Tiree !

So it was with the new board on top of the plastic-wrapped bed that I set off about 16.00 on Friday 14th October for Oban, to get the 7 am ferry to Tiree the next morning. Pretty exciting, except the first 4 hours were messed up with crazy traffic. Meeting "Storm" from the forum, to take them and their gear to the island in exchange for half the ferry cost. Good deal...

Why Tiree? Well, I first took a windsurfing course in Cornwall with Outdoor Adventure, and their chief instructor and co-owner was one Rachel Medd, a petite blonde lady who was an amzing wave sailor, albeit pretty much retired by then, maybe '92. She had won the 1990 Tiree Wave Classic Ladies, and come third in the pro fleet, against the men!! Thus the notion of Tiree as a special place was already planted in my mind. Once I announced I was going there, people started to say how special they found it too, like Roger, a multi-visit veteran, and Phil the guy I bought my new board off (see previous post). So lots to look forward too, and even be apprehensive about - would I be blown off the water? Phil said he'd ended up one end of the loch, when they'd gone there because it was too much on the sea!

After a 9.5 hour drive, with a short stop for a sandwich and tea, I arrived at Oban about 1.30, getting four hours of sleep beside my board for a 5.30 wake and meet with Storm at 6. Before meeting Storm, I'd already met Twofish, who accosted me in the ferry queue to ask if I knew what was happening. 'Fraid not mate... But got the 5.1 metre van on the boat as a 5 metre, thanks to enthusiastic measuring by the ferry guys that didn't include the "stealth bumpers" (they're black ya see), and things unfolded smoothly. Great house, met with Hylts, Chaos and Scaitie there (Chaos also with OMWC) and out for the first events.

And now I could launch into a long long blow-by-blow tale, but I'm not going to. In respect of the house and company - brilliant! All good people, all welcome in the broad church that is windsurfing. Weather - great, lots of sun, light, wind, some rain, but all infused with the magic Tiree ingredient. Food - excellent, we cooked for ourselves every night, with a truly cosmopolitan mix of cuisine. Thanks guys, hope you liked the veg!

But the main point of this trip and this post was/is the windsurfing. Got out on the 77 litre on the first? day, on a 5.5 m sail. That was the real revelation of the trip. I just cannot believe how good a small board feels, lively, responsive, like wearing a pair of comfortable shoes. And not much harder to sail than my 91 litre, in all honesty. Goes through shorebreak waves so easily, and hardly disturbed by wind at all. Truly a life-changing experience, all at Gott Bay.

And then on the Thursday was the other life-changing experience - real waves!! We went down to Crossapol where it was cross-on, maybe 4 foot waves. Set a 5.5 on the 91, ludicrously overpowered. Went for 4.7, still overpowered, because the wind was rising all the time. Staggered that I could get out through the break, and had to self-rescue at one point because I was getting dangerously close to some rocks. I just body-dragged back holding onto a foot strap, worked really well. So changed down to 4m with the 77. Wow. It actually makes it more possible to control things with a small board. But I was tired and cold, and the pros came down to use our bit of beach, which messed things up trying to keep upwind. So ended the day on a bit of a down, but knowing now it is possible, and pleased with myself that I'd done that at least. Usual John regret at not having taken better advantage of the conditions, but it's easy to be brave after the event, when not cramped, tired and very apprehensive about getting back in.

So now I'm determined to enter the competition next year - I'm certainly going to be there. Gonna get myself one of those rash vests!! I don't care if I come last, I can still enter the Masters (for over 35s!) and have a good time. Harry and Martin, also with us at the house, entered this time, and Harry in particular was stunned at the difference competition made to his attitude. So count me in for some of that!!

Pictures to follow.