Saturday 24th September - Windsurf **** - River Stour at Wrabness – sunny.

Foil – 21.17 knot max, (year PB) 19.65 knot ave .,(PB) 13.59 knot hour, 17.98 knot mile,(spot and year PB) 53.02 km ., 15.51 knot alpha. (spot PB)

Starboard Freeride 150 and an Evolution Freeride foil with a Sailworks Retro 7.5.

With the wind from the North today there was only one venue the lovely River Stour at Wrabness and with high water at Mistley at 12.13 it was a fairly early start with fingers crossed the wind played ball! Mag came once again as she likes a walk collecting blackberries of as today some yummy apples. We arrived and parked easily being the only one there at this point but was joined by two wingers and a foiler later, being their first visit to the Stour! It can be chilly with the wind from the north especially this time of the year but as it was lovely and sunny it was fine; my foil board was quickly set up while Mag collected the apples before having, her breakfast in the van. It did not look overly windy out on the river so took a chance with 7.5 which was OK most of the time although there were some pretty big gusts when 6.5 would have been better but overall, the bigger sail was the better choice especially when it went a little patchy late when the tide turned! Jason sailing just upriver from Bradfield was on the wate just before me today but he had to pack up at 11 so was thee even earlier than me! I launched at 9.50 with plenty of water but still had to walk 100m to get deep water with Mag watching with the camera before she set off for, her walk towards Wrabness along the beach before returning along the beautiful footpath completely covered by an arch of hedges:) I had a few runs upriver to Bradfield in some good wind, I did consider returning to change down but carried on even though gybing the bigger sail is a little harder! With the wind up I had a long 5.5 mile run up to Parkstone quay to take some pics of the ships and what a top run back it was too, the water is smoother in this section of river with the wind in this direction and I ended up past Bradfield again but there was a few out down this way so beat back to Holbrook bay where it was nice and quiet and I set about tying to beak 20 knots, in fact I did it 5 times with a yeas best top speed of 21.17 with an all-time PB average of 19.65, another step closer to a 20 knot average which is what I am aiming for with this big foil before I consider getting some smaller wings, my tail wing is particularly large which must slow you down but really helps with gybing so am in no hurry as loving the Starboard Freeride set-up:) I had another look at the Sam Ross video about sailing faster by bending the knees to weight the rig and it certainly helped add an extra knot or two! I got a few OK gybes including a spot PB so was pleased at the way the big sail went even if it is not the best at going upwind but I am not racing anyone so am not bothered! I also got my years best mile with three over 17 knots which was OK with the wind a little up and down. I was regularly getting over 20 knots but when the tide turned the wind went really patchy so decided to call it a day returning for lunch with Mag. Then pack up, we took the longer scenic route back past Alton water and the Orwell bridge and home, we hoped to visit an Aunt in Ipswich but she was out so continued home!

Top day in the sunshine with Monday/Tuesday looking particularly breeze, so probably back on the Stour Monday and I hope to go to Levington on Tuesday to save some mileage, fingers crossed!

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