thursday 11 april 2024

Strong winds forecast all day, up to 40 knots. In the evening it would start to decrease. Was able to leave work a few hours earlier. I was at the dam just before 4. Sailed the Banzai 3.7 on the Grip 93 with quad fins. 4.2 would have been better. Luckily not much rain, but a bit chilly, compared to last weekend. Was a fun session. [Read...]

sunday 07 april 2024

Forecast for 25 degrees this weekend, 15 degrees on Friday and up to 40 knots turning from S to SW wind. Sailed the Banazi 4.7. First on the Wave Slate 96, later on the Grip 93. Lovely afternoon, clear blue almost all afternoon and not cold. I'm getting more and more friends with the Grip, I'll put Dakine Core Contours on it. I find the original foot straps much too soft. [Read...]

sunday 24 march 2024

The forecast was wind and rain again, in the morning the rain didn't seem to fall in Zeeland. Wind direction W to WNW, so perfect for the Grevelingendam. Started with the Banzai 5.3 on the One 95. Later took the Banzai 4.7 on the Grip 93. It was cold, really cold. In the beginning even with mittens on cold fingers. The wind was a lot better than yesterday and it was a lot busier on the water. [Read...]

sunday 24 march 2024

Good wind has been predicted for the weekend for days. Wind forecast remained, but the temperature was a lot lower. Used a lot of equipment: Banzai 6.0, 5.3 and 4.7. In the beginning very gusty, then 1.5 an hour of good sailing. Menno and Jurjen have also done a lot of re-rigging. It wasn't very cold, we sailed almost all the time without mittens. After stopping, the hail came and the temperature dropped quickly. Even with the neoprene jacket on, I had cold hands: brr. [Read...]

sunday 17 march 2024

Very good wind forecast and also warm for the time of year. Sailed with the Banzai 4.7. First on the Wave Slate, later the Goya One and ended on the Wave Slate again. Another 4 seals were released, went to have a look. Not very cold, no cap or gloves needed. Lots of sun. Especially at the end there are also nice waves. [Read...]

monday 05 february 2024

Good wind forecast, SW and dry. Few surfers at the Blokkendam. Sailed with the Banzai 5.3 on the Goya One 95 with MFC 21/10cm fins. In the beginning wind was not strong. Later the 5.3 was too big. It was cloudy, certainly not warm. Especially in the last hour more and more nice waves. [Read...]

sunday 07 january 2024

Tail of storm Henk, should stay dry for most of the afternoon. Sailed with the Banzai 5.3 on the One 95 with MFC 25/8 thrusters. Wind was WSW, so mainly sailing along the beach. Because of the direction you could find waves on both sides to jump. In general, the water was very flat. While jumping, almost hit Gert-Jan. Nice start of the year. Nice session, too bad there were so few waves. [Read...]

thursday 28 december 2023

The wind had turned more to the south. Sailed with the Banzai 4.7 on the Goya One 95. Outwards almost sailing square into the waves. But that also offers opportunities: front-side wave riding. It turned out to be a great day for front-side wave riding. Collision with Henk: no damage. After high tide is was lovely. Amazing how many times I was able to ride front-side today. Often 2 or 3 times per run: learned a lot. It was extremely gusty, but the 4.7 was a good choose. In retrospect, the last hour was perhaps the best hour of the day. [Read...]

thursday 21 december 2023

First day of my Christmas holidays, 11 degrees and wind force 7 predicted: Storm Pia. Sailed with Banzai 3.7 on the Goya 81 with K4 Scorcher 20/10cm thruster set I found Pia disappointing this afternoon, 3.7 with minimum trim was just too small at the end. Temperature was not disappointing, sailed without gloves. Had no rain. Even a short bit of sunshine. [Read...]

saterday 02 december 2023

In the background I have been working for years to create a modern version of my windsurfing website. A website that works well on mobile phones. The old one didn't work on phones and tablets with smaller screens and touch screens. The website is now also available in English. [Read...]

