2020 Sailing Season: 2020-08-03 Foiling at Brad's

Pigeon Lake - Golden Days

Ted's Report:

The wind report looked very strange. There was a high between Pigeon Lake and Dried Meat Lake. We had a light wind from the South, while Pigeon Lake had a stronger wind from the North West. As the day passed the high was to move east, so by 3:00 we should have the same wind that Pigeon Lake had in the morning.

Wind blowing NW at Pigeon Lake and SE at Dried Meat Lake

I had packed my van the day before, so I left just after 10:00, stopped in Wetaskiwin at the Subway, and arrived at Brad's just after noon. Brad and Blaine were already out on the water. (I found out later they had been out since 10:00 am.)

I almost rigged my 6.0 as it looked quite windy, but ended up rigging my 7.0. I am glad I did as it got me through a lot of the lulls - even though it was a bit of a handful in the gusts. It was fun foiling with Brad and Blaine. I was out of almost an hour, and then the wind just quit. I was way out, so it took me a while to get back.

I had sailed almost 10km, Blaine had foiled 32km and Brad 27km. Blaine and Brad were on their 6.0 flyers. Blaine is getting close with his jibes. Brad and I are still struggling, but carrying speed through a few.

Harold - rigging his 6.1 - just in case....

When I arrived back at the beach, Harold and Vadim were there looking out at the water. Mike arrived a short time later.

Brad and Blaine got in the hot tub with Brad's grandson Calvin, while I got out my lunch and ate it. We all sat around wondering if the wind would pick up again.

Blaine and Brad having a cool one after a long session!

Harold - looking for Wind...

Andreas arrived and got out his foil board and Flysurfer kite. He did manage to get the kite in the air - sort of - and did have one run until he crashed his kite (no wind) and got separated from his board. Brad, Mike, and Calvin went out in Brad's boat and rescued him.

Andreas - ready to go - looking for just a bit of wind...

Andreas - rescued!

Vadin took out his Go Board and had a good sail, although didn't get much planing.

Vadim - heading out!

Harold rigged his 6.1 and got his board out, but didn't go out.

At 3:30, I gave up and started to de-rig. As I left at around 4:00, it did seem like the wind might be picking up, but there were also some storms coming. I hope the guys got a decent sail.

(Harold later reported to me that I didn't miss anything. When the storm came, they all left. Harold said the storm chased him all the way home!)

When I got home at 5:30, the wind at Dried Meat Lake was just picking up! Unfortunately, a thunderstorm was also just arriving. We had some big swells with the wind blowing the tops off the waves - probably 70km gusts. We had lots of thunder and lighting along with some rain! When the storm finally quit at about 8:00 the lake calmed right down again...