Two windy days in a row here at Felixstowe, same as yesterday except wall to wall sunshine today:) Who would have thought that a NE wind in November would be so mild!

I wasn't in too much of a hurry to get down as the tide had to drop and the sea calm down a little, so we were able to do a few things at home then I checked out The Dip and the car park was filling up, it's a bit tight to park at the moment as there is a section fenced off where workman have a container:( The usual suspects were there including Neil and Craig Hurrell, Peter and Sally Ling, Chris Stevens, Nathan Cozens, Mark and Nick Swain, Darren Herbet, Strawberry and Chris Phillips, with sailors rigging sails ranging from 4.7 to 6m it was time to go and get my boards.

After yesterdays hard session in search of flat water in the River Deben it was time to try my hand in the open sea in what are not my favourite conditions - big sea small sail days are not my favourite. I had a dilemma with sail choice 5.6 rotational or cammed 6.5, not ideal then Craig Hurrel came to the rescue lending me his Tushingham Vulcan he won in 2002 and is still going strong:) I used a big board as the wind was a little lighter inshore and it was fine. Although the conditions were perfect for the wave heads I struggled :( firstly I was knackered from yesterday and I was losing strength in my arms, my lovely winter suit is a bit tight at the wrists. You could launch fine by this time but heading out into rolling surf was slow going trying to keep the board in the water and if you went out to the red and white bouy the sea was a real mess. The rotational sail is great to use in these conditions and waterstarting is a dream and I got a bit of practice as my gybing is crap:( My speeds were slow as it was scary around 22kts but then Swainy said he had done 25 kts so I went for it and made 28 which was fun. My hands got cold so I got my gloves.  Shame I could only do a few runs before returning to the beach to warm my hands or regain my grip.  Still cannot complain as a top day for weather in November and great to see loads of windsurfers out and Chris have fun in his canoe!

Nick Swain had a particularly interesting day walking to the beach with his windsurfing and kitesurfing kit and surf board and he used it all - oh to be fit and young! but us old'uns can still hold our own as several sailors are on the wrong side of 60:) lets hope the wind dosen't blow tomorrow as I could do with a rest. This was my 50th session of the year - not too bad considering I didn't go out at all in March,June and September!

Lastly thanks Craig for the loan of the 6m - top sail :)