Gosh this is really easy - LOVE blogging!
Wednesday 25 October 2017
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Glutton for punishment?
We've had some big W winds here in the UK over the last few days - but
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...
- 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...
Monday 16 September 2013
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!
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!
Tuesday 10 September 2013
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)
(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
;-)
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
Saturday 7 September 2013
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
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
Sunday 1 September 2013
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 !
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 !
Tuesday 27 August 2013
Sunday 25th Newgale - Fanatic 2014 wave board mini test
Sunday
25th brought some great Northerly winds (F3-F5) and some small clean swell - albeit not as much
swell as hoped..id guess 1ft, with 2 ft on sets.
I was going to go to Freshwater West for the bigger waves, but decided
(a) it would be too busy with holiday makers as it was a Bank Holiday weekend
(b) Jim from Pura Vida was coming over with loads of 2014 demo kit to try out!
As well as my own kit, I did manage to try out a couple of the new 2014 Fanatic wave boards - one for a few hrs, the other for more like 30 mins.
So - this year’s 89. Well the first thing to say, in common with all Fanatics over the last few years I’ve seen - the product / finish is extremely good!
On the Water - The main thing that will become apparent to anyone who has ridden a quad lately, is that this new 2014 Fanatic is a lot more lively feeling - doesn’t feel anywhere near as planted, but nice and reactive and free feeling. This to me (personally - your miles may vary) is a massive improvement. Coming from my Twinnys, this has always been the issue with Quads to me - they just feel too grippy and planted...sometimes feeling a little sunken / dead in the water on some models ive tried.
On a wave it felt super - great mix of playfulness and reactivity (meaning you were not locked into a single arc) and great drive on the bottom turn....the top turn was super reliable - clearly more grippy than the mistrals twins, and im sure in better waves, you could really belt into the waves (we only had 1-2 ft waves)
The rear strap does look pretty far back i guess, right over the fins...but this didnt feel alien, and in fact i really thought it felt right to me, with your foot right over the top of the fin cluster, and flying / driving off the fins.
On the wave - it really did feel very good (for some reason stepping off the Quad i wasnt sure what to expect). It didnt feel quite as reactive as the Quad (maybe due to size) and less drivey and maybe a little smoother on the bottom turn, and less "radical" (ahem - not sure im allowed to use that word with any authority!) on the top turn. Loads looser / turnier than a single fin no question, but didn’t quite have that extra "wow" factor the Quad had, with its extra drive and super-hooky top turn on a wave.
I’d say it sat pretty much right between the Quad and the Freewaves I’ve tried in terms of wave performance ie it definitely felt like a wave board when on a wave, but earlier planing and more blasting friendly than the quad.
The Quad felt perfect as a dedicated wave board for me - but im not 100% (maybe 95%!) convinced its big enough for me as a single board option for where i live (you can maybe tell that i really want it to be - i really loved this board!) Can i sacrifice the smaller size and all that brings for more onshore conditions, for the additional wave performance when its firing?
As im sure you can infer - i was really impressed with both these boards. And as a 2 board option (for me), then something like the Quad 89 + Tri wave 95 or the 103 version could be ideal and get you the best of both worlds. Now where did i put that lottery card....
I was going to go to Freshwater West for the bigger waves, but decided
(a) it would be too busy with holiday makers as it was a Bank Holiday weekend
(b) Jim from Pura Vida was coming over with loads of 2014 demo kit to try out!
As well as my own kit, I did manage to try out a couple of the new 2014 Fanatic wave boards - one for a few hrs, the other for more like 30 mins.
First, a
little about me to help set the context: I windsurf to ride dtl - that’s my
main enjoyment. I quite like cross on days sometimes but im not a great jumper and
where i live is often light and gusty. Typically you don’t plane off the beach.
And since about 2010 I’ve had Mistral twinzers - and use the 92 for about 90% of my sailing - im about 85kg and love wave sailing but not a particularly technical / gifted windsurfer!
