Owner:
mas
Member
Member#: 7693 Location: Registered: 29-06-2008 Diary Entries: 381
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23rd July 2020
Windsurfing: Bradfield Wind Direction: SW Wind Stength: 5-20kts Surf / Sea State: flat Air Temperature: warm Sea Temperature: warm Weather: Sunny Max Speed: 17.5 kts (knots - unless stated otherwise) Distance Covered: 12.6 nm (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise)
As usual plan to be Bradfield early 11 ish turned up 12.30 ish with tide
around 3. Thought I had loads of time but nope. Went out for a sprint on
the road bike and decide to clean it and check foil bolts before
leaving.
Loads in the field at Bradders and all foils which is unbelievable compared
to the start of the year. The final fin guy James succumbed to the foil
with a very nice Starboard 150 Foil bd.
Wind had big gusts so started rigging 7.8 against the racers with 9M, but
in the lulls the wind really dropped so went 8.5.
All were on the water be4 me and look to be going well. Dave Coles was
burning the far side water Wrabness to Manningtree and back, where I
headed. Stuart on a 6.4 came in to change down, which was worrying as I
launched! Not falling off much now so went straight up into flying towards
Manningtree and the open flat area on the far side, very nice. Almost all
foilers are tweaking to get the best balance and am in the same mode. Am
now just inch behind mid with mast foot and it looks as if I have found a
good position, as the board was balanced. All straps are more or less out
board set up for upwind and thats my best sailing point - with both feet in
the straps and pretty solid. Tried a gybe which was a disaster as normal,
as I wasn't high enough and the board nose dived as I exited the front
door. Flat water is great and up-hauling easy.
Downwind is my Achilles heels because I am trying to keep both feet in the
straps and just bear off, but the angle is not downwind enough, so have to
take the back foot out and stand in that awkward looking stance, sometimes
not hooked in on the big gusts to stay in control.
Nice day, sun out, then the wind dropped for a few minutes as headed on a
nice downwind run to Wrabness so turned back. James first time out was
struggling and later said this sport is a nightmare! Yep steep learning
curve. Ian was flying well and he has only just started, with Dave
struggling on a Fanatic foil cursing the foil won’t lift even flat out.
Been there and done it, the foil looks too small to me, so the take off
speed is much higher. 135cm mast position was a good position today with
only 3 wipe outs. I came off the water as tide turned and wind dropped,
after a couple of hours, but as always the wind picked up again for 45
mins, bugger. Loads of wind around week end but I may have to be out in the
motor home, so might miss it.
I can now leave the foil fully assembled and leave in the trailer which is
handy.
Foiling is easier on the body, so went for another 10 mile ride with a
couple of mates, who are slower than me which is great! Then out to the
fairground with grand children spending £20 in 10 minutes!
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