2020-09-29 One more day!

Lac Ste Anne - Alberta Beach

Al's Report:

Windfinder forecast looked very good for Monday and nothing for Tuesday, but Monday's wind just didn't happen.  So Ingrid and I went to Elk Island Park for a fall walk and were greeted by a 4.8 sail size wind for the next four hours.  The water was a bit stinky, however, so I was glad that the windsurf stuff was at home. We did see a bull moose, several Elk, an American Bittern, and, of course, Buffalo.  

Tuesday morning started with a surprisingly different wind forecast.  I was amazed that Harold hadn't phoned me by 9:30 am!  A quick call confirmed that Harold was committed to moving furniture and couldn't go sailing?  WTF!  

So Al ended up as the only windsurfer at Alberta Beach ripping it up (or something like that) on his 6.5 and 99 litre board.  Vadim joined me in the late afternoon and got sailing on his 6.5 and Go board.  Several kiters were out, including Ross on his foil.

Hopefully, Harold's furniture is in the right place now.

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Ted's Report:

I waited until Louise and Spencer were back from town so I would have a rescue plan and then loaded my truck and brought my gear down the hill.

I first tried my 6.0 Wind Wing.  While I made it out and back, and did build up some speed and start to fly the foil, I was just too overpowered.  I came back to shore, did a short walk of shame, and then took out my 5.2 Flyer.  I had a good session until the wind started to die around 5:30.  (The gusts were still strong, but there were more and more lulls).

Louise was kind enough to take some photos!

I had two or three nice jibes where I kept speed throughout the jibe!  Slow progress!

Nice fall colours!

2020-09-27 More Wind - not quite so warm...

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

Harold's Report:

I figured maybe Saturday was a spectacular end for me for the year.  I backed my van into a tree (ouch – to my pocketbook), had to be rescued (ouch – to my ego), cut my finger on my broken taillight (just – ouch), and trapped my friend Ted in the parking lot while I floated around in the middle of the lake (Sorry!).  But in between that I enjoyed a great sailing day on the lake and was happy to see Jim and all of his brood (Thanks for all your hospitality). 

So I still had a little windsurfing itch that had to be scratched.  I tried to ignore it Sunday morning as I slept in and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.  I tried to convince myself that despite the trees blowing around outside the window, it was just too cold.  But finally Rochelle couldn’t stand the twitching and told me to call Brad.  I thought – Brad isn’t at the lake, so I have the “safety” excuse.  But he and Blaine were at Pigeon.  That was it – FOMO!!!  Off I went. 

Brad rigged his 5.2 foil rig (I think),  Blaine rigged his 4.2, and I rigged my 6.1 (ordinary boring windsurfing rig).  Lots of wind and lots of bumps.  We all blasted for about 1 ¼ hours, then it died.  Still, lots of smiles. 

Brad and Blaine rigged up and went out just as I left, but I don’t think they lasted long.  It seemed pretty calm.

Good day at Pigeon!

Curious about who else got out. 

Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Kent's Report:

Wabamum was 5.2 foiling with Cam, Jim, Ben (finning), and Kent for 2 to 3 hours.

Big Air Jim's Report:

On a day like today, with strong winds and mild temperatures, it was sad to drag the Jet Ski off the lift one last time. We brought in the lift and took our moorage bouy out of the water.  Sad. 

The forecast for wind doesn't look great until October 8th but with the evenings getting longer and colder, I think pushing the season into early October has significant risks. 

We had a great season everyone, a terrific job of diarizing every outing Ted. Thank you.

Let's stay safe so we can play safe again next year.

Lac Ste Anne - Alberta Beach

Ross's Report:

Matt and Ross at Alberta Beach.  5m foiling from 1100 until 1400 when the wind backed off.  Surprisingly nice waves, the sun was out, but the wind was cold and the water also has a nasty bite.  No sauna or hot tub to warm up in, so back to Edmonton for a couple of Sunday afternoon happy hour beers and snacks with Andreas (who was busy this AM and tired from the great Saturday foiling) and Sue.

Vimy Alberta

Ted's Report:

I was helping Louise's parents with an open house for their farm property, so got to sit outside on their driveway in the wind and dream about sailing/foiling/winging....

Cynthia sent me some photos she took Saturday.

Cam - putting away the Jetski after the successful Harold rescue!

Cam and Blaine

Harold

Blaine

Ben

Cam and Harold

2020-09-26 Rigging, Rigging, Rigging

Lac Ste. Anne - Alberta Beach

Al's Report:

Vadim and I were the windsurfers at Alberta Beach doing our best to get in the way of the kiters.  

