Sunday 2nd February – Windsurf **** - River Orwell, Levington – sunny periods.

F2 Zantos 295 with 36 fin and Tushingham Lightning 6.5m.

Fin – 30.40 knot max (year PB)., 27.08 knot ave., 12.71 knot hour, 21.11 knot mile, 31.10 km., 17.25 knot Alpha.

The wind just keeps on blowing and with the temperature again a balmy 12 degrees it was too good an opportunity to miss! With low water at 10.44 at Harwich I was in no hurry to get to Levington so did my exercises listening to Futuristic Dragon by T.Rex my favourite band from the 70.s, just loving our record player:) I arrived at the Marina entrance at midday and with the wind again from the west which means you are not effected by low water. I was half expecting to foil today but was surprised by how strong the wind was blowing done the River Orwell, gusting to 30 mph. So, I rigged 6.5 for my 133 lt. again and had to walk to the bottom of the marina to find someone to zip me in my wetsuit, there are just no local windsurfers sailing at the moment, shame really as very mild! Launching from the small beach by the marina entrance I was soon out into the mean river hitting some big gusts. I had a few shorter runs across the bumpy corner and with the wind becoming steady I had 5 great runs down to Felixstowe docks where the water is lovely and smooth:) I again went for an hour but slower than yesterday as was my mile run but I still managed 5 over 20 knots and although it was cloudy today I did see a lot of the sun peaking through and again had the whole river all to myself:) With the wind turning patchy I floundered back to the marina and checked my gps and was pleased to see that I had broken 30 knots for the first time this year, always pleasing:) I was making my way back upwind to my van when the wind filled in again and I had a few more short runs across the river but it was lumpy in the middle but it was great sailing into the channel where I had some nice gybes! So, my third days windsurfing in a row and I might even get a foil tomorrow but with low water at 11.50 it might be a bit hit and miss????

PS – I am looking for a reasonably priced second-hand GT-31, can anyone help?

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