2018 Spring Gorge Trip: Friday - Andreas's Last day of Windsurfing Ever .... well maybe not!

The Last Day

Our group was down to seven at breakfast: Kent, Andreas, Rene, Harold, Brad, Blaine and I. The forecast was for another windy day. After coffee at Dog River, breakfast at Bette's, and another meeting at the Sailworks Loft, it was agreed that we would all go to Rock Creek at Mosier. None of us had sailed there before, but the guys at Sailworks said it would work best in the shifting wind.

We all set off for Mosier. Harold, Rene, Brad and Blaine were all loaded up and were planning to head home after sailing.

Andreas decided that he was done with windsurfing so he dropped his sails off at Sailworks and asked them to put them on consignment. He then went to Windance to drop off his board and hardware, but they said they were full and couldn't take them.

Somehow, in the five or six minutes that it takes to get to Mosier from Hood River, Brad and Blaine changed their mind and headed for Roosevelt. Harold and Rene, after stopping at Rock Creek decided that they too would head to Roosevelt - even though the forecast wasn't as good for the "far east".

Rene and Harold - bailing on Rock Creek
You missed it, boys!!!

I heard later that they all got out on the water on small sails and boards. Harold on 3.2, Brad on 3.8, Blaine on 4.7 then 4.2 and Rene on his 4.8. I'm glad they got some sailing.

Blaine had a good day on his 4.2

Brad - Packing up!

I have to admit that Rock Creek didn't look spectacular from the shore, but what a pleasant surprise. The launch was extremely friendly with a sand bottom; there was an area from off the point till about 200 feet out where you could stand to rest. The wind line came right to the point too - so no swimming or slogging to get to it, and there was really good swell - maybe not as big as at Roosevelt, but much smoother. This is definitely a place we will go back to. It may be friendlier and easier than Roosevelt. It is also a great place for taking pictures and video!

Kent went out on his 3.8 and yellow "Fish" board. The wind was steady but strong. He started doing laydowns in the swell and boosting big air.

Kent - going upstairs!

Andreas came by to have a look, but it was too windy to kite. After a few minutes, he went back to Sailworks and withdrew his 4.2 sail, mast and boom from consignment, stopped at the condo and picked his board again and raced back to Rock Creek. I guess he is not done windsurfing after all!

I spent a few hours taking photos and video and had a lot of fun. With the wind blowing right to the point, I could get right up close to the action, and the lighting was great because the sun was behind me! I planned to go out for the second session, but after 2:00 or so, the wind started to drop and then become gusty. Andreas said that I-Windsurf reported that the Hatchery was blowing 15 gusting 60! Wow! I missed the session on the water, but had a great time taking the photos and video! Too bad they are all of Kent and Andreas! A lesson for the other guy's - follow the camera!

Andreas - almost a table top!

Andreas went back out on his Kite - mostly so I could take some photos of him. It was very gusty, and although he made it look easy, he said it was very challenging kiting. He said he would think he was really powered for a jump and then there would just be nothing in the kite. It still looked pretty impressive to us!

Andreas - Hangin Out!

After packing up, we relocated to the Event Site. Kent went out foiling with Bruce Peterson in the gusty conditions. Andreas and I drove back to the Condo and then road the E-Bikes down with a few beers, which we drank on the beach while watching the foiling action!

Kent's Rig!

We were a small group at 6th Street Bistro with only three of us. We ordered the Full Rack of Ribs with a bottle of wine to celebrate a great day! The owner Chris came by to chat, he said that "back in the day", he used to be the Realwinds rep at the Hatchery! After our visit, he wished us well, told us he was looking forward to seeing us again in September, and then he told the waitress that he would be covering the cost of our wine! What a nice touch! Chris runs a great place - one of our favourite places to eat. It really has something for everybody.

Andreas, Kent, and Ted
Three Full Racks of Ribs - Delicious!

Back at the condo, we watched the video from the day's sailing and had a "little" bit more wine!

Kent may go foiling with Jim, Dale and Bruce in the morning before heading to Kelowna. I am packed and planning to leave early in the morning. I believe Andreas plans to do the same - although maybe not as early.

What a great trip!