There was lots of rigging and in/out of the water happening with Al setting up 2 boards and three sails, Vadim rigging two sails and two boards. 

The wind started light but I ended with my 85 liter board and 5.5 sail as the perfect set-up. 

I had a good 3 hours of sailing before the arms gave out.

Ross's Report:

As typical, a late kite report.  Andrea's, Matt and Ross were at AB.  5m and 7m kite foiling for me and Andreas respectively, followed by 5m and 7m kiting, and then back to 5m kite foiling. The black cloud missed AB and wind was still blowing when I finished up at 1730.

A sauna would have been nice to cut the chill, but no such luxury at AB, or at least none of the cottage owners have ever offered to let us use theirs.

Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Ted's Report

When I got to Jim's at 11:15, Jim was working on replacing the valve stems on the rims that he had just re-painted for Jessie's trailer.  I offered to help.  Jim is a great delegator, and soon his son Mike and I were doing all the work and Jim was just looking on drinking coffee.  He did offer me some, however, I suspect that was only because he knows that I never drink coffee.  Anyway, we got the four valve stems replaced, filled the tires with air, and installed on the trailer.  They look great.

Blaine and Harold showed up just as we were finishing.  The parking was so full with family (and the holiday trailer), that Blaine, Harold, and I had to park next door at Cam and Cynthia's.  Cynthia was already there with their girls, and Cam arrived a short time later.

Harold went out on his 6.1 to windsurf and hung on to it all day.  Blaine, Jim and I rigged our 5.2's and I think Cynthia was on a 4.7. I also blew up my 6.0 Wind Wing and gave it a try.  I couldn't get going heading out, but twice on the way back, once I hit the calmer water (and got a gust), I was able to get the board up on the foil!  Wow - I was stoked, but also worn out.  Having proved that I can actually get on a foil, I will leave it for a calmer and warmer day!  I went in and took out my 5.2 Flyer for some Wind Foiling.

Wind Wing!

Harold Blasting!

Jim - Nailing his Jibes!

We all had a great sail in gusty conditions.  I did probably my best jibe ever, and Blaine saw it as I jibed around him!  Blaine is really nailing his jibes, and Jim is not far behind.  I have some catching up to do. After about an hour, the wind picked up and we all came in for lunch.  The re-rigging frenzy began in earnest.  Cynthia rigged at least three times, as did Cam.  Blaine went down to a 4.2, and then later in the day back up to his 5.2.  I don't recall what Jim did, but he went through several sails as well!

Cynthia - Great Day!

Cam - making it look easy!

Rumour!  Cam just ordered a custom Roberts foil board.  Not sure when he will get it, but he is stoked about it!

We all saw a big ugly cloud coming from behind the cabin (well everyone except Harold).  Everyone came off the water, except Cam and Harold.  The wind shut off like a switch.  Cam, on his big foilboard was able to make it home without a problem.  Harold, on the other hand, had been trying to eke out a few more reaches and was left in the middle of the lake, not able to water start.

Blaine had volunteered to put on his wetsuit again and head out on the Jetski to rescue Harold, but when Cam came back, he said he would do it.  I may have the September Calendar photo of Cam on the Jetski, towing Harold back to shore!

Next year's September Calendar Photo - maybe...

Great day had by all, and did I mention Cam's Sauna, which was a real bonus and an easy way to warm up!  Oh, and Jim's Grandson Ben also got out and had some great runs!

Jim's Grandson, (Mike son), Ben!

Thanks to Jim, Lucille, Cam and Cynthia for hosting and putting up with us!

Windy Day at Jim's!

More of my photos of the day are here on my Flickr Site.

  

2020-09-24 Special Guest at Pigeon Lake

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

Ted's Report:

I arrived at Brad's at around 11:30.  Brad, Harold, and Al were already there, but no one was out.  

Brad had warned us that he had invited a secret "Special Guest" today.  No one knew who it would be, although Harold was speculating that somehow Brad had talked Robbie Nash into making an appearance.....

The wind seemed to be building.  I rigged my 6.0 Flyer and 5.2 Flyer (thinking the wind would be building.)

More people started arriving as we were heading out, and after we were out.

Tim, Blaine, Vadim, Andreas, Ross, and "Special Guest" Big Air Jim all arrived.

"Special Guest" Big Air Jim!

Brad went out on his 5.2 and I followed shortly afterwards on my 6.0.  

Tim was on his 5.4 and sailing.  He had a few great runs, but also slogged a lot of the time, and ended up walking back.  Harold, Vadim, and Al were also sailing.  There were some lulls, but also some big gusts, and they all had some great runs.

Blaine and Big Air Jim joined us foiling (5.2's I think), and both Ross and Andreas both were kite foiling.

