Shaun and I got out on the kites for an hour on Easter Monday, there’s something wrong about being on the water when its snowing. Can’t remember a winter being cold for so long, not only was it warmer last winter, on average it blew for days a week. Misreading the forecast didn’t matter; there was always another good day round the corner, shame that wasn’t true this week.

If we’d been honest with each other we’d have never gone out, but neither of us wanted to give in first, not that we were out for long. Think it must be a first, but I was happy when we were forced back to the beach by the dropping wind. There may not have been enough snow to settle, but just having snow blowing in the air really should be enough reason to stop.

The forecast for the rest of the week was just as frustrating, the long range showed promise for a weekend of speed, but the closer we got the worse it looked until we finally had to cancel  drivenbywind for the weekend.

Finally I’ve found something more frustrating than getting less wind than forecasted. Having cancelled the speed I was devastated to be woken by a howling gale Friday morning. Really hadn’t expected it, had even planned to go kiting with the boys front wet ‘n’ dry at Southend it was going to be so light.

Apart for only kiting when its not enough to windsurf, I couldn’t go to Southend when it looked so good and I’d kept everyone away, some how it didn’t seem right. I just hope we get another good day, it’ll break me if that was out last chance.

Shaun,  Dave, Anthony waited for the afternoon tide before sailing out of Clacton, but we’d hardly had our second run out when the wind died so it was back to the kites.

Apparently bad luck comes in three’s so shouldn’t have been surprised when two hours later I’m being dragged out at sea with no chance of control. Everyone had headed in; I just had to take that fated last run. A mini storm hit me just as I was heading in, there wasn’t much I could do as the kite turned inside out, crossed its lines and took off down wind spinning like a top.

There was no option but to eject. Figured I’d never see the kite again, but as I swam back for the board and eventually to the beach, Shaun was back on a windsurfer and chasing it.

Nikyboy had been on the camera all afternoon and was now hobbling down the beach to help Shaun. I caught up with them six beaches later, and surprisingly I’d not only got it back, it was still in one piece.

Saturday started off a lot calmer. I was heading up to Norfolk to open a new clubhouse. In the early days of windsurfing we were all members of clubs, but once short boards came around we went chasing the best conditions and most clubs started to fade. Think the lack of a focal point has lost us a few people along the way, so its good to see there are a few clubs still going strong around the country.

The lack of wind and knowing it was inland on a lake I shot up in the car, never expected to get a sail in. Another day the forecast got it wrong. It is a lake but being close to the sea, larger and more open to the elements than expected it catches just as much wind as being on the cost, plus it was howling.

When we arrived everyone was de-rigging, I just missed a great sail, looks like 6.0 was the order of the day. Getting to hate the forecasters. May not have got wet, but good to see a club with so many active members and one that’s building, in more ways than one. Thanks guys from Hickling Windsurfing Club for the invite.