Posts Tagged ‘coast’

Doing it in Dakhla Again!

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

We have made it !!

Largely due to the fact that we have no plans and we did not want to panic loved ones, very little regarding this episode of ‘Bray boys do Dakhla (Part 2)’ has been divulged to the public…… until now!

Last time we packed everything including the kitchen sink; we were well prepared and ready for every eventuality! This time not so much. In fact until about 15 minutes ago we had absolutely no idea where we were going to sleep this evening. We have not bought a tent (read wedding marquee), neither Jack nor I have any money and to make matters worse, have absolutely no access to transport, as we have just learnt that taxis are not authorised to cross the road block separating us from the windsurfing spot.

The shananagans started early on Friday morning with a last minute trip to Bray to pick up some final bits and pieces that I forgot. Fortunately I had the dependable Sawbridge boys to pack the trailer up before ‘Mr Sawbs’ drove us to Gatwick- simples! This time not so much. Once the trailer was fully loaded and connected to the car we discovered that the left indicator on the trailer was not working. Screwdriver in hand, dependable Jack attended to the problem whilst the rest of us said our final goodbyes. Unfortunately, ‘less-dependable’ Jack was not very careful, and by the time he had rewired the trailer, the right indicator worked when we applied the brakes, and the brakelights came on when we indicated left. By this stage we were running a little late and unreliable Jack was flustered and, in his haste, ripped trailer cable out of the car leaving the connector in the back of the car and a handful of exposed wires! Quick change of cars and we were off.

Somehow we managed to check in with 103kg of windsurfing kit without out paying extra money. Sadly that was the end of our luck, our flight to Casablanca was delayed by 3 hours. Even after being repeatedly reassured that we would not miss our connecting flight- we did! So we spent the night on the streets in Casablanca sharing cover with all sorts of unsavoury characters. Not really we were put up in a lovely hotel where I had my first ever Moroccan shower.

Now we are just about to have dinner with Colin and Freya (a lovely ex-pat couple who have bent over backwards to sort us out). This evening we are checked into a hotel and tomorrow we plan on setting up a Moroccan tent that we have just finished sewing together. This time we are trying out a new spot a little closer to Dakhla town.

Forecast looks decent and tides are good so we should have some good sessions to come.

PS flights were cheapish and easyish so if you fancy joining us for a week or two get in touch with Bray for more details.

Photos to follow.

Contributed by: Ricky

 

Doing Dahab – Bray Lake Style

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Day One – The Goat that was a dog!

After a fairly lengthy flight with a few bumps, drunks and children screaming we arrived at the hotel to receive a warm welcome from Simon and Lindsay who were already out here.  Monday evening was a quiet affair with most of us heading straight for food and a few beers.  Unfortunately it appears Andy C might have had a few too many beers as while a group of us sat outside chatting he pointed out with great enthusiasm the goat behind us! Upon closer inspection (from the same tables it has to be said) it was discovered the goat was  a dog, maybe Andy C needs to get an eye test or we put it down to a very long day.

Day Two – The Sea Badger that took the fin!

Tuesday was our first day of sailing and after meeting at 0930 to be put into our groups for the week we all ventured out onto the Red Sea for a sail.  The wind was fairly light – 12knots – so everyone was able to have a good time on the water.  The more advanced group sailed round to Baby Bay to try their luck at a few freestyle moves.  Unfortunately the first casualty of the week was experienced here by Andy C who met a badger that attacked the board and removed the fin completely! For those who are unsure about the existence of sea badgers we think that Andy C might just have found a bit of coral to hit – still the board, sail, mast and boom were all ok…..

Day Three – Black Eye

On Wednesday we had very light winds which meant only the beginners and improvers and very keen intermediates went out in the morning and afternoon.  For those of us (Vincent, Justin and Fiona) that decided to give the sailing a miss a trip to the local island to go snorkling kept us occupied… OK island might be a little bit of a leap..but we all enjoyed the trip.  A few others also decided to take a boat out for a change.

Unfortunately the second casualty happened on this day – again to AndyC who was seen be sporting a very nice black eye – apparently obtained whilst going to the toilet!

Day Three

List of casualties….. (all of one – namely Andy C)

(1) Fin due to hitting coral – oops sorry I mean the sea badger called Bob

(2) Black Eye

Contributed by: Fiona

Hamworthy Journey

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

I never seem to get round to any UK coastal sailing, Bray is conveniently close and easy – the sun and wind in Egypt or Greece always seems more tempting… However, following our recent (very enjoyable) club trip to El Tur I got myself a nice new board from the Bray shop and at 100 litres no further excuses to put off that trip to the coast.

Candice’s round robin emails to get coastal (contact her if you want to get on the distribution list) provided the right opportunity. Hamworthy F5 forecast on windguru, grassy rigging area and cafe close by seemed to be perfect.

A terrible three hour holiday traffic drive later I arrived in Hamworthy Park (Poole) where it was chucking down rain and looking very gloomy indeed. I was wondering if this really had been such a good idea, but there was no denying it was very windy.

From beach to waterAs the first to arrive I rigged up my 6.1 and got some tips from a friendly local, a windsurfer gone over to the dark side (kite surfer) and after a few tentative runs realised that even in the rain UK coastal sailing is definitely worth the effort. The sailing is straight off the beach, the first bit fairly flat, more chop further out. The day bought a consistent strong wind and great blasting.

As the rain disappeared the rest of the Bray contingent (Candice, Claire, Gavin and Lynn) turned into the car park and rigged up. Everybody got some pretty good runs in throughout the day, all having a good sail. Lynn not having done a beach start for a while, also got some practice in with a helping hand from Candice. Claire sought to perfect that jibe and Gavin went for a blast between messing about with his harness lines. My new board felt faster than I’ve ever been, thanks for the advice Simon and James, the new toy is great!

I left a little before the rest. Gavin I hear was last off the water as usual at dusk. Despite the slightly longer journey, I think all had a good sail. I certainly did and hope for more wind soon, in the mean time I’m off to Turkey for some sunny windsurfing.

September diary busy with the National Windsurfing Festival and the Club Trip to Dale, West Wales, so I understand Candice is planning the next trip for 16/17 October, hopefully I’ll see you there.

Contributed by: Jeremy