2025 is here, the weather is doing it's thing, SWPW and Wings, old or new?
Here we go again and just in case you have got lost in the festive seasons ‘time slip’.. it’s Friday evening and that means it’s the first weekend of 2025.. yahoo!
Great to see the sun for the last two days and what a difference a bit of ‘light’ makes but for those of you who have not seen the weather forecast or the news-bites, this weekend presents, for a limited period only, Armageddon! They say snowfall and killer cold temperatures are about to decimate the UK, which is all very well but in the next breath they say some parts may achieve a very weird 13°C by Sunday? OK, here comes a moan...
We used to live 'with' our world and whatever dear old Mother Nature delivered to us, we dealt with. Now we are force fed shock horror ‘news’ and then instructed by people in a centrally heated Government office (I quote from the BBC News App) on how to drive in the snow, how to keep babies warm, not to go out when it’s frosty and to look out for the over 65’s, which I do of course agree with, but that’s the generation who’ve probably had far more experience of enduring colder weather and living conditions than most of those telling them what to do and sadly the employers of the ‘tellers’ are the same people that thought removing heating allowances from those OAP’s who were not willing or perhaps able to claim ‘benefits’ was a great idea? I’m sorry.. I can’t help it.. it all seems to go against the Great British ethos of being respectful of others (hmmm.. better check our track record on Wikipedia), as truthful as a Boy Scout or a Girl Guide and keeping a stiff upper lip and dignity, when things get rough. What else is there that we have left to be proud of? I’m only kidding UK…must be the cold weather getting to me. Saying all of that, some councils appreciate their OAP’s knowledge of snow.. (just noticed that some of the posts have very bad language.. so don't stray!)
As you can probably tell, there is not a lot going on in water sports pursuits at the moment, apart from the odd ‘storm’ here and there, so ‘news’ is a little scarce. There have been a few pics posted on the South West Pavillion Windsurfers page regarding the last day of 2024 and the rather blustery start of 2025 (spent most of the morning watching our power going on and off.. gave up with it and found a café for brunch) along with a rowdy bunch, out for their Christmas Dinner. Bill Short posts his weather forecasts there (much more in depth than our brief overview) and the page has Hove local’s gossip, to keep everyone amused. If you are not aware, you can view or join the group here.. https://www.facebook.com/groups/103475529717473/posts/8966408516757419/
There are of course the January Sales but I think most of you will have noticed that the Sales have been 24/7 for the last four months (at least) so I’m guessing you are a little ‘overwhelmed’ by it all. I have however spoken to customers who have missed out on seeing the ‘offers’ regarding new Wing Foiling Wings and have been purchasing rather worn out used wings for the same money. Wings do have a life span and some people in the know say around 100 uses and the canopy will have lost its shape. I’m not sure about that, as surely it will depend upon the length of time in use, the conditions it was used in and the number of rinse cycles it has been through, but I guess it gives people a rough idea. Some people say that it’s a built-in factor, so when they launch the next model and you buy one, it will feel so much better than the old one! As if anyone would be so despicable to think like that.. and nine out of ten wing owners surveyed said that their wing had received several repairs during its lifetime, so in case you are thinking of buying a used wing, please do compare it to the new ‘on offer’ prices on our website, as you will also get a warranty with a new one.
https://www.surfladle.com/wingsurf-wings/new-wings
And what of the weekend ahead? It’s one of two tales! The first is a chilly old Saturday, where hoods and palmless mitts or gloves will be required should you wish to head out (unless you are a bare essentials open water dipper of course), with wind from the Sou’East, ranging from 14-20kt during the morning and slowly building to 17-25kt by dusk. Rain will appear late in the day (which could be snow..) and your top temp is 6°C less wind chill, so COLD is the word! Tide is High at 13.58hr on a 5.9m. At least the water will feel warm, which is currently 9.8°C.
Sunday, all change please, into shorts and sunnies! The wind will be from the Sou’Sou’West 20-39kts all day and with a temp currently given as 12°C! That’s the good news.. the bad is that 12°C is the temperature of the rain, which looks to be with us for the whole day…maybe forget the sunnies! Tide is High at 14.48hrs.
After this little soiree we could be heading into what was known as the Six Week Shutdown, which was the case for many a year when the weather was just too cold from the 2nd week of January through to the latter part of February, to make wind sports fun, unless you like the feeling of your hands or feet coming back from being frozen solid! SUP may well continue though, as winter can produce perfectly formed SUP waves.
And that is that for this, the first weekend of sticking to your resolutions. A Dry January would be nice but not as in the reso version (a Wassail on alcohol free cider would just not be the same!) and I promise not to moan about a single thing next week and keep it short and sweet.. honest.
Have a great weekend everybody!