Day 2 Tuesday Beautiful day with what seemed like a Northerly blowing about 12 knots the boys said.

Anita set up her junior rig on the Pacifico and blasted off down wind for about half a k then had problems getting back. All good I was rigging the 7.5m neil pryde on the Naish to go and rescue her.

Jaye - jumped on jacks JP 145L board with a North ram F10, 5.7m sail. I sent him to let Mum know that I was coming to the rescue but once he got a taste of this outfit he was gone…….:-) he had a smile from ear to ear and was smashing it on this outfit.

Me - Well after having the best ride of my life so far on the Naish the day before couldn't even get a start on it. THAT SUX! On my rescue mission fell off 5 times and ended up walking to Anita. We swapped pleasantries lol and boards and I was off. Jeff has turned up on he lovely race board with a tow rope and was going to tow her back. Thanks Jeff, the girl had her Naish and was allegedly good as gold. Tony's come down too maybe after watching me fall off so much he might have thought I had to rescue me as well. I had the best run on the Pacifico ever hanging out on the rails planing and having fun. Not sure what happened on the Naish.

Problems with internet so will post daily as and when I can.

Cheers
Morgan

Morgan

Not being there but based on the info you have supplied then you were probably under powered. Yesterday you sailed in 10 to 12 kts with a 9.5. Today you tried a 7.5 in 12kt. The 9.5 was probably the better choice or maybe a 8.5 if the wind was stronger than yesterday. Everthing is much easier when you have the right amount of power - as you discovered yesterday. A bit like Goldilocks, not to much - not to little!

Day 3 Wind seemed interesting coming from the north everything. East, west and north - was quite funny everyone with a sail on the lake seemed to be going in different directions and doing ok. Mike, a really nice man, we met first day here and I decided to go out even though there didn’t seem to be much. I rigged the 7.5 Neil pryde on the Pacifico.

Anita - not going out today - took some photos

Jaye - said he nearly came out

Me - I had awesome fun. Firstly I could see some wind on the other side of the lake so headed over to see what was going on and it was the same as the day before about 12 knots. There were some lumps and bumps. Considering my arms were extremely sore I decided to practice harness commitment. I had a couple of runs over the other side and headed back to our side of the lake and found myself half a k down towards boreen. Good time to practice up wind on the Pacifico. Harness commitment, Cameron you would be proud of me a few short runs with front hand off the boom. Tacking practice, well after all I had to get back and up wind to come in. The wind on this side was really fluky which was good for practicing the harness it was on off on off planning speed then nothing, all within 250 meters. Tacking was good and a couple of pretty good gibes. Note to self when trying to get up wind forget gibing stick to tacking.

I did pretty well - I think the betts were on, on shore whether I was going to get back. I did well and I had a 280 fin on the old girl. I had forgotten how much fun the Pacifico was, comfort zone I think.

Cheers Morgan

Gee this is good reading how things are starting to click for you. Great to see (and hear).
Enjoy your time at Cootharaba, it's a great place!
Cheers - Greg

Day 4 Today the wind is howling - I am dam sure it got up to 40 knots in the night. Our big tarp held on all good on the home front.

Out on the water by 9 am wind had dropped to 15 ish

Anita - didn't go out in the morning. First beach start in the afternoon though woo hoo. Successfully completed 2 out of 25 attempts. That was me a couple of months ago and with deep water beach starts. We will keep her with a shallow fin and get these going. Excellent work Darls.

Jaye - headed out on Tony's 98L, JP f10 ram 5.7m sail free ride board and did ok. Wind dropped to 12 and was a bit tough. In the afternoon he went out on Tony's 116 excite with the f 10. The wind was very flukey 12 ish with some blasts. Sail was a bit small. Should have rigged the 6.6m Avanti.

Me - mike and I watch Jeff, Tony and Jaye and decided to run with the sups I rigged the 7.5m sail and Pacifico and had a blast seemed to find the wind and hooked in and committed (forearms canning) to the harness. Tacking really well but the gybes fell short. Funny really because I can gybe really well on the RSX.

In the afternoon I showed Anita how to beach start and stayed to help with that just long enough for her to get cranky with me :-(, so headed out with the same as the morning - Jaye was right out so headed for him but on the way decided to get brave and headed for Boreen Point. Hooked in and practiced not getting catapulted relatively successfully given the wind. Also as Jack said "practice looking for the wind on the water". So I did watched for the gusts and there were plenty from no wind to 12+ knots did well. Also upwind with no centre board figured that one day might need that skill so heading to Boreen I had to tack 4 times to get to where I wanted to. Woo hoo did it very happy with myself. A down wind blast on the way back got me to Elanda Point in no time at all but did fall off once. Not bad for a beginner and I can tell you a smile from ear to ear.

