Wetsuit - the first run out!!

And no, not the kind of "run out" that gets you into trouble with the other party guests!

Forecast today was for early F5-6 SW, veering to F4-5 W. So got up early (for a day off) and drove down to Lepe. Selected that venue because it works well in a W, and also because there'd been some chat on the OMWC club chat room about others who were planning a trip. Arrived about 10 or so, nobody there, rain, reasonable but not spectacular wind. Called JL, who turned out to be on his way down, along with Mark and Carl. Andy also turned up. Unfortunately, in some respects, the wind didn't, although the rain stopped and the sun came out at one point.

But the main point of this trip was to test the new wetsuit! Rigged up, then climbed into new clobber. It is a bit fiddly, with an inner suit as well, and of course need help with the zip. That's a challenge I must meet one day... Felt good though, fantastically stretchy neoprene, quality kit.

Then into the water. And now for the surprise - what water?! Couldn't believe it - no water entered AT ALL!! In fact, although when fully immersed I could feel the cold a bit, at a distance, I was actually sweating in the damn suit!! Had my new helmet on too for additional warmth, which also made a huge difference. Thought I'd have to take it off at one point, but then got a ducking which reminded me why I had it... The only weak spot was the boots, which I hadn't done the Velcro up tight enough on, and they filled up a bit. Still very warm though. I really can't believe it... quite amazing.

And thank heavens for that pleasant surprise, because my sailing was crap. This was a bit of a watershed experience for me of course, because

1. New suit - if this didn't work, no hope of winter windsurfing, so a big investment risk
2. First time out in (cold!) UK waters since rescue required, way back in Oct

So I was a bit apprehensive beforehand, and cautious during. Waterstarting was not very good, harness/straps improved as I went along, gybe not very good either... Although to be fair, after an hour I had improved, and was starting to get the feel of things again. It's amazing what even a short break will do for muscle memory (or not!). It's just SO HARD to be firm but gentle - coming out of the harness prior to a gybe requires utmost gentleness, to prevent wild undulations from the change in balance. Then there's the foot manouevres - be gentle, don't disturb things. Of course the swell/mini-waves get you anyway, which Dahab makes one forget soon enough. Jon has been to Moon Beach this year, and highly recommends it - uncrowded, good wind, with few shadows, nice bay which isn't offshore like Dahab. Get there via Cairo, which would make a change.

As far as my apprehensions go, I guess I can say they were all confounded, which is good. Came home as it got dark, via pub. A good day. Pictures to follow...

Dahab - good or not?

So, the Dahab trip happened. Was it an anti-climax? Not really, since it was conducted in a fairly low expectancy way. Weather was nice, sunny all day (no surprise there...) and cool in the evenings, to the extent that I needed a fleece. Wind was a bit pants - Mon ok, Tuesday very light, other days a bit slow in the mornings and better in the afternoon. The Thursday was very strange, with very light winds from one direction, and then about 15.00 it was like someone threw the switch on the fans! Literally within two minutes the wind went from F3-4 to F5-6, but very gusty and full of gaps - I switched to a 4m sail, but was standing up doing nothing in some areas. That could be the effect of the various buildings going up around the bay - they are determined to turn Dahab into Sharm, and then I won't be going there again.

Did my sailing improve? Well, had 4 sessions with Rob North on gybes and stuff, and managed to get around a few at slow speed. Tried lots much faster, and made one or two, but only after I'd slowed down lots in the turn. Some spectacular wipe-outs, including one which removed my cap and sunglasses and left me 10m from the board - rapid swim!! Sunglasses of course gone forever... So I guess it was useful. Don't sound too convinced, do I?

Cribby was there for some of the week - he had to go back to the UK for three days to sort out something with Shawna, court case or summat. Left Charlotte, a BWA hot shot to run his class, apparently with high success level. Met a guy on the bus on the way in, Ritchie, whose mate had not come because his wife's granny had died the week before. So Ritchie signed up with Cribby for the week, which was a good idea I didn't have soon enough really. Maybe in March...

Masbat is the same old place. Ate at Jay's a couple of times, also at El Fanar, once at Al Capone's - won't do that again. Went to the Nirvana curry place a long way down past Jay's - surprisingly good and a big change from the usual food. Strangely never got around to the fish place, don't know why. They've put some typical Arab statues up, of a couple of dolphins in town and something else on the way in - ghastly.

Go some pictures to put up, which I will shortly when I can be arsed. Unfortunately, none of the "new" Masbat :-)