High wind slalom training
Forecast: 10 degrees and 20 to 25 knots, perfect for an afternoon of surfing in January. Bit late out of bed, arrived at 14:00 on Kabbelaarsbank. I had forgotten to bring my surfingshoes, so had to buy a new pair.
Benno and Fabienne were already derigging, for them the first day and too much wind, Benno was overpowered with 5.6. I had the idea to rig the 7.0, but changed to the 6.3.

Started with the Busca 34cm under the iSonic and the Warp 6.3. For the first time since my accident with the 6.3.
First time with the Busca 34cm. On the water the gusts sometimes very strong, but also some deep wind holes, advantage: flat water.
I had bought the Busca for this set, but I think it is a bit on the large side.

Back to shore to exchange the Busca for the Venom 34cm. I see Jurjen sailing with the Simmer Wave 6.7 on his RRD X-Fire 112.
Back on the water the wind was obviously a lot harder. In the hardests gusts the sail was really too big: survival modem, fortunately I did not crashed.

Switched to the Venom 32 cm, 2 taps more downhaul and the Boom 2,5cm longer. This worked a lot better, even the hardest gusts were now doable.
Many legs together with Jurjen. With my right foot in front, the difference was not that big, My stance on the board also felt less confortable. With left in front I was clearly faster, and I could rail the board really well. By making some changes to the harness lines, slightly longer and slightly forward, I could also sail better with the right foot in front and the speed was somewhat better.

Was a nice afternoon, sometimes very heavy. Was dead tired, I don't make enough hours with the 6.3 slalom.
Unfortunately I forgot to bring the Manta 59, I would have loved to give it a try
It was not really cold with 10 degrees.

Kabbelaarsbank

Present: Jurjen

14:45 0.75 hour Wind: SW 19/28 kts
Board: Starboard iSonic 101 - Busca Slalom 34cm
Sail: North Warp F2009 6.3 - North Platinum 430 - AL360 E3 Carbon 180-230
  First time with the Busca 34 cm. no spinouts, in the harder gusts the fin is a bit large. Board won't fly out of the water, but downwind is a bit scary. Sail worked really well, especially in the gusty wind, the outhaul trim system is really helping. I could always plane. In the fiercest gusts: 30+ kts it got a bit scary.
15:30 0.5 hour Wind: SW 21/34 kts
Board: Starboard iSonic 101 - C3 Venom v2 34cm
Sail: North Warp F2009 6.3 - North Platinum 430 - AL360 E3 Carbon 180-230
  Wind had picked up, strong gust up to 35 kts. Fin was too big, after a few lengths, when to shore for a bit more downhaul and a smaller fin.
16:00 1.25 hour Wind: SW 20/30 kts
Board: Starboard iSonic 101 - C3 Venom 32cm
Sail: North Warp F2009 6.3 - North Platinum 430 - AL360 E3 Carbon 180-230
  2 taps more downhaul, boom bit longer, switched to the 32 cm Venom. When the trapeze lines positioned correctly, it was good, even in the hardest gusts. In the wind holes it was a bit too small. Later took of a bit off downhaul and then the balance was perfect. I could always plane and in the gusts also very good. Jibing was good. Speed compared to Jurjen was definitely good, especially in one direction.