Thursday - Chasing the Wind - Almost off the River!

The forecast looked great!  Big wind, meaning small sails, almost everywhere on the river - but particularly out east.

After Dog River Coffee, Bette's for breakfast, and our daily stop at the Sailworks Loft to chat and get advice from Dale, Jim and Phil we decided we would stop at the wall to look and then decide whether to stay there or go to Roosevelt.

We stopped at Safeway on the way out to buy something for lunch and then headed down the highway.

Rene, Harold and Handre got to the wall first.  The wind was a bit from the north and the current was very strong, so they made the call and headed to Roosevelt.  I got to the wall a bit late, so drove in and no one was there.  On my way out, I met Andreas.  He said the forecast had changed!  There were some clouds out east that weren't burning off as expected so the wind would be light at Roosevelt.  Andreas tried hard to reverse the flow of the lemmings, but once they are moving it is almost impossible to reverse, or even change the direction of the flow!  I almost stayed with Andreas but decided I had to go with the group regardless. 

Blaine had a good session on his 5/7

Andreas did stay at the Wall but didn't have the best session.  He was on a small board (and he has gained a bit of weight since the last time he sailed), so he sometimes struggled to get it planing.  With the 8kt + current, if you slogged or fell in the water at all, you were heading downriver at a pace double a normal walking speed.  Andreas had two sessions but ended up walking both times.  He finally gave up and then went over to Rufas where he kited on his 8m Kite.  The current was still an issue, but he is a very good kiter and had a great session.  Maybe now he has a little taste of what I have been struggling with all these years as a heavier guy on equipment made for the little guy's.

Brad on his 5.2 and big board.

At Roosevelt, Kent was whining that he should pack up and go back to the wall, but instead, he rigged his 4.8 and went out on his foil board.  I followed suit with my foil rig and 4.8 sail.  It was very interesting and challenging foiling in the bigger rolling waves.  I am getting used to my new (large) front foil.  It seems a little more stable, makes it easier to lift the board out of the water, but it is about 4km slower (based on my GPS track) than my original foil.

Kent, foiling with the Pelicans!

The wind did pick up a bit.  Harold had a great day on his 5.3 sail.  Rene went out on his 6.6 and big board and had a good day.  Blaine was on his 5.7 and Roberts, and Brad was on his 5.2.
Everyone had a good session even if it wasn't what they were expecting.

Brad!

After a long foiling session early, and then lunch, Kent tried to make his 4.8 sail work on his 80l Kode.  He did manage to get it planing, but just barely.  He came back to shore and went back out on the same sail with his foil board.  He had another long session.  He said he was "worked".  Jibing in the swell is a whole new experience.  We saw him do some beautiful jibes, and also saw some spectacular "Yard Sale" crashes.

It was a beautiful day, so we all enjoyed a beer on the grass while de-rigging.  The De-rigging process was slow because we all had several sail sizes and boards rigged on the beach.

Peter and Chis from Calgary
watching one of the last sailors on the water.

On the way back down the river, there was a tremendous headwind.  I actually slowed down, because I was afraid of the Board on my roof.  With a ground speed of 120kph, the airspeed might have been reaching 200km in the gusts.  I kept it around 100kph.  We had definitely been too far East for the big wind.  It was probably our only questionable call of the week, I am not sure any of us would have had fun at the Wall.  In hindsight, Doug's or Rowena was probably best.  Spilled Milk.....

Rene and Harold
Photobombed by Brad!

We arrived at China Gorge around 8:00.  Once again, we all had the Seniors Menue, except for Andreas, who was too young!  Our group is smaller now.  Ross had left yesterday afternoon, Cam and Cynthia left early in the morning and Handre left after sailing this afternoon.  We are now down to seven.  Rene says it is a little easier to herd the smaller group! 

Another Great day - sad to think that the trip is coming to an end.

Kent - going up!

Kent - going down!