JAN SLEIGH
“Well it was outrageously windy! I rigged my 4.2 and my small board. The only problem being I’ve lost some weight, so my small board now feels like my big board and I could easily have been on 3.7. When I first hit the water, I had to wait for a squall to pass before I could sail over to the other side. The wind settled down a bit and so I just got used to sailing completely stacked. It was cold, but probably not the coldest I have ever windsurfed, until the end when for some reason the temperature plummeted more and it was agony, especially my hands. I love windsurfing when the conditions are like that; you kind of need to be on the ball though as a gust can make things go pear shaped and bend you out of shape on the water, or worse in the air. I can’t say I was learning anything new. I know that when I have a day like that it really sets you up well for the next session when you are on say 4.5 or 4.2 and in control. That is the beauty of windsurfing, it’s always different and it’s always fun, even when it is that cold the fun of windsurfing always outweighs the discomfort of the cold. I think my body warmed up pretty quickly. We went to the Oyster Catcher for a post session drink and I ordered a hot cup of coffee and refuelled with a burger! My hands though were still stiff and aching several hours later. That’s where I always feel it after a session like that, in my hands.
To cope with the cold I try and wear the right gear to keep me warm, I was in a 5:4:3 with a built in hood which makes a huge difference. I was wearing 5mm boots as well. On colder days I will go with a thermal vest underneath, and I even have a 6.5 suit with a built in hood for when there is snow on the ground! Before going in the water I try and keep the van temperature high with loads of layers on as I am driving. A Dr friend told me that will help because it means your core is warm before hitting the water. To get my hands warm I will sail one or two runs straight off, so that my hands get cold, then I will come in and warm them up by blowing on them and then wind-milling my arms to force blood back into them. This works really well and usually means I can then sail for an hour or so before they get cold again. There wasn’t really anything special I could do on the windsurfing side other than hang on!”