For us, Friday, June 17, 2016, at Andora (Liguria, Italy), was the light in the middle of a dark period, due to the fact that continuous low pressures are characterizing this spring time in Northern Italy, offering a lot of wind in sea spots, but few thermal winds, in the pre-alpine lakes, where we often ride. South West up to almost 40 knots, and a wonderful sunny day.

 

Windsurf session: Andora (Liguria, Italy)

With my friend Andrea, and his son Davide, we arrived at the spot around at 12.30. Already early in the morning, the anemometer Mele Cape had made us understand what kind of day we would have: 26 knots, at 9,00 am, were clear index that wind would have been tough for sure in the middle of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

Upon our arrival, already several windsurfers are in the water, and all with small sails (4.7 to 5).

 

 

After parking, we begin to discharge our equipment. I would like to use the Fanatic freewave TE 105 2012, recently bought, perhaps with a smaller fin than the standard one. But, conditions lead me to prepare also the Tabou 3s 86 ..... On the breakwaters cliff in front of the club, I measure 32.5 knots on a gust; so offshore, it will be more tough. The good thing, however, is that the average wind is fairly constant (25-30 knots), and above all arrive also near the shore (At Andora, South West often comes in gusty at the beach). Today, we will not have problems coming out from hte shorebreak. Probably, the clear sky, even inland, helps the wind to spread very well.

 

 

I prepare the 4.2 Ezzy Tiger 2014, well tight at the downhaul, but I also bring near the beach my 3.7 .... 

Andrea prepares a RRD FSW LTD 111, and a JP FSW 93 for Davide, with small sails. 

 

 

Just before entering into the water, at the 14,00, we meet some friends just coming out, telling us that they struggled to keep 4 meters sails. My friend Norby prepare 3.7 .....

 

 

I decide to try with 4.2, as it is ready, and I go out with the 86 board. Shorebreak is not banal: waves are sometimes tough (some reach almost two meters). I wait a bit of time, and when the sea is temporary smooth, I beachstart. The strong wind let's you gain speed and planing quickly: in a moment you are out of the shorebreak zone. Offshore we have fantastic rides. I feel right trimmed with sail and board. There are already some moutain like waves outside (they will come up to more than three meters ... during the day). I go very much upwind, so much that, while coming back, from a distance, I do not recognize well the shore, where I should land. In return, there are some waves good for waveriding (see video and photos). I make some 30-minute sessions. Then, I get back to shore to have some rest, and do some shooting. Instead, Andrea, and Davide stay outside a lot. They start to break a bit of "vintage" equipment: a mast foot, a sail, and a mast.

 

 

 

 

Also my friend Norby almost breaks his Goya One against some breakwaters cliffs. Luckily for, him we are standing on that cliff, and we help to take his equipment out of the sea, with little damage. Other guys will run the same risk, but with few damages, too. 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyway, I am back to the water at intervals, trying not to get too much tired, since conditions require lots of strenght. Davide is showing to be better than the three of us, with beautiful jibes, and especially with a series of jumps (see video), both when going offshore, and returning. In the water, I repeatedly meet Andrea, and Davide, and also other friends, like Gianky. Good feelings.

 

 

 

 

I decide to make a couple of last rides, after 16,00, but in reality, with the 4.2 and the small board, it does not reveal a happy choice. The wind between 16 and 17.30 has about a drop, and becomes at least good for a 4.7, if not 5.5. I sail leeway, and I end up in a beach downwind respect to where I started.

 

 

 

At 17.30, Andrea and Davide go back in the water with bigger sails (Davide with a 5.7 - see video), enjoying a wonderful last part of the session with the sea almost only for them. In my case, laziness prevails, and I have no desire to rig another bigger sail. I put everything away, and wait for other friends to end the session (Davide came out of the water almost at 19.00); I enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the late afternoon, and I make the latest shooting to Davide.

 

Aloha. Fabio.

 

Click here, to enjoy the whole slidegallery of the session.

 

 

 

The video of the session.