Final CLSC Meet of 2009 – 18-20th September

(Do you remember the mozzies?)

After several months of “are we there yet?”, it was finally upon us. The final official club meet of 2009. With no Freast this year as Nickthechef had emigrated(?!?), this was the one that was most anticipated. It was going to be warm, clear skies, onshore winds and plenty to eat and drink.

As usual, I arrived on the Friday morning to find that there were heaps of members on the beach. Usually just a handful make the it for the best day of the weekend. It looked ‘busy’! Nevertheless, it was an interesting day with the beach suffering a tad from ripples and the wind running cross-shore and fairly light. It was big kite weather and you certainly felt that you had had a good workout when leaving the beach at the end of the day.

There was cloud cover in the evening and fairly warm. That was the problem. ‘Kin mozzies. Who didn’t get bit? Some of the members seemed tastier than others and suffered badly!!

Saturday arrived and it was ‘race’ day for those that fancied it. Still a rippled and wet beach and light, cross shore winds meant that only two races were completed taking about 30 minutes a lap!! Who did win?

At some point in the afternoon the wind went onshore so a few of us shot off down for a run towards the tower. A nice change after doing little tiny runs through the puddles.

Saturday evening was the bbq, with food and ale laid on by the club. As has been said elsewhere, special thanks to the chefs for the night, and for the committee for laying on the food and drink. Top volunteers. More thanks to all the members who contributed to the raffle and to Kitebuggybagman for supplying some terrific prizes for the winners.

Sunday finally arrived and most people eventually headed down the beach to see what was on offer. Not a lot initially as the sun shone (and burnt!), but the wind didn’t turn up. Many people left, but the ‘hardcore’ stayed on – in anticipation.

Finally as the tide turned, the beach was hard, the wind came and it was onshore!! This was a fine end to the weekend and those lucky enough to have remained had several hours of ace conditions and finally got some miles on the clock.

Another top weekend of buggy action and club fun with new faces put to forum names. Roll on 2010 for more meets.

I did say that Sunday was always the best day, didn’t I?

(Credit to Dai Wilmer for his photos)

Tarmac Action From Hudson's Field

Here is the first film from 2009 of myself and Mark (V-Max Rider) having some fun down the local patch one Saturday morning. It seemed to be a bit slow on the grass, so let's try out the tarmac road that runs down the hill!!

Quite tricky to keep the same speed and get the timing right, but it was fun trying. At times it was hilarious - that is what this sport is all about, isn't it?

Hudson's Buggy Chase from Big Daddy on Vimeo.

Roll on those warm summer evenings and some proper winds. (Not to mention the trips to CLSC beaches!!)

Wolf Boy Boarding Down Hudson's

Just found a previously made video of our friend Wolf Boy. Where did he get to? Not seen him around for ages. This was made a while back now, just experimenting one blustery day down my field. He gets some half decent height. I always said that he can jump higher than a house!

Anyway, see what you think....

Wolf Boy Boarding down Hudson's Field from Big Daddy on Vimeo.

Pembrey Video

Duckin' & Divin' from Big Daddy on Vimeo.

Check out the video from Pembrey on 13th and 14th September with the mobs from Salisbury, Southampton and CLSC. Cross on-shore winds at 10-15mph meant big kites and a lot of zig-zagging down the beach. Great fun and hopefully the video shows a bit of that.

Salisbury Crew Go To Pembrey.

This is what it is all about!

A weekend camping and buggying trip to Pembrey Beach in South Wales with a good smattering of the boys attending. Two days on the beach, and one night with a CLSC Club barbecue and beer to boot. Look at the weather in the piccy - what another perfect weekend.

Saturday was gorgeous with on shore winds meaning the full length of the beach was possible. Sunday was a lot different with cross shore winds, but still made for an entertaining afternoon. Generally it was 'big kite' weekend but that didn't hold back the fun. Some loonies even tried to get to grips with the 'suicide gybe'! It was caught on video, so maybe I will put it up at a later date! Good try Al, I think you have got it sorted!

