Mike's Update:
Another kite session at Alberta Beach. Matt got out early and his wind report had Ross getting out early with Andreas and myself not far behind. Guess it was better before I arrived. I thought I could ride my ten but as soon as I had it ready to go the wind dropped another notch and needed my 15.
Andreas was doing well on his foil on a 7 mtr, while Matt and I were on our 15s and Ross borrowed Matts 12 speed and had a pretty good session.
I'm not sure if I have ever seen so many windy days in a short period of time in Alberta for years.
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| Mike's Photo of Alberta Beach |
Ross's Update:
We....Andreas, Mike, Matt and I were at AB. We had a good time until about 1400 when the wind died. I got there early, by shortly after 1030 and kited 9, then 11 and then 12. Andrea's was ripping it up foiling with a 7m. Mike on a 15m...he was a bit later on the water. Matt was 12 and then 15, he was the really early bird.
When we left the place was busy with family's coming out to enjoy the nice summer day.
Andrea's and I then came back to the city and went to Three Vikings and had a snack, a very late breakfast? and drank some, ok... a few, beers in the sun looking out over the world. A good day.
Jim's Place - Wabamun Lake
Big Air Jim's Report:
Good Sunday morning to you and Louise. I’m enjoying your blog this morning and thought I’d add the details of Saturday’s action at Wabamun lake.
On Friday the westerly flow was just a tease. Cam got in a solid hour of “milk’n” it. I felt left out so I joined him late and managed one reach where I was able to foil 3/4 of the way across the lake. Milk’n it just like Cam, but when I tacked to come home there was nothing. I slogged all the way back.
The forecast for wind Saturday if I recall was not promising. However, I was surprised to see solid whitecaps shore-to-shore at 10:00 AM. Cam had to work, so after a hearty breakfast of sausages and pancakes Cynthia and I ripped it up. I foiled with a fully powered 5.3 Revo and Cynthia held on to a 4.7 Revo for an hour but then she rigged down to a 4.2 Revo. Finally, after two hours on the water we were joined by Blaino. Blaine also had a great session with his 5.3 flyer.
Notably missing in all the fun was Grandpa Kent. Kent was busy with Benjamin. As we were feeling the need for a cold one after Blaine’s second session on his 6.0 flyer, Kent arrived by boat and we sat in lawn chairs 6 feet apart for some adequately distant socializing.
Then it was 5:30, where did the day go?
Fun was had by all.
Brad's Place - Pigeon Lake
Harold's Report:
Here’s the word on Saturday sailing. It really was a pleasure.
Friday, not so much. The wind at Lac Ste Anne was fluky . Just enough to get on a plane with my 6.1 and 99 liter, but not enough to turn cleanly in the shore swell (“not cleanly” means I fell a lot). Still a good day.
I headed over to Brad’s place on Saturday and caught it just about perfectly. It was building when I arrived, and I think it peaked at about 11AM when I hit the water. I sailed my 5.3 and my 84 liter JP Freewave, and was either powered or overpowered for about 1 ½ hours. Vadim showed up and got some rips. Then the wind gradually died and I packed it up by about 1:30P. Vadim tried a little longer with a 6.5 on a big board, but it was one of those situations where the gusts sucked him out and the lulls left him standing in the middle of the lake.
The session was a pure pleasure. There was enough wind that those rolling swells came up in the middle of the lake. The wind was steady, strong and solidly out of the NW, so it was just one turn after another. You would have loved it.
But it sounds like Lac Ste Anne was pretty much the same, so we all had fun.
I am very curious to hear how everyone enjoyed the other lakes.
Tillicum Beach - Dried Meat Lake
Ted's Update:
After breakfast, I drove down to the public beach and rigged my 6.0 Flyer and foil board. It is easier to get out through the weeds with the foil at the public beach than in front of my house. I was hoping for a really good, controlled session - it was not to be....
I got going right away but then got seriously overpowered and exploded a few times.
Louise came by and took some photos just as I was coming in to re-rig. I rigged my 5.2 and went out again. I am not sure if the wind had come off a bit, but the 5.2 wasn't quite enough. More pumping practice with not great results. I did have some good runs when I did get up, and then a few really scary ones when a big gust came thought, and then I had trouble holding on.
I came in again for a rest and then went out again on my 6.0. The wind had settled down a bit, and I had a few good runs - but then the wind picked up so much I had trouble getting back. I could easily have been on my 4.8 and Stubby, but I didn't have them with me.
I was tired and sore, so I quit for the day. I sat in my lawn chair and had a bottle of water while I waited for my stuff to dry. Then I packed everything up and headed home.
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| 6.0 Flyer |
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| Rigging the 5.2 Flyer |
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| Getting out through the weeds... |
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| 5.2 Flyer |
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| Explosion - 6.0 Flyer |
Nice pics Louise!
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