Being new to this DW caper I can't help but share our little escapade yesterday. Some of the SPSC guys planned a DW for the expected southerly buster due Sunday arvo - Long Reef to North Avalon - about a 12km run that is perfect in a southerly.

Right on cue the southerly hit at 2pm and was gusting to 40 plus knots by the time we hit Fisherman's beach. It was insane, 50 meter plus runners all linking together and the boys were hooting. I have never been in the open ocean with that much wind before so for me it was a very unique experience - up there with cooking surf or crazy powder. At one point I looked behind to spot Dan and all I could see was heaving angry swells with rain squalls blasting almost horizontally.

Coming in at Nth Av was interesting with the loan life guard still on duty, running up with a concerned look as I staggered up the beach with Dave Kissa helping me lug the big DC up to the carpark.

It was interesting to check how the different boards went in those conditions with Dave and Andy neck and neck - Dave on a Fanatic 12'6" and Andy on a Naish 17. Both agreed that the 12'6" was probably the better board for the steep close packed runners. They both did it in about 55 min, which is the best time so far for that run apparently. Pete Morgan was not far behind on a Naish 17, coming up the rear I had my DC 16 and Dan was on a LK 12'6".

Some of the guys were calling it 'all time' so I think I lucked out in a big way as a relative newbie. Casso was crook but managed a shot between rain squalls

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