Last week of January 2026 and yet another one where the weather brought us yet another Storm, with even more RAIN.. but Friday has been sunny (well, almost), so is there hope for being out and about, for the last weekend in January and the first in February?

It may have been a week of yet more storms and flooding but at least we are ‘enjoying’ air temperatures that are in the region where watersports are still do’able, as Jan through to mid- February used to be a forget it period, as too damned cold. I’m quite happy that the long-range forecasts for a Big Freeze from just a few weeks ago got it wrong.. which is of course, a cause for concern for when they predict it’s going to be dry and warm!

 Although still in the grips of Winter, the darker days are rushing by and we edge nearer to life, as we like it. Dom Yule, from F-One, noted recently in a sales email, his sighting of daffodils popping up, which was a bit of a shock, as I thought he only cared about kites and foils.. must be what happens when you become a Dad. And another shock, was when I saw it’s only 3 weeks to the RYA Watersports Show at Farnborough. On for two days from the 21^st and £15.00 per day or £22.50 for the both, should you wish to make a weekend of it. li

That event seemed months away the last time it crossed my mind! Anyhow, I had a quick run through the exhibitors list and although a good turn out, I would like to have seen more of the foiling market manufacturers exhibiting their innovations (they may in fact be there, represented on Shop stands), as it has to be the growth market area and that would be a ‘draw’ for many more to visit our only UK show. It should also be of interest and of benefit to those organising the show, as the RYA are engaged with becoming the governing body for foiling, in association with the BKSA, Now, some may say ‘why would foilers want to be associated with the RYA’ and I can of course understand their point of view, but apart from things like a very good Personal Insurance Policy to cover you for on the water Third Party Claims, should a horrible accident occur (you’d be glad of that cover..)  it’s sadly a case that Governing bodies are now a necessity, especially when it comes to having a ‘voice’ regarding rights of way and access to water, which is pretty important in our sports particular case. Just to put that into a homely perspective, the use of foils and other watercraft, say on an estuary, where having a body such as the RYA available to fight your corner (especially in legal representation) would be of great benefit, as they are a respected body, whereas the collective ‘we’ are not. Jes Wooton, who is doing a fantastic job of representing the foil community, would have a far easier ‘trip’ if he had the RYA / BKSA sat next to him.  I thought I would put that ‘out there’, as people attending the show can often put their views forward and the RYA membership starts from £59.00 a year. BKSA also offer insurance with their membership, from £46.00

Click Here for a Link to the RYA show.

Apologies, that was a very long paragraph.. Movin’ on..

Nothing more to report regarding our winding down. Jame’s is off to the Italian mountains for a spot of snow fun tomorrow but when he is back, we will formulate the plan and let everyone know ‘how it goes’. After all of these years, I can’t wait to find out!

 And now, the weekend’s weather and Tide Times.

Saturday, the last day of January and if you were hoping for a little wind action, you may have got it, as there is very little wind from either Guru or the MET, as both reckon 8-12kts Sou’Sou’West,..  sorry!  At least the air temp is good, 10°C and perhaps a dry end to what was NOT a Dry January. Guru show a 1.0m 15sec wave period, which is a bit odd when you have an almost dead onshore wind creating mushy waves but it may well be the case. Tide hits High at 9.52hrs on a 5.7m, so an early start if you wish to play on the river (the run off from inland is making that water very murky).

Sunday, the 1^st of February, there is even less wind on offer, 6 - 10kts from the South, but there is again a 0.9m 14sec wave period on Guru, which with less wind could be a good day out for the foil drives and paddling surfers (for prone surf you’d head over to the Witts). No rain shown again, so a good time to try and dry everything out! Tide hits the inevitable High at 10.46hrs on a 6.0m.

I think that’s enough for this week and I’m sure you’ll all agree!

Back tomorrow morning with the Beach Video and any other snippets I forgot to mention this evening. And finally, can you believe that the water companies are putting the H20 cost up again in April, especially after a mere 47% increase for most households during 2025. Good job I’m not sceptical about it..  I’m sure they will spend our money well, as they have in the past!

And on that note, have a great weekend!