I sailed for about an hour and a half.  My GPS stopped working mid-sail and I had to restart it.  I will have to start just wearing it under my wetsuit so I don't bump the buttons.  The gusts seemed to be getting stronger, but there were also lulls.  I did a couple of my best jibes, one touching down, but coming out and up onto the foil with only a couple of pumps!  By the end of my sail I was getting pretty tired from all the waterstarting, and the wind seemed to be picking up another notch.  I decided to go in and have lunch, and then go out again on a smaller sail - or maybe windsurf.

My last reach into shore was pure adrenaline, in a huge gust.  

Shortly after going in for lunch, the wind seemed to drop - then drop some more.  By the time I was finished lunch, I don't think I could have gotten foiling even with my seven.

Brad in a lull

Most of the guys were coming in.  At one point, Andreas and Ross's kites dropped out of the sky and they had to swim in.   

Vadim re-rigged and went out on his big board and a big sail.  He sailed around and practiced low-speed jibes, but couldn't reallly get going.  

Vadim - using up the last of the wind!

Andreas tried to eke out every last bit of wind with some luck.  Blaine went out again with his 7.0, but only got going a few times.

By 3:00 almost everyone was in, and the hot tub was filling up.  We all had expected the wind to last a little longer, but Ross said it was exactly how Windfinder had predicted it.  It wasn't long, but it was still a GREAT DAY!

Blaine!

Brad had a good session!

Ross - looking comfortable on his foil!

Harold

Blaine - done for the day....
Ross - deciding if he will go out again!

Big Air Jim - enjoying Brad's Hot Tub!

And - a few photos from Vadim....

2020-09-20 Warm and Windy in September!

Wabamun Lake - Big Air Jim's Place

Jim's Report:

We had a wonderful day at Wabamun today. Cam, Cynthia, Kent and I ripped it up on our foils.

The BEST FALL was Kent from waaay upstairs. 

The BEST GYBE (Kent excluded) was Cam - no er um -  Cynthia.

The BEST SURVIVAL GYBE to hula sheet innnn no outttttttt. No sheet in ..... Jim.

I hope everyone else had a great day as well!

Pigeon Lake - Brad's Place

Harold's Report:

Here’s the Official Richens' Report. 

The usual suspects showed up at Brad’s place – Brad, Blaine, Al, Vadim, and me. 

When I arrived, Blaine and Brad were rigging 5.4s with the foils.  Blaine went out, came back, and persuaded Brad that he should rig his 4.2, which Brad and Blaine proceeded to do.  The wind blasted for a couple of hours.  Al was on his 83-liter board and used his 5.6 sail.  Vadim was on his 99 board and used his 5.5.  I used my 6.1.  They blasted, I piddled in the swells.  Everyone was happy!

There was a half-hour lull at about 2PM, then the winds came back strong again, with just a little less power.  So we used the same stuff again – a good choice for all!

By the way, we all thought that Allan was going to have a long, long walk back during the lull, but he eked out enough reaches during the lull to stagger back to Brad’s beach (well done Al!)– just in time for the winds to come back.  Isn’t that the way it always goes?

Then into the hot tub, where Brad served beer and duck sausage (thanks Brad!).  A perfect end to a great day!

Some photos from Vadim!

Lac St. Anne - Alberta Beach

Ross's Report:

Alberta Beach was sunny, breezy, and relatively warm.  Andreas, Ross, and Matt foiled.  

This listing also represents the relative number of head plants in increasing order with Andreas keeping his hair driest by a large margin.  

It was 5m kite foiling, but I did not lack for power as since I have no clue what I am doing was on my 7m.  Huge lull at 1500 (ie no wind?) had us off the water.  The wind came back at reduced strength about 1530 or so, but we were tired and chilled (all those head plants) and instead of re rigging we acted our age and drove into the city, to the Beer Revolution patio for some Octoberfest beers on the patio in the sun.    

Dried Meat Lake - Ted's Place

Ted's Report:

Laura and Frances were visiting from Calgary, so I didn't get out until mid-afternoon.  The wind was quite gusty. I rigged my 6.0, which was way too much a lot of the time, just right for some of the time and occasionally not enough.  There were a lot of floating weeds, so most of the time I had at least one hanging off my mast.  As I was overpowered most of the time, I was usually able to foil even with the weeds trailing behind.  I had a really good afternoon and came in at about 5:00 as the wind was dying.  As usual, Louise took a few photos!

SAFETY  ALERT!!!

For those foilers using a mechanical universal!

Check the mounting bolt!!!!