thursday 23 november 2023

Forecast 25 to 35 knots southwest, about 13 degrees and probably dry, perfect for the Blokkendam. Not early on the dam. It was quite busy. Saled the Banzai 4.7, first on the Goya One 95, later on the Fanatic Grip 93. Sailed on until the wind began to die down and it became dusk. Amazing afternoon, not really cold yet, good wind and especially last hour really good waves. Very happy with the Grip. [Read...]

thursday 16 november 2023

Wind at the Grevelingendam just not quite west, just a tad too much south. On the Brouwersdam, just a little north. So not really great anywhere. The Brouwersdam with a little north is always better than the Grevelingendam with a little south. Used the Banzai 5.3, first on the F-Cross 113, later with the Goya One 95. It was lovely, wind fairly constant, lots of sun: delicious. Next time with this direction: start at Brouwersdam itself, and sail from there towards the lighthouse. [Read...]

saterday 11 november 2023

Forecast was: west wind 25 to 40 knots: Grevelingendam. Unfortunately, the wind turned out to be just a bit southerly, so there was hardly any wind near the shore. When I arrived, the wind wasn't there yet. There were also a lot of showers, so I doubted I should turn around and go home. Did a lot of equipment trimming. Sail with the Banzai 4.7 on both the Goya One 95 and the Fanatic Grip 93. Tried a lot of different fins. Luckily the rain wasn't too bad, wind wasn't super gusty. Unfortunately, the direction was just not right, so we really not possible to plane near the shore. It was nice on the water. [Read...]

sunday 05 november 2023

Strong wind predicted in the coming days. Yesterday storm, too much for surfing: 45 - 75 kts. Good wind and SW forecast today. Sailed the Banzai 5.3 on the Goya One 95 with MFC 22.5/10cm fins. Unintentionally caused a problem for a kiter, bummer. Wind direction was only good for a short time, usually bit too south. Luckily almost no rain. Wind was wonderfully constant. [Read...]

thursday 19 october 2023

Prediction: WNW: so Grevelingendam. Started with the Bazai 6.0 on the F-Cross 113, tested different fins, long runs to the other side of the lake. Later switched to the Bazai 5.3 on the Goya One 95A lot of jumping, sometimes some waveriding. Just enjoyed and played. Sailed on until my energy ran out. Clearly colder than yesterday, but in the sun it was still wonderful. Had no rain. Wind was nice and constant. Lovely day! [Read...]

sunday 15 october 2023

Forecast was 25 to 42 knots SW Sailed with the Banzai 4.2 on the JP Slate with MFC QS300/11cm Just before high tide onto the water. First bit of bobbing, then planing. Wind was just a little too south for the best conditions. Later rain and very strong winds! Sailed until the wind was gone and had to float back to the shore. Bizarrely gusty. Bizarrely different waves, Bizarrely heavy shower. But sometimes really enjoy the waves. Lots of waveriding. If it was good, it was really really good! [Read...]

thursday 12 october 2023

Couldn't leave early, had to leave on time, but forecast looked very good. Sailed with the Banzai 4.7 on the Slate 94 with MFC 300/10cm quad fins. Good choice, especially in the beginning: great. Even sailing out already some waveriding: I don't do that enough. Back to the beach a lot of nice waves for 1 or 2 back-side hits. Many beautiful waves up to a meter high or just a little more. 2nd run in, 2 attempts front-side because the waves were so beautiful. Finished with sail on minimum trim and last bit of bobbing back to the beach. [Read...]

sunday 08 october 2023

Forecast: WSW 20 to 25 knots, slightly decreasing. I had to leave on time, so went for a short session. It was very busy on the dam, a lot of surf friends. Sailed with the Banzai 5.3 and Goya One 95. Started with the MFC 21/11 fins and ended with the Makani 26/8 fins. I had to leave on time. Wonderful saiing. Not the nicest day at sea, very flat water. But good wind and wonderfully warm. Hopefully waves again next time. [Read...]