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gregwed said..
Gee this is good reading how things are starting to click for you. Great to see (and hear).
Enjoy your time at Cootharaba, it's a great place!
Cheers - Greg

Thanks Greg - I am finally getting a taste of what windsurfing is really all about

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John340 said..
Morgan

Not being there but based on the info you have supplied then you were probably under powered. Yesterday you sailed in 10 to 12 kts with a 9.5. Today you tried a 7.5 in 12kt. The 9.5 was probably the better choice or maybe a 8.5 if the wind was stronger than yesterday. Everthing is much easier when you have the right amount of power - as you discovered yesterday. A bit like Goldilocks, not to much - not to little!

John I think you are correct with that but the 9.5m after up hauling it 10 times I just couldn't face up hauling it again - my back, forearms and shoulders are still sore from last Monday. Plus it has a broken batten - so should wait til I get it fixed before I use it again.

Anyone got a spare bottom batten for an rsx 9.5m sail?

A mate of mine - Stephen from Mackay said "to improve your technique.. use the smallest sail possible for the wind and improve your skill to get the board moving rather than just power by increased sail area when you can go as fast as some one with a bigger sail then you're getting it right" Makes sense

Peter on Saturday was out with 7.8m sail on a small board, when everyone else had 9's on big boards and was going considerably faster than anyone else. Great to watch

Day 5 Wind was about he same up to 14knots

We met Richard and Sue today more nice windsurfing people - something to do with the sport seems to attract nice people.

Anita - rest day for the Boss.

Jaye - started on the 115 excocet and enjoyed himself so much came in and grabbed his mistral 110L energizer and smashed it. Best session he has ever had he says - pretty much pulled off his first planning gybe - pffft believe it when I see it lol

Me - same as before pacifico and 7.5. But I did take the Naish out for a run and did have another moment where it went easy - nice but slogged it out most of the time - which is why I grabbed the pacifico. Had a blast on it. another great day on the water

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Dwbh said..
Day 4 Today the wind is howling - I am dam sure it got up to 40 knots in the night. Our big tarp held on all good on the home front.

Out on the water by 9 am wind had dropped to 15 ish

Anita - didn't go out in the morning. First beach start in the afternoon though woo hoo. Successfully completed 2 out of 25 attempts. That was me a couple of months ago and with deep water beach starts. We will keep her with a shallow fin and get these going. Excellent work Darls.

Jaye - headed out on Tony's 98L, JP f10 ram 5.7m sail free ride board and did ok. Wind dropped to 12 and was a bit tough. In the afternoon he went out on Tony's 116 excite with the f 10. The wind was very flukey 12 ish with some blasts. Sail was a bit small. Should have rigged the 6.6m Avanti.

Me - mike and I watch Jeff, Tony and Jaye and decided to run with the sups I rigged the 7.5m sail and Pacifico and had a blast seemed to find the wind and hooked in and committed (forearms canning) to the harness. Tacking really well but the gybes fell short. Funny really because I can gybe really well on the RSX.

In the afternoon I showed Anita how to beach start and stayed to help with that just long enough for her to get cranky with me :-(, so headed out with the same as the morning - Jaye was right out so headed for him but on the way decided to get brave and headed for Boreen Point. Hooked in and practiced not getting catapulted relatively successfully given the wind. Also as Jack said "practice looking for the wind on the water". So I did watched for the gusts and there were plenty from no wind to 12+ knots did well. Also upwind with no centre board figured that one day might need that skill so heading to Boreen I had to tack 4 times to get to where I wanted to. Woo hoo did it very happy with myself. A down wind blast on the way back got me to Elanda Point in no time at all but did fall off once. Not bad for a beginner and I can tell you a smile from ear to ear.

I sail a boat with my partner and we have some interesting times.. Mainly me being a crabby .b..

Smashed it out at the gym this morning, x Trainer and treadmill - getting ready to pick some pace on this windsurfing learning curve. After getting the taste I am keen to get this thing done. Plus I can't let the young fella get too far ahead of me... lol

Saturday morning heading up to Windwanderers Social Sail around Goat Island at Cotton Tree - all are welcome I believe. Doesn't matter your level of skill - we are going so you will have company :-) Sounds like fun and they are a really nice bunch.

Got some great tips from Simon from Board Crazy yesterday - thank you always appreciated - every little bit helps

Cheers
Morgan

Had a great day at the wind wanderers event at Cotton Tree yesterday. Sail around Goat Island - cool bananas sounds good to me.

