On the water by about 2.30pm, with the 4.7 and 85 litre. I wasn't totally convinced the sail would be big enough (I'd rigged for an "increasing" wind forecast) - however Bob was already planing nicely on his new 5.5, so I was optimistic! I needn't have worried, as my kit was spot on - nicely powered without being overpowered, so I had a really comfy, enjoyable session in the lumps and bumps.
After about an hour the wind dropped slightly - enough for me to come off the plane
! So an enforced rest on the beach followed before it kicked in slightly again. Had a second good session out in the (by now) much larger bumps, and stayed well away from the shoreline breaking waves! Stopped shortly before high tide.The high tide signalled a drop in the wind. So I waited around for the tide to drop and the wind to pick up - the wind did not pick up sufficiently for my 4.7. I nevertheless spent far too long being bashed about by large waves in the shallows, trying unsuccessfully to get planing and off the shoreline! I'll put it down to my sail being far too small by then! I couldn't be bothered to rig the 5.5, so it was a little disappointing not to be able to sail the outgoing tide some more
Nigel was there, and Adrian was out on the green and black kite, plus quite a few of the beach regulars.
As to the Vgrip boom trial (courtesy of Rich, Windsurfers World
):- really enjoyed my two blasting sessions with it. It felt very solid (stiff?), and I felt I was holding the boom very lightly just by hooking fingers over it. It felt nice in the hands to gybe too
- I do now have blisters on my hands in places I don't normally get windsurfing blisters. Whether my hands need to toughen up in places not needed before, or whether it was due to fighting the rig whilst being bashed in shallows, I'm not sure. I think it is the latter.
Anyway - very keen to try it out for a second session
Sue
