3 categories

After deciding not to go to Southend as the forecast was not good enough to risk it :( and with the wind at Felixstowe going sw then maybe offshore, The Dip wasn't the best choice but checked it first - several kiters out but went and parked up at The Manor at the end of the prom - a nice spot with plenty of sandy beach and a good launch :) With the tide low and coming in all day it would be good to try for an hour, with the sideshore wind gusting to 25 rigged 6.6 and headed out the one and a half miles to the Wadgate Post. I was nicely powered with this setup and several of my mates were rigging to go out :) Then after about 45 mins. the rain started and the wind stopped messing that hour up and I wobbled in near the pier, I sailed slowly out to the post and managed to make it back to the Manor. We then had to wait an hour for the wind to come back, time for lunch and a chat :) Then with the breeze back 20 mph + I had another go at an hour which I completed this time :) not a bad time considering how big the sea was and how overpowered I was at the end !!! I tried 5.6 on my 100 lt. but the wind was going so decided to call it a day - a top day out with my mates doing 3 mile curcuits around Wadgate Post, We had windsurfers out at The Fludgers and The Dip shame we couldn't all be out together !!!

5 categories

I can't believe that I haven't been to Southend for almost a year!

The inland forecast was poor so Jo and I decided to pop try Southend today. It turned out to be a great call because the sun came out and we had a good couple of hours cruising up and down on the east course. It wasn't really windy enough for any big speeds but an hour result of 22 knots and multiple alphas over 22.5 knots made the day worthwhile.

Jo also did some of her best gybes to date.. first ever visit to Southend!

Spot / Conditions: Southend-on-Sea, 15-23 knots (SW)
Kit: RRD X-Fire V4 (114L), 7.0m NP RS:Racing EVO II Ltd, Tectonics Talon 38
Tech Details: Navi GT-31 V1.4 (B0803T), GPSResults v6.105, Doppler, Cubic Spline. 

Manor looked good but fearing wind going W and seeing sails went to Fludyers to find Any M changing down to 5m and Rog. Rigged 6m/96land could not plane as wind dropped and rain came. Phil texted to say 3 waiting at Dip, x shore but I'd rigged by then. Wind came back and tried 7.3m/118l, but sea horrible mess and could not build any speed. Increased so 6m/96l until more like 5m weather, but flattened 6m, board quite wide and bouncy.
Towards end sea got slightly less horrible and a few steep faces going xshore to ride down; speed mostly~20knots and interested to see increased to 24knots down face.
Went to look down Dip for lost fin and Phil said had been good, and Facebook photos shows Manor was way better sea. Fludyers was horrible mess.