Surfladle

Yep, it looks as though our Mediterranean dry spell caused by the Nor’ East airflow is finally growing old and being replaced by a fresh and exciting Sou’Westerly, which is typically going to bring in the rain which we do of course need (the talk of hosepipe bans was growing louder). Only looks like Sunday being possibly washed out (they keep changing that every hour), with a possibility of a shower during Saturday morning and in the afternoon, so not awful (if the forecasters are right..) and it will be great to have a usable wind back after all of these months.. if they are right! So, it looks lucky for the British Heart Foundations Naturism walk around Leonards Lee Gardens, just up the road North.. more info by Clicking Here!   (I had to mention this as I'd no idea ‘this sort of thing’ went on just down the road from where I live!)  but then not so lucky for the weekly Boot Sale at the Shoreham Flyover on Sunday morning. As for the BHF London to Brighton Bike Ride also taking place this Sunday, I am sure they will not be very happy with the thought of wind and rain for their trip to the coast.Hope you can all make the most of it but..  It had to come! I can’t think of any local beach events that I should be reminding people of tonight but if you do know of one, please do email us and let us know , so everyone is in the loop.

 

The wind gods sort of played ball at last weekend’s Kite and Wing event at Littlehampton, just enough to get the foils and BIG kites out to play. The majority of the distributors were there showing their wares and it was noted that Duotone were showcasing their new light wind Ventis Wing, which will be available in two sizes, 7m and 8m. The std. construction (I would guess MOD3 ) is due ‘soon’ and will be in at a price you would expect, as of similar 7m and 8m wings but then the D-LAB version will follow along ASAP (no date as yet shown on the system) with a price tag for those who aspire to items of worth. More on that when we have the official launch info.

Don’t forget that there are real bargains to be had on Wings at the moment, so do give us a call if you are in the marketplace.. or have been looking for a used one on Marketplace!

 

We have a bit of a mad paddle deal coming in next week. The realignment of Naish Surf has meant a few of their SUP paddles have appeared on a Dutch clearance list and we have grabbed a selection before they are eaten up by the Euro Warehouse shops. Along with a mix of High Carbon 1- and 2-part paddles (only 1’s shown on the list, so I will wait and see if they arrive before mentioning what they are)  there are the 3-part Naish Performance Paddle 85 SDS (Standard Diameter Shaft) and the Ladies Alan 80 version (smaller blade), which are a really nice lightweight paddle with zero breakages (so far). They have an RRP of £189.00 but are now on offer at £129.00. If you’ve been thinking of upgrading from the plastic bladed package paddle you have, this could be a good time! They should arrive end of next week.

 

Last of all, before we delve into the Weekend weather and tide times, put July 8th in your digital or analogue diary as it’s the Annual Adur Raft Race! It all kicks off at Midday with a DJ heading up the proceedings and then at 1pm a certain Toyah Wilcox will be officially opening the event (I think that is ‘the Toyah Wilcox’ and not someone who lives on the beach with the same name??).

From there on in it gets going with on water displays including Paddleboarding Pirates (will Toyah be onboard?) and Outriggers plus the RNLI . Main event, the race, kicks off at 3.45pm and all comes to a close with the prize giving at 5.45pm. I hope the weather is good for this.

 

So, the weather on Saturday is still ‘nice’ on Saturday but not as nice as it has been. Cloud with a couple of showers and the winds are still coming from the East at around 8kts, so not much to get excited about I’m afraid. Top Temp is said to be 23°C which will definitely cheer up Dave, one of the owners of the ‘Into The Blue’ restaurant next door, as it was 27°C at 9.30 this morning and the restaurant kitchen gets HOT. Tide is High at 11.40hrs on a 5.7m, which is great for River paddling and for pumping your foil board around on, of course (James Burrows was showing me a video clip of two of his friends Dock starting off the pontoon and then pumping their foils up the river.. very impressive). 

 

Sunday and don’t forget that it’s FATHERS DAY! This is where we go into the change and since I started this ramble the forecast has changed yet again! The MO are now saying rain in the afternoon with a risk of thunder, which makes sense due to the Low and High getting it together. Windguru reckon rain around breakfast time and then again later in the afternoon. Both seem to have lessened the amount of precipitation. The wind they roughly agree on, which will be Sou’East’East 6-9kt  in the morning and then swinging to the South 10-14kt for the afternoon before backing to the Sou’West for the evening, 7-12kt . Tide is High at 12.23hrs on a 5.8m, so it should be another good day for the rivers but maybe not so good for wind sports on the sea, what with the tide being High during the onshore wind period.. but that could change.

Do be careful if you are out on the water and a storm does roll in.. you do not want a nice carbon mast or paddle in your hands with Lightning about (if on a SUP lay on the board and doggy paddle it back to shore. If on a windsurfer , pray). We are gradually getting past the cold-water shock time but as Thursday was the anniversary of a lovely young lads demise due to CWS, please do keep it in mind.

 

And I am done.. it was meant to be a quicky but as always my mind keeps finding things to mention.  We, or rather I (as James is Big Boat sailing at the moment) will keep an eye on the forecasts and update you tomorrow morning, if it has changed.  I hope everyone gets a break weather wise with whatever they are doing and that you all have a superb Weekend. 

Arrivederci!

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