Rigged up the Pacifico with the 7.5 m Neil Pryde sail - I got this. Peter suggested that I may have a problem up winding without a centre board. Offered me a one design winsurfer to have a go at which I quite liked as it went pretty quick in the light wind conditions. Old faithful would have gone maybe similar. I had a go and found the board a bit tippy and fell in a few times lol. Up hauling again - good start. I opted for the Naish and Mal took the windsurfer.

I made it two thirds of the way around when I gibed too early and crashed into land (island) (charter boat what charter boat) I was looking in the direction I wanted to go - that is what everyone tells me. I did that and KAPOW!! straight onto land. Well that didn't work I nearly fell over laughing - it was pretty funny - luckily no one was watching. It was ok because there were a couple of the guys in the water around that area. I think I gibed too early. Anyway I was off again I must admit I ended up on the slowest board in the event (that's my story and I am sticking with it) I don't think it was a race but I had a last place to beat.

Tried the entire event to get into my harness but couldn't ---- that sucked - arms were canning after an hour. I am going to try that other one Simon next weekend.

It was game on as far as I was concerned and came in a proud second last - had to be in it to come second last and enjoyed every moment.

Who needs wind to have fun on the water with some windsurfing gear I had a ball

Jaye didn't make it to this event and Anita was happy taking photos - to scared to have a go. Said she will have a go next time though.

Cheers
Morgan

Hey Morgan,

Marissa here, It was great to meet you and Anita today at Manly. Sacha and I are keen to join you guys soon. I will keep an eye on the posts to see when you guys are going out.

Great photos too! Looks like a lot of fun.

Cheers,
Marissa

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Mera said..
Hey Morgan,

Marissa here, It was great to meet you and Anita today at Manly. Sacha and I are keen to join you guys soon. I will keep an eye on the posts to see when you guys are going out.

Great photos too! Looks like a lot of fun.

Cheers,
Marissa

It was great to meet you too Marissa - you are most welcome to join us learners Usually Friday night will post where we are headed for the weekend - at this stage looking like RQ beach southside of harbour. Tides - its going to be a bit of a walk to head out but less of a walk when we come in. Will confirm on Friday

Hi Morgan

Great pics from last weekend

Saturday is looking pretty good for some exciting racing, I will find Jaye a techno to sail if he wants to have a go, it will be challenge for him if the forecast holds up but he can use whatever rig he wants and there will be on water support to back him up. Its a great way for him to improve his skills as he can bite off more than he normally would knowing there is support on the water should he need it.

Morgan,

I've sent you PM about my Superlight II. Its perfect for racing with RQYS Saturday fleet.

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cammd said..
Hi Morgan

Great pics from last weekend

Saturday is looking pretty good for some exciting racing, I will find Jaye a techno to sail if he wants to have a go, it will be challenge for him if the forecast holds up but he can use whatever rig he wants and there will be on water support to back him up. Its a great way for him to improve his skills as he can bite off more than he normally would knowing there is support on the water should he need it.

Hi Cameron

jaye said he is up for it on Saturday. Cheers

Made it to the gym xtrainer for 15mins - Morgan situps - place the back of my right hand on the outside of my left knee and vis a versa 60 (2 x 20) - some old man (knees) push ups 3 x 15 - plank 3 x around one minute cant see clock anymore at the gym, Treadmill for 15mins including 2 x 1 minute runs at 10.

phew and didn't have to call an ambulance again - how cool is that.

16 - 20 knots need all the fitness I can get the plan is to get on the board and try to get to foot straps and going easy again.....

We are heading to RQ beach at Lota end of the harbour. Late morning see you down there.

Jaye is heading out with Cammd for a race - the rest of us learners will be staying fairly close to land....

Cheers
Morgan

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Dwbh said..
Had a great day at the wind wanderers event at Cotton Tree yesterday. Sail around Goat Island - cool bananas sounds good to me.

Rigged up the Pacifico with the 7.5 m Neil Pryde sail - I got this. Peter suggested that I may have a problem up winding without a centre board. Offered me a one design winsurfer to have a go at which I quite liked as it went pretty quick in the light wind conditions. Old faithful would have gone maybe similar. I had a go and found the board a bit tippy and fell in a few times lol. Up hauling again - good start. I opted for the Naish and Mal took the windsurfer.

