justal
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| posted on 7-8-2003 at 06:40 |
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FON beach meet 4/5th Oct
We're organising a Forces-of-Nature 'trip' to Borth for the weekend of October 4th-5th 2003. (we'll make it a long weekend if anyone
can manage that.
As usual, everyone is welcome, bring all your toys, and hopefully we'll have some wind and waves so that we can use them.
I've decided to give you all plenty of warning this time so that we can hopefully get a decent number of people here. It means that we
have no idea what the forecast will be, but it would be nice just to get us all together so that we can put some faces to the names
from these forums.
If the weather isn't suitable we can always find something to do, and theres always the BBQ and pub options if all else fails!!... So
put your name down and come along whatever the forecast throws at us closer to the time (it's bound to be wrong anyway!)
The plan will be to meet on the beach during the day, or in the Friendship pub (Borth) in the evening.
Let us know here if you'll be coming.
I'll post some general Borth info for those who don't know the place soon, and some accomodation info if anyone needs it.
Alternatively check this thread for some info.
Hope to see you all here for Oct 3rd-6th.
Al.
P.S. Sorry I haven't organised any trips away from Borth so far this year, but my van has been pretty much out of action as a
travelling toybox as we don't have a house at the mo, so lots of stuff is stored in it, meaning theres no room for me and Anna!!
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badexcuseforasailor
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| posted on 7-8-2003 at 18:38 |
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Ive just booked Saturday night at the yha at borth. Would like to make it a long weekend but don't have anymore time to book off of
work 
Maybe I shall be feeling sick nearer the time 
What are the tides doing that weekend Al?
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justal
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| posted on 7-8-2003 at 20:59 |
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Tides are as follows:
Fri HT 2.25pm
Sat HT 4.10pm
Sun HT 5.40pm
They are all very small neap tides as well, so if theres wind we'll be able to sail all day from the seafront, or pretty much all day
in the estuary too.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
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Joe
Pro  
Member #: 27 Posts 76
Registered: 1-8-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: hanging loose
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| posted on 8-8-2003 at 07:20 |
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Hi everyone,
I would love to come to the Borth beach meet but cannot make it that weekend. Could we agree to appoint another weekend in October, say
the 11th/12th?
I'm sure there's a lot more wind then, too 
Joe
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Spencer
A Force-of-Nature * 
Member #: 250 Posts 282
Registered: 17-6-2003 Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 8-8-2003 at 17:33 |
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Yeah cool,im up for that, If we start praying to the Wind Gods now we should be alright 
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ajdesq
A Force-of-Nature * 
F-O-N Champion 2003
Member #: 6 Posts 214
Registered: 24-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Living to kitesurf :-)
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| posted on 9-8-2003 at 00:55 |
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I don't know how to break this guys, but I'm coming too. I'm really
sorry.
I know you'd like it to be windy, but I must give the place a go... 
Maybe you could all cancel out my wind jinx?
Will be bringing the caravan so guess I'll just find a site nearby. If there's any other Trailer Trash out there, let me know.
On the last thread there was a load of campsite choices. Has anyone checked them out in the meantime and can recommend one, or any to
avoid??? I'll proabaly be making it quite a long weekend, maybe a week or so.
Laters! 
Andrew
[Edited on 9-8-2003 by ajdesq]
[Edited on 9-8-2003 by ajdesq]
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justal
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| posted on 9-8-2003 at 04:16 |
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quote:
Originally posted by Joe
Hi everyone,
I would love to come to the Borth beach meet but cannot make it that weekend. Could we agree to appoint another weekend in October, say
the 11th/12th?
I'm sure there's a lot more wind then, too
Joe
Joe, I'm easy, but the tides aren't so good that weekend. HT is at 9.30am and a pretty big tide too (5.1m), which would mean sailing
from 7am if theres an Easterly and we're sailig in the estuary.... Not a problem for me, and its what we did last time, so I know its
not a problem for some of the other guys. An evening session wouldn't be any good in the estuary either as sunset is around 6.30pm.
BEFS has already booked his accomodation for the 4th as well, so I guess if he'd rather change weekends and everyone else could make
the 11th/12th as well then we could change the dates....
The other thing is, the 4th/5th coincides with the Borth Surf Competition... Not sure if this is a good thing or not. It will mean that
there will be a few things going on both on the beach and in the pub, and that there will be quite a few surfers about (Some of them
pretty good!). It will also mean that some of the F-O-N members could enter the competition if they so wished...
