Sunday 21st January – Windsurf **** River Orwell at Levington Marina – cloudy and mild.
Foil – 21.34 knot max (spot PB), 18.86 knot ave, 11.07 knot hour, 17.07 knot mile, 37.55 km., 14.96 knot alpha.
Starboard Freeride 150 and a Tushingham Bolt 5.5.
After a run of cold weather where it struggled to get above freezing the wind has swung around to the SW meaning we would get 10 degrees today so I was keen to get out windsurfing. The only trouble Storm Isha was approaching with forecast 50 knot gusts which always makes one nervous especially as I would be the only one out on the River Orwell at Levington! It was not the best tides for the river with high water at 7.35 but you can sail out of the marina entrance channel so no problems. The wind was not too strong when I arrived around ten, the foil board was soon by the water and with the wind gusting to 18 mph I rigged my 5.5, it took me 14 tacks to reach deep water but then I floundered around for an hour not flying once as I waited for the wind to arrive! Then the breeze filled in and I had a good hour plus doing long mile and a half runs in fairly smooth water, actualy turning at the Pin Mill end 6 times, I was surprised to reach 21.34 kt. max as I didn’t want to push things too hard as the water is a bit on the nippy side. I did go in a couple of times when I hit the bottom! Then getting tired I headed in with the tide really low, landing is fine by the marina entrance is ok although there is a narrow section of deep mud which is a pain. I then had to carry my gear 100m to the van and I was able to use the marina tap to clean my gear, then pack-up, shower and head for home with the really strong winds still not here, maybe gusting to 30 knots and the Orwell Bridge is already closed causing caos in Ipswich, they need to close it closer to when the strong wind arrives! We are supposed to be going to Colchester Zoo tomorrow with the Granddaughter but will have to see how bad the wind gets, its supposed to be strong in the night, then ease off, will have to see in the morning?
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Stats windsurfing 2023 :) (3 Star year)
Last years trend continued with foiling being now taking over with 76 sessions compared to 20 on the fin! I will start with the highlight; I try for a fast hour at the start of each session and ended up 2nd in the UK on the GPSspeedsurfing site on the elevated hour section having posted every month of the year. Not bad for a 70-year-old who has not broken 30 knots since 21st May 2021!
Sessions and milage was down on last year not helped by long spells of cold weather and several named storms with too much wind for my venues. I continue to stay local for the main sailing only 4 venues this year, not that many highlights really, some nice foiling sessions especially love cruising the coast at Felixstowe, my gybing continues to improve and love small small foiling and rarely use bigger than 6.5:)
Venues sailed this year.
Levington Marina (River Orwell) - 49 times.
Wrabness (River Stour) 9 times.
Felixstowe.
The Manor – 15 times.
The Dip – 19 times.
Equipment used this year.
Boards.
Starboard Freeride 150 foil – 76 times.
F2 Xantos 295 – 3 times.
F2 Ride 282 – 16 times.
F2 Ride 277 – 1 time
Sails.
Sailworks Retro 7.5 – 9 times.
Tushingham Thunderbird lll and Storm 6.5m – 51 times.
Tushingham Vulcan 6.0m – 2 times.
Tushingham Bolt 5.5 – 16 times.
Tushingham Storm 5.2m – 10 times.
Naish Nalu – 4.75m – 7 time.
Naish Nalu – 4.25m – 3 times.
Speed/Distance for 2023.
In my 91 sessions I sailed for 2345 miles with my best day at Wrabness where I sailed for 47.75 miles.
Fin. Foil.
Max speed – 28.44 knots. 21.93 knots.
Average – 25.98 knots 19.92 knots.
N/mile – 22.73 knots 18.66 knots.
1 hour – 17.09 knots. 14.4715.46 knots.
Alpha – 16.42 knots. 16.94 knots.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and new year with loads of lovely mild weather, a good breeze and sunshine:)