2020-10-(11 and 12) - Last days on the water - Probably

Lac Ste Anne - Alberta Beach

Al's Report:

I don't know, it's a bit cool; I'll go if you go; Do you think it's warm enough? etc.

So finally Vadim and I convinced ourselves to go sailing at Alberta Beach.  After all, it wasn't snowing.  Harold wimped out, or something like that.

Turned out rather well.  I sailed on a 4.8 sail and 85 liter board, overpowered at times until I couldn't feel my feet anymore.  Vadim sailed his 5.6 sail until he started to cramp up.  We had a couple of hours of great bonus sailing to end the season. Ross and Matt were kiting on smallish looking kites.

Al sailing his 4.8 at Alberta Beach - looks cold!
(Thanks Vadim for the photo!)

Ross's Report:

One last update.  Kited 5 to 7m on Sunday and Monday at Alberta Beach.  Too windy for foiling on both days.  Temps were not terrible but still quite cool, about 7 to 8degC both days but sun was generally out which helped a lot.  Decent swell since the wind was steady and lasted through both days.

On Sunday there was quite a crew of kites, about 8 over the course of the day including Matt and I.  Monday it was Matt and I.....and two windsurfers, Allan and Vadim joined in for a few hours, Allan on his 4.8....keeping it old school before the cold got them.

I was hoping for a kite on Thursday, but the current forecast is too cool, snow in the Mountains, Calgary on the weekend, etc. It seems like without a very late year heatwave, that about wraps the local season up.  

Surprisingly, it was actually quite a good season.  Four windy trips to Keho/OMD, a spring drive to Camrose to watch the wind foilers (no kiting), a few great days at Pigeon on the water...and in the hot tub; lots of mornings or afternoons out at Alberta Beach, some late-year kite foiling, and of course the fall trip to Lac La Biche.

Thanks to Ted for keeping the blog going, to Brad for his hospitality at Pigeon, and Jim and Handre at Lac La Biche, and Brad for the organization.

Sorry that the kite crew never got out to Wabamun to visit.  It may have been for the best, as getting one kite stuck in a 10m tree, is enough for a year.

See everyone on the frozen water, be it snowshoes, X-country skis, downhill or kite gear......coming soon to a locale near you.

Harold's Excuse:

I feel like I  let down the team on Monday, but my rotator cuff was bothering me.   Maybe it had something to do with sailing my 6.1 on the previous Tuesday when I should have been sailing my 4.7?  Definitely falls into the “just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean that you SHOULD do something” category.  Also falls into the “stupid” category.  Anyway, I’m trying to make up for it by mountain biking every day.  I plan to overtake Blaine’s mileage, but at the speed, I go, I had better still be biking when I’m 100.

Wabamun Lake - Jim's Place

Ted's Report:

I have made it a rule, that if people email me a report, I will post it, but I am not going to chase down the evidence on Strava, Garmin Connect, Facebook, etc, and try to piece together a report.  I spend enough time on it as it is.  In this case, however, I guess I will make an exception.

Sunday morning my phone started to overheat with all the text messages it was receiving.  I'm not sure why I am on this string, but I am....

Jim S - Blowing solid 4.2, perhaps 3.2?

Jim S - White caps brilliant in the morning autumn sun, shore to shore.

Cynthia - I see that... just got up... we need to set up a rescue water craft...maybe just push the seadoo down by the lake on the trailer...and put some gas in it?  Just getting a fire going here.

Kent - Wow.  Looks windy windy!

Kent - I will have breakfast and head over.

Kent - Let me know when you all are thinking of hitting the water!

Cynthia - Cam is still in bed... I'm just making pancakes... I'm trying to work up to the idea... it looks cold.  Maybe 11:30? If Cam finds out you are on the way I'm sure he will pop out of bed...

Kent - Later is warmer and I don't think this is an all day event. (Post liked by Cynthia!)

Kent - Txt me if he goes nuts and starts rigging.  

Blaine - Good morning all.  My car says 4 above.  Not sure about windchill.  Wear Skidoo Suit. (Post liked and laughed at by Cynthia!)

Cam - I'm just looking for my Skidoo suit!

