Friday evening and not long now until we reach the last weekend before Christmas.. but that’s still a week away, so relax, it’s the weekend before the PANIC starts!

Last weekend was a corker, weather wise at least. I was travelling back from Cologne Motorcycle Show on Saturday (in a car..) and although a tad gusty on the E40 Motorway, it wasn’t until we got close to the French Coast that Storm Darragh became a reality, as the wind was making the trucks ‘wobble’ scarily and the rain was relentless (so glad we were using the Chunnel and not a Ferry). Funnily enough when we emerged out on the UK side, it was quite tranquil, for a while, until the Nor’West kicked in, which made for a wobbly drive back home. As for those locals who got out on the water, there’s a great pic of Steve Dalkin (Simmer Steve) going around on the net (link is below, as I think it is copyrighted..) sailing off Widewater. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122124712520518138&set=gm.1741549426630406&idorvanity=616918042426889

This weekend is not looking so violent but we will come to that in a moment.

I posted a link to the new KT foils which I guess are also KD, as they have been co- designed with Kane de Wilde, who is KD foils. We think the Nomad is likely to be the foil of choice locally (or are we wrong..) so they are now on the site, with the Atlas and Infinity to follow. I’ve added as much info regarding ‘what you get’ as I can find, so hopefully it will all be self-explanatory. The Nomad is a foil that could be used by a Newcomer, should they be prepared to risk their money on damaging it first time out… and any skill level from there on up, whatever their favourite foil discipline is or are. The first delivery into the UK is due March and not January, as some shops have on their websites (I checked that today) but supply is likely to be low, so as we always say  pre-ordering is advised. We have pre-ordered complete foils but if you want additional wings then definitely ‘get in’ early.

https://www.surfladle.com/kt-nomad-foils

Christmas Opening has now been decided, hence the lovely poster pic of Shoreham River that I knocked up earlier. It’s also on Google and can be found on our website (search Christmas Opening) should you forget. We will be offering Mulled Wine and Chocolates the Sunday before Christmas, should you be in the area.. open as usual from 10.00am until 1.00pm.

Talking of Shoreham, someone mentioned that they had only just realised that pics of  Shoreham are featured on Grand Designs opening credits.. anybody else noticed that?

Now for the weekend weather and tides..

Saturday, 8-11kt Nor’West in the morning and rambo’ing up to 8-16kt Nor’West in the afternoon, with overcast but dry (allegedly) conditions and a top temp of 8°C, if we are lucky. Tide hits High at 9.56hrs on a 6.2m so the wind is likely to be a bit light for foiling on the estuary. Good for SUP as the basin is flooded up to the houseboats.

Sunday sees the start of something new.. winds from the West at 13-19kt until dusk, when it will increase 16-25kt. This appears to be the start of a windy period as by Wednesday we could have Sou’West 23-31kt, with 13°C and a drop or two of the wet stuff.  Keep your eye on the forecast.Tide is High at 10.45hrs on a 6.3m, so the estuary is likely to be foiling busy.

And that’s it, except to say many thanks to Louise Heath of K66, who dropped in with a card from all who work with Nik Baker (thank you All!) and to Jane Wyatt, who many of you know as the Lady with the Beach Hut, who brought a card and a bag of SSSI… Surf Shop Staff Sustaining Items aka chocs and bics. Thank You Jane!

Have a great weekend everyone.