Short Friday afternoon happy hour

The wind had been steady all day from the west so after work calls I headed out to the Launch Pad. It was showing 22 knots on the wind meter and felt steady and windier than the day before so I took the 116 Freestyle Wave and the 4.7 Duke. I'd considered taking a sinker board and glad I didn't.

I was mostly powered, and pumped onto a plane most runs. It took me a long time to get upwind for some slightly longer runs. I think it is time to try using the board with outside straps and a non-wave fin. 

I went for 40 minutes in the 12c wind without getting my hair wet. Exciting to be the first time this year using the 4.7, so that makes this the windiest session so far. After around 50 minutes I decided to come in and try the 5.4 Duke. By the time I'd changed sails the wind had dropped more and I only got planing a few times and couldn't make any upwind ground at all. It sure is nice to be able to go over almost every shoal or shallow spot I've avoided for many of the last 40 years.

Slogging later in the session.
Thanks Nadia for the photo!

At the end of the hour, my 3/2 wetsuit was still dry on the inside, but the air was so cold I'm glad I'd worn my neoprene Santa hat.

Wind direct from the west.

Some good runs on the 4.7 and later on 5.4
Heart rate quite variable, or just strange when the sensor
gets wet?

Interesting clouds on the way back into the harbour.

It felt good to get another shortboard session, but my body is a bit sore from yesterday! A beer and Friday night online buddies poker session will be good. Looking maybe frost overnight and north winds tomorrow.

June is actually a pretty good month for WSW and West winds, but July and August promise even more windy days.