And since about 2010 I’ve had Mistral twinzers - and use the 92 for about 90% of my sailing - im about 85kg and love wave sailing but not a particularly technical / gifted windsurfer!
First up
- 2014 fanatic Quad 89.
Fanatic
have dropped a "ninety something" litre model, which would be my go
to "do it all" board size, in favour of a smaller 89 or a larger 101.So - this year’s 89. Well the first thing to say, in common with all Fanatics over the last few years I’ve seen - the product / finish is extremely good!
Stock
Fanatic pic:
On the Water - The main thing that will become apparent to anyone who has ridden a quad lately, is that this new 2014 Fanatic is a lot more lively feeling - doesn’t feel anywhere near as planted, but nice and reactive and free feeling. This to me (personally - your miles may vary) is a massive improvement. Coming from my Twinnys, this has always been the issue with Quads to me - they just feel too grippy and planted...sometimes feeling a little sunken / dead in the water on some models ive tried.
I guess its just about familiarity. I have tried quite a
few quads (2011, 2012, 2013), but this 2014 Fanatic alongside the Simmers (also
highly rated!) definately feel more "free" feeling than most in my
opinion.
On a wave it felt super - great mix of playfulness and reactivity (meaning you were not locked into a single arc) and great drive on the bottom turn....the top turn was super reliable - clearly more grippy than the mistrals twins, and im sure in better waves, you could really belt into the waves (we only had 1-2 ft waves)
It was pretty gusty and at times a very very marginal float and ride session, which is hard with the sporadic, small waves. The volume seemed about spot on
(89 liters), and despite the narrowish tail, the 60cm width could float me ok-ish (85kg) in the F3-F4
we had. Id actually prefer some more volume - maybe 95 and another 0.5cm
width - to be absolutely ideal for me (i can wobble out, but I’d prefer some
more support for my dodgy no wind gybes), but then id assume it would impact performance on a wave a little if any wider.
The rear strap does look pretty far back i guess, right over the fins...but this didnt feel alien, and in fact i really thought it felt right to me, with your foot right over the top of the fin cluster, and flying / driving off the fins.
I really
rated this board - and to be honest, it’s the best quad I’ve tried i think
overall as a package (although i also loved the Simmer Quantum 95 i tested,
which i would say maybe is a better marginal wind board?, but maybe loses out to the
new Fanatic Quad in terms of DTL - where the flywave would be a more direct
comparison, so perhaps unfair on both counts).
My only slight doubt is - is it still too small for me as a single board option? (see next for TriWave review), and due to this i think the light wind get up and go is impacted - as it is essentially only 4 litres more than my weight in KG.
My only slight doubt is - is it still too small for me as a single board option? (see next for TriWave review), and due to this i think the light wind get up and go is impacted - as it is essentially only 4 litres more than my weight in KG.
Or i could go on a diet i guess! Or maybe not.....Mmmm - home made Banoffee pie!
Tri wave
95
This was a very brief test (as the wind picked back up so i went back to Quad)
Same comment as above for the finish and product - looks a really well completed / thought out product.
As its numbers suggest, It’s clearly wider than the Quad (61.5cm vs 60), with more vol, a wider swallow tail, and looks flatter rocker. The outside fins are positions very much positioned near to the outside.
Stock Fanatic pic:
This was a very brief test (as the wind picked back up so i went back to Quad)
Same comment as above for the finish and product - looks a really well completed / thought out product.
As its numbers suggest, It’s clearly wider than the Quad (61.5cm vs 60), with more vol, a wider swallow tail, and looks flatter rocker. The outside fins are positions very much positioned near to the outside.
Stock Fanatic pic:
Felt more
of a natural blaster than the Quad - seemed to get planing much quicker and
felt super comfy just reaching back and forth. Id say it was less nervous /
reactive under foot.
On the wave - it really did feel very good (for some reason stepping off the Quad i wasnt sure what to expect). It didnt feel quite as reactive as the Quad (maybe due to size) and less drivey and maybe a little smoother on the bottom turn, and less "radical" (ahem - not sure im allowed to use that word with any authority!) on the top turn. Loads looser / turnier than a single fin no question, but didn’t quite have that extra "wow" factor the Quad had, with its extra drive and super-hooky top turn on a wave.
