2020-08-30 Photo Update from Vadim and Brad

Vadim sent me some photos that he took yesterday at Brad's.  Here they are... I took some liberties with the captions...

Gear on the beach!

Brad - Blown Dry in the wind!

A rare photo of Ted - Thanks Vadim

A not so rare photo of Brad

Andreas - Kiting then Beer and Jerky - Perfect Day! 

Social Distancing in the Hot Tub
Ted - getting wet from the wind blown spray..

Brad also sent some photos - here is the link!

Brad's Photos

Brad also said that when Ross got in the hot tub, and screwed up my social distancing rules, I had to boot Andreas out of the tub shortly after this photo was taken. 

It was so windy that no airborne droplets had a chance!

2020-08-30 Windy, Windy, Windy

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

The forecast was for wind.  I knew it was windy when I woke up because I could hear it.

At 8:00am, it was already averaging 36km.

Never leave wind to find wind, but....  Harold called me at 9:00 (thanks Harold), and told me that he, Brad, and Blaine would be at Pigeon Lake.  He was not sure who else would join us.  I told him I would be there by noon.  Better to sail with buddies than to sail by yourself.

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

I arrived at Brad's Place just after 12:00.  Brad, Blain, Harold, Mike, Tim, Andreas, Ross, and Vadim were already there.  It was WINDY!  Al arrived a bit after I did.

Tim came in (after a great session), and pointed to every sail on the beach and said it was the wrong size.  The wind was up and down - huge gusts but also lulls.

Brad came in and said he had started a jibe when a big gust hit and ripped everything out of his hands.  He landed with his glasses half off, and the board and sail 100m downwind.  Fortunately, Andreas kited by and dragged him down to his rig.  He said he had been thinking he might have had to swim in.

Blaine, Brad, Harold, and Tim were all on 4.2m Sails.  I decided to join the group and rigged my 4.2 hucker and sailed my 105 Stubby.  At times, the wind almost ripped the sail out of my hands, and at other times, I was struggling to waterstart.  It was survival sailing, but fun, and when the wind was on, there were huge rideable swells.

Andreas and Ross kited, while everyone else was sailing.  We all took a break around 2:30 and then headed out again after a rest and some sustenance.

Brad laid down strict rules for social distancing in the hot tub, which were more or less followed while everyone enjoyed a brew after sailing.  It is not often that we all quit before the wind does, but that was the story today.  As the hot tub was full, I tried to sit in it's windshadow, but couldn't because the wind was strong enough it was blowing water out of the tub (onto me!).

I thanked Brad for his hospitality and left around 4:30 and was home by 6:30.  Great day and so good to see everyone!!!

Wabumun Lake - Jim's Place

Kent reported that finally, after a few weeks where he was too busy to sail he finally got a day at Jim’s.  He sailed 3.8 from 1 till about 4 with a few breaks and 3.8 was lots!   Jim sailed 3.8, Cam foiled 3.4, and Cynthia sailed 3.5.  Tons of wind! 

He didn't send any photos, and he didn't mention if he hit anyone today.....

Not sure about Gerry or Eddy up at Slave, or Handre or Big Jim at Lac La Bisch.

Yesterday - August 29, 2020

I see from Strava that yesterday, Cam, Handre, Brad, and Blaine all got out!  I also got out for a short foiling session on my 7.0 Flyer at Dried Meet Lake - until the wind quit. 

I also heard that Ross spent a few days down at Old Man Dam last week and had some good light wind sessions and that Mike had spent some time at Abraham Lake kiting!

Gear on the beach - Al and Harold Social Distancing

Blaine

Windy

Mike - blasting!

Andreas - warming up after a great kiting session!

Social Distancing in Brad's Hot Tub!!!

2020-08-28 Louise wants to go Wind Wing sailing on her SUP

 2020-08-28 Dried Meat Lake

It might have been windy enough to go Wind-Foiling, but Louise was keen to try her Wind Wing again.  When Louise wants to do a watersport, I am there to help however I can.

Lou went out on her 4.0 and I went out on the 6.0.  Both of us were on SUP with Windsurfer (larger fins).

