Surfladle

I say ‘You’, as I am away from Sunday for a few days and it is just typical that the week  is forecast to be windy, with a bit of wet here and there. A great forecast but not exactly what I need in this particular case and I guess the loss of my personal wish for ‘dry and sunny’ must be gracefully accepted, when it is for the greater good of others! Hmmm.. is that a case of Power to the People? 

 

Talking of power to the people, the Rampion 2 meeting I mentioned on Wednesday was very

interesting, as well as feeling slightly pointless, as it would seem that there is no option and it would be a safe bet to say that Rampion 2 Sub Station and cable corridor will go ahead as planned. One thing everyone agreed on was that their Virtual Reality trip out to the wind farm and then up onto the top of the turbines was amazing (sadly I arrived too late for that).

The two things I found of particular interest were that changes to the infrastructure of our power grids in the UK is non-negotiable , which meant ‘new thinking’ was a waste of time (those representing Rampion 2 indicated that it had limited them to a considerable degree) and we are stuck with an arcaic design. The second was their total belief that our winds are constant and that it is a reliable source of energy. I guess it’s their business model so they have to believe in ‘wind’ but with the UK heading more and more towards a reliance on eco-friendly power, I am not so sure on that reliability. I base that thought on our experience, as users of the winds, and the fact that we are seeing 1st hand how the wind is being affected by the changes taking place, whether that is due to global warming or something else and winds that once upon a time we once could set our ‘sailing habits’ by, has now changed beyond recognition, in a very short space of time. So, what happens if the winds are not as they have been and we get long windless spells during the winter, when we NEED a lot of power? I am pretty sure there is no power storage planned as part of Rampions output (even though Rampion 2 is said to be capable of a power output equivalent to a Nuclear Generator) hence I have doubts about going down this road as a reliable source of power. Just thinking aloud and hope I am wrong.. 

 

Paddles, now there is a reliable source of power! I mentioned that Mr Naish was having a clear out and that we would have a small number of specialist paddles at a very good price.

We have the following available.. 

1 x Carbon Elite Fixed RDS 75 (cut to length) RRP £429.00 Now £199.00

1 x Carbon Elite Fixed RDS 80 RRP £490.00 Now £249.00

1 x  Elite Fixed SDS 90 RRP £490.00 Now £249.00

1 x Carbon Kevlar 2-Part SDS 95 Wave RRP £469.00 Now £239.00

(RDS Reduced Diameter Shaft.  SDS Standard)

 

Also showing, the very light 3-part Alana 80 Ladies paddles, which are now at £129.00.

The men’s Performer version, not shown, have the 85 blade and are also now at £129.00.

Also not showing, as I have just seen it, is a 3-part Carbon Plus 85, which comes in a padded case. It has a few marks on the handle shaft, where it has been joined but never been used. RRP was £369.00 Now £199.00.

 

There is a cracking Offer from Naish if you are thinking of giving Wing Foiling a go.. will post more on that tomorrow.

So, a few bargains to be had but do ask if you want more info on any of the paddles.

 

Ok, weather and tide times!

It’s a bit of a split weekend weather wise, so everyone should get something they like. 

Saturday we have a Sou’West wind backing Sou’Sou’West 7-9kts with a fairly warm 23°C

(Windguru say 16°C, possibly because of the sea temp). Tide hits High16.01hrs on a 5.3m, so playing in small waves on your SUP or River paddling should be possible.. Pub beer gardens and barbecuing also should be good. Sea Breezing could occur as it appears to have done for the last couple of days but it has not lasted long today.

 

Sunday the change starts but not as early as it looked this morning, hence the asterix added to the ‘Windy Sunday’ when I started writing this, as Sou’West 18-22kts was shown but now we are seeing Sou’East  8-12kts during the morning and then slowly swinging to Sou’West and picking up to 18-26kt early evening, which is getting close to ‘Fun Wind’ that so many of you have been waiting patiently for. It could of course revert back to being windy during the afternoon and if so, it’s likely to be at its best around High Tide, which is at 16.44hrs on a 5.2m. Next week is looking a lot more hopeful than it has in ages for wind speeds in the 25kt region, so fingers crossed you all manage to get back out on the water (High tide will be in the evenings, just to bugger up the much loved after work sail). 

 

And that is it for this Friday evening and next week too, you lucky people.

I am in tomorrow and then off out of it for a few days but back in a week on Saturday, as James is at a Wedding. 

Please forgive any typos or bad grammar.. bit of a rush day and I hope you all have a great weekend. Enjoy the wind!

If you would like to see larger pics of the paddles Click Here