Jim S - We've established a cold weather alert and assistance protocol.

Jim S - Get your butchinski out here!

Jim S - and into the lake... Really???

Unknown Number (587 xxx-x742) - I'm Coming!  I'm Coming!

Presumably, they all got in the water, because the texts all stopped at this point!

I did see on Strava that Cam, Kent, and Blaine all had at least one session.  I don't know about Cynthia, Cam, or anyone else.

Kent's comment was that "There was way too much wind for the water temperature!"

Blaine commented that he was overpowered on his 4.2 and it was a bit chilly - then "That's a wrap for this year!"

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's place

Ted's Report:

I sent some time Friday in my wetsuit, up to my neck, while taking out our dock and hoist.  I decided then that anymore sailing this year would not be fun if there was any chance that I would be spending any time in the water.

The decision for Sunday and Monday was pretty simple.  It was stupid windy - decided not to go.

My weather station is now pulled onshore and is partially sheltered behind some trees.  It registered gusts of 70kph on Sunday, so it would have been quite a bit higher on the lake.  Monday the gusts weren't quite as high, but the spread between the average and the gusts was greater.

Over the next few days (Oct 13 to 17) I have watched whitecaps on the water every day.  Unfortunately, the temperature has also been close to zero, and while the water is still "soft" I felt no desire to get into my wetsuit and head out!

Call me a wuss...  Maybe I missed it....  Looking forward to sailing in 2021.  It has been a great year!

Epilogue:

As I write this, a week later, I look out the window and there are whitecaps again!  Looks like 5.6m on my Stubby......  No.... I don't think so!

Cold Whitecaps!

2020-10-06 Windy in October

Lac Ste Anne - Alberta Beach

Harold's Report:

Today I would have been sailing Kanaha in Maui.  But do I care?  The wind and waves at Lac Ste Anne were fine.  Who needs Maui?

OK, I need Maui, but Lac Ste Anne was pretty good today.  Vadim sailed his 6.5 and I sailed my 6.1.  At times I think I could have sailed my 4.7. 

Ross was off in the distance using a tiny kite and his foil.  Looked pretty good!  I did see a button hook jibe he pulled off without dropping an inch. 

And it only took me 2 hours to defrost.  A good day!

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Ted's Report:

It looked like it was windy - but I had to go to Vimy to help Lou's parents do a virtual tour of a retirement home that they are looking at.  By the time we got home, the wind was dropping.  It was nice visiting with Lou's folks!

2020-09-29 One more day!

Lac Ste Anne - Alberta Beach

Al's Report:

Windfinder forecast looked very good for Monday and nothing for Tuesday, but Monday's wind just didn't happen.  So Ingrid and I went to Elk Island Park for a fall walk and were greeted by a 4.8 sail size wind for the next four hours.  The water was a bit stinky, however, so I was glad that the windsurf stuff was at home. We did see a bull moose, several Elk, an American Bittern, and, of course, Buffalo.  

Tuesday morning started with a surprisingly different wind forecast.  I was amazed that Harold hadn't phoned me by 9:30 am!  A quick call confirmed that Harold was committed to moving furniture and couldn't go sailing?  WTF!  

So Al ended up as the only windsurfer at Alberta Beach ripping it up (or something like that) on his 6.5 and 99 litre board.  Vadim joined me in the late afternoon and got sailing on his 6.5 and Go board.  Several kiters were out, including Ross on his foil.

Hopefully, Harold's furniture is in the right place now.

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Ted's Report:

I waited until Louise and Spencer were back from town so I would have a rescue plan and then loaded my truck and brought my gear down the hill.

I first tried my 6.0 Wind Wing.  While I made it out and back, and did build up some speed and start to fly the foil, I was just too overpowered.  I came back to shore, did a short walk of shame, and then took out my 5.2 Flyer.  I had a good session until the wind started to die around 5:30.  (The gusts were still strong, but there were more and more lulls).

Louise was kind enough to take some photos!

I had two or three nice jibes where I kept speed throughout the jibe!  Slow progress!

Nice fall colours!

2020-09-27 More Wind - not quite so warm...

