Monday 19th October - Windsurf **** - River Orwell at Levington Marina – mainly cloudy.

Foil – 19.03 knot max, 17.54 knot ave ., 9.18 knot hour, 16.72 knot mile, 56.61 km ., 11.54 knot alpha.

Exocet RF 91 AST with Slingshot Hover Glide 76 with Tushingham Lightning 7m.

With high water just after two and the wind building during the day Levington on the River Orwell seemed to be the best option today. So, after breakfast and exercises I hitched the trailer and headed to the marina taking Mag half way so she could walk home. I was first to arrive followed by Phillip, Michael, Ian and Robert all looking to foil with plenty of wind and water:) I set up the foil, put my wetsuit on waiting for the wind to settle and the onshore wind was building nicely so I went with my favourite foiling sail the 7m Lightning:) I did hit bottom a couple of times and had to jump off a couple of times to get into deeper water but after a couple of quick tacks I was soon flying down towards Pin Mill with the wind at this point probably SW. After a good long run up river the wind swung more southerly meaning there was more wind in the leg down to Felixstowe dock as Michael and I set about beating to the docks! Sailing against a strong tide in a gusty river made it slow going but great fun none the less and it really turned into a gybing feast, I am still a long way from a flying turn but at least I am staying on the board a lot more now!!! I had to ease off a couple of times to let boats pass, a coaster heading to Ipswich and a large fishing boat. I stopped near the docks to take a few pics before enjoying some nice fast reaches back returning much quicker than I got there! I then had several nice runs across the front of the marina and when the sun came out from time to time it was so much better. There were some large obstacles to avoid today including a very large plank and loads of weed! With the tide now turned and the wind going a little patchy it was time to call it a day but I stayed out until I had passed 30 N/miles:) So the five foilers all had a great day with more wind to come this week, as for tomorrow, another day on the river or perhaps a fin at The Manor at Felixstowe, will make my mind up in the morning????

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