The car and buggy trailer was overloaded with kit, but it seems to do the job perfectly. The trailer is definitely the way to go for anyone pondering the best way to transport these bugs.

I guess that I might just have to 'try' Pembrey again at the beginning of October. Let's hope for some late summer weather and autumnal breezes. Adios.

It's August - It Must Be Football!!

Seems like only five minutes since the football season ended. Been a lot of Olympics on TV, so something to keep the sports fan entertained. It seems that we have had 3 games already in the Premier League and the hammers are at 4th spot!! Do you want some proof?

	Team	Played	W	D	L	F	A	W	D	L	F	A	Goal Diff	Points
1	Chelsea	3	1	1	0	5	1	1	0	0	1	0	5	7
2	Arsenal	3	2	0	0	4	0	0	0	1	0	1	3	6
3	Liverpool	2	1	0	0	2	1	1	0	0	1	0	2	6
4	West Ham	3	2	0	0	6	2	0	0	1	0	3	1	6
5	Middlesbrough	3	2	0	0	4	2	0	0	1	1	2	1	6
6	Bolton	3	1	1	0	3	1	0	0	1	0	1	1	4

There is now a break while some Internationals take place. Was a good game yesterday with Blackburn and Paul Ince returning to the Boleyn. Stuffed them 4-1, that's more like it.

The buggy came out on Saturday after a month with no action. Brilliant afternoon down Hudson's Field as the weather picked up and was warm, sunny and breezy. Had a few hours bombing around with the 8.5 metre Bora.

Looking forward to the CLSC meet on 13th and 14th September. Should be a few of the local crowd going down for the weekend and having a few bevvies. That reminds me, must stock up on some Summer Lightning! I believe that a certain person (other than myself) is a bit partial to this fine brew. With a bit of luck, the wind should be Autumnal which could mean some new records for top speed. Here's to a fine weekend.

CLSC Summer Freast 2008

Woo hooo!

This was the weekend I had been waiting for. After missing out on two recent weekends away with buggy brethren, there was no stopping me from heading down to Pembrey for the big event of the CLSC calendar - The Summer Freast 2008. It really was a struggle to get all the kit in! I reckon I had packed for a week, and it was only 2 nights staying away.

Friday morning I was up early and set off at 07:30. I reached Pembrey Country Park at 11:00 and there was no one around. Headed to the beach and Boz had just arrived shortly followed by Duc. The whole afternoon was spent tanking up and down getting the best from the 20mph onshore wind and sunny afternoon. I covered 65 miles before we packed up around 5:30pm and headed back to the camp site to set up tents. Loads of people had arrived with a few familiar faces from other trips. The evening mellowed as we chilled, sitting outside in the evening warmth supping a few London Pride's.

Saturday arrived and the weather was very similar. Onshore 20-22 mph. Yes please! Once I had picked up Sandra from the station it was down the beach with a grin for much of the same. This time it was really busy. There must have been nearly 20 buggies bombing up and down. It was excellent. From the set up point it was 5.3 miles down to the estuary and left a bit. The sand was rock hard and smooth. Buggy heaven. Another 55 miles was covered with the occasional break for a piccy or two. The new camera clamp was tried and I think I took 80 minutes of footage. Once it has been viewed, then I am sure there will be some stuff to shout about.

Saturday evening came and this was the big event - The Freast. Nick The Chef and his team had put on a feast for the gathering families and it certainly didn't disappoint. Superb cooking from this genius. Well done Nick. The evening continued with banter and ales until people dispersed thinking of the final session on the beach.

Clouds were in abundance on Sunday morning but we still had the 20+mph onshore winds, and the beach had been cleaned ready for the last runs. Slightly bigger kite was taken out (3.7m Bora II) and this proved to be the correct choice. Cruising along with other 'mates' was what it was all about. The last 2 runs of the day were probably the most enjoyable. Staying close to the water on the hardpacked sand with the kite 'locked in' just enjoying the experience.

If you've done it, you know the feeling!