I was about to connect my sail today when I noticed that the connecting bolt on my mechanical universal had backed out about halfway.  If I had gone out with it like that it would have almost certainly come apart leaving me with my sail disconnected from my board.

Check this bolt regularly - tighten with lock tight.

Connecting bolt backed off 1/4 inch...

I easily loosened it by hand...

Ross's comment on the Safety Alert!

How come we get safety alerts about nuts on bolts on windsurfers but nothing about 10m tall trees at Lac La Biche and kites?

 

2020-09-13 Heading Home

Lac La Biche - Big Jim's Place

Calm, Cool, and Damp morning!

We were all a little slow getting up today.  The morning was cold and damp, so there was no hint of anyone doing any Stand Up Paddling or anything like that...

The skunk smell is dissipating, but still noticeable.  I will probably have to leave some of my clothes in the garage when I get home.

We took our time, each making our own breakfast, and then finishing packing and cleaning up. 

We had a bit of excitement when Big Air Jim moved his trailer ahead to get it off the wooden block which he had been using to level it when one of the blocks flipped up and jammed between the tires.  No amount of pounding with a pickaxe could move the wood.  I don't think you could have purposely put that wood in that exact place to effectively disable the trailer if you tried 100 times.  Big Jim ended up bringing out a Sawzall which was used to jut the wood out - even then it didn't release without a struggle.  Anyway, it all turned out OK with no damage to anything except a couple of 2x6 boards.

Jim trying to dislodge the rogue wood block!

Most of us left before noon.  I stopped at Subway in town to buy a sandwich for lunch and then drove non-stop back to Camrose, arriving home around 3:00.  It rained for the first half of the trip, but dried up for the last hour or so.

What a fantastic trip!  Thanks Jim for hosting us all and for the wonderful hospitality.  It was so good to see everyone again - and to get in some sailing/boarding/foiling/winging in as well!

I hope I can visit again soon!

It wasn't a Gorge Trip, but then again if we were in the Gorge right now, we probably wouldn't be sailing because of all the smoke and fires, never mind all the other things going on down there right now!

I am looking forward to the next time!

Here are some photos that I received from Cynthia once I got home.  Thanks Cynthia!

Social Distancing

Brad and Big Jim - surveying the action!

Ted, enjoying his dinner!
(Huckleberry's BBQ Pack).

Big Air Jim and Ted - enjoying the fire!

Golf Lessons

2020-09-12 Golfing

Lac la Biche - Big Jim's Place

Molly - watching the action!

I got up at 3:00am because there was an acidy smell.  It smelled something like an electrical/plastic smell, but also was sweet.  I got up and walked through all three floors of the house to see if I could find the source, and even went outside to check.  It seemed to be less outside.  I couldn't find anything, so I went back to bed.  

We got up to a calm day and 6c.   When Eddy got up, he asked if anyone else had noticed the smell.  Blaine said he noticed it too, but we didn't know what it was.  Then Big Jim came down and told us the story.

He had fallen asleep in the basement watching golf.  He got up and heard something outside (we all think he went out on the deck to pee off the edge).  It was dark so he couldn't see well.  A skunk was going through the garbage and eating what was left of our ribs from dinner the night before.  Jim startled him, so he sprayed Jim!  Jim said it was so strong wasn't sure what had happened.  He left his clothes outside and then went to bed.  It was Jim that we were all smelling!

Handre dropped by to say hi but then left as he had a bunch of stuff to do during the day.  After a slow start, the guy's decided to go golfing. 

Gerry and Eddy decided to get an early start, and they headed home.

Mike, Andreas, Sue, Big Air Jim, Big Jim, Brad, Blaine, and Al all went golfing.  We heard a few stories.  Al missed and Eagle by only a foot.  It would have been his very first.  Everyone was impressed with a long shot Andreas made over some trees on a dogleg, and as usual, both Jim's had lots to say.

Cam, Cynthia, Madeline, Katie and Lucielle drove over to the provincial park and went for a walk.  Apparently it was beautiful.

Blaine left for home after golfing.

Ross went for a bike ride, and I cycled over to Scott Currie's cabin and spent a very pleasant afternoon swapping stories with him.  He is sure a great guy, with so many interesting experiences and stories.

When Cam and Cynthia got home from their walk, we started a fire in Jim's fireplace down by the lake and had a happy hour.  The guys arrived back from their golfing, and joined us.  Big Jim enjoyed trying to teach Madeline and Katie how to putt on his putting green.

Golfing!

Al joined us for a while, but then headed home.

We all did our own thing for supper.

After supper, a few of us watched the Lakers win their NBA series.

I think everyone was tired - it was an early night.

Golf Pro Big Jim!