Glutton for punishment?

We've had some big W winds here in the UK over the last few days - but

• Sunday - had other commitements until mid afternoon,  and when i got to the beach by 4pm the wind had died (it had been blowing W 30 kts) and I couldnt even get out off the beach with my largest kit!   I remember looking seeing a foamy bodyboard sat on the sea and it didnt even move - so it aint windy!

• Monday - blowing WNW 25kts all day - until i got to the beach after work  - and then zip - gone!

• Tuesday - blowing W 30 25kts all day - and i just caught then very tail end of it to wobble around at 6pm but hardly planing.   It had been great apparently in the hour before!

So, with three failed days in a row, today I went for a dawn raid to Newgale..The forecast was a bit marginal to be honest but im desperate, and there is swell, and some wind - maybe

As usual out of the summer holidays, the car park was packed!

Took a quick pic as i arrived, and actually the set waves got better as the tide dropped back - over head...but the period wasnt great

However - the winds was fickle - so opted for SUP / WindSup session saver!

It picked up even more, so went out on the 92 at one stage....but definately more wobble than riding to be had.

Oh well - nice chilled way to start the day!  Those SUPs really do make getting out (with a sail) super easy and relaxing - just drift over the swell lines, flare gybe when you see a set and ride back in!  OK - they dont exactly rip, but you CAN still do some slowish turns etc...

Red Bull Cliff Diving Wales

...Northerly wind didnt really materialise on Saturday AM, but it was great weather in the afternoon to watch the Red Bull Cliff Diving event @ Abereidy ("blue lagoon").  

Its the only UK round on their circuit - so pretty special to see...esp if you can get a kayak / surf board  / SUP water side view!

They created a special diving platform drilled into the cliff side....28 meters up.  To get some perspective - the normal stack you can jump off at the far middle of the pic below is 10 meters!

I only had my dodgy camera phone with me  - but you can just see the guy on the far right hand side in the speedos!

Divers in the water to help splash the surface (to help judge the height) and on hand for safety

They had to land feet first - too dangerous head first!

Then Sunday - wow - p*ssing down and 35kts WSW.   I couldnt get out until mid afternoon and guess what? Yup - the wind died to ZERO - literally I couldnt get off the beach with the 4.7 and 84, nor the 5.3 and 92.  Skunked!

Typical Pembrokeshire - Blue skies to torrential rain in 24 hrs, and windsurfing that can either be Amazing or So bloody frustrating!

Blade cut

....I got tumbled around in the surf yesterday - those Severne Blades are sharp!
(and very very good imo by the way...more on that to come)

After work, down the line, and a spider

Northerly winds, sunshine and some surprising swell (over head in sets) came as a nice surprise on Monday (9th)

But by the time i got in after work, the wind died and it was super light.  All i managed was a cut across the head (from being tumbled and hitting something - batten end?) and a couple of dodgy waves.  

Really it was very light - at times i reckon less than 5 kts between waves....helium boned Alfie on his 75 liter!

Ping turned up just as Alf and I were walking up the beach, and the surfers were taking advantage of the dying wind, so didnt even get wet.

Lewis scored it during the afternoon - Alf electing to take pics rather than sail (mistake!)

Lewis heading out beyond the reef, low tide:

Lewis doing his upside down Spider impression

;-)

Too small; Too light

Went to Fresh afterwork, on Friday (6th) to see if i can score some Northerly DTL

Unfortunately it was too light and only 1 ft, but still wobbled around on the 92 for an hour or so, which im telling myself is good practice - if a little frustrating.   Shouldve used the SUP but once again heart ruled over head.

Always better to get wet, than drive home without going in...Agree?

Stubbsy had a bit more fun on his 10m kite and strapless board.

Pic from the car park

WindSup revelation

Newgale Sat 30th
Sloppy1-2 foot waves and a lazy F2-3 NNW cross shore breeze that just didnt quite kick in. 

Sat around chewing the fat in the sun for an hour and was going to going SUPing, but a bit choppy and uninspiring.

So after more navel gazing, was persuaded to take the sail out on a Fanatic 9'2 Allwave (thanks Ebay) and try to WindSUP....and despite my deep scepticism - what a brilliant surprise!

Tacks, duck gybes, sail 360s AND able to pick off the odd set wave - all in the sunshine, warmish welsh water, and without the harness. 

Great fun, a real mellow sail, and definately something to pack in the van to "save" any session in the future.  Super cool !