Rocket, and 5.7 Hellcat. Bugger all to write home about, in the straps one only with any comfort,shows no sailing since March this year, breeze to on and off when this unco'd from no skills in the bag.

Came home to a nice how shower, and a hot coffee instead.

1 categories

Crazy session from driving rain to sunshine. I've been playing around trying to get this board to go over the chop a bit better and I think I've got it. My previous sessions at Melville have been topping out at 32 in the chop.

Stoked with a PB especially considering the chop. Last time I did 35 was in flat water at Shark Bay so pretty happy with this one. Most of my other runs where either over powered or under powered so the 5x10 is a bit off.

6.3LB, 86Is, 32 Talon, Melville Beach, WA, AU

Melville Beach, WA, AU 5.9K 74L tabou waveboard

A cautious comeback sail. I was hoping for a gentle sunny 15-20 knots as forecast today, but it was windier than that. I had put in the F111 and the 85 Sonic but it was more like 73L weather. I knew the Mistral speed board could handle the chop but I wasn't ready for it's blistering speed, so I played it safe and put in the old waveboard. It didn't even occur to me to put in a wave sail, but the combo with the 4.9 Koncept was perfect. Comfy, safe, nicely blanced, planing most of the time and fun. I didn't want to stop but was wary of overdoing it early in my recovery. 

No great speeds, but as I wasn't trying for any I am not bothered. Just happy to be on the water again. Good to catch up with some of my GPSTC buddies.

A bit of sunshine would have been nice.

4 categories

Melville Beach, WA, AU

Caught a lucky gust on my first run...the only really powered up run of the day.

I thought I'd try the Isonic with a smaller fin I borrowed from Slowy - super slippery, went sideways a few times but no real scary moments.

Took the M137 for a spin for the last 20 minutes, wow, like a hovercraft over the chop, so smooth (compared to the Isonic) and 33.47 knots - 1.5 knot increase in PB for a board this size - stoked

Isonic 86, CL29,    Mistral 137, CL40,   HSM GPS 6M

3 categories

Morning session at Dutchies on a demo Patrik 85 trailer wave thanks to Steve's Surf Shed. NNW until it switched NW with ballistic rain. Some nice lumps coming through and really fun despite being the other tack.

Interesting concept with a very short 225 with most of the volume forward of the straps and basically a twin with a small central trailing fin.

Three full US fin boxes allow for a variety of set ups.

On the wave it was great! Trucked upwind, stalled nicely at the top and rocketed in to the bottom turn.

Short length was no problem with getting over the white water. Had to make adjustments for the low volume in the tail both on the wave and in the gybe but no real drama.

Coped with the 5.9 S-1 easily and felt good with the 5.3 Kaos.

Only downside was found it hard getting in to the back strap on the way out (however it is set at the furthest back position which may be the problem with my short legs) and so felt a bit sideways.

Thanks to Steve for the loan. Would thoroughly recommend giving one a try if you are after a proper wave board.

Afternoon session with the usual crew at Melville.

LB6.3, is90, GW32

After work sesh at Melville.  By the time I got there it was WSW and very gusty.

Started on the M112 + 7.6 TR9 + 40 Sting, but way too gusty for the 112.

Grabbed the 135 Patrik + 44 F-Hot, which meant I could at least stay afloat in the lulls.

Barely worth the effort, but I managed a few planing runs on the 135.

Not a day for the working class

Tarifa, AL, ES

Not quite as windy as yesterday, slept in and when I got to the club at 12:00 all the 4.2 and 4.7 sails were in use, so had to take a 5.3 and 115l board. Not the gear for the day but after an hour or two the others all came back so swapped to a 4.5 and 85l Joker with a 22cm wave fin. Was actually pretty good in the gusts (a little overcooked in the wildest ones but ok most of the time). Bit too small for the lulls but at worst just sat in the water and waited for the next gust to come. Wild variation in wind from 30K to 5K in seconds. You can see them coming and some of the 30K ones are quite large (especially when offshore). Sailed until about 5:00 with a few rest stops for some fruit and bread.

Feeling a bit taxed by it all today, arms a bit on the tired sign. Nice and sunny most of the time with the odd cloud moving past quickly.

http://www.ka72.com/TrackRecalc.aspx?fid=47715

 Sea state much rougher, a lot of waist \ chest high chop, good for turning on.