It could of course result in a conflict of interests if theres a big SW blowing and we want to windsurf from the Lifeboat Station,
which in such conditions would be where they would hold the surf contest.
SO... We'll probably go for the 4/5th, unless a number of other people (including BEFS) would prefer the 11th/12th weekend.. Of course,
you can still come along on the 11th/12th and I'll be around so we can enjoy the 'better winds'!!!
Let the people decide!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
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Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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badexcuseforasailor
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| posted on 9-8-2003 at 21:07 |
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Ive booked hostel for 4/5 oct now. 11 /12 wouldn't be good for me with my shift parttern as it means going back to work at 5am on the
Monday morning.
Should be good to see how proper surfers do it 
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justal
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| posted on 10-8-2003 at 06:43 |
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OK... It'll have to be the 4-5th then, as I said, the tides are better then anyway. I haven't decided whether or not to enter the surf
competition myself yet.
Joe, you'll just have to come along on your own on the 11th-12th. Lets hope theres wind on both weekends..
For those of you still trying to decide, Borth is a 4 mile long sandy beach that faces west. The surf can be OK and sometimes really
good, but the conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and land-based beach sports are perfect. The hard packed wide sandy beach is just
excellent for kite-buggying, land-yatching etc. Windsurfing is possible in any wind direction, with SSW through to NNW being best on
the seafront. These winds provide perfect bump and jump conditions or onshore wave-sailing conditions. If a big SW is blowing then it
does get big and gnarly, but under such conditions we tend to sail from the Lifeboat Station at the south of the beach where the cliffs
provide a little protection and the waves are smaller and cleaner.
Occasionally dead Southerly or Northerly winds provide cross-shore sailing. These (especially the southerlies) can be accompanied by
waves, or can be fairly flat. SE winds can be OK and provide some cross-offshore wave-sailing on rare occassions, but the wind is often
gusty. NE and Easterly winds are sailable on the sefront, but we tend to head to the estuary at Ynyslas in these wind directions as the
valley there funnels the wind increasing it by at least 10 knots, and often more like 20 knots. It can often produce good 5m sailing
conditions when everywhere is still. The water state in here is anything from mirrot smooth to mad confused chop.
Kitesurfing is possible from both the sea front or in the estuary.
Its rarely busy here, anythign more than 10 people on the water is unusual, and theres usually just one or two. There should be a few
more people around on the 4-5th though due to the surf competition. (If you feel like entering there a prize draw of all entrants to
win a weeks trip to Indonesia!!, along with contest prizes of boards, wetsuits etc.)
The town itself is fairly small and rarely busy. There are three pubs, a couple of general stores and lots of campsites to choose from.
The Youth Hostel is pretty good for acommodation too.
Hope I've convinced you to come along.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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justal
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| posted on 10-8-2003 at 07:00 |
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quote:
Originally posted by ajdesq
Will be bringing the caravan so guess I'll just find a site nearby. If there's any other Trailer Trash out there, let me know.
On the last thread there was a load of campsite choices. Has anyone checked them out in the meantime and can recommend one, or any to
avoid??? I'll proabaly be making it quite a long weekend, maybe a week or so.
Laters!
Andrew
Andrew, try getting hold of Stevebus (from these forums). He comes here fairly regularly with a motorhome that he parks up in a
campsite each night. I'm not sure which one he uses though, but there are quite a few that welcome tourers. I'm not the best person to
ask about such tings though as living here means I have little need to use a local caravan site.
Let me know closer to the time whether you'll be up the week before or the week after... I guess it depends on the weather forecast
really... If theres wind I'll be able to arrange the odd session! 
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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ajdesq
A Force-of-Nature *
F-O-N Champion 2003
Member #: 6 Posts 214
Registered: 24-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Living to kitesurf :-)
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| posted on 17-8-2003 at 03:38 |
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Hmmm... booking ain't my thang anyway. I'll prob turn up a week or so before, just pitch up somewhere then tell the world where it's
at. Or not, as the case may be
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SeanBo
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 135 Posts 337
Registered: 9-2-2003 Location: Poole Member Is Offline Mood: Optimistic!
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| posted on 17-8-2003 at 07:55 |
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I'm not a booking person either, but when we went to Borth earlier this year we tried 4 sites before we found one that had space!
I suggest you at least get a list before you go so that you can easily drive from one to another when you get there.
