2024-04-22 First day in Alberta

2024-04-22 - First Day in Alberta

Al - ready for the cold water!

The ice started coming off Dried Meet Lake on April 17.  There was also snow on the ground and the temperature was 1.8c.  By the end of April 18, the lake was clear, although a good part of it did re-freeze overnight on the 20th because there was no wind and the temperature dropped to -11c.

Snow and Ice!

This was the second earliest we have seen the ice come off the lake in the 30 years we have lived here.

Sunday April 21 was windy enough to sail, but the temperature only got to 12C and it was a cold, cloudless day and it even tried to rain!

Monday, April 21 was forecast to get to 16c with a 35kph wind from the NorthWest - straight down the lake.

Blaine and Al decided to come out to give it a try!  We all took our time rigging.  I think we were all a bit nerves about the water temperature...

Blaine was the first out, on his Windsurf Foil board and a 5m Sail.  He had a few reaches and then came in for a smaller sail.  He said he could have been on a 3.2.

Blaine!

Al was next out on his Slalom board.  The wind was really gusty, so part of the time he was standing on his board, and at other times, he was blasting.

I was last out.  I had rigged a 5.5m Wing, then after Blaine came in I rigged my 4.5, but by the time I was ready, the lulls seemed to be getting bigger, so I took out the 5.5 - good call.

None of us set any records for distance, or time on the water, but I think we all had a good sail.  The wind was very gusty and shifty.  It was tough sailing.  The water was cold, but not as cold as I expected.  No frozen body parts to have to nurse!

We had the usual "de-briefing" session on our patio after sailing!

Great first day!