Posted by gary on Monday, 2 January, 2012
I have two windsurfing related resolutions for 2012, to go to Kimmeridge more often and to start sailing on Broad Bench rather than the bay in a westerly. Broad Bench the name given to the wave that breaks on the far side of the bay from the slip way and can regularly be seen at mast high and often barrelling when a decent swell is running. To get there it's a long slug upwind from the slip way that can easily take half an hour or more. It's in a military firing zone and is often off-limits, but generally not at the weekend or on bank holidays.
With my resolutions still fresh in my mind, today seemed like a good opportunity to make my first sight seeing visit over there. It probably took me six to eight reaches to get there as I didn't fancy sailing too far out too sea on each reach just in case the wind dropped or something went wrong. When I finally arrived, I shared the wave with a couple of kiters and started to get a sense for the place. It does feel quite remote and quite a long way out as the wave breaks on a headland, but as with most things I'm sure you get used to it pretty quickly. The wave on the Bench was probably about logo high at times which is enough to want to respect the area and not end up with a long swim, or worse, broken kit.
In the end I had a great session, seeing the wave develop, peak and break while also watching the kiters much deeper in the sections than me. After a few more confident bottom turns and it was time to head back for lunch. Stoked! Just a shame the holiday season is over.
