2020-06-16 Gerry's session at Canyon Creek

2020-06-15 Weekend Update

I have heard reports from a few of us who have managed to get in some sailing/kiting/foiling over the last few days.

Big Jim

I got a text from Big Jim that he had a good session on Friday night and was looking for a better session on Saturday - although I didn't hear anything about it.....  No Photos - and I'm not sure if it was windsurfing or foiling - I suspect foiling.

Keho Trip!

Mike, Tim, Ross, Andreas and Matt headed down to Keho for the weekend.  I guess it was wild with very strong, very gusty wind.  

Mike's Story

Few pix from our quick trip to Keho.  The kiters had a blast Ross Andrea's and Matt they were on 7s and 5s.

 

I got a short 10mt session on Monday before the wind kicked ..

 

Tim and I were windsurfing and it was pretty narly both days chop from hell and insane gusts and holes . One minute fully powered 3.8 next not enough to water start . We rode 4.6 4.8 on Sunday and Tim got blown off his 4.8 on Monday I was on 4.2 and 3.8 for a while but the water only cleaned up for about half an hour total the rest of the time it was so rough you had a hard time holding speed to get to the ramps ..

Camping at Keho

 

Mike's Rig

 

Andrea's Version!

I'm not sure I quite agree with Mike on the conditions assessment. 

Yes, the conditions were at times pretty narly (that's what you get when it's gusting over 70) but for the kites with a bigger wind range than the windsurfers it wasn't fully powered 3.8 then can't water start it was fully powered.....and REALLY fully powered. 

Kirk referred to the swell as glassy on Facebook...not chop from hell. I would say it was a bit in-between with areas of cross chop hell but there was also big wide smooth glassy swell found venturing away from our launching spot (I think the tip here next time is to ride where Kirk rides if you want the good stuff). 

Tim was out doing his usual hucking (back loops) but the ramps for jumping were not too co-operative (I think his body was also saying WTF I'm 50 something😁). 

Matt was enjoying his new 7m kite he bought for the gorge so Ross wouldn't complain about not being able to go to the "good spots" when he was visiting (which is a good thing because the 9m wouldn't have quite cut it at keho). 

Ross was doing his usual strapless ripping in the waves on his 5m (which thankfully Karen had reconstructed the night before we left) and he even landed some strapless jumps! 

I would have been happier on a smaller kite than my 7m the second day but I think that's just because every 70km gust was reverberating through my VERY sore muscles from day one.

Social Distancing Photo attached.....

Ross's version...

Agreed.  There was some really good swell out in the deeper water.  Inshore there was cross chop, probably a reflection from a depth change and the shore.  Knees and hips are feeling it now.

The wind was ripping 5m, some abrupt lulls but pretty typical wind quality for southern Alberta, from my experience.  Probably better on kites but there were still quite a few windsurfers out.

Sun was out most of the time, temps were not terrible at high teens, the wind had a bit of a cold bite but the beer was good both on site and at the brew pub and highways were pretty empty and the drive safe for everyone.

All told a good short trip for a bit of Southern Alberta kiting.  Next stop Slave Lake......Jerry and Eddy, when are your arranging wind for a visit?

Brad at Pigeon Lake

Brad didn't send me a note or any photos, but it looks like he got out on Monday to do some foiling.

Ted at Dried Meat Lake

On Sunday, there wasn't any wind, so Louise and I went for a 5km SUP ride on the lake.  We stayed away from the public beach where there was a jetski wreaking havoc and stayed by the shore checking out the birds, beavers and muskrats. 

I also got out Monday.  It looked windier than it was.  I actually rigged my 6 thinking it might be too much for my 7, but then went out on the 7 and slogged a lot of the time.  I did have a few runs when there was a gust, and even had a couple of foiling jibe attempts.....  Louise was kind enough to snap some photos - always trying to make me look better than I am....

2020-06-08 Cynthia's Movie

Cynthia sent me a short movie of the Sailing at Wabumun last Monday.  Here is an image from it - if you look closely, you can see four sails!  It looks like a beautiful day!

If anyone wants me to share a video, please upload it to Youtube or Vimeo first, and then send me the link.  I can then share the link.  Ted

2020-06-08 Foiling and Sailing Updates

Friday June 5, 2020

It seems that a few of us got out over the weekend, but I didn't get any emails or photos, other than one squiggly line sent by Brad.....

Handre got out on Friday for a "Rainy" Session.

Brad and Blaine also got out Friday at Pigeon Lake.  

