Froggy
Beach Bum 
Member #: 62 Posts 20
Registered: 28-9-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 28-9-2002 at 17:44 |
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Hi from Froggy
Just a quick Hi. Just found the site during a no-wind afternoon. I really must find something to do (other than DIY) on those windless
weekends. I've windsurfed for years, but never really got up to the carving stage. I blame the kit. Anyway, I like the odd surfing
session and have recently got a small power kite (stacker 6) to "test the water" before having a go at kitesurfing. You might see me
about here a bit, as I dont know anyone who windsurfs anymore.
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justal
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| posted on 28-9-2002 at 20:01 |
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Hi Froggy,
Good to see you here. Glad you like the site. Where are you based and where do you normally sail?? What kit have you got if you 'blame
the kit'...I do the same with my old HEAVY Hifly 265, mind you, its recently learnt to carve gybe, so it is possible to teach an 'old
dog' new tricks... If you can call a basic Carve gybe a 'new trick'.
Anyway, good to have you onboard...hopefully see you on the water sometime.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Froggy
Beach Bum
Member #: 62 Posts 20
Registered: 28-9-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 29-9-2002 at 10:20 |
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Hi Al,
I'm based in Cheltenham, and due to time, most of my sailing tends to be on the local "muddy puddles" in Worcester, Bredon or South
Cerney. I work part of the week in London so am temped to (although not done it yet) sail at Queenmary or Datchet reservoirs. Most of
my sailing is on inland waters, so I do find sea sailing a bit different, especially when I'm on my own. Other places I go to when time
allows: LLandegford res, Poole, Weymouth, Gower, Bigbury, Ullswater. perhaps once a year each.
Kit these days is an old bic Vivace, although I bought a old Strapper last year (Australian), which is supposed to go like a rocket,
but I've not got it going yet! Sails: Tush, Simmer, Pryde.
I'm also kind of temped to go for a whole set of new kit: Mistral Radar, Tush tBird.... any experience with either?
Cheers
Froggy
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justal
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| posted on 29-9-2002 at 16:47 |
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I know Cheltenham fairly well, and have sailed at most of the locations you mentioned. South Cerney used to be one of my regular haunts
and it was one of the first places I learnt to sail a short-board in the harness and the straps....Unfortunately I had to turn around
as soon as I got comfortable and the turning bit was a different story. I then moved onto bigger and better places and sailed mainly at
Portland, before moving to West Wales where I learnt to sail in waves.
Your kit doesn't sound too bad I'm afraid, so I don't know if you can use it as an excuse!  And I haven't tried any of the kit you mentioned, although I have tried quite a few boards this year.
I know what you mean about sailing on the sea, its definately a completely different game to sailing on flat water, but stick with it,
because once you get the hang of it properly, there'll be no tunring back. It took me ages, but then one day I just relaxed a bit more
and off I went. Now i just can't get enough of it.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Froggy
Beach Bum
Member #: 62 Posts 20
Registered: 28-9-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 29-9-2002 at 18:37 |
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Yes OK, I know I shouldnt blame the kit, but I think it's come a long way in the last few years, and if nothing else, an "upgrade"
might encourage me to get out more.
Until end of last year I had an alpha 110(L) which almost put me off windsurfing altogether. I just couldnt get the thing going unless
it was blowing 4+, it was soo unstable otherwise. So most of the time it just me off. The Vivace I paid £60 (!) for at the
end of last year and is a bit more accepting of varied conditions. A slightly larger (wider?) board might mean I can sail in a wider
range of conditions. - and enjoy it!
I did go out this afternoon at worcester just pratting about, as the wind was somewhat variable. A trip to the coast is a day's worth
and takes more planning (or planing) with family and stuff, but I really should do it.
Froggy
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justal
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| posted on 29-9-2002 at 20:20 |
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An Alpha hey...that must have been pretty old. Mind you, none of my boards get going until Force 4+, actually I don't really bother
until its force.
The new kit has come on a lot in the last few years though, but short and fat isn't always better as most of the short, widestyle
modern boards become pretty horrible to sail once the wind gets up and the water gets choppy. An old fashinoned, longer, thinner
Freeride board still has more all-round appeal once the winds enoough to get planing. They are also generally faster...And if it only
cost £60, just think of the satisfaction you get when you sail past someone on a brand spanking new £800 board!!!
Do you ever sail at Weston???...That wouldn't take too much planning from Cheltenham, just a quick dash along the motorways...you would
have to plan it around the tides though.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Froggy
Beach Bum
Member #: 62 Posts 20
Registered: 28-9-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 29-9-2002 at 20:45 |
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I think I'll make a garden ornament out of the alpha!
I suppose the ideal is to have a couple of boards that suit everything from: "I'm here now and although its crap I may as well sail" to
ideal blasting conditions (which seem to be too few and far between).
I'm hoping that the tatty 'ole Strapper should prove exciting, but I just havent had the wind to get it going yet. I picked it up from
an on-line auction at boattastic.com before it disappeared.
Western, no, never sailed there. You're right though its only 45 mins away, but as I'd need to plan things a bit with the tides
otherwise its a long walk back through the mud.
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justal
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| posted on 29-9-2002 at 20:52 |
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Weston can be well worth it though...Don't swallow too much water, and stop sailing when the locals do and you should be OK... It would
be a good location to get into wave a bit as well, as they aren't too big and mean there, the wind is usually onshore(ish) so its
pretty safe and theres usually a few people around to watch/get tips from.
A bit like Borth really, just without the naked Hula girls and constant trade winds!...Shh, don't tell everyone about the 'Hula Girls
of Borth' or the place will get far too crowded. 
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Froggy
Beach Bum
Member #: 62 Posts 20
Registered: 28-9-2002 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 29-9-2002 at 21:01 |
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Hula girls eh? - I'm on the way!
Although I didnt see any last time I was in Borth. That was for a weekend of sand yachting about 4 years ago - great fun. Stayed at the
YHA place.
Yeh , I really should give weston a go, and start to get into a bit of wave sailing.
Froggy
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk