water choppy but in the lovely sunshine it didn’t matter:) I was hoping local sailor Jason was coming but with high water at Mistley being 2.41 he didn’t have time to spare with school pick-up commitments I was left for yet another solo session but with the wind dead onshore and the tide coming in it couldn’t be safer especially with superstar Maggie there to keep an eye on me:) After Saturdays first foiling session here I arrived with an open mind as to whether to fin or foil? But with wind gusting to 25 mph and choppy it was a quick decision to make, a stress-free session with conventional kit. I am in no hurry to learn to foil and can wait for more suitable conditions and with the wind in the North it was a bit on the chilly side, struggling to make 10 degrees. We arrived at about midday and there was loads of water and could have been sailing for at least a couple of hours, apparently these are high spring tides! I went for the floaty Zantos 295 to get me through the lulls you get with river sailing and my 7m Lightning. I wanted to get a decent hour in this month so that was my aim as I headed off towards Bradfield, over a mile up river where the parking area is still blocked off after the farmer had trouble, hopefully he will open it up again soon but to be honest I like sailing from Wrabness even though the view from the parking spot is not so good. In the end I did 23 miles non-stop, not fast as the chop is challenging, my longest run being nearly three miles planning nearly all the way. As with all estuary sailing the wind is a little up and down from some hectic 25 mph winds to lighter patches where you do drop off the plane but I was moving well for 90% of the time and river sailing doesn’t get better than this, just a shame I was out alone but I don’t mind:) I tried to get up past Mistley where the water is flatter but unfortunately the wind dropped. I then returned to Mag who had been on a walk to the nature reserve bird hide and beyond who had made me a delicious lunch. Rested, hands warm and still not high water I decided to give it another try but only had a few more runs as the wind strength was dropping down so it was time to call time on a five star session where I covered another 50km:)

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