Bramblebush 17-18 July
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Host: | johng |
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Date: | 17/07/10 |
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Venue: | Poole |
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Forthcoming event | See the build up |
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Pictures: | Pictures for Bramblebush 17-18 July (15) |
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OMWC Rating: |  |
People appreciated the strengthening wind as the afternoon went on, with big rig action moving to unexpected smaller sails towards the evening. As the sun went down, some of us headed to Swanage for fish and chips on the quayside, washed down later with real ale or scrumpy from the Square and Compass. I love it when a plan comes together!
Sunday started overcast, and with the tide well out when we arrived, there was lots of time to catch up on Clare's new van, meet with yet more arrivals like Gary and Caroline and the guys, and later Tim and Cat (just finished a triathlon!) and chill. The wind made an appearance, but few other than John G and Gen made it out, which was a shame, because the water was flatter and some good blasting was to be had. The beginners made considerable progess, and Juan's tuition skills came to the fore, with him later offering rides round the bay to all and sundry, or maybe that should be sunwet...
A great weekend, thanks to all who came, and remember... sssshhh!! It's the secret spot!
Last updated: 19/07/10 19:11 By: johng
Views: 698
Diary for jonathan at Lee on Solent, Hillhead & Stokes Bay on 17/07/10
| Rating: |  |
| Board: | 91 litres |
| Sail: | 5.0 |
Hillhead delivered the goods again, and today's sail had something for everyone.
I started off on my freestyle board and 6.6m in somewhat marginal wind and flat water (low tide). The wind dropped to almost nothing but then came back with a vengeance. Swapped to my 91l board and a 5.5m but a couple of runs with this proved I had spent too much time rerigging so I came in to swap it for my 5m. To be honest, I reckon I would have got away with my 4.5m. By now it was high tide with a few bits of swell (although a poor angle for jumping).
I couldn't work out why the dinghies started racing just as the wind got up. Somewhat predictably, one got towed in by the lifeboat with the coastguard helicopter hovering above. Someone didn't have a good day!
Diary for adrian at Poole on 17/07/10
| Rating: |  |
| Board: | 72 litres |
| Sail: | 5.0 |
Arrived late afternoon, Sailed with Matt, good wind when we arrived but slowly during the evening it dropped. Could'nt use my mid board and Matt had it.
Diary for Andrew at Poole on 17/07/10
| Rating: |  |
| Board: | 99 litres |
| Sail: | 5.5 |
Fantastic day at Bramblebush. It was light and gusty to begin with, so I started on 130l and 6.6. But then it filled in, so I changed down to 99l and 5.5. Then it just got stronger and stronger, better and better.
A brilliant day, windy, sunny and a great crowd.
Diary for Carl at Poole on 17/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 102 litres |
| Sail: | 5.8 |
Headed to Bramblebush Friday night to avoid ferry queues and enjoyed a great barbie with Andrew and Adam.
Although Saturday morning started looking like a big sail day, the wind quickly filled in and stayed that way the rest of the day. Was great to see so many people out, some for the first time as Juan and Gen had bought along a load of beginners kit and were giving out lessons. We were all pretty exhausted and starving by the time we packed up in the evening and headed to Swanage for food.
Sunday was a bit less windy and more chilled out, so I opted for a rest, but Marion and plenty of others still went out. It was a better day for the beginners too and was great to see the excitement of both the children and adults as they learnt to sail along on a windsurfer for the first time.
Diary for johng at Poole on 17/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 116 litres |
| Sail: | 6.5 |
Arrived at the same time as Tatey and Kathy, to find people on fairly large kit, so rigged the 6.5 on my 116l board. Pretty good session, but the wind came up and I was hugely overpowered by the end, but couldn't be bothered to change, so learnt lots about "strong" wind without it being really strong. Interesting! Attempted a few chop hops, but the period made it very difficult, somehow the door-like Playmate didn't fit the gaps very well, and I only managed one of any worth.
But what a lovely day!! Beautiful sunny day, and Bramblebush was wonderful. The running commentary from the classic old-timer sitting on the beach, and his helpful pointing out of Kathy's location downwind made the day pretty different too. And it was great to be sailing with Juan AND Gen, in turn, while Carl demonstrated the value of millions of hours of practice - clearly I'm spending too much time working!
Diary for Haylingmike at Poole on 17/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 125 litres |
| Sail: | 7.4 |
This was classic Bramblebush! What a superb day/weather/wind/water/crowd - you name it - it really couldn't have been better. Arrived early afternoon, rigged my 7.4 and stuck with it all afternoon and on into the evening (albeit that everyone else with sails up to 2 sqm smaller thought I was mad!) The sun shone, the wind blew, the water stayed (well it retreated a little bit - and then came back demonstrating the double high effect spot on cue) enabling us to sail on into the sunset! Somewhat reluctantly we packed up and headed over to Swanage for the traditional fish and chips - and even they were perfect. As we drove over to swanage and sat on the quay the Purbeck peninsular just looked spectacularly beautiful. Needless to say we then made the annual pilgrimage to The Square & Compass and enjoyed its unique character!