I’d say it sat pretty much right between the Quad and the Freewaves I’ve tried in terms of wave performance ie it definitely felt like a wave board when on a wave, but earlier planing and more blasting friendly than the quad.
Overall
Without
wishing to be sycophantic - i thought both boards were great.The Quad felt perfect as a dedicated wave board for me - but im not 100% (maybe 95%!) convinced its big enough for me as a single board option for where i live (you can maybe tell that i really want it to be - i really loved this board!) Can i sacrifice the smaller size and all that brings for more onshore conditions, for the additional wave performance when its firing?
The Triwave
felt like a more universal wave oriented, "do it all" board - and i don’t mean that in any negative way! If it
was head high 5.3m DTL FreshWest, id prefer to be on the Quad...but if
it was more marginal, or cross on, i think the Triwave would actually be a more fulfilling
option...certainly if you wanted to jump and blast about. But then when the conditions are more firing and just focusing on DTL riding aspect,
the Quad would win out.
As im sure you can infer - i was really impressed with both these boards. And as a 2 board option (for me), then something like the Quad 89 + Tri wave 95 or the 103 version could be ideal and get you the best of both worlds. Now where did i put that lottery card....
Newgale Dawny - Sat 24th 2013
Excited by the prospect of Northerly winds and DTL swell, and prior family commitments at 9.30am i set the alarm for 5am (much to Mrs Northys dismay on a Saturday) and hit Newgale for 6am in the dark. Unfortunately the conditions didnt deliver, but given i was already awake, "caffeined up" and already at the beach, there is no point in going home, so rigged up and was in the water for 6.15am.
Dodgy camera pic:
OK - so it wasnt firing, and indeed was very marginal indeed - but its a great feeling to be on the water, "cheating time", got a few waves when the beach was completely empty and most (sane) people were still in bed...Well thats what im telling myself!
And extra bonus - as the air temp was pretty low-ish (@6am!) and its the end of the summer, the water felt like a bath...well kinda - you know what i mean!
Alfie (Boardseeker et al) joined in the fun around 7.30am, and i left about 8.30 am, just as the joggers and dog walkers were beginning to appear.
Dodgy camera pic:
OK - so it wasnt firing, and indeed was very marginal indeed - but its a great feeling to be on the water, "cheating time", got a few waves when the beach was completely empty and most (sane) people were still in bed...Well thats what im telling myself!
And extra bonus - as the air temp was pretty low-ish (@6am!) and its the end of the summer, the water felt like a bath...well kinda - you know what i mean!
Alfie (Boardseeker et al) joined in the fun around 7.30am, and i left about 8.30 am, just as the joggers and dog walkers were beginning to appear.
Monday 23 April 2012
Newgale Chicken (clip)
Had a sneaky session @ Newgale last week.
Usual suspects - Lew, Alf, Ping, Neil in attendance.
Alfie Hart caught this clip of me - suddenly straightening out on a top turn when it was about to close out ......Chicken!!!
Newgale April 2012 from northy on Vimeo.
- Wind was NNW, but ranged almost zero at times and then F5+ so lots of swimming after kit, attempting to get out. Should have been on bigger board (was on twin 84 + 4.7).
- Waves were quite tasty at times, but it was super choppy for some reason with a strong current running.
Usual suspects - Lew, Alf, Ping, Neil in attendance.
Newgale April 2012 from northy on Vimeo.
Friday 30 March 2012
Float-n-Ride Whooper
A quick vid from Saturday 24th March by Newgale local Neil - out on his tod mid morning, using his light 'wind wave weapons' of choice: Syncro 103 (i think) and Duke 5.9.
Listen to the "Whoop" at about 1'40".....Classic!
Listen to the "Whoop" at about 1'40".....Classic!
Thursday 29 March 2012
Pembrokeshire - Little Maui beyond England !!!
