2 categories

LOC training at Pinnaroo in a nice 18-22K seabreeze.

First go on the new 8.4 TR8.  Teamed with the trusty Futura 111 + 40 Choco weedy. 

Usually I'd opt for the 7.6 in these conditions, but I've been hanging to try out the 8.4 since I took delivery pre-Xmas.  Rigged with my new 230 Maui boom the sail felt a bit heavy through the gybes (boom is no lightweight at 3.8kg), but super stable in the gusts...no backhand pressure at all, just great acceleration.

A bit more west in the breeze than usual, which made it easier to tack up to the breakwater and go for some nice long port tack bearaways.  Nowhere near lit enough to nudge 30K, but happy with a near-27 NM on the big rig.

Only had an hour and a quarter for my sesh, but pleased to get some ocean time in.  Heading to Lano on Monday, looking forward to more time on this combo. 

http://www.ka72.com/viewge.aspx?fid=22711&tid=0

Pelican Point, WA, AU 18-20 knots

85 Sonic, 5.7 Firefly, 32 Vector - gybe practice, and I was having fun until until I put my harness hook violently through the deck . I had forgotten how much fun the Firefly is to sail with.  Then I changed to 70L waveboard with 38 Vector. A fun little board which I had never used before but not enough volume for the conditions. Skips along nicely with enough wind.

Melville Beach, WA, AU

Windy when I arrived so used Iso 76 with 6.5m Turbo and 28 fin, but wind dropped so changed to Iso 101 with 33 fin.

I tried a waist harness which was good for free leg movement, but couldn't get balanced and back started to ache, so swapped back to my usual seat harness which then seemed much better by comparison. I wear a boyancy vest, and the waist harness was too high for that; pushed it up whereas the seat harness holds it down. Interesting to try though.

4 categories

First session for 2012 after my intervention. Happy New Year to all.

Dutchies

Rider x-onshore, combat 5.4

Lancelin, WA, AU

7.8 changing between the 102 and 111