3 dates in the 2008 programme when you can have some windsurfing tuition (if conditions are favourable) - 29th June, 13th July & 10th August.  See SGBA newsletter (p12) and programme for more details.

The club now has some windsurfing kit for members to use. Please read the following closely before using this equipment.

Required Skill level
If you are planning to take the windsurfing kit at on your own a required level of skill is needed. This is because the only place to windsurf is on the river rather than the mill pool which is not really deep enough for the daggerboard in a lot of places.
You should be able to tack and gybe confidently on large kit and be able to recover and uphaul the sail fairly quickly. You obviously need to be able to rig a windsurfer as well. This would equate to RYA level 2 windsurfing and above.

Times when you can windsurf
You can use the kit in the river 4 hours before high tide and 1 hour after. These limits are set for your safety, enjoyment and to prevent you from having a very long walk back! I have tried windsurfing 3 hours after high tide with strong winds and ended up walking back as the ebb tide and river current are too much for a windsurf fin to cope with.

Ideal wind directions
The best wind direction to sail in is a west or north westerly breeze. However you can sail in a sw and se. All other wind directions are really too gusty to enjoy windsurfing. Please note that once the tide changes the apparent wind speed will drop considerable in a nw/w wind, so you just need to be aware of your surroundings.

Bookings, lessons and general contact
As with other club kit please can you inform Chris Mortimer before using the kit. Also please contact chris if you have any problems with the kit or would like some lessons.