2024 Sailing Season: 2024-09-11 Rigging and Re-Rigging at Rufus

Brad and Blaine decided to go to Bette's Place for breakfast. It is an old time tradition, and they hadn't been yet this trip. They had lots to eat. The cinnamon bun is for Handré - eat your heart out Handré! They said it was good - and they may go back tomorrow! (They didn't need much for lunch!).

After that, they went back to Sailworks. I believe Blaine purchased something, but I can not confirm or deny that he did. (I found out later, that he didn't buy anything, and actually got some cash back from a consignment - but that he plans to give it back and buy something tomorrow).

The forecast was for the wind to be best at Rufus - building throughout the day. Kent, Blaine, Brad, Vadim, Ted and Jim Mudry were the first to arrive. The wind was quite light and there were lots of clouds which would have to burn off before the desert heating would generate our wind. I decided to sit and read my book for a while. Kent was out first on his 5.2, but came in and re-rigged to his 4.5 after one reach. Brad and Blaine had rigged their 5.2's, but re-rigged to their 4.5's, before hitting the water.

Later in the day, Blaine and Brad re-rigged to their 3.9's. Kent also re-rigged to his 3.9, and then again for a late session on his 3.2.

The wind wasn't great when we got to rufus!

The wind seemed to steady a bit, so I went out on my 5m wing and big board. I had some good runs, but there were also big lulls with almost no wind. I made it back to shore at one point, but the wind seemed to come up as soon as I got to shore, so I headed back out again. Another lull, so I headed back in, but then it came up again. I sailed about 11km, and then decided to take a break. It seemed to be getting light gain.

Jim and Cam had arrived. Cam said he rigged three times before he went out on the water. He eventually went out on his 5m Wing, after a few reaches the wind picked up and he was over powered so he came in and re-rigged to his 4m wing and small board. He stayed on that for the rest of the day.

Jim went out on his 4.5, but then re-rigged to his 3.9. He came in and thought about rigging down to his 3.2, but he said he just ran out of steam!

The wind really kicked in around 4:00. Cam was on his 4m Wing. Ross was on his 4m kite and said he should have been on his 3, and Andras was on his smallest kite, a 6m, and said he was over powered and on the edge of control the whole time he was out.

Andreas - not quite in control!

Vadim started the day with his 6.5 and large board. Then he went to his 5.6, then a smaller board, and then a 5.3. He said he was always over powered, and afraid to go to something too small in case the wind died. In hind sight, he said, it would have been better to go straight to the small stuff. He did do a lot of sailing!

Vadim

I went out again in the big swell and had fun in the big swell. It was fun jibing on the waves. Unfortunately after a few km, I crashed and somehow lost my helmet. It took me a moment to realize what was different, and by that time it was gone out of site. Damn. It actually felt pretty good sailing without a helmet. I did a few more reaches, but then decided that it wasn't smart to be out in way over powered conditions, with big swell, without a helmet, so I came to shore. I was petty well done anyway!

Andreas - making it work in Challenging Conditions

Cam saw my helmet, but didn't know it was mine. At first he thought there might be a body attached to him, so he was relieved when he could see that it was just a helmet. He passed it a number of times as it floated down the river, but never thought it could belong to one of our group. Darn! I guess I will be visiting Big Winds in the morning.

I got out my camera and took some photos and video. Andreas was doing some jumping, but mostly on the other side of the river so I didn't get many shots. At the end of the day, Kent was making some amazing wave rides down the river which were fun to watch. I am sure he will enjoy seeing the video.

Jim Mudry winged with us all day. He started on his 4m wing, but then changed to something smaller.. He said it was a really fun session. I think he spent time with almost all of us throughout the day. He is very good and fun to watch.

Jim Mudry at the end of the day!

It was after 7:00 when Kent got off the water. It took a long time to de-rig everything, pack up and de-brief. There was a lot of gear involved! It was quite cool in the wind so we ended up all huddled behind Blaine's big van to get some shelter from the wind.

It was getting quite late and we were afraid that not much would be open for supper in Hood River, so we stopped at "Route 30 Brewing" in the Dalles for supper. It was an interesting place, with good food and friendly people. We may have to go back the next time we sail at Rufus. Maybe tomorrow?

Everyone was exhausted by the time we got back to the townhouse. I worked on my photos and this blog for a while, but everyone else headed for bed. I stayed up late - 10:30ish.....

Wow - Another great day - again!

More photos are on my Flickr site here!