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Submitted by jono on 29 Oct 2024.

Two more hops to report... 

ESASHI

The first of these an early start and then 20 nautical miles in 4 hours to Esashi. Averaging 5 knots doesn't sound that impressive, but most days I would sign for that. Also note that quoted distances are straight line measurements, whereas the sailed course is rarely that direct. This means that the actual speed is more respectable than it sounds.

Submitted by jono on 19 Oct 2024.

I'm too late. Like a straggler from a flock of migrating geese, the odds now seem stacked against me from escaping the harsh winter of northern Japan.

My objective has become to "complete" Hokkaido by reaching its southwest corner, and then crossing the Tsugaru Strait back to Honshu. Looking at the map that doesn't seem a huge ask, but at this time of year the weather windows are at best short-lived and at other times a figment of wishful thinking.

In Japanese, "windsurfing" is called "windosurfing". That seems very apt right now.

Submitted by jono on 08 Oct 2024.

A few postcards. A bit late, as tradition requires.

I arrived at twilight, paddling, in the rain, at Usuya port, and regretted the decision at the time. It was a long way in, there was no inviting place to sleep, and the town doesn't have a konbini. Oh well, when you leave it to fate you don't win 'em all.

Submitted by jono on 05 Oct 2024.

Jono's diary - 2/3 Oct.

After a day off at Embetsu, a front rolled through on Wednesday morning with a deluge of rain, and the stiff southerly wind switched to an equally energetic north-westerly.

Submitted by jono on 15 Sep 2024.

As usual, I am playing catchup with events. Unfortunately there are breakages to report, but I'll leave those for the end. Let's start with something more uplifting: an adventure within an adventure, the Shiretoko Peninsula.
 

Submitted by jono on 26 Aug 2024.

Windsurfing round Cape Ochiishi on the Nemuro Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan. On this leg I set sail from Kiritappu, about 20 nautical miles away. Although I stayed well offshore en route to Cape Ochiishi, twice the wind failed completely. I was tossed about like a cork, unable to make progress, and in a bit of bother to say the least. It was a big relief when this bit of wind arrived to get me past the Cape. The footage is a single take (a bit ugly and raw in places, but authentic!) The board is a Unifiber Proteus Raceboard and the sail is a Loftsails Switchblade HD 8.5m.

Submitted by jono on 16 Oct 2023.

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