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

Harold's Report:

I figured maybe Saturday was a spectacular end for me for the year.  I backed my van into a tree (ouch – to my pocketbook), had to be rescued (ouch – to my ego), cut my finger on my broken taillight (just – ouch), and trapped my friend Ted in the parking lot while I floated around in the middle of the lake (Sorry!).  But in between that I enjoyed a great sailing day on the lake and was happy to see Jim and all of his brood (Thanks for all your hospitality). 

So I still had a little windsurfing itch that had to be scratched.  I tried to ignore it Sunday morning as I slept in and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.  I tried to convince myself that despite the trees blowing around outside the window, it was just too cold.  But finally Rochelle couldn’t stand the twitching and told me to call Brad.  I thought – Brad isn’t at the lake, so I have the “safety” excuse.  But he and Blaine were at Pigeon.  That was it – FOMO!!!  Off I went. 

Brad rigged his 5.2 foil rig (I think),  Blaine rigged his 4.2, and I rigged my 6.1 (ordinary boring windsurfing rig).  Lots of wind and lots of bumps.  We all blasted for about 1 ¼ hours, then it died.  Still, lots of smiles. 

Brad and Blaine rigged up and went out just as I left, but I don’t think they lasted long.  It seemed pretty calm.

Good day at Pigeon!

Curious about who else got out. 

Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Kent's Report:

Wabamum was 5.2 foiling with Cam, Jim, Ben (finning), and Kent for 2 to 3 hours.

Big Air Jim's Report:

On a day like today, with strong winds and mild temperatures, it was sad to drag the Jet Ski off the lift one last time. We brought in the lift and took our moorage bouy out of the water.  Sad. 

The forecast for wind doesn't look great until October 8th but with the evenings getting longer and colder, I think pushing the season into early October has significant risks. 

We had a great season everyone, a terrific job of diarizing every outing Ted. Thank you.

Let's stay safe so we can play safe again next year.

Lac Ste Anne - Alberta Beach

Ross's Report:

Matt and Ross at Alberta Beach.  5m foiling from 1100 until 1400 when the wind backed off.  Surprisingly nice waves, the sun was out, but the wind was cold and the water also has a nasty bite.  No sauna or hot tub to warm up in, so back to Edmonton for a couple of Sunday afternoon happy hour beers and snacks with Andreas (who was busy this AM and tired from the great Saturday foiling) and Sue.

Vimy Alberta

Ted's Report:

I was helping Louise's parents with an open house for their farm property, so got to sit outside on their driveway in the wind and dream about sailing/foiling/winging....

Cynthia sent me some photos she took Saturday.

Cam - putting away the Jetski after the successful Harold rescue!

Cam and Blaine

Harold

Blaine

Ben

Cam and Harold

2020-09-26 Rigging, Rigging, Rigging

Lac Ste. Anne - Alberta Beach

Al's Report:

Vadim and I were the windsurfers at Alberta Beach doing our best to get in the way of the kiters.  

There was lots of rigging and in/out of the water happening with Al setting up 2 boards and three sails, Vadim rigging two sails and two boards. 

The wind started light but I ended with my 85 liter board and 5.5 sail as the perfect set-up. 

I had a good 3 hours of sailing before the arms gave out.

Ross's Report:

As typical, a late kite report.  Andrea's, Matt and Ross were at AB.  5m and 7m kite foiling for me and Andreas respectively, followed by 5m and 7m kiting, and then back to 5m kite foiling. The black cloud missed AB and wind was still blowing when I finished up at 1730.

A sauna would have been nice to cut the chill, but no such luxury at AB, or at least none of the cottage owners have ever offered to let us use theirs.

Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Ted's Report

When I got to Jim's at 11:15, Jim was working on replacing the valve stems on the rims that he had just re-painted for Jessie's trailer.  I offered to help.  Jim is a great delegator, and soon his son Mike and I were doing all the work and Jim was just looking on drinking coffee.  He did offer me some, however, I suspect that was only because he knows that I never drink coffee.  Anyway, we got the four valve stems replaced, filled the tires with air, and installed on the trailer.  They look great.

Blaine and Harold showed up just as we were finishing.  The parking was so full with family (and the holiday trailer), that Blaine, Harold, and I had to park next door at Cam and Cynthia's.  Cynthia was already there with their girls, and Cam arrived a short time later.

