Finally SW wind at Sea
In recent months, if SW winds were predicted, it always changed to south or even SSE. Fortunately not today.
Wind was disappointing, most surfers were sailing with 5.0 and 5.3. The forecast was 30+ knots. But it became 20 to 25.

Banzai 5.3 with Wave Slate 96 and 20/12cm MFC fins
Started with medium trim, but that soon became max trim. Directly planning from the beach. Unfortunately it was low tide, and the wind had only just turned, so few waves.
Wind slowly increased, that strong that the sail felt too big even with over max trim. However, that was only brief. No really good waves for front-side waveriding, but a lot of back-side hits. Certainly later it was sometimes possible to get 2 or 3 hits on the same wave. With 96 liters, it's really easy. Board almost never stops planing. With the 20/12cm fins, the board turns nice and short. Only at high speed, downwind I sometimes had a spinout.
Sailed until a heavy shower arrived. Did not want to sail in gusty winds and heavy rain. I was already tired.

Not cold at all, sailed in a dry period, between large showers.
Wind turned a bit, but was not too gusty.
Was a nice year ending.

Blokkendam

11:45 2.25 hour Wind: SW
Board: JP Wave Slate 96 Pro - MFC TF RTM 20cm/MFC TF 2x12cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 5.3 - Goya Eightyfive Pro 400 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  Kit worked very well. Sail on max trim, sometimes a little less. Wind was a bit gusty. Unfortunately it was low tide, so few really high waves, but enough to regularly do some backside hits. When the wind had turned to WSW, for a moment, it was even possible in both directions. Sometimes also nice small waces for jumping. I'm getting used to jumping with the Wave Slate, board is very short, so little lift in the air. Set was good cross and upwind, in the hardest wind maybe even too easy upwind. I think it is clear that the Slate is here to stay.