Cat
Each cell shows number of sessions, click on a cell for more details.
Poole on 08/10/10
| Rating: |  |
| Board: | 145 litres |
| Sail: | 5.0 |
Sailed at Hamworthy, was pretty good wind. Died off at lunctime, picked up again but didn't go back out. Managed a few good runs, started using the harness a little. 5m sail is pretty heavy going :S
Went out again on Saturday at Christchurch. Wanted to use my 4.5, but my boom had jammed so no sailing 
. Had a tip of using "Pledge" furniture polish on the boom and mast to keep things moving freely..... I'll be trying that one out...
Poole on 11/09/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 145 litres |
| Sail: | 5.0 |
Went over to Hamworthy again with Tc. The forecast promised strong winds, dropping off a bit later in the day. Went out early, arriving 8.45am. Stood on the beach and had a chat with a guy with an anemometer - 18 knots.... Rigged up and got on the water. Decided to go with the 5m sail. biggest I've used, but wanted to see if I could get planing - so thought I'd give it a go.... By the time I got on the water the wind had pretty much dropped off!
Played around with the bigger sail, practiced beach starting again. Still can't tack very well. Tried to get into the harness, but couldn't get hooked in. Think I'll try lowering the boom next time.
The wind/tide were a lot more favourable this time, no being swept down the shore by the tide 
.
Stayed out for about 1h30, the bigger sail was taking it's toll on my arms, and had a triathlon the next day so didn't want to wear myself out too much. Looking forward to the day when I can use the harness properly and stay out much longer!
Poole on 05/09/10
| Rating: |  |
| Board: | 145 litres |
| Sail: | 4.5 |
Went out to Hamworthy for the first time. Really liked the large grassy area for rigging, much better than Sandbanks. Wind was much less gusty than Poole Harbour too. It was a bit more wavy which took some getting used to. Failed to remember how to beach start for some time. Then remembered I'd been taught "head down" as you mount the board, and managed to beach start successfully after that. Got swept downwind pretty quickly, got stuck in deep water - eventually made it back to shore and had to lug the kit all the way back up wind, with some help from tc. Enjoyed it more when the wind died a little, arms got pretty tired... need to use the harness more :S .
Poole on 04/07/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 145 litres |
| Sail: | 4.5 |
Managed to get a full set of my own kit a few months ago, and finally got to test it out in the first wind for ages. Rig was a 4.5m Gaastra Manic with RDM carbon mast. Was much lighter and easier to use then previous rigs I've used :D . I had a poor start to the session as forgot how to do everything! The wind calmed down a little, and I got used to tacking again and managed a few beach starts, one of which was absolutely textbook! Found my own little area of water, tried out the harness a little, but still working on being hooked in without being terrified....
Poole on 03/05/10
| Rating: | |
| Board: | 145 litres |
| Sail: | 4.5 |
Slowly been buying my own kit, to help me progress out of "complete beginner". Got the board, but not complete kit. So got to try out my "new" 145L Mistral Explosion, with a hired rig from the always friendly Watersports Academy. Loved the board, so much more maneuverable than the bigger boards I'd been using. Although I discovered stomping round the board during tacks doesn't work.... need to work on quicker tacking! The wind was massively variable from practically nothing to an almighty storm, I spent most of my time holding onto the boom for dear life, and was pretty relieved to get off the water. Think I might stick to slightly calmer conditions!
