OMG look at the forecast! Greater than 30 knots forecast all day! Bring it on!
Rush down the beach at midday (cos I gotta work at 5pm) and whaddya know--there's not a puff of bloody wind at all :( went home and had lunch, keeping an eye out the window... when the wind picks up, I rush down the lake again.
That's more like it! In fact... looks a bit scary, ackshully--long, never-ending lines of white caps :o sand flying horizontal across the beach :o trees flapping from east to west :o The other guys (Miyachi, Zephyr guy and Master of Disaster) are rigging 6s and an 8. I've only got the 10 XB in the car so that'll have to do... I figure if the MoD is on a directional and an 8, I'll be fine on the 10 and the 'radical.
Rig and launch... good power! Wind is muy cross-on (for here) so I tack out towards Makino through massive, sharp-cresting waves. Bit bouncy on the way out...
Wind slowly drops off until I can't ride, and stand about on shore looking dumb. Jump back in for a few more rides but the wind is just not picking up :( Other guys give up, pack up and I'm not far behind them... didn't get much excitement out there, a few good jumps (nothing stellar) but mostly bouncing off waves and trying to get a good line.
At least I got to ride. And test out the AmpIII wetsuit!
Moment of the day was simply getting out on the water. Yes I'm that desperate.
Mood of the session was relaxed unsatisfied.
Weather was reported at 1-2-3pm as 18-28-22 knots, gusts to 40 at 2pm; 9˚C at 58%
Wind felt like I was slightly over-powered in the all-too-infrequent gusts, ok-powered most of the time and of course, under-powered when the wind dropped off...
What I learned today...
• 6/5/4mm wetsuit is too thick for 10˚C! Sweating some. 5mm gloves and boots worked fine but forearms got a beating.
• Surprised at how flexible the suit is, despite being so bulky. Don't really notice the difference between the 3/2mm Access once it's on...
• Getting it on wasn't too bad, but getting it off--what an Olympian event that was! Was worried about ripping it but it seems very flexible. The 'flesh' is soft too and it's nice to wear.
• The hood! It's like a nice scarf when it's not up... Up and not secured, water occasionally got in and pooled in my ear holes :-/ but it's also very warm. Odd to not be able to hear much though!
• Worried about my beard ripping the neoprene though--will have to shave before using it. Was worried about my hair pulling but that's no problem...
• 10m XB seems to be best over 25 knots, and is good up to about 35 probably. Will I ever be able to use the 7m?
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