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squiz
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Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3070
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19th February 2017
Windsurfing: Playa Villananitos at Lo Pagan Wind Direction: NE Wind Stength: 15/25 Surf / Sea State: flat Air Temperature: Sea Temperature: Weather: sunny periods Max Speed: 27.03 (knots - unless stated otherwise) Distance Covered: 57.19 (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise)
Sunday 19th February – windsurf ***** Playa Villananitos at Lo Pagan –
sunny periods
F2 Ride 282, 38 cm fin, Tushingham Lightning 7.8 – wind Levante – NE
15/25
Max. 27.03 kts, ave. 25.55 kts, 106 km (63 miles), mile 21.29 kts , alpha
18.4 kts , hours 18.34, 16.67 & 15.92 kts !!! :)
I had a good night at our exposed beachside spot near Lo Pagan port but the
Levante had picked up in the night. We woke up at 6 and Mag said there had
been a clanking sound for ages, me being a bit deaf hadn’t heard it. We
dozed off again and didn’t wake up until 9!! Most unusual. Had breakfast
about ten by which time I had sorted the noise problem. We were parked
near a metal flag pole with a chain running to the top which was blowing in
the wind - by now approaching 30 mph - but by tightening the chain around
the cleat I stopped it - should have looked at 6 then the camper who left
at first light might have had a better night too!!!
There was no one sailing on this beach but a couple of kiters were going
out the downwind side of the port. I was on a mission to find some flat
water which Lo Pagan is well known for. The best spot is the beach right
next to the path leading to the Molino De La Caketera which we later
learned is the Playa Villananitos. When we got there several windsurfers
had already rigged. We found a great place to park on a junction allowing
us to turn the wrong way up the one-way sea front road and park so our side
door is right by the prom:) I then had a little walk to check what size to
rig as the wind is cross off here and difficult to judg. The wind is
always going to be a little lighter than on the coast as it has to cross
the salt lakes to get here and the locals had rigged from 4.7 to 9.5 which
wasn’t much help! The general consensus was rig big so I went for the 7.8
which I got in a right flap rigging putting the mast the wrong side of the
cams and had to start again. I then struggled to get in my wetsuit, they
always shrink when you haven’t worn them for a while, I would just like
to thank Mag for her help and patience in getting me on the water and
taking some great pics too:)
It was very shallow leaving the beach, in fact you could stand over nearly
the whole windsurfing area making it very safe. I was not sure if there
were any fin breaking shallows but I didn’t hit the bottom once although
it gets close in places! What a top venue this is with over a mile to the
windmill and the closer you sailed to the path the flatter the water gets
but to stay in the flat water it was a bit of a beat both ways so not
particularly fast but what great fun. After seeing me off the beach Mag
cleared away board bags and my usual windsurfing debris, then walked the
3km to the mill so I could sail fairly close to her when I spotted her.
She saw several birds and there were loads of people enjoying a breezy
walk/bike/segue/roller skate/scooter with her! I wanted to try for an hour
and did two in this session. When the sun came out it was perfect flying
along in flat water with a mountain backdrop just beautiful:) The locals
who were very friendly liked to drop in by the windmill for a chat which
made a nice gybing place, I tried sailing further down the Mar Menor (this
huge inland sea) but soon learned why the locals were not doing it when I
came to a large net suspended on floats and had to bail out! Then I went
for a fast mile which meant sailing farther out in the windier part of the
lagoon and had my biggest disaster when I hit another net and went off the
back of my board which sailed away. I panicked a bit but after some
frantic swimming I managed to catch up to my board. I was now tangled in
the net but I escaped eventually and headed back to the shore for a rest
and a bite to eat with Mag who was reading her book on the beach almost
completely sheltered from the wind. We were then entertained by a man
having fun on a motorised surfboard – we also saw four brilliant green
ringed Parakeets flying along the beach!! :)
Rested I went out at two and didn’t return until four, the wind had
increased a bit but swung a little making staying in the flatter water
harder! There were now loads of kites out especially right in the corner, a
good spot to learn and there must have been at least 20 sailors out during
the day:)
So, no great speeds, I made 27 kts by going really broad over the swell but
I did 106 km (63 miles) and had three hours of 18,16 and 15 kts so a great
day was had by all:)
Back at the van had a wash, packed up and rested, an hour reading and
watching the sailing action before Mag and I went for a nice walk along the
prom to the town even if it was a bit chilly. Back home for filled pasta
and a cracking night on ‘Brits abroad’ Spectrum fm. They play all the
songs from our era and we know all the words!! We have invented a game of
naming the tune before they start singing! Sad I know. What a top
day:)
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