Blog is copyright of G Baylis and in no way represents the views of Seasprite Sports
Recent Excursions / Sessions Blog:
Feb 6th Sunday ended up walking all my kit downwind from where the kiters launch. Was up at the Cafe and thought it was dropping so sloggged out and realised for the first time I think, I was not going to be able to sail back home. Caught a wave and sailed in and that was that!
Although the wind was SW'ly did feel more like SSW'ly could not really do anything on a wave. Initially well powered up on a 4.7 & 74 Twinser. Some people up at the Cafe must have had only 10 mins or so on the water and then it dropped, others didn't even get their kit wet. Was a case of Early Bird Catches the Worm, again!"
Feb 5th Saturday launched around 09:30, rigged 4.0 & 74 Twinser and that was just about right, wind came up a notch or two though very gusty, light on the inside and then maxed further out. Sailed from here up to the Cafe. At times did feel windier than yesterday and the run back home had to do in a couple of beats as could not sail that far off the wind what with the waves & wind speed. Good turn out up at the Cafe.
Feb 4th I launched from WeatherCam HQ nicking Jai's FSW 75 as I wanted to sail upwind to the Cafe. Stacked on 4.7 should have gone smaller. Launch tad tricky from here and made it up to the Cafe in two beats with out having to go too far out - some reasonable waves but actually they were better down here as the tide was still well up.
Put a Merino top on under my suit and I was very toasty, until I fell in, then warmed up again, then fell in etc - but hands after the initial burn were not too bad and apart from my crocked knee fitness wise I was feeling good.
Nice off the winder back home and played around here, and again waves were way better than up at the Cafe where the tide was that much further out....here water was still up on the shingle, whilst up at the cafe you were having to walk across the stones in the shallows to get out.
Fair number of people out considering it was a Friday in February!
Jan 15th - 16th Epic weekend on the water for many (no sign of Gavin ?? - too windy maybe-heard he legged it into the mountains) - water and air temp not too bad - Bridges out first with Jai right behind on his Quad 68 & 4.0 both days.
Jan 8th Sat "Early Bird Catches the Worm"For those that got out early 08:00 Nick the Farmer & 08:40 Johnny Bridges they had a good hour plus. I managed to get out just after 09:00 & had a decent little 4.7 session on 75FSW but the wind eased off as more people turned up. The earlier strong S'lys this morning, gusting high 40's produced some decent waves, and with temps in double figures it was good whilst it lasted.
Around 15 kites out, with quite a few doing the walk of shame as the wind dropped. One guy ended up down this way getting his lines tangled around a groyne and his legs, even through his wetsuit and boots the lines still cut into him, as he said next purchase is a knife!
Nov 11th Thursday, after the rain cleared conditions were nigh on perfect and it was very tough for me to sit it out but I've decided to pack it in for the Winter in order to let the shoulder heal....here's some photos of a classic day at the Cafe.
Nov 4th Launched around 11:30 and again wind seemed to be very gusty with some big holes in the wind. Was on 4.7 & Thruster 84 though well powered up at times could have been on a 5.2 maybe? And the swell rapidly flattened off, all in all a bit of a disappointment, especially as the wind filled in mid afternoon.
Oct 30th Saturday had a very frustrating session on 5.8 & 84 Thruster, huge holes in the wind as well as some well powered up runs. Sunny & mild though!
Oct 27th Went 4.7 & 84 Thruster circa 11:30 - tad light on the inside but on the whole nice little session - reasonable waves & swell to make it interesting - towards the end more holes, and had some sunshine as well, a lot warmer than Tuesday. Still pain in the shoulder.
Oct 26th First time out in quite a while and all day it was pretty grim, I eventually forced myself to go out at 16:00 thinking that if I didn't that could well be it for the year! It seemed very gusty on the Twinser 74 and 4.7 but maybe I was just out of practice having not been out since late August. Seems that Autumn passed me by as it was more like Winter out there.
Sept 14 & 15th Today other half just had a good little session (rubbing salt into my wound*) in wind veering between WSW & WNW'ly stacked on a 4.7.
*still have a fecked shoulder
Then day before sat around up at the Cafe watching many have a really good sail. Standard of sailing was very good with loops & DTL a plenty. Think the better conditions were 90mins or so before High Tide, though sitting on the beach was interesting to see just how the sets were coming in or not, as it seemed to be down to luck as to whether coming in timed with a decent set.
Great video from the recent National Windsurfing Festival at Hayling.The whole atmosphere is so good with people of literally all abilities taking part, and as ever the party was so very good. Put a date in your diary for next year 3rd - 4th September!
August 24thVarious reports suggest maybe Tuesday was one of the best days of the year. Waves / swell were so much better than Monday. Up at the Cafe was maxed on a 4.0; decent DTL and other crimes against wave sailing were in order, damn fine day though have a hole in the board from poncing about tacking which has also aggravated my shoulder which I tweaked on Sat, made worse on Monday and finally trashed Tuesday!
August 23rd Had a decent session early to mid afternoon, stacked on a 4.7 - sailed up to the Cafe and played around there on the waves till they disappeared. Good to see Steve Waller back out again looping like mad. Surprisingly there was no no real swell out the back which was a bit of a disapointment though can't complain, though I did later as I snuck off down to Shoreham for a second session ignoring the fact that the wind was forecast to drop. Actually what happened was a large bank of cloud came over and killed the wind, as I'm typing this at 19:00 wind has filled back in again !!
August 21stToday was one of the hardest sails back from Shoreham ever, due in part to a fluky wind and by having a weed fin instead of a normal straight fin. Reckon I ended up doing some 30 miles to sail 5 as the crow flies. Good down-winder to get there in 3 reaches and then saw the Spitfires, Hurricanes, ME109's with them flying over me as I started to sail back in a dropping wind.
August 18thInitially went 5.2 & 74 Twinser yesterday but had to change to 4.7. Some decent swell out beyond the buoys and sailing home from the Cafe way out the back was a good rush, more of that please!
Sunday did think a kiter was being really stupid going out in light offshore winds then started getting amazing hangtime, turned out it was Jake along with a jetski literally in tow, really impressive.This is the video Rob H shot after we'd been trying to suss out what was happening.
August 17th Very average session, just as we launched (4.7 Mrs & 5.2) the drizzle came in and killed the wind by about 5mph was still ok and even a bit of a swell out beyond the yellow buoys.
August 11th XFire & 7.5 return of the weed after yesterday, no problems with the weed fin though!
August 10th Good session at Shoreham, wind was picking up all the time. Always worth making the "journey" down there at low tide with nice little stump ramps & Phil D looping just about on every run out. By the end stacked on the 4.7 & 74 Twinser with Nick the Farmer on the same sail size..... At first not that many people out but more showed up as the wind picked up and work finished, great autumnal summer session!
August 9th Seems bizarre what withe the autumnal conditions this morning, but yesterday had a good Summer session 5.8 on the XFire well powered up towards the end but beaten by the tide in the end, but had things to do anyway.
August 7th Saturday saw a very hungover sail felt as if I was on the wrong tack all the time, was quite windy at times. Surprising number of people out here even at low tide!
August 5th Think I missed the best of it Thursday, launching mid afternoon 5.2 & 84 Thruster, though not complaining. By the time I packed up wind had come up some more along with some stunt ramps on the inside and those out, said there were some fair sized faces beyond the yellow buoys.
August 3rd & 4th Enough for 4.7 & 74 Twinser and shortly after had a brief period of heavy rain, but not prolonged. Well powered up but then as the rain past started to ease, no way was I sailing up to the Cafe! Eventually came back in as all the time the NW'ly switch forecast was in the back of my mind and I didn't fancy having a swim in with the various beasties in the water at the moment (see below).
More confirmations of large jelly fish, Gez down at Lancing has spotted at least five "One was the size of a basketball", Mary from Shoreham who was sailing up here and Vinnie all sighted them too. I saw at least three whilst sailing up past the Cafe and back playing around in the swell, in and out back here - one was very purple so maybe Portuguese Man of War, the others were white. A bit of "Googling" and came up with this . I've sailed / dived through many jelly fish in the past but these things are huge in comparison!
Yesterday two sessions, 4.7 & 5.2 on the 84Thruster, did think it would be windier hence the 4.7 but I was well powered up.
August 1st 5.2 on Twinser 90 Mrs & Jai on 4.7's and again up this way we had better wind than Hayling / Witterings etc. Another classic day.
July 31stToday mates came over from the Witterings to experience for themselves the Worthing Effect and were not disappointed with it up here. Ended up on 4.7's by the end changing & swapping boards with each other, happy days. Down their way it was 5.8 - 6.5 weather.
July 28th Turned out alright in the end and it didn't switch NW'ly, it just eased off after a very up and down day. I went 5.8 on the XFire as my arms could not face the 7.5 and again the water was so clear.
July 28th Good session(s) , initially well stacked on a 5.8 then 4.7 & 74 Twinser later just in shorts & rashie. Most of the usual suspects (kiters) were out enjoying jumping over me!
July 27th Launched early when it was gusting high teens. Had a good session in an ever increasing wind, then sailed up to Mother in Law's for a meeting with Social Services then back out again hanging on with it hitting 25/26's on the 7.5 . As tide was out water was really flat anyway so made it easier, had a couple of manic runs with Dangerous Dave (kiter) then the walk of pain at low tide to get back for a meeting here at 18:30!
July 25th & 26th Great Weekend was good to be out in the sunshine both days with wind far far better than forecast especially yesterday. Again water was so clear. Saturday wind really filled in and was nigh on 4.7 weather by the end. Weed was an issue, my mate now has a weed fin as well, great investment! Finished a great day off by cooking paella up on the Downs under the full moon.
July 22nd Made the most of an unexpected breeze, well powered sail on the XFire & 7.5 blasting bewteen the pier and Ferring in the sunshine.
July 21st Wednesday, Mrs was out on the 5.2 in in 100% sunshine, I was on the XFire 112 & 7.5 using my new weed fin which worked really well, could sail right through the weed no problem. Upwind performance not too bad, sailed upwind to East Prestion, by the end of the session could have changed down to 5.8.
July 16th 17th Friday still very windy, Mrs blown off the water so used her 4.0 which was great. Swell not so good but still some good stuff to play on up at the Cafe. Then Saturday 4.7 & 5.2 weather helped by the Worthing Effect in the afternoon. Body needs a rest!
July 15th Big Winds - Did the Cafe mid afternooon but think I probably missed the best of it, but still no complaints, well powered up for a while on 4.0 in the sunshine, then started to drop, waited a while & went 5.2 but bit burnt out by then. Earlier was out at Shoreham at 07:45 maxed on a 4.0 waves gradually built as the tide came in around 11:00, by then I was getting tired. Had a quick look at the Cafe on the way back and that' was looking really sweet.
July 12th Was able to take advantage of the improving conditions and had a very sweet session with the Mrs, windsurfing that is......don't think I've ever seen the sea so clear, you could still see the bottom out by the yellow buoys. And with the totally clear sky the water was just superb with all the colours, all we needed were a couple of dolphins........who needs to go away when it's like that!
Well powered up 5.8 & 90 Twinser, Mrs 5.2 & 84.
We packed up as the cloud came in and then the wind dropepd not good for those rushing down for an after work session.
July 11th Yesterday up early to take advantage of the F5 blowing with a well powered up hour or so in the rain / drizzle / low cloud with 5.8 & 90 Twinser. Still been a desparate week with a teasing wind of the "Will it Won't it variety".
July 5th Manic Monday Went to derig just before 17:00 and wind seemed to be more consistent with a clearer sky so went for it & ended up having a good little session. Still very gusty at times and wind would drop under the smallest of rogue clouds but this time did not veer NW'ly and I was ever aware that it might drop as wind has been all over the place today. Earlier on I was caught out (look at the stats ) at 14:50 and avoided a swim as I was able to just about walk back in, and here's a pretty picture of the cloud that was causing the problems. Needless to say wind dropped and went NW'ly at 19:15, must have been the localised front going through :)
July 4th Finally at long last, a great day with strong consistent reliable winds, and good to see so many out. Counted around 40 kites from the Greensward up to Goring Gap and a fair gathering of sails up at The Gap as well as those launching from the yacht club car park as its free, almost like the old days. By mid to late afternoon it was 4.7 & 74 Twinser weather (highest gust 33mph) and for the first time this year there was a reasonable swell rolling "out the back" provding some nice rides on the way back from the Cafe, and earlier on we had a Vulcan bomber flying low overhead!
Think we launched around 11:00 and ended up with three sessions coming in (leaving kit on the beach) to rehydrate, eat and watch the end of todays Tour De France stage, and then back out again.
July 3rd Today ended up somewhat cream crackered after sailing upwind to LA on the XFire 112 & 7.5 in the ever increasing wind, not helped by earlier in the morning running down to Shoreham and back. My calf was cramping big time on the board towards the end!
June 29th Today was quite up and down, was a little disappointed that it did not fill in more.......had an early afternoon session, 84 Thruster & 5.8 sailed up to the Cafe to see who else was out.....then a later session down at Shoreham as I was down that part of the world, went 7.5 & XFire 112 but string weed was the worst I've ever seen it there, seems there's no getting away from it!
As I drove past Lancing car park was very busy.
June 24th Sods Law - I took a chance on launching after that epic tennis match, long walk to the water with the wind dropping. Shot off immediately towards Shoreham (to get the van after I ran back) just as Lewis down near the Lido was coming in, made it about that far before wind dropped, had a very long slog back, planing with the apparent wind but not making much headway back up wind, plus string weed did not help. Then the high cloud started to clear and wind filled in and had another good hour and a bit, similar to last night with Dave going down wind on a different kite, doing way better this time :) came close to going off to S'ham again.....another nice evening. Then had to cycle to Shoreham to get the van, was late for my plumber as I was meant to be fixing his PC....ironic or what! June 23rd Grabbed a nice splash n'dash session surprisingly well powered up through to about 19:15. Whilst sailing out came across Dangerous Dave who was doing his best at doing a downwinder with his kite in the water, stayed close & offered words of encouragement, but both of us decided he was better off without me trying to help :)
June 22nd Today we had a couple of mph more than the day before......that was enough to see more people out on the water with around 10 kites at any one time and a handfull of sails along this stretch of the coast. For us on big boards (XFire 112 7 7.7) & fins string weed was a bit of a pain and took me quite a few tacks to get up past Ferring.......but not complaining....nice in the sunshine and better in the end than I thought it was going to be.
June 16th Had a good road trip Wednesday, stopped off at various locations to see what best suited high tide launching. Dymchurch / St Mary's tide was too high, so via binoculars saw kites & sails out further down towards Littlestone / Greatstone; ended up having a good session in "waves" at Greatstone even on port tack, like a good day at Shoreham though with a worst rip on the inside. Later a few still found the waves tough :)
June 13th Sunday saw an unexpected breeze kick in......by the time I came off the water must have been around 20 kites which did go SW'ly for a brief period. I sailed (XFire112 & 7.5) up to East Preston SC hooking up with my mate who was on his way back from LA on his 9.4.....though Jai was out on his 5.5.......water was really clear, though the string weed was a bit of a pain......good little session!
June 6th Sunday = "Classic Afternoon"
Cracking afternoon yesterday, by all accounts more wind up this way than elsewhere. With the clear sky "Worthing Effect" in full force with the wind dropping back around 21:30, or maybe it was just the front going through :)
Counted nigh on 50 kites out, good to see so many out on the water be they dinghys, windsurfers, kites. Mrs went out for a first session of the year well powered on 4.7 - looks like being abroad
Earlier on in the day when it was more overcast I sailed Shoreham & back (XFire 112 & 7.5), so downwinder followed by an upwinder! Could see the weather was clearing as I made it to Shoreham and sure enough picked up all the way back, should have come in to depower the sail, but kept going. Garmin Track Log here
June 3rd Sweet little session in on the XFire & 7.5. Noticed a SE'ly breeze kicking in. When I launched it was gusting 20 & averaging 16mph well powered up so sailed upwind heading for Shoreham, at the BP garage (East Worthing) wind started to drop, made it downwind of the pier and thought I was going to have to walk back......then it came back a little, let sail out and had a good blast back home and another 20 mins before it started dropping again........nice little unexpected session :)
May 30th Went out in the very gusty WSW/W/WNW/NW'ly (all over the place) with the tide on the drop. Light on the inside but stacks on the outside. 5.8 & Twinser 90, Jai 4.7 & 84 Thruster. Good news is that the string weed seems to have disappeared, think as it's not fully grown it's very thin and has little buoyancy to float......well that's my theory!
May 28th/29th This morning went 5.8 after yesterday when I had a very maxed session, 7.5 & XFire 112 first long sail of the year, up to LA and then really tough sailing back off the wind as just over boarded and over sailed with a short steep rolling swell that was always threatening to catch the nose of the board and send me flying over the front. Tough but rewarding!
May 17th Monday couple of sessions (XFire 112 & 7.5), "Power Hour" at lunch time sailing upwind to East Preston SC and a nice three or four broad reaches back to home. Then late afternoon session buzzing a few mates out on their kites and then sailing with Johny B out the back on his XFire 135 - these XFire's shift!
May 15th & 16th Back out on the XFire again..........On the Saturday I was out on the water before the kiters decided there was enough for them. Sailed up to the Cafe a couple of times and some nice runs back off the wind, then sailed further up wind to Ferring to see who was out and then another blast back off the wind.
Sunday after a bad morning racing up and down the A24/A264 went 5.8 on the Twinser 90 as I thought the XFire might be a bit of a handfull in the swell and wind that seemed to be on the increase.....very average session...no mojo today!
May 1st Two sessions on the Xfire 112 & 5.8 along with Jai on the 90 Twinser & 5.5. So much more comfortable than yesterday for me using a seat harness.
First session was good for 45mins, then sailed up to Cafe and wind dropped on the way back, so had a good core stability workout getting back in (slog) .
Second much better, this times sailed up to Ferring to see who was out up there. Have to admit to arms now quite tired, think that had more to do with the pumping inthe lulls. About 15 kites out mid to late afternoon.
April 30th Started off with the wrong choice of kit at first XFire 112 & 5.8; ended up 4.7 & 74 Twinser but really felt uncomfortable with leftover pains in chest & hip etc, think the windsurfing is going to highlight how slow/fast my recuperation is!
Please be careful if landboarding on the wet grass....don't want a repeat of this as it will only help to get all kiting banned !
Not been too much to blog about, been doing a fair amount of running for B'ton & Three Forts Marathons; few weekends back Swell was very good. Guys on the longboards were making the most of the conditions, captured a few good pics, pretty good for little old Worthing - images here . Had a little trip to the Mountains, the video of our recent trip, not too bad considering was only using a my Panasonic T27. More details of the trip in the blog below, now to look forward to five weeks in March, going back to Serre :)
Jan 28th - Feb 1st Left Morzine after another great day (Monday) at 16:30 and made EuroTunnel terminal by 00:40 still in ski gear. Blue sky steep chute deep powder in the morning and then weather closed in big time mid to late afternoon.....video here of some of the action.
Great guide Gulliame (aspirant guide) - who really found us some great lines, six of us in the group Monday and worth every cent, don't understand why more don't do it! And pleased to say skiing fat skis improved big time when I changed from soft touring boots to still alpine ones............
As usual quite eventful, had two slides on top of me on Saturday - could have fecking killed the idiot who set one off above me (tried to catch him up to belt him) then in a gulley one of our team set one off which was enough to take my skis away - but only small scale - but still had the bowels moving (almost)........... so not too bright, guide was a tad embarrassed about it all!
Jan 10th Little video of Sunday's action.....Good fun up at Findon in the morning. Think we did about 11 or 12 descents which are only about 55ms vertical but steep enough to get some decent lines - happy days - video here.
Jan 8th Snow !! Friday went running up & around Chanctonbury though at times some of the trails were nigh on impassable with almost thigh deep drifts, on the whole it was possible to run in the tractor trails where the farmers are dropping off feed for the livestock, but where the tractors had not been it was damn hard work as very few and in some parts no one had been there.
I started the run off is quite foul conditions but every now and again the sun would come out and it was superb. Once up at Chanctonbury the cloud came & went making for some great scenarios........truly great to be up there.........only hassle now have a knackered calf .....but one of the more memorable days........ Some more pretty pictures.....
Jan 6th Snow !! Wednesday, went out on the touring skis from Hill Barn up to and around Cissbury. Lot of effort for not much reward as coming back down was very lame.....but still great to be up there! Just as I started out crossing the A27 temps had dropped & black ice was starting with the net result of lorries being stuck on the slight hill. Later on traffic was running ok........ Probably the most snow I've ever seen up on the Downs - pretty pictures here.
December Actually did not manage to get out all this month, as we only had two days of real wind. I missed a great day on Sun Dec 6th as I was up to my knees in mud doing the Duck Pond Waddle, but managed 22nd overall!
Nov 29th Mad maxed 4.0 session at the Cafe earlier. Classic S/SSW'ly fair sized to very big out the back with clean flat stretches between them. About twenty or so out all having a great time. And in the end was not as cold as Saturday........but wind chill well down so winter wetsuits etc, mind you it is nearly December!
Nov 28th Scored a good session up at the Cafe. Went 4.7, was ok for a while then wind filled in, so whilst others changed down just grunted on the out/down hauls. Managed some reasonable turns/smacks, with some decent faces further out, sort of reverse of Lancing, can't complain really have had a good week of riding - then into running gear and up on the Downs with a mate for 6 miles, ended up knackered...........
Nov 27th Lancing was frustrating, had 45 mins or so of decent cross shore wind n'waves but no where near as good as Wed/Thurs, as more people turned up the wind dropped. Couple of kiters spent quite a while in the water getting back in. Lucky for them the Coastguard were already on the scene and were able to monitor the situation.
Nov 26th Again down to Lancing.........not the best session of the week but still some sweet turns by S Coast standards over an hour or so, wind very gusty in and out of the showers. Feeling very weak from bad guts, hopefully will clear through by tomorrow............Wait and See in the morning, but as I type this (22:45) another wild squall ripping through!
Nov 25th Another good session.....Somewhat ironic in that from where I live and usually sail I travel to Lancing, and then Gareth who lives more or less on WideWater at Shoreham, he too chooses to sail Lancing again, and neither of us were disappointed as it was better than yesterday!
There must have been about eight of us out, a few being blown off the water as the wind steadily increased, with most of us on 4.0's. Why Lancing? The main buzz is the Down The Line (DTL) wave riding, with the WSW'ly wind being at just the right angle to the waves it's not too difficult to string a large number of turns together, sometimes into double figures (again) on some fair sized faces.
Eventually the wind went more onshore (SW'ly) and after I packed up went up to the Cafe where quite a few were out, but the riding was no where near as clean, mainly because the wind was SW'ly. So whilst we have the current conditions we're in danger of becoming "boring" wave snobs, but we'll try & make the most of it!
And Kiters, I don't think you need to worry that the PoleSurfers are going to invade Lancing, just that swell conditions at the moment mean in a WSW'ly at low to mid tide Lancing delivers the goods, anyway hardly any kiters have been out there the past couple of days!
Nov 24th Great session at Lancing. Arrived down there around 10:40 and quite a few "faces" were there. Went 4.7 & 74 Twinser, at first swell & waves seemed disappointing after the last few days but after about ten minutes either me or the waves got a whole lot better. The WSW'ly wind picked up with others changing down to 4.0's and it seemed that every run back in you'd be able to string a fair number of turns/smacks in, often well into double figures as the angle on the wind was almost perfect. Big Gareth, I'm pretty sure said to me that he had his best wave ever, and something about more than 15 bottom turns............
Came back had a cup of tea in the Cafe watching quite a few out. Although waves looked good, and bigger out the back than at Lancing they weren't delivering such good riding potential.
Monday 16:15 Some great riding..... Just back from the Cafe and around a handful (all three Nicks) were out really making the most of the waves. Bottom turns almost in double figures. Almost cross off, making it light on the inside and then stacked once further out, and some very big faces......no need to go far when conditions are like this. I'm having to pass on today, ankle sore and ears really need to dry out! Cam Online (though busy!)