Its a shame we probably won't be there as it would be interesting to get a first hand account of your travels whilst sat on the beach
waiting for the wind, but then if you really are a wind jinx, maybe I am better staying at home
[Edited on 17-8-2003 by SeanBo]
Is there wind on the way??
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SeanBo
A Force-of-Nature **
Member #: 135 Posts 337
Registered: 9-2-2003 Location: Poole Member Is Offline Mood: Optimistic!
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| posted on 17-8-2003 at 08:00 |
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Yeeehhhaaaahhhhhh....i'm a force of nature!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just goes to show how little I have been sialing that I can post so much on here!
Al, why is there a * after force of nature? Don't tell me there is a star rating for those of us who are a FON
Is there wind on the way??
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justal
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| posted on 18-8-2003 at 05:41 |
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Yep...well spotted. I added that yesterday morning. You're still a force-of-nature, but those with even more posts, get stars as
well....
You'll also get another gold star as well, up to a total of 8!!. I thought 5 gold stars just wasn't enough for some of you!!
I didn't realise the campsites here were so busy. I know its quite busy at the moment, but it never really seems THAT busy either in
town, on the roads or on the beach. I should imagine things will have eased off a bit by October as well, which of course means it may
be worth phoning a few places just to make sure they are still open!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
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Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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ajdesq
A Force-of-Nature *
F-O-N Champion 2003
Member #: 6 Posts 214
Registered: 24-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Living to kitesurf :-)
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| posted on 20-8-2003 at 15:56 |
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Does anyone know when half term is?
I'll book if it's half term, otherwise shannae bother. I'm in both caravan clubs so have a huge choice of 'certified' sites too. (yeah,
roll on the jokes!)
I managed not to kill the wind in the Gorge so there is hope for Borth if I turn up. Just don't mention Nitnat!
You're at Poole, eh, Seanbo? I may just stop off on the way anyway, so look out. UK tour is 20/9-2/11.
Still, overheard one comment in the US to someone moaning about a bad session on a bad day with bad wind. Their mate listened, smiled,
and simply said:
"That's windsurfing!"
There's more to life than KITESURFING!
Let me know when you find it.
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SeanBo
A Force-of-Nature **
Member #: 135 Posts 337
Registered: 9-2-2003 Location: Poole Member Is Offline Mood: Optimistic!
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| posted on 20-8-2003 at 18:31 |
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ajdesq
Let me know if/when you are coming to Poole and we can stand on the beach and complain about the lack of wind together
Sean
(PS 1st sprog due 7-9-03 so I may not be 100% reliable at the mo)
Is there wind on the way??
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justal
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| posted on 21-8-2003 at 21:16 |
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I've just heard rumours that Boardwise may be joining us here in Borth on this weekend and having a demo day here.
I'm not sure if its true yet, but it should be pretty cool for us if they do as it will mean we can try out all the new kit and not
even have to rig any of it ourselves!!!
Still bring all your own toys though just in case this information is false. I did phone them the other day asking if they could do a
demo day here this year and I was told they weren't going to, but maybe they've changed their minds.
Is anyone else coming other than BEFS, Spencer and ajdesq?
Dazzamuffin told me on the beach that he'll be here, I take it Steve will be (if theres no important footbal match), and I assume Dave
and 'Alex' will be here too. MartinF sounded interested in a recent e-mail as well, and if Boardwise do get a demo-day orgainsed for
the same weekend then the place should be pretty busy.
I just hope we get as much wind as there is out there at the moment.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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badexcuseforasailor
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| posted on 21-8-2003 at 21:25 |
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I don't have much luck with demo days and wind Ive yet to have any wind on a demo day lets hope this is the first.
http://brogboroughlake.windsurf.me.uk/
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MartinF
Pro
Worst Wipeout Award 2003
Member #: 72 Posts 79
Registered: 28-10-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: needing time out
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| posted on 23-8-2003 at 21:07 |
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Hi AL,
I've got the dates noted & intend to attend.
Any half decent, inexpensive B&B's around? May be too cool for a tent
Cheers,
Martin
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justal
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| posted on 24-8-2003 at 06:23 |
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There are, but I've never actually stayed in any of them as I've never had the need to. Someone else may be able to tell you which ones
they have experienced or are better than others.
I'll look up a list of them with phone numbers for you though and post them here. The other option which is apparently quite good is
the youth Hostel which is where BEFS is staying. He'll tell you all about it as he stayed there last time.
It'll be good to see you again and lets hope that one day at Overcombe has broken our wind jinx!!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk