It’s Friday evening once more and the Big Sports event of the year (or maybe 4 years) kicks off in Paris.. in fact it may well have already done so, as it started at 17.45hrs BST. Should be quite a show but sad to hear that the French rail network had been sabotaged over Thursday night and into this morning but I guess the World is not a happy place and someone somewhere will not be happy about the games.  We see watersports feature from the start, with rowing and kayaking taking place in the first two days, with Helen Glover (a mum of three !) featuring in the rowing and Helen Kimberley in the Kayaks and also mountain biking (which a lot of us take part in..), which fingers are being crossed for, as Evie Richards has only had six weeks to train after suffering a concussion at an event earlier this year. Well, let’s hope it is a great games, for all of the athletes who have trained for so long to be able to compete and for the spectators as well, who really make it all possible by spending money! It should be a good weekend.. 

As for the UK, just in case you are overseas and miss all the moaning about the weather, it was a mixed week once again, with a wet and windy Monday (not the great evening sail we were hoping for but nice to get out for an hour)  followed by an unsettled showery Tuesday, a sunny Wednesday followed by a typical school holidays wet and miserable Thursday and then back to sun for Friday. If 2024 is a sign of things to come, it’s time to pack the bags. Now for something without bags..

Seasprite Sports, who many of you will know are the UK Importer for Chinook products, Ezzy Sails and RRD, have gone into the windsurfing mast market by supplying a Carbon 40 RDM mast range under their own name. Not surprisingly the masts are being manufactured at the Ezzy factory, so we are resting easy, as the quality will be great. The masts are on the website and we will add more pics shortly (no stock in as yet, as they only launched yesterday). Prices start at a very reasonable  £!39.00 for a 270cm and £179.00 for the largest size of 430cm. Will add weights etc. to the website listing ASAP. https://www.surfladle.com/seasprite-carbon-40-rdm-masts 

Talking of good value...

Good to see that people have donated to help with the costs of keeping foiling and general watersports happily happening on the estuary. Don’t be alarmed but all sports ‘could’ be affected by the SSSI, so if you use the estuary or river, making even a small donation would be appreciated and if there’s any money left at the end, if there ever is an end, then I’m sure it will be put to good use with a local charity or perhaps for the upkeep of signs etc. to keep all parties happy. You can donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-foiling-on-river-adur?modal=donations&tab=all

Rushing again, so here’s what the weather and tides are doing over this Olympic weekend..

Saturday, is looking to be a sunny day and with wind in the afternoon. Both Guru and the Met agree on the morning wind, which will be light and from the Nor’West. Guru then say that the wind swings to Sou’West late morning, as do the Met, and then Guru say 12-15kts whereas the Met say 12-23kts! No rain, a top temp of 21°C and the tide hits High at 16.34hrs on a 6.0m. A perfect afternoon for foils and SUP on the river! 

Sunday, wall to wall sunshine with a light offshore breeze in the morning say the Met, as do Guru and then a switch to Southerly winds during the afternoon, at 6 to 8kts according to Guru but 7 to 16kts for the Met.. a case of wait and see me thinks! Temp is 21°C and the tide’s High at 17.25hrs on a 5.7m. Not bad eh.. 

And that just about wraps up July 2024, as next weekend we roll into August. Perhaps our long awaited Summer will roll in as well, but long range forecast wise (that is approx. 5 days ahead now.. :) you would have to say that it’s not looking ‘too hot’. But hey,  that’s all in the future, so do have a great weekend everyone!