Superb in the end! Yesterday session started off helping a mates wife who catapaulted just as I was about to launch, twisting her ankle as her foot stayed in the straps, hopefully just a bad sprain. Wind was S'ly and at first it was really good fun, wide open stretched and some decent ramps then wind started to kick in and some huge gusts came through. Came in to apply down/out haul to the 4.0 as others were getting blown off the water. Had a few squalls where it was nigh on impossible to hang on and then one almighty squall with rain like hail, that must have been when it gusted 58mph! [see stats]
The rocks as ever provided some shelter, then for around half an hour it was interval sailing again, going out for a few runs then back in again as another crazy squall hit. Then wind started to veer SW'ly and then WSW'ly the weather cleared and we had a cracking hour or so of great sailing. Out the back waves were huge, I along with a few others all got taken out by various "rogue" waves, at times almost scarily big.
Finally called it a day up at the Cafe, and then had a rather challenging down winder back home!
Nov 20th Reasonable session launching from here, 4.7 & 74 Twinser sailed up to the Cafe where a handful were out. Fair sized waves/swell and nice flat stretches plus smooth faces made up for the grim weather. Then sailed back home, de-rigged and in the shower within 10 minutes, sailing from here does have its advantages!
Nov 19th 5.2 & 74 Twinser, more like 5.8 & 95lts, though a fair sized swell to play in. So much for "It's great when it's like this, grab a quick couple of hours .........etc". As ever grab it whilst it's there like the morning patrol(s) did today and ended up with a good maxed session!
Nov 18th Cafe mid afternoon yesterday counted over 20 sails out, quite a few up from Hove. Turned out to be a "Classic Cafe" session, great rideable waves and constant wind. Some really good DTL was had, saw some great wipeouts from Nick the Plumber :)
Nov 16th I managed a very sweet session, started off going 5.2 as I thought wind was dropping, stupid or what, 40 mins later struggling with a 4.7. Had some very good rides in nigh on 100% sunshine, bliss!
CBBC Pier Jump This has to be the best "edit" yet ! And if you've not seen them, pictures here by Eddie Mitchell & BBC Video here
Nov 14th A Day to Remember Morning started off with Lewis & Jake out on the water first beating the windsurfers and putting in huge air. Then young Sam Darkin was first out from the Cafe on a 3.7. I went 4.0 with others opting for 3.7's to 4.2's. There was only a handful of us out. Was quite mangeable at first, though I had a major scare out to sea as I gybed on a big face, lost it and my kit was carried off by the wave. Swam like feck to catch it, just about got it and another wave took it. I must have been at max heart rate and really did think it was all going pear shaped.
Little shockwave movie of Jake & Lewis here. and windsurfers later (pics snapped by local Press photographer Eddie Mitchell) here
Few more runs on the 4.0 and the wind really picked up, so most of us changed down, that was a 3.3 for me, others on 3.5's. So all on small sails (apart from Phil who stuck, somehow with his 4.0), and still was too much at times. All we were able to do was a couple of runs, then come in for a rest and then back out again and for a few more then back in again. Don't think I need to "big" the conditions up, let's just say the Worthing Ankle Biters were a challenge :)
I don't think I can recall it being so windy for so long, ususally 3.3 weather lasts all of 45 minutes but today was just insane. Tremendous rush!
Just heard from a "Client" who repairs beach huts that nine huts went for a walk today, five decided to go across the grass with debris everywhere!
Nov 13th Bit of a non event yesterday, went to S'ham & initially had a good 40mins or so 4.7 & 74 Twinser playing waves. Then wind dropped, waited around, packed up just as the wind came through again!
Nov 12th Quick splash n'dash session, well powered 4.7 & Twinser 74, bit of a laugh blasting along with Dangerous Dave Kiter. No "rip" up this way unlike that reported from Shoreham!
Nov 6th Mid / late afternoon yesterday rather over powered session. Not quite windsurfing, more like interval training, rigged too big (5.8 & 105FSW) so beat out to sea, then beat up to the Cafe then manic off the wind reach(s) [ sorry kiters :) ] back to WeatherCam HQ then repeat 5 times, & wind gusting high 30's - was a good work out, now don't have to go for a run!
After our trip to Kimmeridge on Wednesday (see below) thought yesterday could produce even better conditions than we had - and yes.....see here!
Great "Road Trip" to Kimmeridge. Was on a par with a good "Powder Day" in the Mountains. Some very big waves to play on outside of the bay and decent sized lines inside the bay. Solid 5.0 weather with sunshine in the morning, though the big guys (Dave White etc) were on 5.6's, and then in the afternoon stronger winds in the squalls & heavy rain with resulting "holes" as the rain tracked through.
Nov 3rd Thought I'd timed it well again, going 4.7 around 13:30 was good for around 30mins then started getting hard work chasing what wind was left, was also a fair old rip on the inside up here....should have gone earlier but it was so foul.
Nov 1st Today actually timed things to nigh on perfection, rigged in anticipation of a partial drop in wind speed as the earlier incessant rain was easing and clearing sky out to the West - as I more or less launched (4.7 & Twinser74) rain stopped, wind went more W'ly and had a damn fine couple of hours, letting the down/out haul off a couple of times maximising the dropping wind. Few others out, all of us enjoying some very nices lines breaking a fair way out, really good session!
Oct 24th Well considering up to Friday the forecasts were all suggesting that Sunday was not going to better day I don't think anyones complaining! After a bit of an indifferent start, wind did fill in and 7m kites and 5.0 - 4.0 sails with a reasonable wave provided a good session. Only complaint was that it was at times a wee bit too busy up at the Cafe, (few near misses) suppose we'll just have to wait for gnarly old mid week 35mph day with just the "local" crew out safe in that we all hopefully know what we're doing on waves etc & even Dave on his kite :)
Oct 24th Today very much a game of two halves, miserable and soggy in the morning and then verging on a summer's day mid afternoon. I passed on a second session and ended up kicking myself walking up to the Cafe to see everyone making the most of the conditions with a reasonable swell rolling in. Then back home sacking out doing some "armchair/sofa" sailing in the conservatory watching people still out right up to 18:00 as a couple of kites flew past the Cam off on a downwinder.
Earlier on was one of the first out, and was not exactly inspirational so sailed in a tight pinch all the way to LA and then a decent blast back off the wind on 105FSW & 5.8. Feeling quite weak after a "bug" got to me this week, positive is that lost 1/2 stone!
Oct 22nd Not a bad session, started out on 5.2 & 74 Twinser then changed to 5.8 & 105 FSW, sailing upwind to get out the back resulted in riding some quite big faces then off down wind riding what ever was on offer, back on the inside was quite light, and steadily worse as the tide came up.