Harold went out on his 6.1 to windsurf and hung on to it all day.  Blaine, Jim and I rigged our 5.2's and I think Cynthia was on a 4.7. I also blew up my 6.0 Wind Wing and gave it a try.  I couldn't get going heading out, but twice on the way back, once I hit the calmer water (and got a gust), I was able to get the board up on the foil!  Wow - I was stoked, but also worn out.  Having proved that I can actually get on a foil, I will leave it for a calmer and warmer day!  I went in and took out my 5.2 Flyer for some Wind Foiling.

Wind Wing!

Harold Blasting!

Jim - Nailing his Jibes!

We all had a great sail in gusty conditions.  I did probably my best jibe ever, and Blaine saw it as I jibed around him!  Blaine is really nailing his jibes, and Jim is not far behind.  I have some catching up to do. After about an hour, the wind picked up and we all came in for lunch.  The re-rigging frenzy began in earnest.  Cynthia rigged at least three times, as did Cam.  Blaine went down to a 4.2, and then later in the day back up to his 5.2.  I don't recall what Jim did, but he went through several sails as well!

Cynthia - Great Day!

Cam - making it look easy!

Rumour!  Cam just ordered a custom Roberts foil board.  Not sure when he will get it, but he is stoked about it!

We all saw a big ugly cloud coming from behind the cabin (well everyone except Harold).  Everyone came off the water, except Cam and Harold.  The wind shut off like a switch.  Cam, on his big foilboard was able to make it home without a problem.  Harold, on the other hand, had been trying to eke out a few more reaches and was left in the middle of the lake, not able to water start.

Blaine had volunteered to put on his wetsuit again and head out on the Jetski to rescue Harold, but when Cam came back, he said he would do it.  I may have the September Calendar photo of Cam on the Jetski, towing Harold back to shore!

Next year's September Calendar Photo - maybe...

Great day had by all, and did I mention Cam's Sauna, which was a real bonus and an easy way to warm up!  Oh, and Jim's Grandson Ben also got out and had some great runs!

Jim's Grandson, (Mike son), Ben!

Thanks to Jim, Lucille, Cam and Cynthia for hosting and putting up with us!

Windy Day at Jim's!

More of my photos of the day are here on my Flickr Site.

  

2020-09-24 Special Guest at Pigeon Lake

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

Ted's Report:

I arrived at Brad's at around 11:30.  Brad, Harold, and Al were already there, but no one was out.  

Brad had warned us that he had invited a secret "Special Guest" today.  No one knew who it would be, although Harold was speculating that somehow Brad had talked Robbie Nash into making an appearance.....

The wind seemed to be building.  I rigged my 6.0 Flyer and 5.2 Flyer (thinking the wind would be building.)

More people started arriving as we were heading out, and after we were out.

Tim, Blaine, Vadim, Andreas, Ross, and "Special Guest" Big Air Jim all arrived.

"Special Guest" Big Air Jim!

Brad went out on his 5.2 and I followed shortly afterwards on my 6.0.  

Tim was on his 5.4 and sailing.  He had a few great runs, but also slogged a lot of the time, and ended up walking back.  Harold, Vadim, and Al were also sailing.  There were some lulls, but also some big gusts, and they all had some great runs.

Blaine and Big Air Jim joined us foiling (5.2's I think), and both Ross and Andreas both were kite foiling.

I sailed for about an hour and a half.  My GPS stopped working mid-sail and I had to restart it.  I will have to start just wearing it under my wetsuit so I don't bump the buttons.  The gusts seemed to be getting stronger, but there were also lulls.  I did a couple of my best jibes, one touching down, but coming out and up onto the foil with only a couple of pumps!  By the end of my sail I was getting pretty tired from all the waterstarting, and the wind seemed to be picking up another notch.  I decided to go in and have lunch, and then go out again on a smaller sail - or maybe windsurf.

My last reach into shore was pure adrenaline, in a huge gust.  

Shortly after going in for lunch, the wind seemed to drop - then drop some more.  By the time I was finished lunch, I don't think I could have gotten foiling even with my seven.

