Hayling Island on 14/11/09

Rating:
Board:	77 litres
Sail:	2.9

Super Saturday - had to be done. Arrived at Hayling with Juan to find loads of loonies larking it up in the lashing wind. Incredibly strong, so i borrowed Gen's 2.9m sail and matching boom.

Lots of famous people there, well, Jem Hall and Dave White at least. The water was curiously flat, waves from the SE, wind from the SW. I ventured out, tried a gybe and necessarily fell off. Horrifying gusts, twitchy sail, lines too short (which I'd forgotten to check!), board too large and leaving the water on every tiny piece of chop - not really fun. So I waterstarted and came back. Adjusted things a bit, but when I thought about going back out, the wind cranked up a few more 10s of knots, so I didn't. Beth also didn't enjoy herself, and stopped. Rog T rolled up and spectated, as did many others. Juan kept at it longer than I could believe, certainly longer than Jem who fiddled about with various sails until he settled on a 3.5 I think the last I saw... At least he helped me to upzip my wetsuit - cheers mate!

A cup of tea and a sandwich in Steve's van, and then we repaired to the happy Hierro home, where beer and food made it all seem worthwhile.