Sunday 14th October

[PK1111]

Slightly iffy forecast for the West Country but was keen to explore options on my windsup, a fanatic fly 10' 6".
Saunton was looking a bit sketchy so went the extra hour to gwithian and got down there for 9am, keen to catch the tide as it was due high at 4pm.

Swell was a solid 3 foot and long period with bright sunshine and no wind so had an awesome 2 hours long boarding. Water was nice and warm as well which made up for the chilly air.
Came in for a coffee at the sunset surf cafe to warm up and then lugged the windsup and north duke 5.4 rig down the steps. Taking the goat track would be a bit tricky with that barge!

Had a great 3 hours in cross on increasing wind and 2 to 3 foot swell.
Sailing a windsup is so very different to a normal board, you can't rely on speed or wind strength to get you out of trouble. Falling in the impact zone generally means swimming in with the gear.
Got some very odd looks from the surfers, but caught loads of waves, mainly back side.
Trying to go front side was tough to get right as you bleed off so much speed in the turn and loose all power in the sail.
Absolutely knackered at the end lugging all the gear back to the car park.
Roll on some decent conditions at the week ends!

Pk

[Mark D]

Got out at Barmston on 5.3m Ezzy Wave Panther & Quad 92 Lovely and sunny but cold...

Tried a nose mounted GoPro which on refelction probably drained the enthusiam out of me as it kept bending backwards as the waves washed over it, very annoying!

Nice shoulder highish waves with the odd bigger one thrown in but a lack of wind made it difficult to get to the right places on the wave.

Only four of us out Chris & Tony even went again further up the coast, but I'd had enough and enjoyed teaching one of the chaps to waterstart on the grass. You could tell he was really excited to get back on the water and try it. He was trying to do it with his mast pointing directly into the wind, I remember having the same problem when I was learning to waterstart. He also could'nt believe the difference pushing the rig forward and sheeting in with the back hand made.

More wind next weekend please!

[Mark D]

More pictures that won't fit !

[Mark D]

these...