(machine translated in 2023) BK Slalom(1st day)
The first game of the season for everyone. Forecast: 18 to 22 knots E/NE and lots of sun! I myself was a bit afraid that the east wind would be gusty, but behind it was not at all, was just wonderful surfing. From the wind very warm, in the wind in the morning even a bit chilly. It was busy, when I came to the Grevelingendam at 9:00 (early for my doing) it was already very busy, those Belgians with large campers are always so early. Registration didn't go quite right, she wanted to start registering at 9:00, but the owner of the Restaurant didn't come until 9:50 (not convenient). And if you have to register 100+ people, that will take a while. Skippers meeting was 11:30 and first start for Techno 12:00. First slalom start was only at 13:00. The slalom group was divided into 6 groups. Each group had to sail 1 heat against another group, so 5 heats. Nice system.
If I look at who all participated from the Belgian top, but also the Dutch top, it would be a tough match. Guys I really can't keep up with: Nikaj Droop, Dennis Littel, Jordy Vonk, Dirk Doppenberg, Kay van Berlo, Pascal van Someren, Patrick van Hoof, Wolfgang Draschner etc etc.. I will really find it a miracle if I manage to get into the top 20 or 25 at all.

Heat 1
GT85 with RAM F9 8.4 and R10 56cm
I thought most of them were very rusty after the winter. I had my timing in order. I get on, pump 2x and plane at speed to the start line, some surfers were still bobbing when I overtook them, but most people were still in the water. I'll find out to.. Where is everyone? I love something one, check my watch. Another 5 seconds, and I still have a bit to go, so sail close and go: HONK. The start signal and I'm not even on the line yet, I cross the line 3 seconds after the start as 1st, someone just behind me and the rest a lot behind. Just a short cry of joy, good start to the season. Before the first buoy, 3 had already passed and during the gybe Patrick van Hoof crossed inside. After that, don't let anyone go for it:5th

Heat 2
GT85 with RAM F9 8.4 and R10 56cm
Start didn't go as well, I held back a bit because I found it busy around me and the wind was rather strong for my set (stupid) After the start the heat ran well, gybes went well, control was on the edge, but board ran loose so nicely and the speed was certainly very good.

Heat 3
iSonic 111 with RAM F9 7.3 and SL7 35cm
Start wasn't quite right again, but is just behind the top players. Sailed all the heat neatly, caught up with a few people at the buoys, didn't fall and planned everything again, but set didn't go well. Time for something smaller.

Heat 4
S-Type 104 with RAM F8 6.3 and North Shore 34cm
The whole race was right behind Marco van der Leer, normally he is really faster. Maybe with 7.6 he was really too big and therefore control problems. I didn't catch up with him, but he didn't walk away either.

Heat 5
S-Type 104 with RAM F8 6.3 and North Shore 34cm
It was late, almost 19:00 when we started...
Good start, But me and BEL-666 were the only ones that weren't fake and were right behind. The field was small, few participants who participated could surf well, no mistakes were made. I was second to last throughout the race with BEL-666 right behind me. Wind was slightly less and sometimes had just enough pressure to plan. At the last buoy it went wrong, step next to the board and went in. (only gybe in the whole weekend that went wrong) BEL-666 had passed me, even though I was quickly back on the shelf, which was impossible to catch up with: Last! (No protest, was glad we just started and didn't need a restart.)

What a beautiful day, had become very late: 20:30 only home and then still have to eat, but what a weather and what a beautiful game. Learn points for today:
What went well
- Gyben go very well, but 1x went into the water, and almost everything through planed.

What could be better
- Start needs to be sharper.
- Speed can be even higher so I can keep up better.

Still needed stuff:
- A 3rd long extension so I can rig 3 slalom sails at the same time.
- Good control fin to be able to sail with my iSonic 111 and RAM 7.3 overpowered in chop.

Hopefully tomorrow will be his day again.

Grevelingendam

11:45 0.5 hour Wind:
Board: Starboard iSonic 111 - Select S07 39cm
Sail: North RAM F9 7.3 - North Platinum(09) 460cm - Neil Pryde X9 180-230
  (machine translated in 2023) Just sailed in, set ran nicely, but had too little power for a match. Set still a bit adjusted.
12:30 1.5 hour Wind:
Board: AHD GT 85 - Deboichet R10 M+ 56cm
Sail: North RAM F9 8.4 - North Platinum(11) 490cm - AL360 E3 Carbon 210-270
  TODO
15:15 0.25 hour Wind:
Board: Starboard iSonic 111 - Select S07 39cm
Sail: North RAM F9 7.3 - North Platinum(09) 460cm - Neil Pryde X9 180-230
  TODO
15:30 0.5 hour Wind:
Board: Starboard iSonic 111 - Deboichet SL4 38cm
Sail: North RAM F9 7.3 - North Platinum(09) 460cm - Neil Pryde X9 180-230
  (machine translated in 2023) In the run-up to the Slalom heats, we did some testing with another fin, the SL4. Didn't really like him. Stayed on the edge of Spinout. Couldn't build up enough pressure, with the Warp 7.0 I'm never bothered by that. So before the game, just grab another fin.
16:00 0.5 hour Wind:
Board: Starboard iSonic 111 - Select SL7 35cm
Sail: North RAM F9 7.3 - North Platinum(09) 460cm - Neil Pryde X9 180-230
  TODO
17:00 1.5 hour Wind:
Board: Starboard S-Type 104 - North Shore Ultra Slalom 34cm
Sail: North RAM F8 6.3 - North Platinum 430 - Neil Pryde X9 180-230
  (machine translated in 2023) First time with the Ultra Slalom 34cm under the S-Type, I had the same fin a few years ago, but under a completely different board. Was a risk, but went pretty well, fin cushions nicely, but I could feel him looking for grip from time to time. No spin-outs, speed didn't seem bad either.