Saturday 1st February – Windsurf ***** - River Orwell, Levington – sunny and mild.

F2 Zantos 295 with 36 fin and Tushingham X – 15 7m.

Fin – 28.20 knot max., 26.80 knot ave., 15.02 knot hour, 24.39 knot mile, 48.30 km., 17.69 knot Alpha.

With a good breeze and 11 degrees forecast it was good to get my first session in February, my 9th of the year already:) With the wind from the west I was tempted to head to Point Clear but high water was too late in the afternoon so it was back to my go to winter/foil venue the River Orwell at Levington. I let the tide turn and the wind build and set off to the marina at 10.10 in bright sunshine but had only got a mile when I realised, I had left my harness at home! I quickly returned to pick it up and soon covered the six miles to my parking spot near the marina entrance. It looked lovely with wall to wall sunshine and the tide really low but it doesn’t matter with the wind in this direction as you can sail straight out of the marina entrance and have loads of water on the 1.5 mile run down to Felixstowe docks. Sail choice is a little hit and miss as a 40-knot gust had already been recorded on the Landguard weather station! But with the wind gusting over 20 mph I rigged my 4 cam Tushingham 7m x – 15 which can handle loads of wind and my 133 lt. Zantos to get me through the lulls you get on the river. I didn’t have to walk far to find someone to zip me into my winter wetsuit and with 11 + degrees no gloves were needed today:) To start the wind was a little patchy so I had several runs across Levington bay towards the lagoon entrance which turned into a bit of a gybe feast, great fun as you can turn in flattish water both ends of the run. Then the wind turned slightly and increased meaning you could sail through the bumpy water on the bend but then continue down to Felixstowe docks well over a mile in really smooth water. Turning just short of the last container ship berth I had some mega flat out runs back trying for some fast mile runs and was pleased to get a years best of 24.39 with 5 over 20 knots which is not bad for a gusty/lumpy river:)  The first mile back is just great, windsurfing doesn’t get any better flying along all by myself in brilliant sunshine:) I was going for a timed hour, never overly fast here because of the lulls but when I checked my gps I had been out for an hour and a half so I could relax a little as the wind continued to build! I had some really full on runs as the wind was approaching 40 knots so I decided to head back. I was sitting on the bench having my lunch when Mag arrived on her bike so we enjoyed our rolls together:) I was going to go out to try for 30 miles but with the wind now gusting to 43 knots I decided to call it a day and we had a cuppa in the van, reading a chapter of our books before braving the elements to de-rig. I managed to get everything packed away and tied on safely and we left after another top session one of my favourite venues. Back at home and with the sun still out we went for a quick walk along Felixstowe prom and back through the town spotting a lovely rainbow:) I think the mild breezy weather is continuing for at least a couple of days perhaps I can do it all again on Monday, there just isn’t anyone sailing locally at the moment but then again several are away in El Medano!

PS – I am looking for a reasonably priced second-hand GT-31, can anyone help?

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