Brad in a lull

Most of the guys were coming in.  At one point, Andreas and Ross's kites dropped out of the sky and they had to swim in.   

Vadim re-rigged and went out on his big board and a big sail.  He sailed around and practiced low-speed jibes, but couldn't reallly get going.  

Vadim - using up the last of the wind!

Andreas tried to eke out every last bit of wind with some luck.  Blaine went out again with his 7.0, but only got going a few times.

By 3:00 almost everyone was in, and the hot tub was filling up.  We all had expected the wind to last a little longer, but Ross said it was exactly how Windfinder had predicted it.  It wasn't long, but it was still a GREAT DAY!

Blaine!

Brad had a good session!

Ross - looking comfortable on his foil!

Harold

Blaine - done for the day....
Ross - deciding if he will go out again!

Big Air Jim - enjoying Brad's Hot Tub!

And - a few photos from Vadim....

2020-09-20 Warm and Windy in September!

Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Jim's Report:

We had a wonderful day at Wabamun today. Cam, Cynthia, Kent and I ripped it up on our foils.

The BEST FALL was Kent from waaay upstairs. 

The BEST GYBE (Kent excluded) was Cam - no er um -  Cynthia.

The BEST SURVIVAL GYBE to hula sheet innnn no outttttttt. No sheet in ..... Jim.

I hope everyone else had a great day as well!

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

Harold's Report:

Here’s the Official Richens' Report. 

The usual suspects showed up at Brad’s place – Brad, Blaine, Al, Vadim, and me. 

When I arrived, Blaine and Brad were rigging 5.4s with the foils.  Blaine went out, came back, and persuaded Brad that he should rig his 4.2, which Brad and Blaine proceeded to do.  The wind blasted for a couple of hours.  Al was on his 83-liter board and used his 5.6 sail.  Vadim was on his 99 board and used his 5.5.  I used my 6.1.  They blasted, I piddled in the swells.  Everyone was happy!

There was a half-hour lull at about 2PM, then the winds came back strong again, with just a little less power.  So we used the same stuff again – a good choice for all!

By the way, we all thought that Allan was going to have a long, long walk back during the lull, but he eked out enough reaches during the lull to stagger back to Brad’s beach (well done Al!)– just in time for the winds to come back.  Isn’t that the way it always goes?

Then into the hot tub, where Brad served beer and duck sausage (thanks Brad!).  A perfect end to a great day!

Some photos from Vadim!

Lac St. Anne - Alberta Beach

Ross's Report:

Alberta Beach was sunny, breezy, and relatively warm.  Andreas, Ross, and Matt foiled.  

This listing also represents the relative number of head plants in increasing order with Andreas keeping his hair driest by a large margin.  

It was 5m kite foiling, but I did not lack for power as since I have no clue what I am doing was on my 7m.  Huge lull at 1500 (ie no wind?) had us off the water.  The wind came back at reduced strength about 1530 or so, but we were tired and chilled (all those head plants) and instead of re rigging we acted our age and drove into the city, to the Beer Revolution patio for some Octoberfest beers on the patio in the sun.    

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Ted's Report:

Laura and Frances were visiting from Calgary, so I didn't get out until mid-afternoon.  The wind was quite gusty. I rigged my 6.0, which was way too much a lot of the time, just right for some of the time and occasionally not enough.  There were a lot of floating weeds, so most of the time I had at least one hanging off my mast.  As I was overpowered most of the time, I was usually able to foil even with the weeds trailing behind.  I had a really good afternoon and came in at about 5:00 as the wind was dying.  As usual, Louise took a few photos!

SAFETY  ALERT!!!

For those foilers using a mechanical universal!

Check the mounting bolt!!!!

I was about to connect my sail today when I noticed that the connecting bolt on my mechanical universal had backed out about halfway.  If I had gone out with it like that it would have almost certainly come apart leaving me with my sail disconnected from my board.

Check this bolt regularly - tighten with lock tight.

Connecting bolt backed off 1/4 inch...

I easily loosened it by hand...

Ross's comment on the Safety Alert!

How come we get safety alerts about nuts on bolts on windsurfers but nothing about 10m tall trees at Lac La Biche and kites?