Four seasons in one day, but mainly autumn with a solid Force 5. Sailed 5.0 and at best I can only describe as 'pleasant onshore'. Apologies to Team Xcel who I forgot to call (amongst others), as I didn't really think it was worth crowing about. I guess windy and a little blue sky isn't so bad after all, and with hindsight from the GoPro it looked alright.

Late Arrival

After 15 hours of driving over the weekend to see my sister and her family in Brighton, returning back to North Devon to wind and sun was a real salve. I think I'd almost forgotten that I still love the wind, and on the final hundred or so miles, I really started to get a pangs for the coast. Finally reaching the beach at 5pm, everyone was packing up and I got the usual comments of 'you should have been here earlier'. But not so ! Just by chance, I got the tip off about a favourite wave spot, showing a little promise, and by the time I had rigged it was looking perfect. Colin kindly carried over the new RRD 75 Wave Cult, which was an absolute cracker of a board. Very quick and sat really nice in the water, I can see why it won all the tests. We scored a quick hour, and by the time I was packing up, the others were arriving to score some of there own down the line fun.

Westo

Well, I managed to miss just about everything with my whole 'parent' routine and had to settle for some light westerly and seriously reduced swell. However the clouds cleared and the sun came out, not to mention the wind notching up after Andy left !!

Cross Shore

Pretty light winds, and a touch on the mellow side, but still nice to get out in mid summer. However what did make me jump, was the sighting of either a large seal or dolphin within a meter from me, whilst 500 yds from the shore.

A new board

At last the wind blew, and we scored a little summer action. Swell was pretty chunky considering it was mid summer and thanks to Luke and the gang for all your support. On that note, this is Carl heading out on his 2010 RRD Wave Cult, just before the wind died and his long eventful swim. With a bit of luck, wind will be with us for a bit longer, and great to see the rain again. I can't wait for Autumn !

Mikey

At last the wind blew and reminded us all that there are other things to life, not just surfing : ). I was a little late down, and caught the tail end of most of the action, although the wind seemed to contine to build. Really just the smallest of waves offering the occassional ramp and great to catch up with Mikey(Weston) and my dear old friend Gripper.

Hardy

I don't really consider myself particularly hardy, especially when you see things like 'Deadliest catch ' and 'Ice road truckers'. In fact watching such treacherous conditions really makes me think whats wrong with windsurfing in sub zero temps and why isn't everyone else out. With that said, there was still a good core of us sailing vs. those with the excuses. Matt is charging on his New Ezzy Wave Panther and I managed to crease my new Ezzy with an enourmous catapult, and am now nursing some really sore shoulders.

Solo session.

It was a funny old session as I was the only one out - Paul reckoned he was waiting in for a boiler service, Andy somewhere in central China, and Dan complaining of a sore knee (so acting photog). Very gusty at the start but smallish clean sets pushed through, and pretty 'warm' for Jan.


Despite this and being overly finned (and board for that matter) I only just squeezed my boots into the footstraps, but didn't want to come in to correct. When Dan left shortly after, and the camera firmly put away, I reset the footstraps making it SO much easier to wave ride. The second session felt so much better and really dialled and just as I started to relax, I took a set on the head and a board straight to my nose. Not sure if its broken, but my new Ezzy 5.2 is covered in blood : )

Not quite the christening I had in mind, but a lovely sail considering it was gusting between 17-30 mph (according to XC weather).