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squiz
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Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3091
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1st February 2020
Windsurfing: Levington Wind Direction: W Wind Stength: 15/30 Surf / Sea State: river chop and smooth Air Temperature: 11 Sea Temperature: Weather: sunny Max Speed: 28.20 (knots - unless stated otherwise) Distance Covered: 26 (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise)
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, 24.40 knot mile
(year PB), 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?
Photo Gallery Here
MK booms Here
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