We all seem to be agreed that it was an epic day. The stats for Cardiff show that it was a F5/6 gusting a strong 7, occasionally hitting an eight.
All this is with the benefit of hindsight. The Severn was wild as we crossed over to the sunny side (literally this time). But as we reached Porthcawl it looked like an illusion. Where had all the wind gone?
Arrived and started chatting to Shaun (?) from Rat Rigs. He had just come in after a speed sailing session on a 6.4m and was changing down to a 5.3 m for some fun in the waves. Plenty of boards out, but a 5.3 looked on the small size. Anyhow - taking into account my age and lack of fitness –I decided to wimp out and take the 4.7 with a large skeg on my 78l Goya. I also set the leach nice and tight, for some extra power.
Arrived at the water's edge and a brief conversation with someone who had just come in on a 4.4 m did make me question my initial judgement. After the first run, I quickly returned to the burger van for a smaller skeg, shedding some 9 cm 'of drag'. After the second run, I downhalled the life out of the sail. On the third run I hit a series of lulls and wondered if I would ever return to the beach. So I let some fullness back into the sail and the excitement began.
The main problems were a serious lack of fitness and stamina. In spite of this, I managed to clock up some great jumps and one awesome gybe (which was the only dry one that day).
One kind person rescued my board after hitting a wall of white water. This saved me a very long swim. Another, not so kind person, sailed over my sail, but I was relieved to find no noticeable damage other than a skeg mark on the luff sleeve.
The journey home was a little disconcerting as I had a powerful urge to fall asleep. Martin remained calm throughout the trip.
It felt soooo good to be alive and back on the water.
Looks like there may be some more wind later this week
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