Owner:
squiz
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Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3070
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21st February 2016
Windsurfing: Point Clear Wind Direction: w Wind Stength: 20/35 Surf / Sea State: flatish and rough Air Temperature: 13 Sea Temperature: 8 Weather: sunny periods Max Speed: 30.26 (knots - unless stated otherwise) Distance Covered: 26.92 (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise)
Tragic day at Point Clear as Kitesurfer dies :(
The day started off so well with a good forecast and a mid morning high
water several Felixstowe sailors made the trip into the next county to
enjoy the good winds and mild weather! I was first at the far carpark at
8:50 which was lucky as I got to reverse my trailer into a spot with no one
watching ! It was a good turn out of Suffolk sailors which included Neil
and Craig Hurrell, Mark and Nick Swain, Roger Vickers, Chris Phillips and
Ian Clarke :) The strong winds had not arrived at the start so with winds
gusting just over 20 kts most rigged between 6.5 to 7.5 with me taking a
chance with 7m. This is a top direction for sailing cross to the shore out
to the open sea just around the corner from Jaywick but the first couple of
runs I was underpowered, then the wind filled in and I enjoyed a couple of
2 mile runs along the coast with the sea getting rougher and the sea bigger
the farther you went! The second run I was getting well over powdered so
after falling I swam 50m ashore for a start rest! I was time to get into
the safety of the lagoon. On entering the lagoon I noticed a couple of
lifeboats and flashing blue light by the cafe at the end of the lagoon but
thought nothing of it thinking it might be a rescue exercise. At this point
there were about 20 kiters out in the lagoon and you had to be alert with
the big air being taken. I had missed the flattish part of the tide which
was now high and was very choppy - the lagoon is a difficult place to go
fast with the rough water which is shallow in places and you don't want to
hit the bottom at speeds approaching 30 kts! I had some fun in the sunshine
going broad down the bottom corner and had some nice gybes too. The wind
then picked up to well over 30 kts and with the tide now going out it was
time to call it a day, I was pleased to get across the bay to my van in the
strong winds and rough water.
On the last run back I got my best speed just breaking 30kts and was
pleased with the 3+ hours on the water, not cold at all and was thinking a
top 4 Star session :) it was then we all learnt about the tragic events
happening at the other end of the bay where very sadly a kitesurfer lost is
life :( All the sailors were shaken by the news and are thought go out to
the kiters family and friends !!! All the kiter did was head down to the
beach to have fun on the water with mates and loses their life - you just
don't know whats around the corner and you need to make the most of every
day !!!
Getting home feeling really deflated Mag and I headed down to the beach to
blow the cobwebs away, we even managed to collect a little coal.
A very sad day :(
Tragic day at Point Clear
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