Autumn's here, Smiffy in Rubber, Duotone launch update, Dockerills have to go and don't forget.. its the Revival!
Autumn 2024 begins and if the weather during the first six days is anything to go by, it’s time to find that umbrella and your 4/3mm wetsuit!. At least the rain appears to now be stopping, so I might stay dry bringing the kit in (Open all Hours style..) . Anyhow, whatever the weather, it’s time for the Weekend and we may need a wizard to do something with the forecast!
Mick Smith, or Smithy as most of you will remember him as, has been ‘living the dream’ windsurfing his life away in Lanzarote. We’ve kept in contact over those many long years since he departed Shoreham Beach and this picture of Mick arrived in our Inbox earlier today. Now, the reason for this ‘rubberwear shot’ is that I‘d asked to see the Neil Pryde Wizard 3/3mm Overknee suit we recently shipped out to him (they are on an offer.. down from £329.00 to £229.00) which I’m sure sounds a bit odd but I’d been off the day it came in from Pryde and it went straight out to a friend of Micks who was couriering it over to him. Anyway, it’s great to see Mick and the suit both looking so good but what you should also do is take a long look at that blue coloured background behind him.. I know that we had a ‘few’ nice days this year (and it has been windy, at times) but that shameless Blue Sky has been really rare, yet Mick probably gets bored of it!! So just sit back, look at the Blue and feel that heat seeping in, as it could be a long while coming, unless we get a late heat wave! Still not sure why he wants a wetsuit for the pool but there you go. Many thanks for the order Mick!!
I mentioned in last weeks ramble that Duotone were launching new kit week and there has been an update today from Nik Baker (if you’ve not seen him out on the water recently, he is recovering from a nasty injury, get well soon Nik!) re. when they will occur. The 2025 Wings and Foil Boards go live on the 11th September and then the new Foil range follows a week later on the 18th., so make an entry on your phone calendars now. https://www.duotonesports.com/en/uk/wing-foiling
Dockerills, a name that anyone who lives or has lived in the Brighton area will know, as it’s a store that has been supplying hardware and the like to the towns folk since opening in 1915. So, it was really sad to see the news on the Beeb that after all of those years of trading successfully (including being open during the two World Wars) they have decided to call it a day, as trade since Covid (the changes to society and trading caused by the pandemic, are still being realised) has declined rapidly and with escalating running costs, it is no longer able to sustain an operating margin. That has become the nightmare of nearly every high street shop in the UK, failure through no real fault of your own… where will it end? Very sad to see their demise and you can find their history here.. https://www.dockerills.co.uk/history
And on that cheery note, on such a lovely Friday afternoon, lets have a look at what the weather is bringing our way over the coming weekend!
Saturday, the wind is from the Nor ‘East at 10kt, backing East mid afternoon and then Sou’East late afternoon before backing back to Nor’East for the evening… that’s so exciting! Temp is said to be 20°C tops and there is a possibility of showers late afternoon, just to mess the BBQ up. Tide hits High at 14.21hrs on a 5.9m, so a perfect day for river paddling.
Sunday, it’s looking brighter for wind, as they say 15-21kts from the South (maybe a touch of West as the afternoon goes on) pretty much all day. It’s not looking so bright otherwise as rain is possible at any point during the day and as the tide is High at 14.48hrs on a 5.8m, launching into an onshore wind will curtail the fun time to around 12.30hrs and then back out at around 16.50hrs. I guess Pagham may be busy.
And that is it for this week, apart from mentioning the likely hood of traffic delays on the A27 and all other roads leading to Chichester, as it’s the Goodwood Revival weekend. Even though it’s been a horrid start weatherwise, I’m sure all of those who are competing, marshalling and the thousands making their ways there to do the spectating, will enjoy it for what it is.. the effort involved with putting on that event must be immense! Have a great weekend whatever you do.. please forgive typos!