Brad says - 

Check out my ride on Strava.
https://strava.app.link/4wUUKOVv66
Nice evening SE sesh with Blaine. 6.0 flyer. Starting to figure out a few of the gybes on the wing a good percentage of the time. It helps to gybe in some wind to maintain speed and keep the wing lifting. Nice and warm too.
Brad

Cam

I think Cam got out once or twice as well - but no photos or descriptions.

Today's Reports June 8, 2020

Today it looks like a bunch of us got out.  I think my email must be broken because I didn't get any invites to Wabamum, Pigeon or Lac St. Anne/Alberta Beach.......

Harold's Report

Al and I caught 2 hours of great sailing at Lac Ste. Anne.  6.1 sail, but strong enough wind to power through jibes in the Lac Ste. Anne swells.  Great fun. 

 

Mike and Ross showed up about 2PM, but missed the wind. 

 

I wish there had been wind for them, because when it suddenly cut off I got caught out there ... sort of.  Struggled to shore, but landed downwind.  Couldn’t lift my rig over the rocks without risking dings.  I felt like an abandoned puppy trying to figure out the best course of action.  Al finally took pity on me, came and helped me boost the rig over the long dock that was stopping me from just trekking up the shore.  One of the stranger walks of shame.  Hooray for Al, who joins the long line of friends who have helped me out of my screwups.  Thanks Al. 

 

Mike did get out - his squiggly line is on Strava for anyone who is interested.

Blaine's Report

Cam. Jim. Kent. Blaine blasted Wabamun on 6.0  7.0 foils fun afternoon
Blaine

Ted's Report

I had to host a Rotary Zoom meeting at Noon, so didn't get out until after 1:00.  It looked really good in the morning, but by the time I got down to the water, it had lightened up some.  I went out on my 6.0 flyer and had some good runs, but the wind died after about a half-hour.  I came in and sat on my bench watching and trying to decide whether to re-rig to the 7.0, but the wind was pretty well done.  A good session, but it would have been better if I could have been out earlier...

It's much easier to get my rig up the hill with my 4x4 truck!

When the wind died almost completely, I took out my drone and took some photos of our place...

Ted and Louise's place

2020-06-05 Cynthia's Evening Session!

It seems to me that everyone is getting more early spring sessions in than usual.... doing a good job so far of making up for a list gorge trip!  Great job everyone.

I had a decent late evening foiling session last night.  As the sun was sinking I found myself a bit too powered up on the 5.2.... I am nursing a bruised arm this am after getting slammed against my boom.  Hopefully we get more sessions this weekend as the wind might be up and down today and tomorrow.

Cynthia 

 

2020-06-03 Sailing all over.....

Jim's Place - Wabumun - Kent's report...

Session 1

Kent foiled 4.5m,  Jim was on a 4.2 and made close to 50% of his jibes with dry hair.

Session 2

Kent foiled 4.5m, Cam was on a 5.2.   Cam was also making some jibes!   Damn near foiled around one!

Session 3

Cynthia foiled alone on a 5.2..   

Cynthia - Ready to go!

Jim - Rigging!

Ross at Alberta Beach

7m kiting - had to stop to take a piss????  That is all he sent me!  Ross must be getting old like the rest of us!!!

........

Didn't know I was supposed to send info since there was no after sailing chatter o  the email.

Kited 7m from 1000 to 1600.  A long day but conditions just kept getting better.  Solid 7m throughout the day, tending north after about 1400 and sunny in the afternoon. Good waves for AB.  Longest sessions for me in a while.

A bit lonely, I was the only person on the water all day.

Also, the cashier at the local store didn't appreciate me dripping on the floor in my wet suit, while buying a juice and some cashews.  Everyone else thought it was amusing.

Glad everyone had a good day.

Gerry - Slave Lake

5.6 Hucker Roberts 23 first few runs, then 4.8 Hucker. 

Very holy and shifty first 1/4 mile out then very powered to overpowered outside. Very choppy. 

Broke my hook 1/4 mile out. Most of the debris has flushed through, only hit 1 stick, but not hard enough to get launched.

Gerry's Roberts!

Brad's Place - Pigeon Lake - Ted's Report

I left solid white caps on Dried Meat Lake at 9:00 Wednesday morning and drove to Brad's - arriving at 10:30.

Brad, Harold, Al and Vadim were already there.  A rigging frenzy was taking place, although as usual, no one knew quite what to rig.  Brad kept reading off the windspeed from his weather station - it was averaging 46kph.

Brad started rigging a 4.2, but then decided on a 4.8.  Harold went out on a 5.3, but then changed to a 4.2.  Al went out on a 4.8.  Vadim and I tried our 5.6 Huckers.  The wind was strong, shifty and with big gusts.  It was a fun session.  Mike and Blaine arrived while we were out.  Mike went out on his 5.6 and Blaine on his 5.2.

