My own story, Wednesday I had a great session with W54. After this the tide went wrong each time for the brace, Strand Horst was too shallow for me since I had a 25cm fin. I didn't dare. Saturday I fixed my car with my brother in a garage, this has to be done because my car gets today checked for vehical testing regulations. Sunday the proto sonntag 21cm fin arrived. Sunday it turned out 5 guys were lucky and the water dropped (I swear this was on the edge for winddirection). Sunday I did went windsurfing on Amstelmeer and soon discovered the wind was exactly Southwest... No fun, and I quited before anything got broken, had to swim for the futura 93 and reflex 6.2 after exploring.
Monday we went to the Brace, and wind looked not very strong onshore. Just good enough for some personal records. I rigged W44 and 5.6 Reflex and went walking. Soon I got excited about the windforce, but once there I realised it was actually over the edge. And we needed a boat more than ever, this was dangerous. Gusting over 50kn. Peter, Serge and Jan went on the water. I wanted to look at them first, Peter and Jan had the first run with wind around 40kn (especially the beginning was possible to enter).. Serge however arrived in at least a 45-50kn in the beginning, and not able to go on the course at all. After this Jan and Serge stayed onshore, and Peter tried the second time, but this time he also had a killer gust like Serge and crashed a couple of times in row. Must say I was scared to see him get in trouble, quickly Gauke and Serge ran for Peter and I kept all windsurfing gear on the ground.
When Peter was onshore again, both Gauke and Serge came back at me soon. I still wanted to go, but testing a new fin in these conditions didn't make it an easy decision. It was good my teammates convinced me not too go. To much risk, but conditions were definitly good enough for maybe a world record. However offshore and once in trouble no plan B for comming back. Water 4 degrees celsius, I would say life expectation is 30min once in trouble. (or even shorter if one panics).
One thing to be mentioned, don't be affraid to tell your surfmates not too go when risks are too high. Offshore in gusts over 50kn in cold tempratures was too much, and nobody should have left the safe shore that day. Afterwards I checked windforce and it turned out Monday the wind&gusts was 8kn stronger than the day before. You really feel stupid seeing someone in trouble and knowing you can't do much and worst-case-scenario is getting realistic.
osmosis surf shop surf paradise mavericks surf surfing world summer undergraduate research fellowship
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