Super afternoon on the block dam
Forecast 25 to 35 knots southwest, about 13 degrees and probably dry, perfect for the Blokkendam.
First social obligations, so not early on the dam. It was quite busy.

When I arrived it was still low tide and there were only a few waves, so I started with the Goya One 95.
Banzai 4.7 on the Goya One 95 with MFC 21/11 thruster set
Used slightly larger fins than I normally would, because the wind was apparently a bit disappointing.
Wind was indeed minimal, sail trimmed fairly minimally. In the beginning indeed few waves, so the One was perfect, planes quickly and runs quite loose over the water. If there was a wave to be found, I could quickly jump and also ride waves. Some waves were really nice high and steep, in the beginning often only 1 hit per wave.

After an hour it was time to have a drink. I also grabbed the Fanatic Grip, to test it at sea, although the wind might have been a bit minimal for the 4.7 on the Grip. But it's always good to test whether that works.

Banzai 4.7 on the Grip 93 with MFC 21/11 thruster set
Opted for thrusters, as the water was still quite flat and wind was a bit minimal for the 4.7.
On the beach the wind seemed to have increased considerably, so I immediately took the Grip. Felt good right away. Sail was a bit big, so soon more trim in the sail. I didn't have to get used to the Grip much. Board goes upwind really well, turns great, jumps quite easily. Just need to be a bit more careful with gybes, I easily turn too tight and loose all the speed..
Sail was almost at max trim in the end. A lot of back-side wave riding, sometimes even from one wave to another and then 4 or 5 hits: amazing. Tried 4 times to go front-side, that worked twice. Especially when the wind was really strong for the 4.7 I get a reasonable impression of the control of the Grip: very good. What I often had with the Wave Slate: turned not tight enough for an easy top-turn, the Grip does not have this problem, it turns back down very easily.

Sailed on until the wind began to die down and it became dusk.
I tried to help Henk with his mast, that was stuck. In the end, with 4 men and 4 booms, we are not lucky to get it further than 8cm apart. Finally changed clothes in the dark.
Amazing afternoon, not really cold yet, good wind and especially last hour really good waves. Very happy with the Grip.

Blokkendam

Present: Gert-Jan, Henk (Ouwe), Henk, Jurjen, Kees, Paul, Ronny

14:00 1 hour Wind: SW
Board: Goya One 3 Pro 95 - MFC Freewave (20) 21cm/MFC TF 2x11cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  Set worked very well. Sail fairly minimum trim. Fins big enough to get upwind easily, but never really too big. Jumps wonderfully. Lots of back-side wave riding. Control very good, set planed fairly early.
15:00 1.75 hour Wind: SW
Board: Fanatic Grip TE 93 - MFC TF 21cm/MFC TF 2x11cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  First time with the Grip on the sea. Wind had increased considerably, 4.7 on max trim.
Control is very good, even when the 4.7 was really too big, the control of the board still felt very good.
Jumping feels good. Wave riding is wonderful. Especially the top turn, board feels more like I want it to, turns wat tighter then the Wave Slate.
Front-side also worked out quite well.
Fins could have been a little smaller, but didn't really feel too big either.