Wonderful waveriding, ended in a storm
Finally good wind from the right direction: WSW, perfect for the Brouwersdam.
Forecast was increasing winds from 14:00 already 20kts, increasing to 32kts.
Most surfers were sailing with 4.2 to 4.7, 4.7 turned out to be a bit big: started with the 4.2 on minimum trim.

Banzai 4.2 on the Wave Slate 96 with 18/12 thruster fins
Started with lower outhaul eye and minimum trim. Regularly increased the trim in the sail, wind just kept increasing. First run already a jump, which didn't go well, back foot came out of the foot straps, then didn't jump much more with left foot in front. With right in front, back to the beach sometimes jumped a bit. Waveriding was a lot of fun, sometimes nice long lines on which I could often make 2 back-side hits. Often I could string several waves together: delicious. Board wants to go vertical against the wave very well, but I still have to get used to / practice to turn the board back down again. This could be due to the width of the tail of the board. Upwind ability and control very good.
Set sails great, but time to experiment with different setups. I saw the original JP quad fins, maybe it would be nice to give them a try: quad setup

Banzai 4.2 on the Wave Slate 96 with 15.5/12 quad fins
In the beginning I got used to it, with less wind I didn't even get planing, and the first runs I really had to adjust my stance, more pressure on my front foot. Especially when going upwind. Once on a wave, the board seems to have much more grip. Not really have the feeling it turns tighter, but with more confidence. Slowly got used to the quad, also upwind became easier, yes, a lot of sailing over the front foot, but works well. Board actually seems to run height too easily. Could often ride a lot of waves and then sail downwind to finish at the beginning of the Blokkendam. Especially in the harder gusts it sails very easily. In the wind holes, I had the idea that the thruster setup planes earlier. Front-side waveriding went very well, especially in the harder gusts, the Slate makes it very easy.

Banzai 4.2 on the Wave Slate 96 with 15.5/11 quad fins
Smaller front fins: didn't notice much difference, I haven't sailed enough on the Slate with quad fins to really feel the difference.
Later read that with quad fins the front fins are often 9 to 10cm, good to know for next time.
Still the same rythm, get upwind while going out and catch as many waves as possible coming back in. Wind only got harder, sail trimmed over max. Still lots of nice waves to be found for back-side hits. Made a few attempts at front-side, always succeeded reasonably, couldn't really find a lip to hit. Didn't try to jump. In the hardest gusts the water became very chaotic and more difficult to sail with the Wave Slate, but besides this I was really surprised at how easily I still sail with a 96 board with so much wind.
Sailed on until I really couldn't keep the 4.2 anymore, too tired and the wind too strong. If I had known that the wind would increase like this, I would have taken the 3.7.

Not expecting that we would really get 40+ knots.
Impressed with the control of the Slate 96. With 40+ knots still just golfing, board never felt too big.
First time sailing the Wave Slate as a quad, I liked it quite a bit, I'll try it more often.
It was wonderful to have a really good wave session again: enjoyed.

Blokkendam

Present: Ron, Ronny

17:00 1 hour Wind: W/SW
Board: JP Wave Slate 96 Pro - MFC TF RTM 18cm/MFC TF 2x12cm
Sail: Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 140-200
  Kit worked very well. In the beginning minimum trim in the sail, later medium trim. Backside waveriding went very well, cut back not super, tail of the board is quite wide. Tried font-side a few times, fairly easy, although I usually couldn't really find a lip to hit. I could easily get upwind. Control very well, jibing is easy, even planing jibes.
18:00 1.25 hour Wind: W/SW
Board: JP Wave Slate 96 Pro - JP Multi-Wave 2x15,5cm/MFC TF 2x12cm
Sail: Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 140-200
  Tried the board as Quad with the original JP rear fins. At first it didn't feel good, couldn't really get planing. Until the wind picked up slightly and I was well powered. Set ran bizarrely well upwind. Wave riding seems even better, much more reliable than with thrusters: less chance of spinouts. Getting upwind or sailing with little pressure cross wind really has to be done with all the pressure on the front foot. Tried with the rear fins slightly backwards first, later somewhat forward. With the fin more in the front, the board turns slightly shorter, but more sensitive to spinouts.
19:15 0.75 hour Wind: W/SW
Board: JP Wave Slate 96 Pro - JP Multi-Wave 2x15.5cm/MFC TF 2x11cm
Sail: Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2 - Goya Ninety Pro 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 140-200
  Tried Quad setup with the original JP rear fins and the 11cm thrusters. Wind very strong, sometimes over 40 knots. Control really, really good, much better than I expected. Only when the water was really rough and chaotic did the board become restless. Board never felt too big. Finished with sail over max trim. Set ran very well upwind, maybe too well, even with the 11cm thrusters. (In retrospect, I should have tried the 10cm or even the 8cm.) Upwind still had to be done with pressure over the front foot. Wave riding still good, only the cutback I think can be easier with a board with a narrower tail.