The swell in Pembs has been pumping the last week, and we've been blessed with consecutive days of waves with cross off winds, sunshine galore and blue skies.
What is more surprising is that despite the E (offshore) light winds that have been forecast, at Fresh and Newgale the local wind has been stronger, and more SE / ESE...ideal DTL!
Unfortunately ive been busy / away, but Lewis has been "pigging out" in Fresh on Sun, Mon, and Tues...and Neil got in again in Newgale - despite not a flutter in my garden a few miles in land.
OK - its been light float n ride stuff....but this IMO can provide THE best rides you can get in the UK beachbreaks, with smoooooth glassy waves.
I got out Saturday 24th @ Newgale....wangled it that depsite being busy with school / family stuff in the morning, we went in the van (which happened to be loaded with kit, haha) so was able to drop into Newgale for a picnic lunch with Mrs Northy,kids and Flora (puppy) in tow - Team Northy in full effect!!!
To be honest i sailed like a muppet in conditions that i found hard - port tack, light non planing, with largish sets rolling in, and dumpy low tide shore break. Neil, Alfie, Ping, and Lewis also in - with Lewis and Alfie being waaaaay standout.
Neil took a couple of snaps from the car park before he left:
Alfie
Me
What is more surprising is that despite the E (offshore) light winds that have been forecast, at Fresh and Newgale the local wind has been stronger, and more SE / ESE...ideal DTL!
Unfortunately ive been busy / away, but Lewis has been "pigging out" in Fresh on Sun, Mon, and Tues...and Neil got in again in Newgale - despite not a flutter in my garden a few miles in land.
OK - its been light float n ride stuff....but this IMO can provide THE best rides you can get in the UK beachbreaks, with smoooooth glassy waves.
I got out Saturday 24th @ Newgale....wangled it that depsite being busy with school / family stuff in the morning, we went in the van (which happened to be loaded with kit, haha) so was able to drop into Newgale for a picnic lunch with Mrs Northy,kids and Flora (puppy) in tow - Team Northy in full effect!!!
To be honest i sailed like a muppet in conditions that i found hard - port tack, light non planing, with largish sets rolling in, and dumpy low tide shore break. Neil, Alfie, Ping, and Lewis also in - with Lewis and Alfie being waaaaay standout.
Neil took a couple of snaps from the car park before he left:
Alfie
Me
Tuesday 20 March 2012
Back to the Future! (newgale Sun 18th March)
Well - after over a year off the blog, im gonna try and restart!
Why? Mainly because my windsurfing 'mojo' has returned and i feel fully stoked to be back on with "all things windsurfing" (caveat - work and family life allowing).
Newgale
Sunday 18th March saw six of us Pembs locals @ Newgale to be treated with cross off winds, super clean swell, sunshine and DTL perfection.
OK - so it wasn't as big as we would have all liked (typically waist and then maybe shoulder / head high in the bigger sets) but it was a great fun size for super easy riding and getting stuck in.
In fact I'm not sure Ive ever caught so many DTL rides in a single day...great practice for the "weekend warrior".
One thing i need to work on is controlling the top turn better, so that i can directly determine a slide v gouge...twins love to slide!
All in all - a great day; lots of smiling faces, and i spent 4 hrs on the water in the sunshine, so no complaints.
"Quite whackable" was Lewis Merrony's summation - far more eloquent than my long winded ramblings!
GoPro
I am also going to try and use my GoPro more this year (i couldn't really use it any less if i tried) - but on this occasion the battery wasn't charged enough so no good - Duh!
However Newgale regular Neil did catch this ride - ok so the wave looks invisibly small - but i can assure you there were decent, long waves that day.....honest guv!
Take a look:
Neil Windsurfing Newgale from neil alexander phillips on Vimeo.
Thanks!
Why? Mainly because my windsurfing 'mojo' has returned and i feel fully stoked to be back on with "all things windsurfing" (caveat - work and family life allowing).
Newgale
Sunday 18th March saw six of us Pembs locals @ Newgale to be treated with cross off winds, super clean swell, sunshine and DTL perfection.