After lunch, the wind started to become a bit more shifty with bigger lulls, but most of the gang went out again.  I stayed on shore to take some photos and video - (and to try to warm up!).  Did I mention that the temperature was all of 12c ... maybe it reached 14c by mid-afternoon.

I think we all had fun!  The wind and conditions were challenging, but everyone got back - well, except for Brad who was caught downwind when the wind suddenly shut down, so he had to walk a bit...  The wind did come back up, so if he had waited he would have sailed home. 

I left after 3, and was home by 5.  Apparently, there wasn't a lot of sailing after I left (a rainstorm came through), but there was some socializing, and some "Lubrication" according to Harold with a few beers before the rest of the gang departed.  

Great Day!  You can see all my photos on my Flickr site Here.

Brad - showing us how it is done!

Mike - Jibe Master!

Brad had fun!

Harold - Ripping!

Vadim - Powered!

Blaine - Great Day, but cold feet!

Harold - putting on the brakes!

Blaine - Full On!

Blaine - oops!

Vadim - Great Day!

Harold - Great Day!

Blaine

Mike

Ted sailing - Thanks Mike for the photo!

Practising Social Distancing after sailing!

Thanks Vadim for the photo - Ted taking photos at end of dock...

2020-06-01 Morning Sessions

Kent's Story

Wabamum was blowing in the morning today.  Jim sailed a 5.3 for a few reaches and then we both foiled 5.2 and 5.3 for an hour or two.   Awesome day!  

Mike's Story

Nice.      Got a good ride on my 10 for a while then rigged my 15.  And then it picked up again for a while was fully depowered and still jumping big.  Matt showed up and rode a 15 too.   Good day 

Ross's Story

7m kiting at AB in the AM, lake to myself, sunny and decent swell for central AB. The high water seems to have damped the backwash from the shoreline so AB was more like 10 years ago.

Mike showed up a couple of hours later and did his usual and the wind started to die, so I left when the late risers started to pull out the big gear.

Harold's Story

Sounds to me like Pigeon Lake was the place to be.  I was on a 4.2 and my 74 litre board for hours on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Sadly, lies all lies. 

On Saturday the wind didn’t kick in until about 63OPM, and I wimped out.  Brad foiled alone for a little more than an hour.  So I rationalized my wimpiness by saying that by the time I had driven over and rigged it would have been too late.  Lame excuse. 

Sunday the wind didn’t kick in until about 3PM, at which time it started raining.  Things really started to rock and roll about 6PM, but the rain was torrential.  Of course, I would have rushed over and sailed into the night, giving up a wonderful dinner, wine, and relaxation in a warm cottage.  Fortunately, Brad wimped out (not me!!!).

Monday morning I beetled over to Brad’s place and actually had a couple of hours of pretty good (mediocre?) sailing on my 6.1 and 99.  It was exactly as advertised – 16 knots with small gusts.  So you know the story – plane like mad, swing into a jibe, lose the wind or apparent wind, fluke a pivot jib or fall (lots of that, sadly). 

Al was basically on the same equipment as me, but he’s 10 pounds heavier, so not much planing.   Brad cruised around on his foil for a while until the wind died completely.

So it sounds to me like it was a weekend for foilers and kiters.  Unless of course, Tim reports great things at Keho.

Still, better mediocre sailing than no sailing.   

Tim's Story

Tim has great things to report - gusting over 80 at Keho, sunny ... but couldn’t convince myself to do the drive this time :(

Gerry's Story

4.8 here from early this morning till at least 5pm.  Only sailed less than an hour.  Lake had a lot of trees (which are usually easy to spot), plus smaller branches, sticks and reeds.  Figured it was only a matter of time till I hit something.  1 swim a week is enough. Water still requires the 5/4, but can get away without booties now.  

Ted's sad story.....

I had some interviews to do Monday morning for a work project and then had to host our Rotary Zoom meeting at Noon.  I loaded my gear into my truck after lunch and went down to the water - just as the wind started to die.  I might have been able to make it work, but instead, Louise and I went for a 200km Motorbike ride around Miquelon Lake Park.  It was a bit cool, but still a nice ride...

No photos from anyone - we will have to do better!!!

2020-05-31 Sailing at Wabamun on Sunday

Jim Soneff's Story...

Wabamun was great today. I sailed my foil with a Revo 5.3. Dialled most of the time until a little rain came through and the wind dropped. 

Cynthia, Cam and I had fun. Wish all of you could have been here.

Jim

Editors Note:  No photos?  Did it really happen?