Sunday 26th June - Windsurf ***** - River Orwell at Levington – sunny and warm.

Longboard Fin – 23.66 knot max (LB year PB), 21.89 knot ave.,(LB year PB), 14.98 knot hour, 19.58 knot mile, 55.89 km., 14.32 knot alpha (LB year PB).

Fanatic Cat with Tushingham Lightning 8.5m and 39 fin.

After two pretty full-on windsurfing sessions in a row with some big seas I was keen to head over to Levington Marina in search of some flatter water today. Especially as I got a message from foiling mate Robert saying he was back from a fortnights walking/biking and was keen to get out on the Orwell too. To make the most of a 10.50 high tide we agreed to meet up at nine but I was a little delayed after putting the world to right with our lovely neighbour. So Robert was already there when I arrived as was another foiler Andy M and there was pretty of water a a good breeze from the south, it looked windy enough to shortboard but I went for the easier to sail longboard once again and am glad I did as had another top session on it:) Shortie on again as it was sunny and warm, with my favourite 8.5 rigged I set off with my original plan to sail up to the Orwell Bridge but the wind was patchy that way so headed back to the really strong wind on the straight leading to Felixstowe docks. It was a pretty intense two mile beat against the tide in winds probably gusting over 20 knots but such good fun but not many yachts out today. I landed just short of Shotley marina to take a few pics and was really looking forward to several brood reaches back. First, I had to wait for a small coaster to pass before setting off with the track back and the daggerboard up. The first reaches the wind had eased but I found it again closer to Levington and was pleased to make nearly 24 knots with some OK gybing too. With the wind up I carried onto Pin Mill as I saw someone winging from Nacton Shores which turned out to be local Steve Miller and stopped for a chat before beating back with the wind strong in places. I had some nice runs across the corner with one more run up river but the tide had turned which really roughed up the river so I decided to call it a day, shame really as it smoothed off as the tide dropped. Mag was coming over on her newly modified electric mountain bike, its maiden outing! She had not arrived yet so was able to get a shower and Mag had arrived and was chatting to Robert:) She had brought lunch which we enjoyed watching the river action including an old barge, always nice to see. So, another great windsurf, that’s three in a row, hopefully lighter winds tomorrow and hopefully I can fit my electric wheel, can’t wait, who knows I might even get no new foil this week???

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