I made it two thirds of the way around when I gibed too early and crashed into land (island) (charter boat what charter boat) I was looking in the direction I wanted to go - that is what everyone tells me. I did that and KAPOW!! straight onto land. Well that didn't work I nearly fell over laughing - it was pretty funny - luckily no one was watching. It was ok because there were a couple of the guys in the water around that area. I think I gibed too early. Anyway I was off again I must admit I ended up on the slowest board in the event (that's my story and I am sticking with it) I don't think it was a race but I had a last place to beat.

Tried the entire event to get into my harness but couldn't ---- that sucked - arms were canning after an hour. I am going to try that other one Simon next weekend.

It was game on as far as I was concerned and came in a proud second last - had to be in it to come second last and enjoyed every moment.

Who needs wind to have fun on the water with some windsurfing gear I had a ball

Jaye didn't make it to this event and Anita was happy taking photos - to scared to have a go. Said she will have a go next time though.

Cheers
Morgan

Cripes you did well! No way I could sail more than 5mins without a harness!

Heading to RQ beach Lota side of harbour low tide at 11.20 so might get in the water after lunch - bit of a walk to go out but not so much coming in

Looking pretty good for us learners this afternoon keen as to get out there - nice

See you down there
Morgan

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Dwbh said..
Heading to RQ beach Lota side of harbour low tide at 11.20 so might get in the water after lunch - bit of a walk to go out but not so much coming in

Looking pretty good for us learners this afternoon keen as to get out there - nice

See you down there
Morgan

Hey Morgan,

Thanks for the heads up, I would love to go but I have to look after Oceane this weekend. (I wish I could tow her behind me in a little dinghy )

Do you guys normally go out around this time? Sacha and I plan to join you next weekend.

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Mera said..

Dwbh said..
Heading to RQ beach Lota side of harbour low tide at 11.20 so might get in the water after lunch - bit of a walk to go out but not so much coming in

Looking pretty good for us learners this afternoon keen as to get out there - nice

See you down there
Morgan

Hey Morgan,

Thanks for the heads up, I would love to go but I have to look after Oceane this weekend. (I wish I could tow her behind me in a little dinghy )

Do you guys normally go out around this time? Sacha and I plan to join you next weekend.

Hi marissa

pretty much head out mid to late morning depending a little on tide. Cool look forward to seeing you next weekend

Well today was a sell everything day - at one point that's it - why can't I do this....... Got very emotional at one point. Not sure when that was when I crushed my foot between the mast and board or when I smashed my elbow into the mast on the way through or when I was smashed in the back of the head with the board (naish luckily) or was it when I smashed my knee on the mast. I got thrown and thrown and thrown. Feeling very battered and bruised tonight

Jaye - went in his race and hasn't stopped talking about it so what does that say - was an exciting adventure for the boy - Onya Proud of you for having a go...
6.6m Avanti sail on a Bic Techno he said it got moving pretty quick out there but suffered the same fate as me got smashed, lost his way - didn't like the jelly fish

Me - decided to rig the RSX with the 7.5m sail and 50 fin, no center fin - wind seemed up so out I went out and had a go. First beach start went ok after a couple of attempts AMAZINGLY I did manage my first water start ------- not sure I can do it again but had a go and woo hoo it worked. Didn't seem to matter which way I pointed I just couldn't get it together Got thrown got thrown got thrown and then dropped in the water over and over again as if there was no wind - I did tell the board and the sail that there was plenty of wind (in the nicest possible way ) OK OK OK THEN seeing as though I am getting smashed on the RSX I may as well get the Naish wet.

Put my new 375 fin on and the 7.5m Neil Pryde sail and away I went just like the beginner that I am and got smashed - same thing either catapulted or dropping in the water because whoever was in control of my set up had no idea which way to point because it didn't seem to matter didn't work any way. New I should have taken the Pacifico out today.

New harness went well - almost too easy to get into the lines - I ended up with the boom over my head so started to shorten lines at the end. I will get it right soon enough.

Heading out tomorrow again after lunch for some more punishment. Either Manly or Vic Point not quite sure at this point. It was so rough there today I reccon it was nearly a metre swell there today - what was Viccy point like today??

See you on the water

Don't lose heart mate. We all have those days where everything is out of control. Today was another level and the breeze was definitely up today.

tomorrow should be better for you, the wind will ease during the day which should increase your confidence.