Louise had no trouble staying upwind this time, and landed at our dock right where she took off.  We had a good time passing back and forth across each others paths.

We were both still sore from yesterday, so we didn't last long.  It is a pretty good core exercise.  It doesn't feel like you are working at the time, but afterwards, you know that you have had a workout.

It was a good day.  When we were done, I thought about going Wind Foiling, but the wind was dropping, and I was quite tired, so we called it a day.

Louise - ready for a Wind Wing Session!

Louise - back where she started!

2020-08-27 This Weeks Update

Strava

I see from Strava, that Brad and Blaine foiled at Pigeon Lake today, Mike Kited at Abraham Lake, and over the last few days, Handre, Brad, Blaine, and Gerry have all been out, some of them more than once.  Unfortunately, no one has sent me any stories, or photos.

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Louise and I went out on our SUP's and Wind Wings.  Louise was on a 4.0 and I was on my 6.0. On her first attempt, Louise struggled to keep upwind, so Spencer took out the boat and towed her back upwind.  She said she really enjoyed it, and will try it again.  By the end of her session she was almost staying upwind.

I went out a few times, but when she was downwind, I came to shore and took the jetski to follow Spencer.

After Lunch, I tried the WindWing on my Windsurf Foil board.  The wind had picked up a bit, so I was hopeful, but I didn't have enough power to fly the foil, and the foil really creates a lot of drag, compared with a fin, so it was a lot of work.  I did manage to get out and back to the same spot, but I didn't feel I was even close to getting up on the foil.

I took out my 7.0 and had a really good session.  I have moved the front wing to the forward position (switched the fuselage around), and that seem to work really well.  My back foot is further forward, but that is no problem now that I have removed the rear footstraps, and it seems more natural.

2020-08-17 Wind Wing SUP at DML

I took out my Wind Wing and my SUP.  It was windier than I though.  I probably could have been foiling on my 7.0.  I had fun going up and down wind and doing jibes on the SUP.  I am sure it is a lot easier than on a foil!!!  Still fun.  I think I am getting the hang of it.  I may even have to buy a smaller wing so Louise can go out with me - she seems interesting.

13.4km with a top speed of 10.8kph (Not bad for an SUP, but not quite planing...)

Mid Jibe!

Waving to Louise!

2020-08-14 Slave Lake

 Slave Lake 

Blaine's Update:

Made it to Gerry’s for a foil session  we started on 6,0 and ended on 5.2 

Fun trying to learn how to ride the swells starting to get it I think😀

Spending more time on toP the water instead of in it.😃

Gerry said foiling is a lot easer after a vodka 😂

Hope I can get up There for a few more sessions this year.

Thanks, Julie for the lovely dinner.

Wow, foiling, and dinner to boot!

2020-08-12 Sailing Update

Wabamun Lake - Safety Tips!

Big Air Jim:

Hi everyone I’d just like to make sure that with fall and eventually spring coming we all should have a rescue protocol established for our own safety and the safety of our friends and relatives. 

I spent far too long in the water yesterday, as I did three years ago as well.  Similar calamities. The unthinkable or at least, the least expected. 

Blaine mentioned a very long swim he had earlier this year. If it had not been for his wetsuit and his life jacket, there could have been a catastrophic end to the story he tells of watching his foil board get smaller as it foiled away from him as he stepped out the back door. Everyone knows you have NO chance of catching your gear if it gets away from you. 

Lessons learned.

1. Never ever consider entering the water for a session on your wind-water sport unless you have all the gear on. 

2. Never venture further from shore then you would like to swim home.

3. Have a contingency plan. Discuss it with all who are sailing, and those who are onshore. What happens if ......?

4. Never NEVER leave your board. 

5. Keep track of where everyone in your group is. Oh, we haven’t seen Joe for the last two or three reaches! Where’s Joe?

6. Where is the nearest boat, jet ski, rescue vessel?  Who has access to it? Is it ready to go? 

We should be aware that the coming late season sailing will mean great wind with cooler water.  Just like early season sailing cold waters will accelerate the need for action when your sailing partners are missing on the water. 

