Sunday 20th October  – Windsurf *** River Orwell at Levington – cloudy with some light rain and windy.

Foil – 19.75  knot max, 18.14 knot ave, 10.12  knot hour, 14.62 knot mile, 26.48 km., 14.91 knot alpha.

Starboard Freeride 150 and a Evolution Freeride foil with a Naish Nalu 4.7.

With Storm Ashley heading our way I didn’t fancy risking an open sea session even with a few heading to The Manor early to make the most of low water so I headed over to Levington Marina at 8.30 for an early session hoping to avoid the strongest winds and rain! The tide was very low when I parked up  but to be honest I did find it hard to get the enthusian to get out of the van on a grey day with 25 knots blowing from Felixstowe docks but the water was nice and flat so I decided to man-up and set up my foil board taking it down the to launch area by the marina entrance before rigging my 4.7, an old Naish wave sail which proved pretty much perfect for the session and is an absolute joy to gybe:) Wetsuit quickly on and despite the grey day it was nice and mild as I launched into the narrow marina entrance channel! Getting to deep water was challenging as the wind pushed me into the marina, it then took 23 tacks to find deep water! I then spent the whole session pretty much in front of the marina where it was not quite so windy and it turned into a gybe feast and I got some cracker alphas with the top ten being over 14 knots:) It was otherwise a quiet day on the River Orwell with only a few yachts motoring up and down! It was great fun sailing in a good 25 knot plus wind with a small sail. Getting tired I decided to call it a day. Pack up, shower and made it home before 12.30:) Mag meet me at the door with the Granddaughter, the lovely Maeva and we had a lovely fun afternoon with her.

A little better news about my Dad he is back at Ipswich Hospital after a trip to Adenbrooks and we hope to visit tomorrow!

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