Saturday the 1st at Lake Maquarie saw a generous blessing from the wind god's in the form of a 20 to 30 knot north/northwesterly. We had some nice long periods of 25 knots with the occasional mental blast in the 30 range. It was brutally gusty at times with lots of arm work to be done but it mostly it was just really nice to feel some decent pressure for a change.

I was carrying a bit of pent up frustration at not using my small gear in ages so I kicked off with a way to big 7.0 metre on my 100 litre slalom. I loved it actually as I had a bit of angst to burn off and the feeling of all that pressure was a very welcome return. I pulled the pin on the slalom gear after it started to get really windy and jumped on my Tabou 3S 86 with a 5.6 Gaastra cross. I had a nice long session on the 3S it was bloody awesome I loved every minute of it.

At about 5.57 in the first vid a huge gust shakes me out of the harness but I manage to hook in for one last blast back to shore before I chuck it in for some smaller gear.

In the Tabou 3S vid the board looks like it's riding a bit higher and bouncing a bit. That's because I swapped out the standard 25 cm wave fin for a 29 cm freeride. It made the 3S 86 really come alive and put on some very nice bursts of speed. It looks a bit bouncy but actually it felt bloody awesome, Lively but still with that 3S smoothness.

Looks like fun. I'd love to have a go on the 3 S one time..although it would be a sinker for you ? but 15over my weight..
How come you didnt post your GPS for last Friday? I thought you may have been able to get us over the line with the big gear or was it just too gusty?
Grr Wish I hadn't missed Sat.. looks like the only decent wind for a long time..

Sue the 3S 86 is right on the limit of being a sinker for me. I can sub plane around on it in the lulls and believe it or not I can even uphaul start it when I don't feel like getting wet. for those very strong but gusty breezes it's the perfect size as long I don't gain any weight whatsoever lol. Your welcome to try it but I don't get down to Budgewoi at the moment. It's also a bit of a firecracker with the 29cm fin in it. A 27cm freeride fin would be the go for your size I think.

Slalomfreak, Yes that 3S 86 is pretty much the sexiest thing I've ever ridden. It's in full on freeride mode in the vid with a 29cm fin and a crossover sail. It's a totally different animal with the 25cm wave fin, slower and more sedate but way nicer in turns.

slalomfreak said..
Yes that 3S 86 is pretty much the sexiest thing I've ever ridden

+1

Calm down now, this a family forum.... :)

Cluffy said..
Sue the 3S 86 is right on the limit of being a sinker for me. I can sub plane around on it in the lulls and believe it or not I can even uphaul start it when I don't feel like getting wet. for those very strong but gusty breezes it's the perfect size as long I don't gain any weight whatsoever lol. Your welcome to try it but I don't get down to Budgewoi at the moment. It's also a bit of a firecracker with the 29cm fin in it. A 27cm freeride fin would be the go for your size I think.

Slalomfreak, Yes that 3S 86 is pretty much the sexiest thing I've ever ridden. It's in full on freeride mode in the vid with a 29cm fin and a crossover sail. It's a totally different animal with the 25cm wave fin, slower and more sedate but way nicer in turns.

Thanks.. Wouldnt be a sinker for me .. maybe one time off Coal if your there.Be good for c 20kts of wind for me..

I'm lovin' your Vimeo of Trial Bay... I've watched it 3 or 4 times. I've got to get up there and give the place a try. I'm guessing the vimeo session is during a SE'r?