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Friday 21^st July – Windsurf ***** The Dip – Felixstowe – sunny and hot:)

26.35 kt. max., 24.56 kt. ave., 22.97 kt mile, 34.60 km., 10.08 kt hr., 15 kt alpha.

After yesterday’s heavy rain and wind all over the place it returned today for the third windsurf of the week and another 5-star session:) The SE 20 kts is probably perfect for Felixstowe and I was down at ten which probably not the best time as it was high water but the sun was out so I couldn’t resist and although it was high there was enough beach to launch. Nathen C and Michael G had already rigged 5m but I checked the gauge and it wasn’t that windy, onshore is deceiving never as strong as you think. With 17/20 mph I took a chance with 6.5 on my 282 while Neil rigged 6.9, Craig 6.5,Roger 6.5 Chris 6m, Paul 5.4 so all sorts of kit on the water. The small sails seemed under to me so I was hoping the 6.5 would be ok and it was until the wind disappeared late afternoon!

Got off the beach with no problem and set course towards the River Deben fairly close to the shore, it gets really interesting near the river with some top waves:) The wild water continues for quite away before smoothing out further into Bawdsey bay, it was great gybing conditions:) After a few shortish runs with Peter Cutts snapping away I decided to go for it! I beat for over a mile into Bawdsey bay then turned and headed down the coast, it was pretty rough but you could sail fairly slow making all the way to The Manor Martello Tower safely getting past the very bumpy section at Jacobs ladder with big waves breaking over the sea defences! The wind went a little light right at the end so I wobbled ashore for a rest.

With my arms recovered it set off on the 3.50-mile broad reach back and oh what fun that was, it is the smallest kit I have done this run with:) I was still too lumpy to go really fast but peaked ay over 26kts and got an OK mile. I was getting rather a long way offshore but turned and made it back to The Dip safely – what a top trip, shame I did it alone – needed Swainy there for some company!

Sandwich time and the carpark was now full Rogers wife Maureen had returned from shopping and they had some sad news as their lovely old black Labrador was put down yesterday – it’s always so hard to lose a pet that has shared your life for many years:(

Peter now rigged 6.6 so I went out again and had some fun in the wild water then trying to go fast in Bawdsey Bay but couldn’t get any faster than 26kts but great fun trying! Mark Smalling turns up says it’s too rough, talks for a couple of hours then rigs 7.3 and 130lt, it then drops more so he rigs 8.7 on the 145 lt and the wind disappeared completely! :( Me and Neil have rigged big but not enough to get going so Maureen makes several of us a cuppa and we enjoy a chat in the sunshine:) Mag didn’t make it down today as doing the garden of a friend and I actually manage to get home by 5!

So, three sessions in a week including two of 5 stars – top week :)

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