02 November 2020
Repetition of yesterday, this time better material choice
Forecast had already diminished a bit in the morning. On arrival, it didn't seem so extreme either. But there were sails between 3.5 to 4.2 on the beach. Doubted between 3.7 and 4.2, but with slightly decreasing wind, opted for the 4.2 and started the AHD 253 because it is easier to control in high winds.
AHD 253 with Banzai X 4.2 and Wave Warrior 22cm
Near the beach, as always, a little less wind and therefore difficult to get away with 75 liters. But bit more out on the water enough pressure to plane and it was good sailing. Quite a few waves to play with, both jumping and wave riding. Did notice that I had some difficulty getting upwind. So a little less trim in the sail, but that didn't help either.
JP FSW 84 with Banzai X 4.2 and MFC 21cm and Makani 8cm thrusters
The FSW 84 was instantly good, opted for smaller thrusters and slightly large center fin in case the waves like yesterday are not so clean. I don't think that was necessary in itself. Quite a bit of wave riding: Going upwind while going out, wave riding coming back in. A few times even successful front-side. Wind slowly increased, increased the tim in the sail, that didn't help enough, so switched to the the AHD again.
AHD 253 with Banzai X 4.2 and Wave Warrior 22cm
Sail actually getting too big, sail trimmed over max. Sail was most of the times really too big. Board did give me the control I needed to still be able to sail. Were only 2 surfers on the water, rest was on the beach. The gusts were again very, very hard. Only a few wave rides and jumps, really surviving mode, but great.
JP FSW 84 with Banzai X 4.2 and MFC 21cm and Makani 8cm thrusters
After a sip the wind was clearly much less, all surfers were already back on the water, but many were now standing still. Changed the sail to minimum trim and took the FSW 84. That was minimal, so even put the outhaul on top eye. With that I could still plane and do a couple of wave rides. Wind was now almost all the way west and now I could jump when going back to the dam. Sailed until I was really too tired, time to stop.
In terms of wind a repeat of yesterday, sometimes 4.7 to 5.3 would be good, other times 3.7. Today sailed the 4.2, clearly a better choice than yesterday.
Waves were a lot higher during high tide than yesterday. Unfortunately most of the times not steep or the wind was too strong to wave ride. High tide was also higher than normal, you could almost sail between the dunes and dam so much water flowed in between. Wind was eventually also full onshore and that with a nearly 1 meter shore break made getting out a bit tricky. Which of course some surfers didn't see or know were thrown back on the beach by the waves.
Blokkendam
13:15 | 0.5 hour | Wind: SW |
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Board: | AHD Power Wave 253 - Select Wave Warrior 22cm | |
Sail: | Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 140-200 | |
At first good, a lot of control, upwind good, bit of jumping, little wave riding. Wind decreased and could hardly get upwind. time for larger board. |
14:00 | 0.5 hour | Wind: SW |
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Board: | JP Freestyle Wave 84 Pro - MFC Freewave (06) 21cm/Makani Walu 2x8cm | |
Sail: | Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 140-200 | |
In the beginning well, the FSW 84 planes so much easier than the AHD. However, wind increased again quickly and then the JP was actually too big/too quick again. Even with max trim the 4.2 was a bit too big. Jumping went well, waveriding nice, especially a lot of back-side, and a single attempt at front-side. |
14:30 | 1 hour | Wind: W/SW |
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Board: | AHD Power Wave 253 - Select Wave Warrior 22cm | |
Sail: | Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 140-200 | |
Happy with the AHD, wind was really really strong, actually the 4.2 was often too big, survival mode! 3.7 would certainly have been better. 4.2 over max trimmed and then still sailed a lot with the sail open. Board gave enough control and I could let the board plane slowly in the loudest gusts. But wind was often far too powerful to really jump or wave ride. |
15:30 | 0.5 hour | Wind: W |
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Board: | JP Freestyle Wave 84 Pro - MFC Freewave (06) 21cm | |
Sail: | Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 140-200 | |
Wiind much less, sail at minimum trim: upper eye. I could still plane, range of the Banzai continues to amaze me. Now wave riding and jumping was much better. |