Monday 4th April - Windsurf *** Levington – mainly cloudy.

Fin – 28.07 knot max, 24.99 knot ave., 8.54 knot hour, 16.72 knot mile, 30.58 km., 16.60 knot alpha.

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

The wind returns with several breezy days now but the day started wet and cold so was in no hurry to go to Levington to make the most of the westerly wind especially with high water at 14.43! So, exercises certainly not in the back garden today then with the temperature slowly building I put my wetsuit on and drove over to Levington Marina with loads of water to launch and a good braze gusting over 25 knots I decided to give the fin a whirl as the last time I used it was 22nd Feb, meaning I only foiled in March! I went for my bigger Zantos 295 as it is easier to sail on the gusty river, taking a chance with 6.5 even though I would have rigged 5.2 or even 4.7 to foil especially as it was pretty choppy! It is certainly harder to sail a narrow fin board compared to a foil but I spent nearly two hours on the water, being shallow both sides meaning you could take a break easily although it was nice to gybe in the flatter water both sides! It was mainly cloudy but there was brief glimpses of sun and the temperature had risen from 6/7 degrees to maybe 13 so not cold although I did use my hat and gloves. With the tide now fairly high Ian arrived and was setting up his foil gear so went ashore for a word. Ian was rigging 5 which I said straight away was too big especially being lumpy so he quickly changed to his 4.2 which proved idea being able to foil everywhere including down to Felixstowe docks. I was not keen to venture too far down river today so stayed in front of the marina, nothing overly fast as too lumpy but was pleased to get over 28 knots and just missed out on a 25 knot average which is about the norm for river fin sailing! With a few days of sailing to came I decided to call it a day so came ashore to take a few pics. The usual hot shower before heading for home, hope to foil tomorrow with hopefully it being the mildest day of the week.

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