Windsurfing Learning Curve

Hi Morgan I was talking to you yesterday at the demo day..I have never sailed at vicki point but if this wind turns up i might see you down there

Sunday headed to Viccy point - must admit it is a great place with plenty of room, toilets and playgrounds for the kids

I took the Fanatic Shark 165l board and 7.5m Neil Pride sail for a run - Anita rigged the Naish Kahlua 180 with her new Avanti 6.6m sail biggest she has ever used fingers crossed it is light enough for her to use. Got there around 10am and there was a slight breeze - oh well set up anyway and went to head out and the breeze completely stopped.

Where are the paddles - breeze did come back and we headed out and it progressivly go stronger and stronger through the afternoon - I struggled with the Shark but did get one good run with some expert tuition from Jack (thanks mate) by 2pm I was knackered so came in and by 3pm it was pumping and the boys were having a blast. Still no foot straps stood on them a bit and practised deeper beach starts and did ok.

Phew has been a busy week - haven't even had a chance to see what is happening on the weekend and where we are going. Will come back with that later.
Have a good week
Cheers
Morgan

Hey Morgan,

Good to read your blog! I'm getting back into windsurfing after about 15 years and have been trying to get out as much as possible. Been a bit of a journey learning things again and getting confident. Haven't been confident to get out on the bay yet but I think I'm ready to give it a run.

Nice to read your gear evolution too! I'm using a Mistral One Design (235l) and just picked up an older Mistral Shredder (128l) to try out a shorter board. I've only got 1 sail at the moment, 7.8 Aerotech Air which is good and fairly easy to use. Haven't taken it out in anything more than 14-15 knots. Might need something around 6m for stronger winds. Not sure though.

If you're heading out on the weekend, I would be keen to try and make it and get to know some of the local windsufers.

We didn't make it out today - still a bit crook but went for a look see, it didn't look like many had got out, a couple of us learners in the park when we had a look at Wello - would have been there with you guys but getting over the flu. Bloody good to see you getting out and having a go and not letting the lack of wind spoil your windsurfing fun. Sounds a bit like me lol. Didn't look like much wind thou, so maybe didn't miss too much. Looked great for a paddle on the sup boards.

Fingers crossed there will be a puff of wind next weekend and we will be out having some fun. RSX is out of Surgery and better than ever - maybe faster too lol keen to get it wet again and have some fun.

Have a good week
Morgan

Yep we are going to head to Manly - lota side of the harbour for a look see and if there is a breath of wind will be heading out with the RSX and now seem to have acquired a 9.5m sail to put on it - thanks Cameron. With that bit of kit it isn't going to take much to get going today. Good wind for we beginners to have a play in - Looks like Anita and I will be going not sure about Jaye stayed at big bros last night - we will see lol

see you on the water

Look good with that big sail Morgan

Was disappointed to go to work today and miss all the beautifull weather

Back is improving under regular Physio and I'm back at the Gym. Hoping to join the Wally sailors next week at Cootharaba

Cheers Jeff

The sail was heavy to lift, but was doable as you say Morgan. One up it just wanted to go. The board was super stable - should help staying on. Would like to see how you go in bit more wind!!! See you around next weekend.

Looks like we going to head to Manly RQ beach tomorrow, Saturday with the RSX and Sunday at Thompsons at Victoria Point. Have had a big week at work. At this stage our plans are to go to Thompsons Sunday looks like it is going to be good for it.

See you on the water

if the wind arrives i will be at Manly fo sure

Morgan, up the coast tomorrow - Kawana rowing regatta on boat duty. Hope to get out Sunday. Mal

I have never sailed there i normally go out from rose bay but i am lookibg forward to giving that a go see yas there

A great day on the water for us - I recon it was my best effort yet woo hoo

Met AntC there - nice to meet you AntC

Anita - Naish 180l with old school 4.5 m totally rigged wrong set up - wrong mast and thanks to AntC for the lend of the mast extension. We forgot Anitas woops... so didn't go so well - will rig it better for you tomorrow

Jaye - RSX with 7.5m Neil Pride sail - the young fella smashed it - I even let him pass me lol

Me - RSX with 9.5m sail - man my arms were sore after a couple of hours wielding that big sail. BUT all worth it did plenty of planing totally hooked in. Awesome and go figure the hook seemed to be almost too high will have to have a fiddle tomorrow.

We had such a blast at RQ Beach Manly - heading there again tomorrow around lunch for some afternoon fun. Plenty of water today

Anita caught some father son racing action on some photos


Got you in my sights Dad - here I come



Jaye with red sail - coming through



See ya

Pfft - young ones - well done buddy see what we can do tomorrow lol

Cheers
Morgan

How did we go today - there certainly was plenty of wind which was a good start. Mal and Tony turned up for a sail good to see you guys

The day started with a fairly in depth conversation on who is getting what sail with Jaye and I lol. I wasn't about to put the 9.5 up today unless I absolutely had too. Dad won for a change - and was right.

Mal - smashed it on his shark - good to see and always good to sail with you mate

Tony - Unleashed big bertha 9.8m WHOA!!!! That was some serious s%$t made it out twice and decided to grab the 7.5m and had a good time - great to sail with you today Tony

Anita - No show - too windy chief photographer and gear watcher for everyone.

Jaye - 6.6m Avanti on RSX - he had a good run on it plenty of planing and recons he pulled off his best fast gybe - no witnesses lol. Had lots of fun out there. Two days in a row - hope to see him out more.

Me - I had an interesting day on the water to say the least - stuff happened. RSX and Neil Pride 7.5m sail - wise choice. Was going pretty well then Simon turned up and I spent most of the time he was there showing him how good and proficient I am at uphauling. Hope you were impressed mate. It was really nice of you to stop by with some very handy hints for we beginners to get on with, cheers.

Ok the weirdest thing happened - here goes trying to explain it ---- I got the thing going faster than I had before and the heel side rail started lifting out of the water and I nearly ended up on the toeside rail blasting at ridiculous speeds (for me) (was fun I liked it) - the result a massive stack. I mean I could see the fin and the centreboard nearly out of the water and I was hanging all my weight off the boom and on the heel side rail, just before I went in. Figured time to put the centre fin up - but never got to go that fast again today :-(.

Hey Jack - I am getting pretty good at staying in the harness - keep that up a bit and then start to go for the foot straps - did actually stand on them today.

Today went well feeling it after two days of full on fun....... How come next weekend is sooooo far away lol

A couple of pics

Cheers
Morgan