Just Saying!

Special thanks to Cam, Kent, Mike, and Benjamin. Your actions were very much appreciated. I was sooo glad to see Kent and Benjamin on Cam's jet ski.

Thank you. 

Jim

Shuswap Lake, BC

Andreas's Report:

No kiting for me this week but I did get out behind a boat a bunch in the Shuswaps.

Lac St. Anne - Alberta Beach

Harold's Report:

Here is the Wednesday report, such as it is. 

Mike, Allan, and I drove out to Lac Ste Anne.  We sailed for about an hour. 

It was one of those days where if you caught a gust you had to choose between a rip or a planing jibe.  As a result, there were a lot of pivot jibes, some successful (and some not so much). 

Mike did just fine on his 15-meter kite, but even he noticed the lulls and gusts. 

Still, I’m glad we went out, met some friends and had a little fun.

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Ted's Report:

We had a big wind storm last night and it did some damage to the flashing on our deck.  It looked windy (although very gusty), but I had to spend the day repairing the deck.  We got away lucky.  Our neighbour to the South had their living room and bedroom windows broken and the glass railing torn off their deck.

Lou's photo from our deck. 
This one missed us, but the next one got us at about midnight!

Pigeon and Slave Lake

No report, but I see from Strava that Blaine got out on Pigeon, although the weeds were interfering with is foil, and Gerry got out on Slave Lake.

2020-08-10 And now for something completely different!

 Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Cynthia's Report:

Big Air Jim has been hosting a windsurfing camp for grandchildren and has drummed up a surprising amount of interest.  This is thanks in part to the excitement of visiting windsurfer friends showing up and helping pump up the excitement.

Sorry I missed all the sessions over the last few days due to work.

Katie

Madeline

No report from Cam, but based on his Strava track, he had a great day of foiling at Wabamun!

Lac St. Anne - Alberta Beach

Harold's Report:

Here’s the report for today – another “iffy” day that turned into a great day!  The gamble was that the wind would skirt north of Lac Ste. Anne.  Instead it came in hard, late in the morning. 

I had a wonderful hour sailing my 6.1 and my 99 liter board.  The swells rolled in steadily so I was a happy camper. 

Ross went with his 9 and then his 11.  Got some air.  Carved some great turns.  When the wind died, we stood around for ½ an hour then Ross and Mike (on his 15, I think) went out and showed us all how to milk the light wind.  Vadim also got some rips on his 6.5 and his Go Board.

I’m wondering if that wind hit Wabamun and also if it went North.

Mike's Report:

I was on my 10 meter but there was a lot of milking going on ..got a bit better later but really up and down.

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Ted's Report:

Louise and I went for a 36km bike ride in the morning, and then I had to host a Rotary Zoom meeting at Noon.  After lunch, I started to pack my foiling gear into my truck, but I could tell the wind was dropping.  I brought everything down the hill anyway, but it didn't look like there was enough wind to foil.

Instead, I took out my new WIND WING.  It was my second session with it.  On my first try today, I took out my Windfoil board with a regular fin, but I couldn't stay upwind in the light breeze - so next, I tried my SUP with a big weed fin on it.  With it, I had no trouble staying upwind and had fun practicing my jibes.  I didn't go very fast, with a maximum speed 7.9km, but that is pretty good on a big SUP!  I didn't fall in, and am starting to get used to the positioning of the wing!  I am looking forward to trying it out in more wind!  Maybe I will even be able to foil with it!

2020-08-09 Rescue on the High Seas - and other stories....

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

Harold's Report:

Brad was again the gracious host at Pigeon Lake.  The freeloaders were me, Blaine, Alan, Vadim and Mike. 

It was blasting, so we all windsurfed.  Brad was on a 4.8, Blaine a 5.2, Alan a 4.8, Vadim a 5.6, and me a 4.7.  At times even those were a handful.

Brad and Blaine put on a lot of miles blasting across the lake.  Alan and Mike joined them a little later.  Vadim did the same thing downwind.  I kind of did my thing, dinking around on the swells in the middle.  We sailed for about 4 hours and everyone came off wasted and smiling.

