2020 Sailing Season: 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!