Monday 4th October - Windsurf **** The Manor at Felixstowe – sunny periods.

Foil – 17.65 knot max, 16.53 knot ave ., 11.27 knot hour, 15.60 knot mile, 59.30 km., 9.42 knot alpha.

Exocet RF AST 91 with Slingshot Hover Glide 76 with Tushingham Storm 5.2 and Lightning 7m.

Walk **** Sunrise Felixstowe prom walk.

Got up early hoping to see the sunrise, leaving home at 6.30 we were soon down on the prom which is just at the end of our road. Sadly, a big bank of cloud scuppered our chances of seeing the sunrise but it was lovely just being out and about early, always the best time of day. There was already a good breeze blowing but it was on our backs as we walked to Jacobs Ladder. Returning we spotted some red in the sky, along with the menacing black clouds it was stunning. Then up through the Spa gardens and along the cliff and home to have a cuppa in bed and read:) The sun then came out so after breakfast I did my exercises in the back garden while Mag worked in her garden.

Windsurf ****

After yesterday’s top foil at Felixstowe I decided to head down there again today just giving it a little time for the tide to drop a bit. I parked up at the end of the prom with no one else about and with the sun on the water it looked ideal for some more foiling. I set up my foil board on the beach and it did feel pretty windy so checked it with my gauge and it was gusting to 25 knots! Feed up of always rigging too big a sail I took a chance with my 5.2, only the second time I have used a sail this small for foiling and the first on the sea. The small sail was perfect for an hour as I whizzed off up the coast playing with the swell with the rig being so light in my hands, just lovely, I will definitely try smaller sails more often now! The sea was big as usual but it was great fun running up and down the waves before turning at the red and white bouy at the Dip. The beat back was good too sailing into a big sea trying to fly above the wave tops, the small sail was a little twitchy which was not helped by a large hole in one of my panels and was not sure how it happened, still I have just bought a new reel of sail repair tape! I got back easily and was then joined on the water by local racer Davide Coles out with 8m. I was still going well with the small sail and set off back towards the pier but sadly the wind dropped away and I was left floundering against the tide. It was a bit of a slog back but made it OK with Rob, Ian and Andy now all out foiling in the sun. After a snack I rigged my 7m and took off on another long run down to The Dip where Mark and Paul were out foiling, it has certainly taken right over here in Felixstowe. Again the beat back was good against a big swell, things smoothed off back at The Manor but I was knackered now so decided to call it a day. More wind tomorrow, then hopefully I will get a Birthday sail at maybe Bradfield on Wednesday 6th in some sunshine, fingers crossed!

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