Friday evening and can I just check that we are still in September please, as it feels more like January out there (even our poor Postie was complaining his hands were frozen.. but he has just got back from two weeks in Minorca!).

I guess we just have to be thankful that we’ve made it to another weekend and sadly the last one in September.

Thursday produced an epic day for waves or so my dear old Aunty Mary said, when he WhatsApp’d us re. his sail at Littlehampton. I wondered if this was an Aunties ‘likely story’ but it seems it was true, as Rustington Wave Buoy confirmed it, with a constant 2.5m and a maximum 4.5m wave height during the afternoon (Storm threshold is 3.5m) so I guess a really cold day to follow is an acceptable price.  As an off shoot of yesterday’s turbulent weather, there was a reasonable size wave still around first thing this morning (being held up by the offshore wind) so maybe the surfers and the SUPS got something out of it as well.  On the downside, a group of lady open water swimmers who walked back past the shop this morning were not looking too happy.. 9°C less wind chill must have made the water feel very warm but the air slightly ‘invigorating’! They will have to put up with the cold breeze tomorrow but by Sunday, its completely reversed and they will have many waves to contend with.

Winter temps appear to have arrived early, so it’s a good thing that we have managed to get our hands on a few more ProLimit Mercury (most sizes) and Predator 6/4mm (only in 50M and 52L) wetsuits,  at a much better price than the current RRPs. It’s just the one drop, so once these suits have gone, it’s full RRP. Links to the suits below.

https://www.surfladle.com/mens-wetsuits/prolimit-mercury-freezip-64

https://www.surfladle.com/mens-wetsuits/prolimit-predator-freezip-64

We have a pretty good stock of Beanies, Gloves etc. and there are still offers available on these. Stay warm, stay fit.

Simon at 2XS of West Wittering, is running the annual autumn Two Day Demo this weekend. Now, you may think it a bit odd that we mention a 2XS demo but for many of you it may be a good time to go, see and chat about the latest offerings from Duotone (everything Duotone apart from Kite, as far as I can tell) which will be presented by Nik Baker and the crew, with Goya, KT and Quatro all being hosted by Andy Bubble Chambers. Peter Hart is also going to be there helping things along with his clinics and a rare appearance of Mark Shinn, a multiple  kitesurfing World Champion and the owner of Shinn Kiting (no longer trading I believe) who will be there working with Axis foiling. There will also be SUP boards on Demo from Fanatic and Quatro, so something for everyone

You do have to book in for kit testing and the free clinics, which the information for can all be found at  

https://2xs.co.uk/2xs-demo-day-28th-29th-september-2024/

So, what is the weather doing for the weekend? Well, it’s a mixed bag alright!

Saturday, bright, sunny, chilly, as the Nor ‘West 13-15kt offshore wind is hanging in there (good for Simon) and keeping the temperature down to a similar feel of today, but at least it won’t be raining.. will it? Tide is High at 09.30hrs on a 5.0m Neap, so off-shore wind winging might entice a few out , as it did Gavin Baylis, of Another Hard Day fame, during the week of Nor ‘East winds..  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niHKuHvrQF0

Please Note.  Off-shore winds are not advised.. but it’s up to you if you feel confident.

Sunday does a U-turn, as the winds will have swung around to Sou’Sou’East and accelerated to 18-26kt during the morning and then 22-34kt during the afternoon. The temp is still low for that direction, as they say 14°C but at least there is no rain currently shown, until late in the evening, so we might have two dry days! The tide is High at 10.21hrs on a 5.4m, so it should be an epic day at Shoreham during the afternoon (onshore winds will delay launching until at least 1pm, unless you are brave).

And that is about all I have time for, as it’s been a busy day and I’ve got to be out of here on time this week. Please forgive the typos (I spell check but still find mistakes once published!) as it has been a rush. I hope everyone has a cracking weekend and the weather plays ball!

BFN