Tuesday 17th April – windsurf **** The Manor – sunny periods.

23.38 knot max, 21.64 knot ave., 12.38 knot hour, 19.63 knot mile, 12.54 knot alpha.

Xantos 295 and 310 with Tushingham Lightning 7.8.

Today was the only breezy day forecast for a week so was keen to get out, a bit milder too but still only 12/13 degrees and the sun was in short supply:( Was keen to try Point Clear again as the tide was good but with the East being right on the edge of the low and the wind ssw not ideal for Essex so we decided to stay local. Arranged to meet Neil Hurrell and Andrew Mexome at The Manor at 9.30 so we could get the best of the tide. Mag came down with me and we all had a good catch up as the wind was still light. Al Wiz went out but was not planning so we waited, we got chilly in the end but the wind filled in a little so we decided to rig. I started to rig 8.5 for the 310 while the others went for 7m, I only just got the mast in and changed my mind and rigged my 7.8 for the 295. By the time we were ready the sea had already chopped up but I went well off the beach thinking I was going to be well ever. I did nearly 2 mile runs out to sea not towards Wadgate Post but more towards the pier. The wind then eased off so came ashore and had a few long runs on the bigger board and was going OK. The wind then picked up as high tide approached making the sea a lumpy mess so I changed to the smaller board but struggled to go fast in the big sea. By this time Neil and Andy had gone so I decided to call it a day. Not a bad session in the end but I am paying for it now as my fingers are really playing up :( A mate was having a foil lesion at Alton Water with Mark Smalling watching, to be far Alton is not a great spot to learn anything with short runs and gusty winds but I think they realised that foiling is a lot harder than it looks so it has but me off, too much money too!

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.squirrell.1/media_set?set=a.10212448545821347.1073741905.1012660562&type=3