www.redsurfbus.com/2011/10/west-kirby-autumn-gales-2011.html#more
I have done a report on the day to try and bring all the comments across the internet together in one place.
I would be great if someone down your way could do this on the occasions when you have a big speed meeting
Hope you enjoy the read
I'd like to see the speed-graph of Steve's run... with a 48.3 2sec and 50 peak, it must be really spiky...
nice rite up glad some ones getting some wind 
looks amazing spot i can remember the boys talking about it wen i was a kid back in the uk
one day I'll come join in
on all accounts the direction was a fair few degress away from best, but the wind was howling. It took 3 or 4 guys to hold a sail down to derig! To quote my mate who was there he said he wanted to change down but couldnt even get the sail out of the back of the van. Now this is a guy that happily takes a 7.8 out in 25+knots and a 6.3 in 40+!!! He was on a 5.7 and wanted to go to a 5.4.. Another one said even a 4m would have been as effective as a 5 in those winds, perhaps even more so.
Even the Dutch guys said they were impressed with the acceleration - and balls that a couple of our top guys had. They spanked us in terms of 5x10 average due to their ability to get up to speed quicker and without bearing off as far. A couple of the UK guys - Steve Thorp especially were flying out into the death chop. If you look at his GP3S posting he talks about it. We are still waiting for one other to post who usually does very well........but he has not posted yet.......hmmmm.......what does that tell you ;-)
Great speeds, in particular from Steve Thorp.
Unusual to see 76kg smoking 90+kgs for top speed.
Well and truly a record for a light guy
Thats Pete "the Matrix" Young in the photo, just after he got so close to the wall he took an inch off his fin! He did say that his outhaul may have slipped - was still a 43knot+run. He is an outstanding sailor, I sail with him every day when it is windy and feel privileged to be able to, you can learn a lot when sailing with people of his calibre.
Unbelievably he is not sponsored at all yet he holds the record at the original home of speed surfing - Portland Harbour. He uses whatever kit he can, and gets speeds up there with the best. Just goes to show you can spend 1000's on new kit, especially fins, but it is still 99% skill.
Can you show us a google map of that location?
It is hard to picture what the "lie of the land" is.
Is the wall a breakwater?
Amazing that you can sail so close to it.
www.google.co.uk:443/maps?ll=53.4405,-3.038578&spn=0.014852,0.042272&t=h&z=15&vpsrc=6
If that link doesnt work google west kirby marine lake.
It is like a boating pond with a sea wall, the tide is really big there, at least 5m so when it retreats you are left with the lake and the sea wall/path that you can see in the pictures. At the bottom of my article there is a link to Ant Bakers photos where you may be able to see more.
All the videos in one place (that I can find.....)
www.redsurfbus.com/2011/10/west-kirby-6th-october-collection-of.html
Our Stormtrack weather guru on GPS-speedsurfing.com has written a bit more about the big day at WK
www.redsurfbus.com/2011/10/west-kirby-usm-by-howard-rowson-oph.html
