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What an epic session! I had a lot of fun today!!!

A few things came together for me today... First time on the CA SP47 in a decent blow; First time on a newly acquired North Ram F8 5.4m; and a slightly higher than forecast tide. Wally world showed its true potential just before 5pm this arvo... and I was the only one out!!!

Not much of a story to tell, except that I felt totally comfortable on my kit. I think this makes a huge difference! I was usually surprised at the speeds when I checked the GPS as the runs felt pretty cruisy, but infact I beat my PB 3 times today.

The fastest run I remember well. I approached the bank heading upwind in fairly strong breeze, but could see the gust on the water ahead of me. I started to bear away and made sure to get my body outboard and solid ready for the acceleration (I'd failed at this on previous runs and had been unstabilised). The aceleration was incredible (30 knots to the peak in under 10 seconds) and before I knew it I was out infront of the gust absolutely flying and heading into the next patch. I shot out the front of this gust too at the peak speed. By this stage the chop was pretty bad and all I could head was the board smacking the chop. Through the whole thing the board was rock solid (well done Lockwood on an extrordinary design!).

I was a bit nervous pushing the limits with no one else out to pull my unconcious body out of the water, hence I'm home already whilst its still light and windy. Stoked outta my mind and cracking beers in celebration.

I think I've found a great little setup, and hope to improve on the fin one day (but to its credit I don't think I can pay out on it anymore as it held its own up to 37.9).

CA SP47; Ram F8 5.4; FO Weedster 260

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Awesome team session at Peli Point today with Mark and James!! Doing team NM runs was a blast to start off with, then joined the slalom racing for a bit until the wind died off. Don't knwo how mark was hanging on to his 5.7 !! MEGA STOKED !!!!!!!!!! with the NM PB for the river, I reckon it can still be a tad faster even 

James was killing the racing as per usual and gave me a few handy tips too. Thanks mate!

Sonic 85, Ram 5.4, Goldwing 30

CHRIS!!!! MEGA CONGRATS ON THE PB's TODAY, GOTTA LOVE THE NORTHS AY!!!

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Hardies.  Ezzy Wave SE 6.0, then 5.0, iSonic 94, MFC Weedburner 29.

Had a lot of fun with AUS1111 chasing alphas and speed runs up at the top of the estuary near Kite beach.

Pleased with my alpha, if we were still using trackpoints then this would be a PB for me (24.9).  What numpty decided to use doppler for all alphas in 2010?  

Fun came to a sudden stop when I hit the one rock up there, note to self, avoid the far end (SE) of the area around kite beach...

Great to see Elmo, Sam, AUS1111, Decrepit and Pepe all fanging around.

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Wow GREAT team effort today lads!

I'm pretty tried after an excellent day on the water. I arrived at Dutch Inn to see Mark flying across the horizon on racing gear but succumbed to the lure of the wave gear and had a fun session on JP RWW 91 and Combat 4.7. Marcel was also out making the most of the occasional wave.

Then on to Peli Point to join Snake and Mark for a few NMs before the evening slalom. I think we can all be pleased (and proud!) to have put 30 knot NMs on the board given the conditions. Snake 32knots is a great effort in those lumps! I was surprised to find that the three NMs I tried were over 30 knots. There's still a bit of work to do to get anywhere near Jesper's 34 Swan effort (!) but I think if I'd had a bit more energy to give the NMs then I could have gone faster.

Slalom was good fun as always. Sadly the wind dropped after the first race as I had been pretty comfortable on my JP V 60 and NP RSR 5.8 JP34 combo and looking forward to giving Jesper a bit more of a run for his money than it turned out!

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Congrats Chris and Snake. Awesome stuff!

How many wrong choices can you make in one day?

Wrong choice number 1. Believe the forecast and go for some Brownie points by not going to Hardies with Nebbs.

Started the day with a walk and by 10 the ocean was already whitecapping. Got home and seabreeze was showing 15-19.

Got to Dutchies and decided to go for a cruisy run up to Leighton and do a downwind hour to back up Nebbs. Wrong choice number 2.

By the time I got to the pedestrian bridge I realised I was in trouble. Wind had picked up to over 20. Decided to keep heading upwind hoping for flatter water up by the port. Wrong choice number 3. By the time I turned I was getting absolutely hammered. Seabreeze shows 24-27 for the last part of the downwind run! The wind blown swell was up to head height and trying to get downwind was pretty exciting.  Clocked up 30 Nmiles but pretty tired.Pleased with 28+ in these conditions on the JPFSW 91 and a freeride fin. Happy with the stability of the warp 5.7.

Plan was always to go home for lunch and then head out for the afternoon.

Went to Wallyworld and it didn't look very windy so decided to go to Peli. From Chris's post wrong choice number 4.

Got to Peli to see Jake rigging up and thought we might get a good hour in. Rigged the 5.7 again as I had looked at seabreeze and it only showed 20-22. Wrong choice number 5. Went out on first run and front foot was knocked out of strap by chop and over the handlebars. It was windy! Sailed to the far side of the river through horrendous chop and sailing boats. By the time I got back I was knackered. I should have rigged the 5m but of course I did not put it in the car. Wrong choice number 6.

Put on 5kg weight. Outhauled a bit more, put the track forward a bit and did two more runs. Get in to see Jake saying he already had a 34+ and the best I got was a 31.5!

Decided to try and keep going for distance but the wind was absolutely nuking and I was really flagging. Jake had been doing some fanging runs from Majestic and called my bluff to come and join him.

Couldn't get as upwind but put in a sphincter clenching 29.79. Went for one more and headed further off the wind. Stoked with a 30+ even with a big spin out toward the end where the speed dropped to 25. Amazed at Snake's 32! He wasn't even going that broad! His track was on the run on my far left of the below image.

After this I was done. Briefing for the slalom was called but I was stuffed. Decided to slope off for a sneaky run at Wallyworld. Drove to Mosman Park side and it didn't look too windy. Rigged and decided to head across anyway. Wrong choice number 7!

Got half way to Pt Walter and the wind crapped out. Just got back inside the Yacht club but then had to swim the rest.

Snake at number 5 in the 2010 rankings!!!!!!

Chris at the top of the Pinnas speed ranking. Glad the new toys have shown you that you can kick arse!

Sorry you found a rock Nebs and well done on the alpha.

Great mile back up James.

Cmon Pinnas!

Finally got my car back but then was stuck at work until 3 (with no time for lunch). so a short mettams to sorrento after some wheetbix seemed the go - got into water about 4:30. great fun but no great speeds. The ocean was lumpy !

Well done everyone else !