Oct 20th Today looking through various reports most had disappointing sessions. For me with the wind dropping (09:30) just as I was out there, what with the "Evil Tack" and a bit of a down wind current with the tide on the push was hard to get going, not helped by being on the Twinser & 5.2 - bit bigger kit (85lt & 5.5), probably would have been alright.
Moon Beach Oct 9 - 16th
5 days out of 7, 5.8 / 5.2 weather for me, Jai and Mrs WC 4.7's - few blog reports below.
Very chilled out
No dolphins today (just can’t get the staff), couple of hours well powered up. Wind is at its strongest at 11:00 so does sort the hangover out and there have been some big ones!
Yesterday, sailed up wind with Moon Beach / Shoreham Phil for around 45 mins then good down winder back. Three dolphins made a brief appearance but didn’t stay for long, though Mrs WC again was sailing with them!
Sailing with Dolphins! Fantastic day maxed on 5.2 / Jai & Mrs WC on 4.7's. Slightly less wind today, went 5.8 but others still on 4.7's. Noticed a few jelly fish out to sea and commented on that to Phil who said "that's good as they're Dolphin's food" and sure enough about half an hour later about 3/4's of mile out about twenty to thirty of them.
I went off on a down winder with them as they were surfing the rolling swell. They seemed a wee bit timid of me, but Mrs WC has them sailing with her almost playing with her board. Life doesn't get much better!
Oct 3rd Saturday was not too bad up this way around high tide, started out on 5.2 then down to 4.7 and could have been on a 4.0 - but it was very gusty [see stats]. Waves not too bad in the end and some DTL to be had though some of the sailors out at the Cafe should read up on rights of way / wave etiquette etc!!
Sept 16th Road trip on Wednesday to Kingsdown (North of Dover), that really was a bad call....sorry guys. Faith was restored in sailing (and enjoying) port tack when we came back via St Marys and had a really good, all be it brief session there, great waves & DTL.Read [more]
Sept 5th - Team(s) Ezzy & RRD 1st & 2nd Great result in the Team Tag Race at the National Windsurfing Festival at Hayling against much stronger teams of well known Pro Sailors for North, Fanatic, Pryde, Starboard etc etc. Seasprite Team riders took 1st & 2nd. Teams were made up of three team riders and one member of the Freeride fleet chosen randomly, all done without state of the art race sails, or riders :) ....[read more]
Great event using XFire112 & 8.5 Freeride, and a good party I think......left early Sunday morning as no wind, but it must have filled in later.......somehow managed to get 8th in the National Fleet after 4 races on Saturday, shurley shum mistake.
On the Friday gusty 4.7 chop city at its worse at Hayling.
September 3rd Today goes down as one of the better sessions! (4.7 & Twinser) Some good DTL to be had, only a handful out and no one getting in the way making riding all the better, though surfers on the inside were a wee bit problematical because quite often you couldn't see them until you were almost on top of them! Launched from the Cafe, then as the tide went out sailed downwind in a series of DTL reaches all the way back home leaving the van for Mrs WC to pick up for me, bless her!
September 2nd Good little session down here then up to the Cafe where there were a few out, then back down here for some more. 5.2 & 74 Twinser.
September 1st Two sessions, one mid morning with a mate who is getting back into it, so mid tide with the squalls tracking through. Left the 5.2 rigged for later, but changed to a 4.7, should have gone 4.0 (or smaller) as it really picked up, know that when people who usually sail 0.5m bigger than me were on 4.0's! Good fun though with a few of us out making the most of the conditions.
August 29th Good session sailing down this way in front of the Yacht Club - quite a few out making the most of the Baker Windsurfing Academy/Demo with Nik & Ant. Some "old" faces on & off the water not seen for a while. Well powered on 5.2 & 74 Twinser went up to Cafe but only a few out.
August 28th Maxed out 4.0 session, good swell for August, though none too clean out the back. >For the Geeks yesterday was wearing my GPS/HRM, curious to see at what level you're working out in maxed 4.0 weather - track log here
August 27thGood early evening session at the Cafe well maxed on 5.2 with some good little waves. Much better than the very bland earlier afternoon sess with wind full of holes again.
August 25th Couple of sessions, lots of holes in the wind along with the swell, there one minute gone the next. 4.7 & 80FSW earlier on, then Mrs went 4.7 and 5.2 for me in the late afternoon light & blue sea, very sweet.
August 24th Out on 5.8 & 105FSW & Mrs on 5.2, sailed up to Ferring (still a lot of string weed around) & was surprised at who I saw learning to kite, both getting on annoying well by the looks of things!
August 21st Friday, well powered up 4.7 / 4.2 blasting , mate down from inland, he sailed tiil he had to do the walk of pain all the way with the tide out, but he had a good session.
August 17th More of the same, 5.2 & 80FSW, Mrs WC on 4.7 not much in the way of swell, sailing no hands a lot of the time on the way in.
August 16th After a dodgy start in the morning sky cleared and wind filled in, 5.2 & 77FSW not much even in the way of swell even out the back but good time was had sailing up & down to / from the Cafe along with some kiter mates, happy days.
August 15th Many kites out making the most of the conditions, though were a few "holes" in the wind. In the end I was on the other half's kit of 5.2 & 77FSW well powered up.
August 14th Nearly "skunked", did venture out on the 7.5 & XFire112 but string weed was so bad, came back changed to 105FSW with weed fin then wind dropped. Sunday morning should be really windy, it's the , last year the swim was cancelled due to the wind!
August 12th Windiest period was roughly 15:00 - 16:00 with wind gusting 26mph. First session earlier on Mrs WC well powered up on 5.2 & 77FSW, I was on 5.8 & 105 - some faces on the rolling swell about half mile out to propel yourself round, but lame on the inside. Then second session much better just playing around.
August 10th Today OK, not complaining 4.7 & 74 Twinser in light rain, but seemed to be lacking.