Toward the end of the day, Brad and Blaine put on 3.8s and demonstrated how foils can extend your session. They can also be a problem if you forget your uphaul and the wind continues to die (not mentioning names of course, but it wasn't Brad!). 

What was happening elsewhere?

Here are some photos that Vadim sent me.

Harold Jibing - I wonder if he looked first - No probably not...

Harold

Mike

Brad - doing the wibbly wobbly to get in!

Lac La Biche - Big Jim's Place

Big Jim's Report:

It has been foilable every day of my holidays. I am enjoying the new board and beating it up a bit as well.

Yesterday (Sunday), I rigged a 5.6 and got terrorized pretty well in the five-foot swell. The smallest sail I have is 4.5 and I should have been on it. I don’t like it when I am in the water and the entire board, foil, and rig is above me coming down!

It is windy again today but I spent the day sandbagging and nursing a few bruises. I really wish the crew was here now to enjoy the big waves and wind.

A local helicopter pilot tells me it is looking like a windy September so here is hoping.

Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Ted's Report:

It was windy at home on Sunday, but I made the call to join Jim and Kent at Wabamun.  I left home at 10:30, and arrived at Jim's just after 1:00.

Kent, Cam, Jim, Jim's son Michael, and grandson Ben had all been out.  I had forgotten my 4.8 and 4.2 at home, so I rigged the 5.3 Flyer and headed out with my F2 Foil.  I was very overpowered at times, sometimes just right, and sometimes I could have used a little more.  The waves were much larger than I am used to, and that took some time to figure out.

I had two good sessions.  On my first session, I had my sail flattened out too much so I don't think it was working properly.  I loosened off the leash on the second session and it seemed to work better - although it may have calmed down a bit.  I went over the handlebars hard on one reach and I am sure I will have a nice bruise on my leg tomorrow. (I can confirm that I do, in fact, have a big bruise and that it really hurts when I walk, or sit, or stand....).

Ted on the pier taking photos....
I didn't think I was quite that bald - but I guess so...
Thanks, Lucille for the photo - I think...

We had a little drama when Michael got himself downwind.  Jim went out in their fishing boat to do a rescue.  He swapped with Michael and was going to sail Michael's rig back, but found that he couldn't point the go-board upwind.  After a few reaches, he decided to give up and put everything in the boat.  He separated his board from his rig and let the board go so Michael could pick it up with the boat, but when Michael put the boat in gear to get the board, nothing happened.  The propeller had spun off the motor and was gone.

First Rescue at Sea - Jim sailing Michael's rig...

When Jim figured out what was happening, he swam after the board, but couldn't catch it.  Now Jim was separated from the boat, his board, and his rig.  They were all about 1/2km off the far shore so very hard to see, even with binoculars.  It took a while for us to figure out that something was wrong.  

Cam went out in the Jetski, but couldn't find them.  He returned, because he had to go to work, so Kent and Ben went looking.  They found Michael and the boat but were shocked and concerned that Jim wasn't with them.   After more searching, they found Jim trying to swim to shore, but cold and exhausted.  He had been in the water, with big swells, for well over an hour.  They brought him back to shore, and then Kent went back to get Michael and tow him home.  When everyone was home safe, Kent and Michael went back out to try to find the rig but didn't have any success.  It might be easier to find once the lake calms down tonight.

Jim was quite cold when he got to shore and took a long hot shower to warm up.  It was quite an experience for everyone. A bit too much excitement for a bunch of 40-20 guy's.

Oh - and Kent wants to get Ben a 40 minus 23 tee shirt!

I packed up and left at about 6:30, and got home around 9:00.  Great day - glad everyone is safe!

Cam - starting his Jibe

Cam - mid Jibe

Kent - just showing off!

Kent - another foiling jibe... ho hum.....

Epilogue:

I got a note from Big Air Jim today.  They didn't find his rig.  He said he lost 4.7 Revo, 430 carbon mast, cheap old boom, but one of his favourite carbon streamlined extensions - well worth the sacrifice, though, in exchange for his life!!!!!