Great day, cold is gone
Forecast for 25 degrees this weekend, 15 degrees on Friday and up to 40 knots turning from S to SW wind.
It seemed to rain until 1 a.m. and then should be dry. So I aimed to be at the dam at 1 o'clock. On arrival a heavy shower. During the rain, put on my wetsuit under the tailgate of my car. Before I had my wetsuit on it was dry and within half an hour it was clear blue.
Many were sailing with 3.7 and 4.2, but the wind didn't seem very strong yet. I thought I'd start with 4.7 and change down when the wind increases.

Banazi 4.7 on the Wave Slate 96
In the beginning sail on medium trim. Could plane easily, direchtly a chop hop, a bit of wave riding and a good jump in the first few hundred meters. Wind was already more westerly than expected around this time. There weren't many waves yet, really looking for a nice wave, just low chop. The wind was gusty at first and soon became stronger: sail at max trim. Wind increased so much that the 4.7 actually became too big. Waves also got better. Much more back-side and sometimes front-side wave riding. Jumping went both ways. Sometimes nice and high, sometimes a bit floating. When the 4.7 got really big, I went to the side for a sip of drink and a smaller set. First I took the Grip with the plan to rig up the 4.2. On the beach the wind seemed to be less for a while, so I put the 4.7 on the Grip.

Banazi 4.7 on the Grip 93
Started with a thruster setup: MFC 19/11cm, board ran loose. Waves got better. Board sailed nicely, board was quite fast and sailed quite loose. Wave riding became more and more fun. Still have to get used to how short the Grip can turn. Normal jibing is possible, but if you put just a little more pressure on the rails during the jibe, the turn becomes a lot shorter. This is also possible during wave riding. I hope to get better at this because you can also use it on purpose to catch a wave properly. Jumping went well and due to this direction, over both sides well. I think best day for jumping with the Grip so far. The wind was so strong that I wanted to test the Grip with a quad setup.
So I took the MFC QS300/11cm. Really had to get used to it again, with the thrusters I can sail much more over my back foot. But after getting used to it, the quad setup was really enjoyable. Waves got better, lots and lots of wave riding. Really enjoy. Unfortunately, the wind started to die down and I I was planing less and less. When I could not plane much anymore I stopped.

Lovely afternoon, clear blue almost all afternoon and not cold.
I'm getting more and more friends with the Grip, I'll put Dakine Core Contours on it. I find the original foot straps much too soft.

Blokkendam

Present: Henk (Ouwe), Ronny

13:00 1.5 hour Wind: W/SW
Board: JP Wave Slate 96 Pro - K4 Scorcher 2x16cm/K4 Scorcher 2x10cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya Eightyfive Pro 400 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  First time with the Scorcher read fins. Rear fins quite far in the back and front fairly forward.
In the lighter wind I had to try to get upwind a little harder, but it was still possible to get upwind. In the stronger wind the fins was never too big and I could even put a lot of pressure on my back foot.
Control of the Banzai good. Sail soon on, and over, max trim. Board never felt too big, fins never spinout. Seem to give a lot of control. Jumping well. Waveriding a lot of fun.
14:45 1 hour Wind: W/SW
Board: Fanatic Grip TE 93 - MFC TF 19 cm/MFC TF 2x11cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya Eightyfive Pro 400 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  Board sails reasonably fast with thrusters, goes upwind really well, nice speed and control. Still turns very tight. Wind just the much on-shore for good front-side wave riding, couple of successful once. Mainly back-side waveriding went very well. Waves became better and better. Board gives a lot of control. Because of the wind direction I was able to jump over both sides: wonderful.
15:45 0.75 hour Wind: W/SW
Board: Fanatic Grip TE 93 - MFC QS 300/MFC TF 2x11cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya Eightyfive Pro 400 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  Board much more free on the water, also a little slower than as a thruster. Control well, wave riding a little easier. Board feels even more like a skateboard. Sometimes turns even tighter than I want. I really have to get used to it, but it's a lot of fun. The volume allows you to really play with the waves without worrying about stalling and sinking. Jumps well, but a bit less easy than with the thrusters. Sail good, wind decreased slightly, trim slightly reduced, very good trim range.