August 2nd More than well powered up, having left the 7.5 rigged overnight, whilst others were out on 4.7's. Mrs came back from work & could have gone 4.0. Though I just can't hang on to big sails, was Capatin Slow with everyone else passing me on smaller kit........I blame that old weed fin I was using :)
August 1st Wet & miserable, not enough wind with the 7.5
30th July Trip over to Hayling not brilliant, and didn't make it over to East Witt.....very choppy. Unlike 75% of people out on the water I reacted to the ominous looking cloud and just made it back in before the wind went, quite a few others were caught out. Went from 5.2 74 Twinser to 105FSW 5.8 over the course of the afternoon.
29th July Tempted out by the conditions and the fact I'd sanded down a very old 36 weed fin to go in the 105FSW - armed with the 7.5 straight down to Shoreham harbour arm and then back with no stops, seemed wind was more SSW down there as I had to make three tacks to get back. I was going to go on to LA but phone kept ringing in my backpack & thought it could be urgent.........track log here
July 27th - Slalom at the CafeWell at first was very encouraging, well powered up on 5.2's some people on 4.5's - and not just full on slalom race kit. JonL out on his Bic Veloce, I think. First race Steve Waller did very well on his Wave One L holding on to third place, then decided a quick loop was in order. Then second race wind died, but still went with it. Usual suspects, Nic & Ant Baker, Jamie H & others. String weed was a pain, but we all had that to deal with. Roll on the next one..........and a couple of well earned pints in the Bull later!
26th July Went to Brighton.....but..... launched at low tide 09:30 (that alone was 0.4 miles) had a reasonable blast over, though not powered up all the way as the wind veered SW'ly. And once over there wind went light and I just could not make it back upwind, even with going out a fair way, I was just making no head way not helped by having too smaller fin. Had a chat with the RNLI crew who were moored off the piers, and then I had a problem water starting, tad embarassing.........so back in between the piers and called Mrs WC, she was not happy.........then it seemed to fill in again! 18.5 miles.
25th July Couple of sessions today (5.2 & 5.8) along with the Mrs, either side of the Tour de France. Very flat, buzzing yachts a couple of miles offshore was mildy amusing. Later on Jamie H came down in full on slalom / race mode, luckily for him much of the weed had gone downwind. Then he sailed back up wind to LA, and I thought I sailed a long way out to sea, he was a dot on the horizon!
24th July Second session of the day (4.7 & 74 Twinser), sailed up to the Cafe. Quite a few people out, good to see some "old" faces making the most of the ankle biters, swell had dropped off from the earlier morning session and out the back it was almost running West to East, still good fun this time with Rob (kiter) who enjoyed the faces on his wave board!
Earlier on today well powered up on the 5.2 & 80FSW (should have taken the Twinser). Went out the back couple of times with Dangerous (kiter) good rides were had :)
23rd July Session with the Mrs in the afternoon sunshine, always lucky in that I have an other half who gets out there (on the odd occasion), we eventually made it to the Cafe for a cup of tea with her (six tacks), hard work on bare feet with the rocks as the tide was going out, ouch. Wind was good for afterwork, should imagine Lancing & S'ham were busy!
22nd July Went out for a second session with the tide on the drop with the 4.7 left rigged from the morning but really not quite enough. The morning was much better, some wind blown swell producing decent enough ramps up at the Cafe and some meaty faces out the back. Weed situation not too bad here now, think it's all on its way to Lancing & S'ham :)
20th July In the end was tempted by the breeze and went down to S'ham, don't know why, maybe just to tick the box with another session (how sad) just about going on 5.2 & 105FSW.
19th July Two sessions toda. Morning was stacked on a 4.7, Jai was on 3.5! As I was still pretty leant over felt as if I was on Port tack, not the best of sessions after a great night camping up on Chanctonbury, the Weather Gods were kind to us, no rain and we were sheltered from the wind, though don't think I would have heard it anyway. Slept like a log and woke up in the fire place!
Then late afternoon tide on the push, left 4.7 rigged and sort of exaggerated to Mrs WC about how I thought wind was dropping, as if I had said you better take the 3.3 she would not go out. So 4.0 it was for her with stacks of out / down haul with Jai back out on his 55 & 3.5. Ten mins into the session I was hoping she'd pack it in so I could have the 4.0, I had to wait for another 20 mins hanging on to the 4.7.......once on the 4.0 not so manic. Sailed up to the Cafe with a couple of others out and made the most of the building swell. All in much better than the morning, helped by being sober!
18th July Two sessions, morning 5.2 & 74 Twinser, and then 4.7 in the afternoon, with Jai out on his 55 & 4.0 , little in the way of swell up here even way out the back. Stopped off at Shoreham mid afternoon and it was very busy, and don't think I've seen so many kites out at Lancing.
17th July Eventually wind did fill in down at East Witt. Interesting in the WNW'ly Chimet was logging F5-6 but inshore was only circa 10mph, once out a fair way then it was F5. Started off on 5.8 & 105 FSW ended up on 5.2 & 74 Twinser and could have been on 4.7 by the end. Waves did drop back back still an awful lot of surfers / body boarders out which made it a wee bit awkward on the inside. Inhaul broke way out to sea and in the wipe out the mast sleeve for the skinny popped off, so had to lash the front end together to get back, but a good session was had!
15th July Good session in the afternoon well powered up 4.7 & Twinser 74 went with Lewis out the back where we both enjoyed the rolling swell for a couple of turns together. Then up to the Cafe and more "Out the back" with Johnny Hutch laying some nice swoops down the faces. Almost began to get to busy up at the Cafe with surfers, body boarders, kites & windsurfers all looking for space on the inside. In the end left and had a nice peaceful time back down in front of the Cam not paranoid about mowing some surfer over!
14th July Not the best of sessions with Mrs WC, started off 5.2 left rigged from Sunday but let the Mrs have that & I went 5.8 on the 105 FSW ok at times, but below par. Still string weed about so don't use straight fins. Second session was a 8.5 mile run at 7:50 pace.
12th July Great day on Sunday, three sessions. Low mid tide blasting on 105FSW & 5.8, then later on maxed out on 5.2 & 74 Twinser. Launching through high tide was awkward, not helped by the weed in the shallows. Out the back large rolling swell to play on providing some steep faces to swoop off DTL on. Have been working on sailing sailing sans hands, bit like a bike, gradually your body learns to adjust to it, though now just waiting for the Mother of all catapaults!
