Friday, June 21, 2013

Going Home.

Big Air Jim and I ran into Handre and Lazelle early in the morning at Bette's.  They were having a quick "Breakfast" before heading home.  Turns out these two "super fit" athletes don't have the rigorous healthy diet that we thought they did.....

Cinnamon buns for breakfast...

Most everyone met at Dog River for the usual morning Coffee and discussions.  There was considerable discussion about the possible routes home will all the flooding in Southern Alberta.

Watching videos of the Southern Alberta flooding.

The forecast is for light winds in the central Gorge, building by mid day to sailable conditions.  I think the majority of the group were planning to go sailing - and then start the journey home late in the day, or possibly the next morning.  We all decided to meet at the Hatchery.

Mike - Entertaining everyone at Dog River

I happened to notice that Rene was at Big Winds.  When I went in to see what was going on - there he was buying a new board.  After a great day on it yesterday, he just couldn't wait until fall.  Hey if you are so comfortable on a board that you are jumping it in the swell at Roosevelt - then what can I say - you have to have it!!  Way to go Rene!

Rene's new board!

I got to the Hatchery at about noon.  There was some wind, but not enough for me to be consistently planing.  Mike was heading out, and Kent was starting to rig, but I decided that I would rather get a head start on the trip home than to sit around and wait for the possibility of some wind.  I said my good bye's and headed home.  Made it to Cranbrook.  Kent and Rene arrived at the same hotel about an hour after I did.

I got an email from Allan late tonight.  When I had purchased my new boom, I gave my old one to Allan.  (Big Air Jim had given it to me - so I figured I would pass it on.)  Apparently he tried it out today - did one reach across the river, got catapulted, hear a loud crack and lost half the boom.  Fortunately the remainder held together long enough for him to sail home.  Sorry Allan - I am very glad I didn't charge you anything for it - and also very glad you made it back OK.

I am sure there will be lots of stories about the great sailing sessions I missed today and tomorrow.  Oh well.  If you send them to me, I will post them - even if I don't believe them.

Looking forward to September!

Ted

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Roosevelt - Again

First order of business is to take care of Big Air Jim aka Walk of Shame Jim, who strenuously objects to the title "Walk of Shame Jim".   He claims that because he was swimming, not walking, and because after an hour of struggling, he made it past the point and was able to "walk" in to the beach, HE DID NOT DO THE WALK OF SHAME.  He would prefer if we refer to him as "Big Swim Jim", however that doesn't seem fair as his little swim pales in comparison to the swim done by Big Jim when his boom came unhooked, or that Ted did when his mast broke, or that Kent did last fall when he was becalmed at Stevenson.  I guess we could call him "little swim Jim", but he probably wouldn't be happy with that, and we would be hearing about it for days and days - probably years.    I guess it's easier to keep calling him Big Air - and every now and then just remind him about his little swim.

Rene had his best day of the trip so far!

Rene - Big Smile

This could be the last day of real wind.  The forecast is lighter on Friday and for poor weather on Saturday.

Lucille was complaining that there weren't any photos of Cam sailing on the blog.
That is because he sails on the other side of the river.  Here is my best shot.

There was lots of discussion over breakfast about where to sail.  Mike, who had stayed at Roosevelt, was already on the water (not sure we believed him)....  Some wanted Maryhill, Kent wanted the Wall, others wanted Roosevelt, and most of us just wanted some kind of consensus...

I finally got some photos of Allan today.

Allan - Blasting

Kent and Rene (who are traveling together) almost had a divorce, because Rene didn't want to sail at the Wall.

Blaine, Brad, Big Air Jim and Kent - using the Force to levitate the erratic...

As usual, there was some last minute shopping before everyone headed out.   Eventually Ross and Kent went to the Wall, and the rest of us landed in Roosevelt by noon.  The conditions looked great, and we all headed out - basically the same sail sizes as yesterday - I was on my 4.8.

Rene - showing off!

Handre - initiating a Jibe!

Just about the time we were coming off the water, Kent and Ross showed up.  I guess they had a good 45 minutes before a barge came through.  The wind direction then changed which ruined the swells.

Kent thought he would go out in the lighter afternoon winds and show everyone how fast he is....

Here Kent is passing Rene (for the first time of the trip).

We sailed hard until about 2:30, when the wind started to drop a bit.  After a serious lull, the wind picked up but was a bit more gusty.  Most re-rigged to a larger sail or board, and went out for more punishment.

