2024 Sailing Season: 2024-06-17 Windy Day

Big Air Jim, Kent, Ross, Blaine, Brad, Handré, Big Jim
Sitting in the last bit of sun, watching the action!

Once again we were all slow to get going. I rode my bike down to Dog River to have coffee with the guy's, but Dog River is closed on Mondays. I said "Hi" to Cam and Cynthia at Bette's, but I had already eaten breakfast, so I didn't stay.

I rode back up to Sailworks and had a good chat with Jim Mudry about wing harnesses. There was a Porsche in the driveway with roof racks on it - WTF - and the license plates were from Saskatchewan - WTF again!

Gorge Mobile

The forecast was for very windy condition East of Hood River.... Maybe too windy.

There was lots of discussion about where to sail, and of course another visit to Sailworks to visit and discuss the various sailing sites. Of course Cam also wanted to try out some new gear. I am not sure what it was, but I am sure it will be expensive!

Eventually, the decision was made to go to Roosevelt. The thought was that the near side of the river usually isn't as windy, so those not wanting big wind could sail there, and those wanting big wind and waves could go to the other side.

Big Jim and John decided to go to the Event Site, and I decided to join them. Vadim headed to Dougs, and the rest went to Roosevelt.

The wind at the Event site was up and down. It would be great for an hour or so, and then a cloud would come through and the wind would shut off. Then a while later, it would come up again. John, Jim and I all had really good days. Big Jim is staying dry on most of his jibes, and John was getting some good foiling rides across the river! I went out on my small board and had a pretty good session, but then switched to the big board because I didn't want to get caught in the lulls. I had lots of fun Chasing Jim and John around, and then riding the swell by the green buoy, and in the middle of the river across from the bridge.

Late in the day, the rest of the gang started arriving at the event site, thinking they might get in a sail, but unfortunately the wind had died out by that time. We started hearing the stories about Roosevelt.

Kent had a great day - maybe his best day ever! He said it was all about the wave riding on the far side. It was blowing 3.8 windsurfing so the 3.2 was way over powered but he says he could go straight up wind and then straight downwind on the swells. It was a great day but quite a few launches into outer space occurred. He got a "Sweet" comment from Dale Cook on his Strava account - Now that is impressive!

Dale Cook's Comment - "Sweeet"

Cam also had a great day, but I hear it was a bit of a survival exercise. Cam said it was a lot of fun, but he got scared towards the end of his session because he couldn't find Cynthia. It turned out she was on the beach, so everything was OK.

Brad and Blaine went out but only did 7km before coming in, as it was just too windy. They also said the weeds make the site very difficult to sail at. They said it took 25 minutes to fight through the weeds before they were sailing. Blaine still had weeds hanging from him even after the drive back!!

Cynthia went out, but got caught up in the weeds and then the wind took her up the river. Cynthia told me the weeds are so bad that she doesn't want to sail there again!

Big Air Jim made the correct decision and stayed on the beach! Way easier than fighting through the weeds!

Handré went finning (Windsurfing) and had a pretty good day. He said he completed his first ever planning jibe on a 3.7m sail. He commented that in the puffs the 3.7 was toooo much.

It sounded like it was an interesting day to say the least! I wish I had been there - well maybe not!

After driving back from Roosevelt Cynthia decided there was enough wind at the event site, so she instructed her rigging team to get her gear all set up for her so she could go out on her 4.5. Ross was preparing her foil, while Cam and Jim got her sail rigged, and then Cam carried her board to the water for her! It must be nice to have service like that. She had some really good runs, but then the wind backed off again and she had to slog home.

Cynthia, heading out for a late day session at the Event Site

Everyone else sat around having a beer, discussing the day and watching and having a great evening.

I didn't catch up with Vadim until the next day. He started out at Doug's. He went out on his smallest sail, a 4.1, but then came right back - way over powered. He then went to the Hatchery. It was his first time there, so he launched from Kodiak point instead of down in the calmer water where we usually launch. He said he had a good session on his 5.6. He was overpowered at times, but it was OK!

Big Air Jim, Cam, and Cynthia went to Three Rivers for supper. The rest of us picked things up at Safeway and ate at the condo.

Another great day!