OK - so it wasn't as big as we would have all liked (typically waist and then maybe shoulder / head high in the bigger sets) but it was a great fun size for super easy riding and getting stuck in.
In fact I'm not sure Ive ever caught so many DTL rides in a single day...great practice for the "weekend warrior".
One thing i need to work on is controlling the top turn better, so that i can directly determine a slide v gouge...twins love to slide!
All in all - a great day; lots of smiling faces, and i spent 4 hrs on the water in the sunshine, so no complaints.
"Quite whackable" was Lewis Merrony's summation - far more eloquent than my long winded ramblings!
GoPro
I am also going to try and use my GoPro more this year (i couldn't really use it any less if i tried) - but on this occasion the battery wasn't charged enough so no good - Duh!
However Newgale regular Neil did catch this ride - ok so the wave looks invisibly small - but i can assure you there were decent, long waves that day.....honest guv!
Take a look:
Neil Windsurfing Newgale from neil alexander phillips on Vimeo.
Thanks!
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Best windsurfing pressie ever?
Question:
What does Father Christmas bring a fast approaching 40 yr old windsurfing duffer (except wind, waves and sunshine)?
Answer:
Something to help him remember one of his best ever sessions!
Newgale November 2009
As well as Santa, huge thanks goes to Mrs Northy, Lewis, and Ross Grieve Photography.
Thursday 11 November 2010
Full power!
Quick splash-n-dash session in what has to be said are not my favoured conditions - Super windy!
Paul even spotted a couple of water spouts (wtf - mini tornados?!) flying across the bay!
Amroth
Heading out:
Alfie looking good on his 4.1 - but became overpowered:
Me on my new 4.7...way too big, but wanted to get it wet:
Paul even spotted a couple of water spouts (wtf - mini tornados?!) flying across the bay!
Heading out:
Me on my new 4.7...way too big, but wanted to get it wet:
Ahhh...new sails!
After quite a few years with Ezzys, I decided to try something new - and at last got both the time and the lack of rain (its Wales, right!) to get my new 2011 Simmer Icons (5.3 & 4.7) out of their bag.
Rolled out, first time:
Padded foot, and built in pulley, with elasticated cord for wrapping it up:
Batten end protection, and Simmer badge on boom cut-out to keep mast sleeve open:
Button on the batten pocket - presumably to provide some minor protection when rigging:
Radial stitching around the clew
Lots of protection on the top of the mast sleeve
5.3 all rigged up:
Then the 4.7:
Nice!
Double Nice!
Of course, the real tests will be on the water...hope to get them wet very soon, and report back!
Rolled out, first time:
Padded foot, and built in pulley, with elasticated cord for wrapping it up:
Batten end protection, and Simmer badge on boom cut-out to keep mast sleeve open:
Button on the batten pocket - presumably to provide some minor protection when rigging:
Radial stitching around the clew
Lots of protection on the top of the mast sleeve
5.3 all rigged up:
Then the 4.7:
Nice!
Double Nice!
First impressions (albeit from the garden) are good:
- They seem well made (perhaps not quite as solid as my Ezzys...but feel lighter)
- Some good little features (eg a "cleaner" mast pad rather than all the straps im used to on the SEs, the elasticated bungy, the badge to keep the mast sleeve open, very good protection at top of the mast sleeve)
- The new material in the head of the sail feels incredibly light when you're rolling it up (hope it lasts)
Of course, the real tests will be on the water...hope to get them wet very soon, and report back!
(FYI - rigged on a Ezzy 400 RDM).
Wednesday 10 November 2010
Waay off Tuesday!
Whilst some of us were enjoying the delights of London transport, others (skivers!) enjoyed a waaay offshore session at Newgale.
Words from Jim, Pura Vida:
Words from Jim, Pura Vida:
"Got in early to find it was too offshore, but battled it out anyway and the odd ride was amazing, holding up for ages and well worth the effort! After a break for lunch it went more cross and was sweet, packed in just before dark..."
