Sailed at Auckland, Bucklands Beach
Rated a 9 of 10

Wind from the SW (knots)

lulls: 13

average: 19

gusts: 25

Board: Starboard Carve 99 2004 Wood
Sail: NP Saber 6.2 2005, NP Zone 5.2 2007
Fin: Drake Freeride 280, Drake Freeride 320
Suit: Short sleeve.
Air Temperature: 19 C

Great to be out there. Was very busy last week, and perhaps I couldn't afford to go this week, but as the wind was still blowing I had to take advantage.

Started with a 6.2 but it just became too much. I had used the windmeter and it gave me some 13 knots, with gusts to 17 or so, but on the water it was just much more and it just got better. So at ten to two I got out and downsized to a 5.2 which was much better. Had to change the fin as well, but was reasonably quickly back. The speeds were scary, quite flat water.

Crossing the channel wasn't a problem at all, had a few hard crashes, including one where I ran ashore on a submerged sandbank. Water was very low. It was low tide, but it usually isn't this low.

Had a few good jibes, but I come to a complete stand still. I'm afraid I'll have to work on this jibing business for a couple of years, there isn't much improvement or consistency.