Ahoy there! Wind and surf ‘is’ what our lives revolve around but without having the hot days that bring people to the beaches and eventually into our sports, you do wonder where it will all end up. I overheard a lady telling her friends that her favourite UK day of the year is now.. ‘summer’ ..and how true that is. One good day is memorable, two is labelled a heat wave! Long range forecast wise there is still no sign of a ‘warm dry spell’ and with the majority of the schools about to break, we desperately need to get people to the beaches and at least thinking about Watersports. Heat is helpful, where getting wet is concerned, for most people.  Ah well, when all else fails and things look glum, stick your finger up your.. nose and just be glad that it's the weekend!

A very big event is taking place this coming Monday in Wales, as it’s farewell to the legendary Farrel O’shea. Farrel will say farewell to his much-loved home beach of Abersoch and make his way to the Bangor Crematorium for an 11am appointment. I’d put money on the fact that there will be many a tearful eye on route, as a local celebrity passes by for one last time. If you were thinking of attending, not surprisingly it’s already booked for inside the chapel, as farrel has drawn friends from all over the World but the service will be streamed for the many who will be outside. After the service it’s back to the Abersoch Yacht Club at around 2pm for hid wake (what a send off that is going to be). There’s an Obitus link available for the service and if you’d like the info, please email us at mail@surfladle.co.uk  James is away from Saturday, so it’s with sincere regret that neither of us will be able to attend his farewell but we will always have the memories of Farrel, so it’s ok. Our condolences and best wishes to Farrel’s family and friends, fellow trade colleagues and to dear Jayne, who is taking care of everything. A big man who really was larger than life and will be missed by us all. Time for a cuppa.. and if you are not aware of Farrel, this Windsurfing TV interview I think shows a true Farrel.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHIyzOw4IwI&t=195s

Another big event this weekend is the Goodwood Festival of Speed (putting that together during the last months wet and windy weather must have been fun!) so traffic on the A27 and the local back roads will be very busy, as 200,000 people head there over the events duration. Just mentioning it in case you are coming over from that direction and whilst on the subject of mentioning.. .  

I’ve mentioned this a while back but again a heads-up regarding the use of foils on the estuary. Please can everyone be as squeaky clean as they can regarding the launching area, as there are nature issues being discussed and also where and how you foil, as there is a hydrofoil ban in place within the Port Authorities boundary, which goes back to the time when hydrofoil boats and the like were being developed (not relevant to the current foils but a hydrofoil they are). There has not to date been any enforcement of the ban but there could be if the Harbour Master is asked to unleash his powers. The use of wind and pump powered foils has and should continue to be OK but please don’t turn up with an E or Power Assisted foil, as that is a definite no-no and will create friction. There are talks going on and we are positive that it can all be resolved amicably. 

Keeping it short tonight as it’s been a day of typing and there’s a long weekend ahead, so what is the forecast and the tide times for this high summer’s weekend?

Saturday, well hot it’s not but there will be wind from the West’Sou’West during the afternoon 11-14kts. I would doubt if a sea breeze will occur and boost that wind speed, as the air temp is given as only 17°C but you never know, so worth checking the anemometers at around 2pm. Launching should not be a problem as the wind direction ‘should’ not create a shore break. Cloudy with no mention of rain but I don’t remember them saying that we would have torrential down pours during the early hours of this morning, so we will wait and see. Tide is High at 16.54hrs on a 5.2m. 

Sunday, Is currently pretty much a re-run of Saturday but with wind from the Sou’West 10-17kts and a chance of SUN! Top temp given as 19°C and the Tide will be at it’s tallest dead on 17.40hrs, on a 5.0m, What more could you ask for? 

And that’s all we have time for tonight. As I have said so many times, we or rather I will be here 9.30am (if the road users heading to GW allow me to get here on time..) and will depart at 5.30pm. I’m in again 10am until 4.00pm on Sunday, just in case you have an urge to spend.

I hope everyone has a fun weekend and I will be back tomorrow morning with the beach vid (please let it be warm!).

BFN.