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Wednesday 13^th June – windsurf *** Llanfairfechan – cloudy and cooler.

F2 282 Ride with Tushingham Lightning 6.5 – wind ssw? 15 to 25 mph

26.35 knot max., 24.43 knot ave., 9.13 knot hour, 20.00 knot mile, 25.40 km., 14.94 knot alpha.

Another good night parked along the sea front in North Wales at Llanfairfechan. Had arranged with Steve Carter, a former Felixstowe windsurfer who has now moved back to Wales, to meet up and hopefully sail.  With this being his local spot and with wind building in the afternoon from the South he thought that perhaps Rhosneigr would be the best bet. That is one of the UK’s premier waves venues and is a half an hour drive on the Island of Anglesey. It was high tide here about eleven and then it goes out a long way so it was not ideal in Llanfairfechan but although cross off it looked sailable.  I messaged Steve who came down and said we could give it a try. I moved up to the café carpark and rigged 6.5 while Steve went for 6m. By the time we were ready the wind had swung even more off so it was difficult to know the conditions. Steve was first out and wobbled off the beach.  It took him a long time to reach the wind band. It didn’t look windy now so I delayed my launch for a few minutes. I decided to risk it in the end and went for it.  I was soon planing out in Conwy Bay. The wind was shifty and gusty with a lumpy sea but I was just pleased to be out on the water after missing a few weeks as we are away having a fantastic time in our little VW campervan exploring the UK but I had missed loads of great days at my home spot of Felixstowe! With the wind supposed to be building to 40 mph+ later I took my chance and sailed the four miles over to Anglesey, my first ever visit to the island:) I saw a fishing Gannat on the way, had to avoid a large underwater obstruction before landing on a small beach where I picked a stone for Mag as a souvenir. I took it fairly easy on the return as I didn’t want to break anything but made it back safely. Steve was packing up because of the poor conditions and was heading to Rhosneigr but I decided to stay here. Mag had made a top salad lunch then I decided to try again sadly with the tide dropping and the wind increasing the sea was all but unsailable, a short confused horrible chop so I decided to call it a day. While changing there was some really big gusts so I think I made the right decision. We moved back to the quiet end of the prom and with the wind still cross off we are fairly sheltered so fingers crossed for a quiet night! One sailor walked out to sail while we had a cuppa but didn’t last long, then two more made the really long walk out with what looked like 4.2’s to find what water was left in the bay but it was a long way. There must be a speed course formed by Dutchman’s Bank but I couldn’t see it today. The locals had an OK hour or so while we had a yummy Lidl lasagne. The big winds are coming in the night and we might be able to get out here again with Steve in the morning but my smallest sail is 6m so will have to wait and see? Went for a short walk to the end of the prom but it was chilly so quickly returned to the comfort of the van!

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