Big thanks to everyone who donated for windsurfing 4 cancer research, I was amazed by the generosity, not only on my page but for all those who took part. This all started with David Tuttlebee and his fight with cancer, and while he wasn’t able to make it on the water on Sunday, you only had see his smile to know the day has already helped its first cancer sufferer.
I’d expected a light wind day so picked up a beginner board for the day figuring that the size would make drifting around all day a little easier, it felt like the perfect choice as we drifted out to sea at 5:30. I don’t think I hooked into the harness lines for the first three hours and I was wondering if we’d make it all day, apart from the first drift out we’d been playing in the waves, slogging out and ridding in.
To be honest a stand up paddleboard or mini tanker would have been the perfect option, but I couldn’t believe it was possible to have so much fun a beginner board. The waves were clean and with the sail doing almost nothing the board just cruised up and down as I rode along the face.
Once the tide and waves dropped back the wind picked up enough for an occasional planning session. I’m not sure how many people joined us on the water, but I spoke to some that hadn’t sailed for months and one for several years, it didn’t really mater how long you got out for; it was just about joining in.
David Tuttlebee’s chemotherapy finished in time for him to join us, but an infection had kept him in hospital in the final days before the event, though a bit of cooperation from the doctors ensured he had a few hours where he could join us at the beach.
The last hour before sunset seemed to take an age, I came off the water at eight, I guess if you were really fussy you could say we should have stayed out a few more minutes, but seeing the sun on the horizon goo enough for a picture.
Thanks again to everyone who donated and took part, but a special thanks to must go to David and the crew who spent unknown hours setting up windsurf 4 cancer research.