11th July Average session early afternoon in clear weather before the rain set in, came back in to catch the last ten minutes of F1 qualifying. Quite well powered up 5.8 & 105FSW, sailing out the back to play on the rolling swell. Slub weed not as bad as yesterday, most of it now washed up ashore.
10th July No waves yesterday, but if you go out beyond the yellow buoys there were some decent sized faces on the rolling swell way out the back, good adrenalin rush at times. Well powered up on 5.2 & Twinser 74 with the Mrs stacked on a 4.7.
7th July Over the years been out on the water in a few vicious squalls, and had just launched around 14:15 when a huge one came through. Even had the Police helicopter above me holding his nose into the advancing squall, presume too worried to turn and be side on. Went to go back out by a couple of lightening strikes further out put me off, wind then dropped.
6th July Two sessions yesterday, powered up at the Cafe, opting for a 4.7 over the 4.0 but with max down & out haul sail was quite stable on the 74 Twinser. Some decent ramps and good faces (if you could catch them before they disapeared) out the back for some nice swoops down. Then Shoreham circa 17:30 on the 4.0 and still plenty of wind. Better waves than earlier at the Cafe with more to play on etc fair number of people out again, only hassle now have rubbed a nice hole on the top of my foot 5th July Sunday delivered mid afternoon onwards as the sky cleared. I launched when it was still marginal at around 12mph gusting 17mph and had to work to get the board going and not helped by the damn string weed. Eventually wind filled in and was more than powered up. Sailed up to Ferring and had some more one on one with Vinnie, though he was on his monster kit 9.2 & 140 Exocet. Sailed back and Jai was out on my 105 & 5.2 going well. Water was so clear, and in boardies & vest who needs to go away when it's like this?
3rd July Friday at Shoreham you could have been fooled into thinking it was the weekend with the amount of people out on the water in the afternoon. Good summer session just in boardies and vest, and "NO" I was not cold......ventured out on the XFire and 7.5 for a workout prior to changing down to the 74 Twinser & 5.2, could have been on a 4.7 but didn't take it with me!
Fri 26th Yesterday took advantaged of the 15mph wind avec XFire112 & 7.5 sailed up to LA bumping into various people going out & coming back, on and off the water. Bit of one on one blasting on the way back with Vinnie at Ferring but I was carrying some seaweed, either that or I need to get a race sail :)
Very pleasant just wearing boardies and a vest, almost Mediterranean like and as the wind dropped for the last mile, the water cleared and you could see the bottom.
Fri 19th More of the same, quad bike touring in the morning around the North Shore, went to the "kite surfing" bay which is along the North Shore, nice waves as the wind is onshore there, (will post pics later when I get back), but no kiting going on. Then on to Bubble Beach, youtube bubble beach to see what goes on there :) . Then back to windsurf, more slalom racing / blasting all good fun.
Thurs 18th - Hired 150 Quad bike and went off on an arduous / tough ride care of sussing out route on Google Earth first in the am , fantastic if demanding track / path over cliffs and deserted inaccessible coves to a "pretty" chapel - then on to a superb cove which was a very chilled out beach - really hard to find, but full of "Willy's"! Then back to some slalom racing iwth Jens the owner of the windsurf center and some top Greeks - then back over the other side of the island to a taverna to watch the sunset - more of the same today!
Wed June 17th - Flight from hell full of screaming todlers and no room to even use a laptop! Quick transfer to Kos, basic accomodation, but can see why people come back here. Very chilled and cheap compared to most of Europe. Nicked a quick session whilst Loulou had a kip, 5.9 & 115 - will have to get use to these offshore winds, but flat water, sun etc etc I'm not complaining!
June 15th Another session on the 5.8 XFire112 combo, had one full wipe out at speed as harness line broke. And then talking of speed, just as I thought I was "Mr Quick" along comes Jamie Hawkins (Current UK Slalom Champ) who just played with me, sailed back downwind from the Cafe with him leaving me for "spray". Mind you he was on a 7.0 race sail, but don't think I would have been able to even hold on to that, and suppose I must mention Vinnie in dispatches, he was having a bit of a mare in the chop though.
June 14th Good practice today just in boardies and neoprene vest on the XFire 112 & 7.5 - really well powered up, bit of weed still around. Sailed up to see who was up at Ferring but only a few out. Actually felt only 18 degrees and was too cold for comfort (after falling in) so was only out for just over an hour. Remember around this time last year where a guy was stuck out at sea with hyperthermia!
June 11thThose that made it down for an afer work session today were not disapointed, wind held till around 21:00. I made it out for a couple of hours having a "blasting" session on the RRD XFire112 & 5.8 Ezzy Wave. Think most up at Ferring would probably have to agree it's a quick board :)
June 6th Ironic in that Saturday ended up being the better day of the weekend. I made the most of the ESE'ly breeze and sailed upwind sail to Shoreham where the Baker Bros were doing a demo. Made it in two very big tacks (see motion based track) on the XFire112 & 7.5. Had a good session down there, and I even sailed a Fanatic Hawk with a North 8.4 was rude not to as Nik B had a sail on the XFire! And as you can see on the Motion Based track had one very broad reach to get back.
June 1st Monday took advantage of 27 degrees, boardies and light neoprene vest and had a great session here in NNE/NE'lys winds on the XFire 112 & 7.5, some blisteringly fast runs and no problem on that board staying up wind. Out by the yellow buoys must have been gusting 30mph.
May 30th Put the 7.5 on ye olde Windsurfer and then came in to change to the XFire 112, had quite a few decent runs out to sea having to pump to get going, though remants of string weed made it all the more difficult, eventually the wind fizzled out and went more NE'ly then picked up. I was almost tempted to go back out as quite a few were making the most of the wind by then.
May 29th Interesting session on the XFire112 & 7.5 Freeride: decided to sail upwind to Shoreham to see what the board was like. Only problem was that Wed's wind ripped up a load of string weed which made the session frustrating for 500ms on the inside, so had to go way out the back to make any headway. Board is so fast and so smooth, though need to work on the technique, not helped by being on port tack.
Made it as far as Lancing sailing club and then wind seemed to drop totally, and I was a fair way out. I was able to uphaul and slog, then luckily wind kicked in again and I headed back off downwind on one very broad reach past the pier, most exhilerating - people would pay to go abroad to enjoy a session like that today!