Cam - enjoying a snack after sailing....
come to think about it cam always seems to be eating.....
He is training for a marathon later this summer...

Who's fingers do you think these are - think level of fitness, and healthy living style.

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 you guested it.....

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Handre!!  WTF

Harold was the last one off the water at about 5:30, but Handre probably worked the hardest.

Harold may have been the last one off the water...
but Handre worked the hardest - and was rewarded with a few more Jibes.

Everyone met at 6th Street for dinner - another fantastic day.  At 6th Street, we met Alex and Jim from Sundance Ski in Edmonton finally arrived and were welcomed into the group.

Dinner at 6th Street.

The Boys who are left.....

Big Air Jim

Kent

Al

Mike

Rene

Handre

Brad

Blaine

Ross

Harold

Cam

Ted

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Roosevelt State Park, WA

Wednesday started off just like all the other days, with Coffee at Dog River, and then Breakfast at Bette's.

A Dog River Morning Latte

I went to Sailworks and met Burton Grover who just won the North American "Mini" Land Sailing Title for 2013.  Very cool.  Here is their site.

Burton Grover's Land Sailor with a custom Sailworks Sail!!

The call was made to head East to Roosevelt State Park.  For our group, it is probably the best sailing site on the river, with nice grassy rigging areas, a protected launch, and not as many people on the water - or at least much more water for the same number of people, so you don't have sailors all around you all the time that you have to watch out for....

I sailed on my 4.8 - most of the guys were on 4.2, with a few people like Harold and Ross who were on 3.7's.  Andreas enjoyed his kiting, and then left mid day to fly back to Edmonton.  (He has a flight to Fort McMurray booked Thursday morning).

Ross sent Karen home this morning, so he is now SOLO the rest of the week!

It was my best day of the trip.  I felt balanced and under control.  Got a few nice jibes and jumps.

Cam can't wait...

A rigging Frenzy at Roosevelt State Park

Big Air Jim had a good day overall, but did struggle at times.  First he broke his Harness, but luckily made it back to the beach.

Big Air Jim showing off his broken harness.

Later, Big Air Jim had to do THE WALK OF SHAME!!!

Concerned friends, watching Big Air (AKA  Walk of Shame) Jim
 Swim in, anticipating his walk of shame.

Not wanting to admit his obvious defeat, Jim first swam towards shore, and then swam against the eddy for about half an hour, so he could finally make it back to the beach and come in on the regular beach.  Concerned friends watched from the shore to make sure he was ok - making lots of noise so everyone wanted to know what was going on.  People on the beach were commenting on what great friends WOS Jim must have.

WAS (Walk of Shame) JIM swimming and walking back to the beach!

Brad had such a good day he couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

Mike is enjoying his new Sprinter (New to him).  It is a full windsurf house on wheels, including kitchen, shower, toilet, bed, and most important - windsurf storage area.  He had such a good day that he sailed until almost dark, and stayed at the Roosevelt Parking lot.

We are hoping that later in the week, Mike will host us all for dinner in his mobile palace!

Mikes new Sprinter

Mike's kitchen and bath on wheels..

Handre also sailed until almost dark.  He got out of the water and was suprised that all of his friends had left.  (We were hungry - sorry Handre)  Only Mike was left at the site.
I think Handre gets the award for most time on the water - or at least the award for the most work. He was working hard on his Jibes and made a few more today.

Lazelle enjoyed her second kite lesson, with a "beautiful male instructor" - and is looking forward to Kiting tomorrow.

Harold had the only injury of the day, when he sliced his finger on a beer Can.  What is finger was doing inside the beer can, we can only imagine - or maybe not....   He thinks he will live, and may even be able to sail again tomorrow.

Harold - Injured finger....

Kent trying out Blaine's Helmet 

Rene - trying out Blaine's Helmet..

Kent and Ross had a double dip.  Apparently the Wall was going off when they drove past.  They stopped and sailed.  Rene, who was with them and didn't sail - and had to wait until they were done  before he could go for dinner - told me that it looked like the sail was no fun at all.  He finally got to dinner at about 9:00.  Of course Kent says we missed the best sailing in the world...  ya right....

Brad and Blaine after a great session!

Cam had a great day practicing his Jibes.

Still Smiling

The Beach

A pirate ship sailed into Arlington while we were sailing.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Another Multi-Sport Day

The day began with the usual Breakfast at Betts, and some shopping.