Mate I was fully powered on a 7 ,so you did really well..i sailed up to see you but probably gone in by then

Thanks Carindale and Simon (we saw you drop over - we had just got out and were on the bank - man you were going so fast - we were awestruck - you are an inspiration to watch - keeps us going) appreciate the support - I am so close to the next level but still so much more to learn. Sail choice, board, fin, how high for to place the boom for new Harness (Thanks Simon - great advice to change harness) just have to learn how to use it, it is sooooo different to the kite harness I was using, then it is exactly what direction to point in what wind (thought I had that until yesterday). Anyway enough of that - at least I have an idea of what I have to learn so just have to get out there and learn that stuff :-)

Going to head to RQ beach at Manly/Lota - Boss says not so far to walk - I am pretty sure Anita is going to get in the water today too. I am going to take old favorite (Pacifico) and just see what happens with her.

Cameron - thanks for inviting Jaye into the race he had a good experience mate and I am sure he will have another go in the near future. I tried to follow you out on the your slalom board but couldn't get it together to get anywhere - Jaye told us last night we owe you a fiver. Catch up next time cheers mate.

See you on the water

Morgan

I was hoping for a little less wind than we got and the Sth Easter pushing against the incoming tide, it made for a pretty choppy day. You and Jaye can take heart knowing you weren't the only ones who got smashed yesterday. That's the beautiful thing with sailing, no two days are the same and whenever we think we have it sorted mother nature will remind us we don't.

Glad you guys could come and respect for taking on the challenge. There is a saying that you don't know how to ride a horse until you fall off a hundred times. I think windsurfing is the same, yesterday was just a few more of the falls you have to have along your Windsurfing journey.

Edit: Plus if we never had a bad day there would be nothing to measure good days against.

Sunday on the Water at Manly/Lota

Jaye - went to Ben's

Anita - Too windy not going in - chief photographer


Me - Sunday was completely different to Saturday's sell it all day. Woo Hoo what a great day on the water it was, I rigged old favourite, the Mistral Pacifico with Ezzy 6.3m sail and had a blast the two went together like strawberries and cream. Headed out with great trepidation as, the conditions seemed similar to Saturday..... But it all turned out good. It was great out there, Mal turned up and Cameron was out having some fun and a few others turned up too. The more the merrier.

I felt pretty comfortable and feel I chose the correct rig combination for the day finally. The wind did drop a bit so I let out, the out haul and that seemed to make enough difference to get moving (photos to follow one day this week) Did a couple nice deep water starts and pointed nicely upwind.

Simon popped in for a quick chat (always good to catch up) :-) with some great tips.

Sunday was about the harness mainly - I think I still need to shorten my harness lines now with the new Harness.

Beach starts 95%, planing yep, foot straps 0%, upwind acceptable, up haul only 5 times, tacks 85%, gybes 0, Harness 95%, catapults no.

Was nice windsurfing for a beginner BIG SMILEY FACE :-)

Looking forward to next weekend - at RQ beach Manly/Lota



oops had to bail

woo hoo - having a blast

Looking good Morgan

Great photos Anita

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Dwbh said..
Sunday on the Water at Manly/Lota

Jaye - went to Ben's

Anita - Too windy not going in - chief photographer


Me - Sunday was completely different to Saturday's sell it all day. Woo Hoo what a great day on the water it was, I rigged old favourite, the Mistral Pacifico with Ezzy 6.3m sail and had a blast the two went together like strawberries and cream. Headed out with great trepidation as, the conditions seemed similar to Saturday..... But it all turned out good. It was great out there, Mal turned up and Cameron was out having some fun and a few others turned up too. The more the merrier.

I felt pretty comfortable and feel I chose the correct rig combination for the day finally. The wind did drop a bit so I let out, the out haul and that seemed to make enough difference to get moving (photos to follow one day this week) Did a couple nice deep water starts and pointed nicely upwind.

Simon popped in for a quick chat (always good to catch up) :-) with some great tips.

Sunday was about the harness mainly - I think I still need to shorten my harness lines now with the new Harness.

Beach starts 95%, planing yep, foot straps 0%, upwind acceptable, up haul only 5 times, tacks 85%, gybes 0, Harness 95%, catapults no.

Was nice windsurfing for a beginner BIG SMILEY FACE :-)

Looking forward to next weekend - at RQ beach Manly/Lota



oops had to bail

woo hoo - having a blast

Great stuff! Love reading about your journey.

HOW GOOD IS THIS ---- ITS FRIDAY -

Heading to Manly/Lota RQ beach tomorrow morning - about 10.30am ish looking forward to catching up with everyone and getting wet.

Cheers
Morgan

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Dwbh said..
HOW GOOD IS THIS ---- ITS FRIDAY -

Heading to Manly/Lota RQ beach tomorrow morning - about 10.30am ish looking forward to catching up with everyone and getting wet.

Cheers
Morgan

Hopefully I'll see ya there... Hopefully