Pelican Point, WA, AU

Tried Starboard Kode 123 with 6.5m Gator. The straps were in the outer position, and way too tight, so I struggled.

To add to the pain, the wind dropped off. Then Justin set up Gator 7.5m for me and it was slightly better, except that the straps were a real pain. After 45 minutes of struggle I thought I wasted money, but then I swapped the board for the Starboard Kode 113.

The straps were set up in, and Justin adjusted them so my delicate feet can fit into them, then transferred the 7.5m to it. 

I only had 5-10 minutes left to try, but everything just clicked so well, felt unders control, except that that sail may have been too much for the fin.  An eye opener for me. Will be looking for a board under 120L now.

Pelican Point, WA, AU

Sonic 100, Remedy 6.4, MFCSL36

Nice to have some wind

Did some laps at Wallyworld with Jeff.

Happy to be powered up at times, and extremely happy not to cut my feet up like last time. Kept thinking that Woodies must have been cranking, but couldn't face the kite kooks today.

CA SP47; Stealth 6.4; FO Weed 260

2 categories

Woodmans Point, WA, AU

Last roll of the dice for the Spring Cup?

Great plans were hatched to give the Manbra boys some curry, the Snake was despatched to Safety Bay to drill some Alpha's, I headed to Woodies to try for some speed and Mark played a Captain's knock and met Snake in Safety Bay before joining me at Woodies.

Alas it was all in vain after another dodgy forecast.

Woodies was only 17-22K tops.

Started out on the 83L Lorch speedboard I swapped my 59 Manta for.  6.4 Koncept + 23 KA assy.  First time out on the Lorch and I thought the claimed 83L might give me a bit more float than my 75L SP47.  Nope.  Managed to squeeze a 34 out of it before the breeze backed off and I couldn't even waterstart.  Lester came to my rescue and we swapped boards.  He sailed the Lorch in and I managed to stay afloat on his 93 JP FSW with a boom that felt like it was around my navel.  Thanks maaate.

Swapped boards to the trusty 93 S-Type (Love that board ) and had some fun playing around in the B&J zone between the spits.  Did venture back to the northside to try for an alpha but I hit the bottom and dredged up a fxckload of weed.  I was reasonably powered up on the southside, but the wind just wasn't strong enough to penetrate beyond the spit.

Adding to that the kites were at pestilence levels on the northside, meaning the whole speed mission was a complete waste of time.

Oh well, still a fun little sesh, even after a tortuous 45 minute commute from Oz Park in peak hour traffic.

4 categories

Been waiting for thursday all week!!

Got to safety bay around 1 and the wind was just building so sat down and waited for a friend to arrive only to be greeted by Lao Shi who had snuck down to get in some alpha action too. Team starboard/north rigged up the 6.3's and out we set to try the mission. First to test the bar...yep, not gonna be using the bar for a while it musta been 20 oddcm deep at parts we play the waiting game.. Had a few cracks at some alphas in the bay, lining up the buoys for a guide. Went in to check after an hour maybe and we were pleasantly surprised. 24.3 and 24.5 . There surely must be more though..need ...more..speed!!! Lao put on a bigger fin and had a few more attempts and then went off to meet Pointman.

Thought I'd loosen up a bit so went for a upwinder to penguin island and player around the back for a while. Wind was a bit patchy there so headed back downwind. NM was on the downwinder back towards the bay, very fun ride! Had a few more blasts then went in to check the numbers again...still no pb..where are you hiding??

Back out and starting to feel the fatigue now, but only an hour or so of light so may as well hang on Run after run after run.

Went back in to see my mate off around dark as the wind was building. thought about packing up but decided not to and ran back down to the rig for one last go....woooooohooooo...the persistence finally delivered!! 24.904 alpha that I'd been hunting ! Had a few speed runs in the dark and as I couldn't see the navi's screen any more, finally retired. What a sensational day!

Sonic 85, Ram 6.3, 28 FO Weedster

6 categories

A busy day.

Started at Safety Bay with the Snake on an alpha mission. First run over the bar had me depth checking on a 23cm fin so we had to have a go in the pond. Lots of attempts and the runs in were good (best 31.4) but there was not enough wind to power out.

*brd nonose, KA23, yoyo 27 weedy, warp 6.3

Best run was last one of the session with a bigger weedy on. Very pleased with a min speed of 15.92. Second best ever alpha and 2010 best. But still not enough to beat the Snake! Mission accomplished it was time to head to Woodies to meet Pointman and Lester for the second mission of the day speed.

Unfortunately Huey didn't come to the party. Highlight was taking out a set of kite strings and surviving.

Finished the session on the sonic running in to the west end.

nonose, KA23, sonic 100, yoyo 27, warp 6.3.

Great to finally meet Lester who seemed to enjoy his first proper bit of flat water.

Woodmans Point, WA, AU

Pt Walter, just couldnt get it right and in hindsight it was probably the rigging on my 6.5 Ezzy (not enough downhaul). The wind was there but I just couldnt seem to take advantage. Used both the sonic and CA Speed. Actually started jybing the CA after a bit. Packed up once it was dark.