2024-06-12 The Gang is starting to Gather

Dale Cook said I would be using my 4.5 a lot... he was right!

Before I talk about today, I have to update you on yesterday.  Tim said he was sailing at Keho, in windy conditions with gust over 40 knots. (75mph)  He said he was on his 4,8 and while in the lulls it was barely enough, in the gusts he could barely hang on to it!

Kent said that on his drive down yesterday it was windy all the way from Southern Alberta, to Hood River.  He said he has never seen the Columbia so consistently windy all the way from Roosevelt to Hood River!

Blaine and Brad arrived around 10:00 this morning, just as I was leaving to take Louise to the Airport.  We stopped at Pro-Motion to try on a jacket, then headed to Portland.  I dropped Louise off at the Westjet terminal around 11:00.  She was feeling quite a bit better, but is still planning to visit her doctor tomorrow.

Kent went to Sailworks and bought a new front wing.  He said it was almost "free" because he had a credit from one that they sold for him.

Ross had a big shopping day.  He bought three kites, a new board, a new kite bar and a new bag.  The gear is very small and light, so easy to travel with.

My WhatsApp started pinging while I was coming back from the airport.  Kent, Blaine and Brad were heading to the Event Site.  Blaine and Kent went out on their 3.2m Sails.  Brad is under the weather and decided to rig a beach chair instead.

I got there just after 1:00 and went out on my 4.5m wing and 799 foil.  Vadim arrived just as I was heading out.  He went windsurfing on his 4.8m sail.  The conditions were gusty and choppy, but I had a pretty good sail.  I went up past the Hook and back a couple of times.  When I came in for a break, I was greeted by Big Jim and his friend John who had just arrived.  They both talked about going out, but ended up just watching for today.

Big Jim, Kent, John, Blaine, and Brad

Kent went out for a second session and chased Dale Cook (who was on a wing), down to the Red Buoy and back.  Kent was impressed with how aggressive Dale is in the waves, slashing back and forth - much different than all the other foilers... why is that not a surprise.

Ross had a great session on his new board.  He said he really liked it.

We had some excitement a the end of the day.  Vadim was missing!  The wind had dropped off a bit and we knew that Vadim was on a 4.8 sail.  Brad searched with the binoculars and finally spotted him down by the hook in a big wind shadow.  We were thinking of mounting a rescue, but then Vadim found a gust and was able to sail home!  Good job!

Vadim - slogging back in light wind!

I packed up around 5:00.  I saw Robby Stewart and his girlfriend Erika, so I went over and said hi!

It took a while for everyone to get back to the condo and get organized for supper.  At around 7:00, we took our bikes and road up to the Hood River Taqueria (Mexican Restaurant) for supper!  It was excellent as usual!

Early to bed.  There is supposed to me more wind tomorrow!

Jim - enjoying dinner!

My "Crazy Chicken Burrito"