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A test of a speed run off of the small Fijian island of Nananu-I-Ra. The run is on the downwind side of a large coral reef with prevailing SE trade winds blowing across it.

On the day we unfortunately didn't have enough wind to do it justice - only about 18 knots at best - and with the tide a little high, so the run wasn't as flat as it might have been. Still, great to cruise down nearly 4km of fairly smooth water with sparkling deep blue on one side and coral beneath about 70cm of crystal clear tropical water on the other side.

The run has great potential with the prevailing SE trade winds, combined with a good low tide over the coral to make for a long smooth run - and should get a good testing this August with Safari Lodge owner Warren Francis's planned speed fortnight. It should be good for some great top speeds, some smoking NMs and with the wind square to the run will be great for fast alphas and 1hrs.

We accessed the run using one of Warren's Fijian long boats which easily fitted my board and two rigged up sails. His bigger long boats should fit up to 8 rigs or so.

With the light wind I had trouble getting my 63L Lorch Div S speed board onto the plane and was underpowered with a 5.7m 2010 NP Hellcat. Safari Lodge last year kitted up with a wide range of 2010 NP sails and JP boards but doesn't yet have dedicated speed gear. In future I would take over some speed sails.