Diary for steve d at Poole on 17/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 99 litres |
| Sail: | 7.0 |
Started the day with a sausage sarney at the Nat. Trust Cafe up the road - a great start to a classic Bramblebush day. Started out on my 99ltr with a 7mtr sail - not the best combo as the wind picked up so changed to a 6. Had a few great blasts but never really got the mix right as the wind was up and down but, hey, who cares - great venue, lovely weather and great company. Ocean Motion at its best.
Diary for Clare D at Poole on 17/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 104 litres |
| Sail: | 5.5 |
Late entry! Fantastic 2 hours on my new board (Mistral Syncro) it felt great blasting across from Bramble Bush to Brownsea Island, this really is one of the best places to windsurf. The day ended with fish and chips and then a drink or two at the Square and Compass what more could anyone want!
Diary for adrian at Lee on Solent, Hillhead & Stokes Bay on 18/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 98 litres |
| Sail: | 6.9 |
Had to cycle in the morning so opted for a quick dash to the coast at Lee-on-Solent. Arrived late pm as the wind slowly dropped. Spent a couple of hours on the water with matt but only Good suntanning weather. Missed the fun most had during the day.
Added by jonathan on 18/07/10
Adrian, if it is any consolation I don't think you missed much today. I was down until about 2pm and it was big sails only - despite Chimet and Bramblemet making it look good. I went for a much-needed run but never hit the water
Diary for Heather at Hayling Island on 18/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 138 litres |
| Sail: | 8.0 |
Sometimes you have the kit just right and I did this morning - lovely!! Would have liked to have sailed pm as well as smaller kit would have been required but work and the drive home called!
Diary for johng at Poole on 18/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 116 litres |
| Sail: | 6.5 |
Now today the 6.5 came into its own, as did the 116l - genuinely required as the wind was much lighter. However, it meant the water was that much flatter, and although planing was an achievement not lightly bought, there was the opportunity for some flat water gybes that felt truly great. Yeah, I didn't try much else, but sometimes simple is good... that floaty feeling when all the timing comes together, and you get enormous satisfaction from just being there, being alive and sailing in the sun.
Gen came out to play too, one of about 3 of us, and that was fun as well - why is it that you alwasy think the other guy/gal is planing earlier?? She thought I was, I thought she was... And where was everyone else?! Oh, on the beach... Finally stopped when I got too hungry to continue, then downed sandwich, fruit, cake, tea, beer, nothing seemed to fill me up!
Diary for Haylingmike at Poole on 18/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 125 litres |
| Sail: | 7.4 |
Sunday started off cloudy but they soon burned off and it turned into another beautiful day - not as windy as Saturday though. I rigged my 7.4 again - should have gone with the 9.5 but couldn't summon the enthusiasm. Had a pleasant sail, planing about 30% of the time, blobbing for the rest!
Spent most of the day in some great company relaxing and soaking up the sun. We had a geat turnout - in the order of 20 of us including the kids, and Juan was doing a great job of teaching all and sundry to sail! Reluctantly dragged myself away at 8.00pm
Diary for tc at Poole on 18/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 148 litres |
| Sail: | 6.7 |
Unfortunately had a friend's birthday to go to on Saturday so missed the best of the wind. Managed to get down to Bramblebush on Sunday though. It's been a while since I last sailed with the club so it was great to see everyone again and meet some members I'd not seen before. There was a bit of wind on Sunday - I was just about planing with my 6.7. I found the marginal wind very good for practising technique - straight-7 position and lots of jumping in and out of the footstraps. Sailed for a couple of hours and then chilled on the beach in the sun admiring the beautiful views - Bramblebush certainly is a lovely spot. Headed out again just before leaving to see if I could planing again, but to no avail so had to console myself with some lightwind freestyle. Looking forward to the next event down this way.
Diary for garibaldi at Poole on 18/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 0 litres |
| Sail: | 0.0 |
We left home early to make the most of the lovely sunday at this beautiful venue & were parked by 9:30.
Like most of the attendees, neither myself or Carolyn could muster the enthusiasm to windsurf in such light winds, we enjoyed the superb weather & great company. We spent the day relaxing in the sun & the boys really enjoyed playing in the water.
Thanks to Chris M for letting them use your canoe & also Juan for allowing both the boys to experience windsurfing for the first time (he even included some very useful tuition).
A lovely summer's day rounded off with chish & fips at Chez Fred in Southbourne.
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