Sunday 4th July- Windsurf **** - The Dip at Felixstowe – sunny and warm.

Fin – 15.45 knot max, 13.28 knot ave., 9.11 knot hour, 11.16 knot mile, 44.30 km.,7.68 knot alpha.

Fanatic Cat with Tushingham Lightning 9.4m and 39 fin.

After a great morning bike ride over to Levington marina to see the start of day two of the Pin Mill Barge race and getting soaked through in the rain on the way home I was hoping to get out on the water this afternoon and had my fingers crossed for the breeze to pick up. I checked the local webcam at The Dip after lunch and although the wind was still light there were dinghies racing just off the beach so I decided to take a chance and head to The Dip, if windy enough I could sail if not I could watch the racing, a few had gone down to The Manor to foil but to be honest it is pretty irrelevant what beach you launch from especially if it your intention to cruise up and down the coast:) I headed down to the beach and had it pretty much to myself apart from Mr and Mrs Smalling down in their campervan in our little carpark:) I parked on the prom for a bit as the wind was still pretty light, probably under 10 knots but I sat in the sun and watched a couple of dinghy racing taking some pics as the start was pretty close to the beach! Chris Phillips came down briefly on his bike but decided it was too light but then the cross on breeze started to gust to 14 knots so as it was such a nice afternoon decided to give it a try. As my foil board is still being repaired and I haven’t sorted out a foil yet I again went for my old but much loved Fanatic raceboard rigging my Tushingham Lightning 9.4, the perfect  sail for this board:) Shortie on, vhf radio and small ruck sack of spares I set off from the beach with not a lot of expectation but was very soon surprised by the ideal longboard breeze, you forget what fun can be had sailing the old longboard, going upwind, hooked in and railed up cutting through an ever increasing sea is just magic ! Tacking out by the red and white bouy I made it well past the pier before I had the tack again, sailing close to the shore is top fun. Four short tacks later and I was at the start of Landguard beach passing Robert, Michael, Al Wiz and Andy all sailing from the Manor. As the huge Evergreen container ship was leaving the Orwell, I went ashore to take a few pics, I never set off on an adventure without my waterproof camera! There was a good breeze for the beat and I was hoping a fast broad reach the 5 miles plus back, sadly I was a little disappointed as there was not quite enough wind to get the track back and in the straps. It was still amazing fun sailing very broad with the track back and the dagger board up using the gusts and running down the swell sailing very close to the beach all the way to The Fludgers where you meet the strongest tide and the biggest sea! I then spotted a barge slowly heading up the coast so sailed out to say hello and was joined by Andy out foiling, I sailed close past the back of the beautiful old boat a mile and a half offshore and got a friendly wave. I then ran back to The Dip and as I had so much fun the first time decided to do it all again. Tacking just past the red and white bouy this time with the wind turning a little more onshore I actually got further than the first time but on one tack:) The reach back was again good, I had the track further forward this time and used a little dagger board sailing board for 6 miles ending up in the very flat water a little way up the River Deben, I am now keen to sail up to Woodbridge again, foiling has rather taken over my sailing of late but there is definitely a place for a bit of longboard sailing from time to time, just a shame it is a bit big the put on my trailer especially if I have my foil board too! I again stop for another photo opportunity, this time on the shingle bar opposite the golf course Martello tower before having a couple of nice runs out of the river and along in front of The Dip and have now been joined by two Swains, Mark and Nick:) I was going to call it a day but the wind was good so I decided to have one more trip down the beach, this time making it to The Manor Martello before realising we were out for dinner this evening at 6.30 and I had absolutely no idea what the time was so headed back. I need not have worried getting back to the beach at 5.30 giving me plenty of time to pack up and have a quick chat to the Swains:) Time for a quick shower and walk down the road for a yummy roast with friends to end what has been a great weekend. We have three days of wind forecast now so fingers crossed for more windsurfing!

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