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Wow. What a squall!!

We set up in the late afternoon as the tide went out and hoping the wind would swing a bit south of west. By 6.30pm it seemed worth a try and I could see Tom and Shelby getting a few runs but it was very west and broad.

I had a few runs just under 40 knots peak and was feeling a bit underpowered on the 5m. Just before sunset we saw a black cloud line approaching and we gathered at the top of the course to wait. I grabbed the CA40 and out my weight jacket on (4kg - hopeful thinking?) and we waited. Tom and Ian had a few false starts but when I felt a few spits of rain and a gust I decided that was it and went for it. As I got out from behind the dunes I knew it was going to be a good one. The sand was flying and I was accellerating hard. Just before I got the the best angle the squall hit with full strength, probably 35 knots and I was right on the edge with the sail and forced to bear away a bit and go with it. That quickly took me into uncomfortable territory in the chop but the speed felt great so I hung on. The gust eased a bit and I tried to tighten up a bit to get back on the bank, hoping for another run close to the sand but as I got there it was obvious the gust had eased so after 100m or so I pulled in. Rapt to see the big 45 knots on the dial again! It confirmed what I had bee thinking. All we need is a classic 35 knots day with WSW wind and there should be a lot of PB's racked up. We are all geared up and waiting.........

Most runs on iS50 and TM45v8. Best 2 runs on CA40 with TM48.

'09 5m KA Koncept

Bring it on!!!! More, More!

Sad story: Tom was nearly doing back flips on the beach after his first few runs. He had a 44 peak on the GPS and another at 43. When I finally caught up with him and had a look at his display I spotted the tell-tail letters MH (Miles per Hour) after the numbers. Talk about a let down. Poor Tom was devastated, but I pointed out to him that that was still over 40 knots and I think his best run was over 41 which is still bloody good for that day in those conditions.

It had that summer evening feeling to it.

Very low tide - so just before dark the sand streaming over the bank was starting about head height and then rolling steeply into the water,with a bit of sun glistening through it,it looked really cool.

CA40 - RSR5.8,RSR5.0 -KA assy20.

Always good to see the old blokes getting excited