Breakfast at Bette's

The forecast didn't look sparkling, so Big Jim headed home.  He has to be on an airplane early Thursday morning, and he wants to spend a little time with his wife before he goes....

Kent - looking at a Quatro

A little confusion about where to sail as Big Jim sent some of us to the Event site, and after we left convinced the rest to go to the Hatchery.  Eventually we all congregated at the Event Site, but conditions were not epic (to say the least).  Most headed for the golf course.

Harold looking at a new Harness

Kent and I sat in the parking lot - Kent doing some work on his laptop and me reading a Sherlock Homes novel.

I had rented a 134 litre JP board - just to try in the light wind - so I felt I had to try it out.  I started to rig.  Kent got a call from Ross inviting him to go mountain biking so he left.  About 2 minutes later Kent returned.  He had got to the end of the parking lot and noticed that the wind had picked up.

My rental - a JP Excite - rides like a truck...

I went out on my 7.0 and the rental board, while Kent rigged his 6.6 and Roberts Board.
A little drama for me, on the far side of the river I was pumping onto a plane on the way back, and my mast snapped just above the boom.  Nothing to do but swim back - all the way across the river.  With the current, I was flushed down to just before Swell City (Cheap Beach). It took about an hour (maybe 45 minutes to do the swim.  I was very happy to see Kent waiting for me with my van, so it was an easy ride back.

Ted - showing off his new sailing/swimming style.

I went into Sailworks to get a new mast, and was back on the water within an hour.  Kent and I gad a great day.  The wind was not as strong as the gusts yesterday, but it was a lot steadier.

I took my little camera out to mid river - Kent sailing past.

The big board got me planing, but was like driving a truck.  I don't think I will be buying one any time soon.

Ok - don't get too much closer....

Karen spent her day at the Event Site, and decided to rent some windsurfing gear.  She said she got a waterstart!


KITING

Ross and Andreas had a great session kiting.  Andreas came up to the Hatchery and sailed with Kent and I for a while.  Lazelle had her first Kite Lesson.

GOLFING

Mike made an Eagle (Two shots under on a par 4) on his first hole, so everyone everyone heard about his expert Golfing technique for the rest of the game.

Big Air Jim figured he was golfing with the three stooges.

Larry aka Harold A
Curly, AKA Cam, and
Mo - Allan

He said that Larry shot about 107 on the first 6 holes.  He was begging me to stop keeping score.  Curly on the other hand, thought the higher the score the better.  He thought was really good.  Mo just couldn't find any green stuff.  He was so bad he begged to go slogging in the river with sub planing wind conditions.

Jim says he couldn't have possibly golfed another nine holes with those guys.

TENNIS

International 2013 Tennis Invitational between Handre from South Africa and Big Air Jim (the defending champion) representing Canada did not present any surprises as Big Air Jim crushed the #$%%^ out of Handre.

LATE SAILING

Big Air Jim and Handre, having missed all the good sailing, decided to head down to the Event Site late in the day.  They started out in light wind and big gear.  Shortly after they headed out, a storm front came through and litterally blew them off the water.  Way over powered.


DINNER

Harold, Allan, Kent, Rene and I went to 6th Street, while most of the others went to Nora's.

I had a PBR for Harold W.  Too bad you couldn't make the trip Harold!
See you in the fall.

LATE NIGHT CARD GAME

Kent, Rene, Andreas, Allan and I sat up until way late (11:30) playing Hearts.  I got lucky.  I understand that Rene is working on an update that I will add when I get it.


Here is Rene's contribution...

A new form of entertainment manifested itself last night. It contained all the all the same joys and thrills of gybing around a fallen fellow sailor, passing someone on their blind side, and the reliving, reviewing, and critiquing all the moves of the group. HEARTS!

It was most interesting to see the different strategies employed by the group to try and mislead one another in order to stay under the radar, in order NOT to get the infamous Queen. 

Ted was uncanny in his ability to always start the round with his 2 of clubs and maintain a very quiet demeanor so as to slide under the radar which he did very successfully as he won! 

Kent employed a completely different tact. Almost always going for power, and his playing the the dummy with "whoops I didn't mean to look at the middle cards - it was an accident" didn't fly and he lost miserably. 

Al had an interesting strategy of winning the the last tricks which, of coarse contained lots of hearts. 

Andreas inadvertently attempted the "power" move, but was unsuccessfully to his demise. 

Rene on the other had was only one who did successful get "power" but too little too late and didn't win either. 

All that being said a great time was had and we are looking forward to the next "session".

Rene