Owner:
Harry
Member
Member#: 186 Location: Registered: 14-04-2003 Diary Entries: 418
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13th July 2004
Windsurfing: Hillhead Wind Direction: W Wind Stength: 12-20 knots Surf / Sea State: Flat Air Temperature: 19ºC Sea Temperature: 15ºC Weather: Overcast then sunny Max Speed: Distance Covered:
Felt I really needed a sail today for exercise and to take my mind off
"domestic issues". Martin was busy moving house so it was gonna have to be
an on me lonesome session. Should have given Gwyn a ring; he phoned my
mobile whilst I was on the water, I'm assuming to ask if I wanted to go for
a sail.
Arrived Salterns 3.30pm. Wind was marginal as expected, so rigged the big
kit. As I was pulling on my wetsuit though, noticed the wind was picking up
a good 4-5 knots. Couldn't be arsed to change down, so swapped to the
smaller fin and went out, even though I knew I would be mahussively
overpowered.
Which I was. One short run out and back - no way. So had to suffer the long
walk back over the stones (t'was low tide) and de-rig. Mucho hassle very
annoying. Wind was definitely right for the Bee now, but couldn't decide
between the 6.0 and the 5.2. That gap in my quiver is just a bit too big.
In the end went for the 5.2. Downhaul snapped whilst rigging ARRRGGGHHH
that stupid Naish extension so badly designed why did they make it so that
the rope rubs right against the cleat whilst tensioning? NP extensions are
sooooo much better. Good thing I have the NP extension at least I could use
the rope from that one, although it took bloody ages trying to thread it
into the Naish extension.
Grrrrr so much hassle, 40 minutes of faffing, didn't get out again until
5pm. But at least I had chosen correctly. Perfectly powered on the 5.2 at
the start, and loving the smooth ride on the Bee. Thought this was too good
to be true...and it was. After half-an-hour of very enjoyable blasting,
wind started to drop off. Underpowered grrrrr. Strangely had little trouble
getting planing on the way out, but could not get going at all on the way
back in. Drifted.....and drifted.....and drifted..... Ended up literally
miles downwind from my launch point, way beyond the hovercraft. Result: the
longest walk-of-shame ever. Must have been a good half-an-hour. Quality
effort.
Normally walk-of-shame heralds end-of-session, but I couldn't help but
noticing whilst walking back that the wind seemed to be picking up again.
Eventually got back to the car and thought sod it, the sun is shining, wind
seems to be back, don't wanna end the session on a bad note, I'm
cream-crackered but I'll risk it. So back to the water and yes got going
again straight away - nice. Wasn't that good though still a bit
underpowered, still having trouble getting going on the way back in, always
just trying to slog upwind when I did get planing so no fun really. Drifted
a short way again so walk-of-shame number two when I finally called it a
day around 7.30pm, albeit only a 5 minute effort this time.
Would have been a quality session if I had thrown up the 6.0. Ho-hum never
mind still good to get out and all that pumping to get planing plus walking
meant I got a proper good work-out.
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