The scene
Alfie
Dave
Jim
Lewis
Me
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Local boy done good!
Hats off to Pembs local ripper Lewis for entering the BWA PuraVida Cornwall Wave Classic held last weekend, driving down to the event @ 5am in the morning, after coming back that evening from his Honeymoon!
Not only was Lewis in the winning Amateur team (with brothers Rob & Duncan Sheldon) but he also had the balls (read: Stupidity) to venture out on 'Big Friday' at the other end of the beach along with the likes of UKs keenest windsurfer Steve Thorpe. Lewis reckons they were the biggest waves he's ever sailed in the UK - "mast and a quarter plus"!
A quick sample pic of Lewis from later in the comp:
From all reports it was an truly awesome event - check out Alfie's Day1 video on Boardseeker, with more footage to come.
PS
Back to local sessions:
Unfortunately I missed big-n-clean cross-off Broadhaven in the SE, but managed to score a really fun cross-on shore sail @ Amroth (as the wind turned more SW) with Paul.
OK, so we didn't get a lot of wind (5.2m) but did manage to catch some of that giant swell that was hammering Cornwall - providing a much better than expected session in pretty easy-going, but still sizable (head high) waves.
Not only was Lewis in the winning Amateur team (with brothers Rob & Duncan Sheldon) but he also had the balls (read: Stupidity) to venture out on 'Big Friday' at the other end of the beach along with the likes of UKs keenest windsurfer Steve Thorpe. Lewis reckons they were the biggest waves he's ever sailed in the UK - "mast and a quarter plus"!
A quick sample pic of Lewis from later in the comp:
From all reports it was an truly awesome event - check out Alfie's Day1 video on Boardseeker, with more footage to come.
PS
Back to local sessions:
Unfortunately I missed big-n-clean cross-off Broadhaven in the SE, but managed to score a really fun cross-on shore sail @ Amroth (as the wind turned more SW) with Paul.
OK, so we didn't get a lot of wind (5.2m) but did manage to catch some of that giant swell that was hammering Cornwall - providing a much better than expected session in pretty easy-going, but still sizable (head high) waves.
Oh, and as usual - the Mistral Twinny 84 just keeps on giving - it really is so good in these kinda conditions...its like having a down-the-line autopilot!
Sunday 24 October 2010
Autumn gold
Well, the wind failed to materialise - but a beautiful weekend none the less
The garden still delivering:
The garden still delivering:
And even squeezed in a paddle in the dying swell @ Fresh, still in the summer suit. Dodgy pic from inside the van:
Friday 22 October 2010
Escaping Wind?
This time yesterday the forecast for the weekend looked solid – very strong W all day Saturday and 25mph N Sunday
Roll fwd 24hrs, and the forecast has died off, with a moderate W moving NW on Sat, and a very weak N for Sunday:
FYI
- West is pretty much bang onshore at Newgale, Fresh, BroadHaven
- N is offshore at Pendine, Amroth and Tenby.
I did score an amazing DTL session at Pendine some time back in a NW (cross off) when the waves just went on forever…but it was with a stronger wind and a proper big ground swell running (had to blob about 1 mile down the beach get any wind – blinded by optimism that there had to be something further along the 7 mile stretch of sand)
So, back to this weekend:
- Try a bump-n-jump session @ Pendine on Sat, and hope it doesn’t move N too soon?
- Wait another 24hrs and opt for a dawn session @ Newgale, and hope there’s some wind juice left + small swell for DTL?
- Dont rely on hope – that lawn's gonna take 3hrs to cut!
Decision, Decisions!
PS
Flakey forecast? Must be my new sails on order, haha!
Thursday 21 October 2010
First post - Whetting the Appetite.
Not very many people windsurf around Pembrokeshire (aka Pembs) - hence not much in the way of photographic evidence (who wants to take pics when you can be out on the water, right?!)
However i can assure you, it does "go off" on its day!
Here's a few sample pics to kick things off...and now this blog has started, I will endeavour to try and capture a bit more of the local scene.
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