2024 Sailing Season: 2024-03-10 First Last Day

2024-03-10 First Last Day - Light Wind

The forecast for today didn't look great.... As often happens, it all depends on whether the clouds clear so the local thermal can build.

Blaine and Jim enjoying a cool one after sailing!

Today is Jim, Cam and Blaine's last day of sailing, so the pressure was on to get out, regardless of the conditions.

We all headed down to the water and got out around noon ish...

The wind was quite light and very "on-shore", which can make for a shore break, but not big waves on the outside. For the first session even Kent and Cam were pumping a lot to stay on foil.

Louise went out on a 5m wing and "MY" 98 Cabrina board, but slogged out and back, so she decided to wait. She said she is really liking the smaller boards as they are easier to manage, and they are still relatively big compared to her body weight.

I went out on a 6.5 wing and a 100L board. It was so close - I would pump hard, but not quite make it up before the gust would let up.... over and over... I came in quite tired.

The wind came up a bit later in the afternoon. Kent, Blain and Cam all had really good sails and were able to get upwind where it was a bit stronger and steadier.

Kent can make it work in any wind!

Cam made it work all day on his 6.0 Wing and 940 Foil.

Kent said he followed Greg, who got on foil, then went back and forth, staying on foil, but not doing any wave rides or anything, until a gust came through, and then he would head upwind. That way he got up to where the wind was steadier and stronger, and he stayed there most of the day! (it was over powered 5.2 up the coast)

Louise decided to go out for a second session, but had a "Kite Mare"! As she was walking her 5m Wing, out into the water a kite lesson was floating past downwind, so she waited. Then another one came along with a student and instructor in tow. They were just passing her when they turned and started coming straight towards her. WTF? She took a couple of steps back, but then her wing flipped and caught her foil, causing a small rip. Damn. She was furious at the kiters, and was happy to tell everyone she saw about the F...n Kiters! She carried her gear back, and called it a day! (I was shocked to see her carrying her own board.... with the small board it is a lot easier to carry.... I suspect this was a one time thing, and I will still continue to be her "Board Butler" most of the time.

Louise tried to apologize to Charles, but he said it was no big deal and easily repaired with tape.

I got out on the 6.5 and made it work for a while, but then the wind dropped just a bit which started another pumping fest..... I think my arms are ready to fall off.

Charles slogging, and Ted Foiling on a 6.5 Wing

Jim got out and was able to stay upwind and get back, but like me, there just wasn't enough wind to really get going.

Oh well - still a pretty good day, and 6 out of 7 days foiling for the trip this far.

We cleaned up and then had a beer on Blaine, Cam, and Jim's patio while we watched them pack.

We then walked over to the Baja Grill for supper. As always the service is friendly and the food is great!

It has been a great trip so far. Blaine, Jim and Cam all leave early in the morning. Kent, Lorna, Louise and I have another week. Looking forward to more, and hopefully better wind tomorrow!