Last Day - Roosevelt Park

For most of us, the trip home started Friday Morning. We drove East to Roosevelt Park, for what was arguably our best day of sailing on the trip.




Sail sizes varied from 4.2 to 5.6. During the mid day lull, I was on my 5.6, but for the most of the day I was on my 4.8. The swells were huge on the far side, and unlike the chop at the Hatchery and Doug's, the waves were spread out and smooth. I love sailing in the "East".

Sorry - no sailing photos. Most of the action at Roosevelt is on the far side of the river....

At the end of the day, we packed up and headed home. Jim S., Brad and Harold drove straight through with the Big Van. Kent and I drove through an amazing thunder storm/light show by Spokane, and got as far as Coeur d'Alene, and had an easy drive home Saturday. Not sure what Mike or Blaine did. Ross, Andreas, Adrien and Trent stayed for at least one more day of sailing....

What a great trip. Eight Sailing Days of Eight for me! Nine of Nine for Blaine. Hard to beat that! See you all in the Fall!

Doug's Beach

Another Windy Day! Adrian was upset that he had to use is 4.8 AGAIN! The call was for Doug's Beach. We all arrived around noon - and sailed until 6:00. Adrian, Andreas and I had fun using my GPS watch to do "Speed Trials" on the far side upwind in some smooth water. No suprise - Andreas took the prize at just under 60kph.

Barge heading into the current!

This may be my last post - as I am packed up and ready to start heading home after sailing today. It has been a great week. 8 Days in a row (assuming sailing today!!!)

An unfortunate accident last night. Rumour has it that Jim S. was asleep under his van after sailing yesterday and the van drove over him. Fortunately he was wearing his helmet - so he is OK. He was headed to the shop this morning to replace the helmet.

The truth of the matter is that Jim just left his helmet under the van and drove over it.

Crunch....

Kent was trying out a new Jibing style - very stylish, but not that affective....

(thanks Blainie for the photo)

This is another of Blaine's photos from Wednesday.
Damn kiters keep messing up the waves at the Hatchery --- Andreas.....

The waves get quite crowded with all the Albertans

Jim S - going down....

And - yes the Calgary guy's actually do sail. I was even able to get a couple of photos today...

Trent - at Doug's

Adrian carving a Jibe on his new Roberts Board

Trent going up!

Andreas had fun on his new 4.8 Hucker...

Jim didn't look like he was having as much fun a usual... didn't like the chop...

Brad was happy!

so was Blaine...

And Adrian

and Ross...

and Mike..

After sailing, I drove to the Event site to watch a "Stand Up Paddle" downwinder Race. Robby Nash was in town and competed. It doesn't look that exciting - at least not from the beach - but it was cool watching Robby.

After the Race I went over to say Hello - I also ran into my friends Kirk and Barb from Keho.

Kirk and Robby!

Robby was excited to meet us, and wanted a photo of himself with our group.......!!

We were happy to oblige.

He was also excited to finally see Jim's Van Board Rack.

Very cool!

Groundhog Day

Have you ever seen the movie Groundhog Day? Bill Murray wakes up in the morning at the same time every day, the same song is playing on the radio, he looks out the window to see exactly the same scene.


That is what we are starting to feel like. It blew again. We sailed the Hatchery Again. Weather was nice and Hot - again. Jim S calls it repeat, rinse, flush and repeat.

Blaine ripping it up!!!

News Flash

Robby Nash is coming to Hood River to meet with us. He will be taking part in a stand up paddle board competition tonight. Rumour has it he is here because it is becoming common knowledge in the windsurfing and kiting world that the Alberta Boys are in town and they ROCK!

He will probably be changing his plans so he can be here in September as well!!


While we did have plans to go to Pietro's for an evening out, we are considering changing our plans to comply with Robby's special request that we attend the competition and meet with him to discuss our Windsurfing techniques. Jim S. has even offered to build him a custom board rack Patent rights negotiations and production/marketing strategies are in the work!!!

Kent - a happy sailor!

Harold

Ross is getting used to his Two New Boards....
Slice and Dice!! Ross
Blaine had a great day!

Mike Blasting into a Jibe...

This doesn't look good Mike!

Can you pull it out?

Maybe not.....

Oops - at least it was right in the Jiba-a-torium with everyone watching!

Andreas and his kiter friends did a "Down Winder" from Viento. They hung around the Hatchery and sailed with us for a while.

Nice jump Andreas - what is that sun spot on the back of your head.....

Your starting to look like me from the back....

Another nice Jibe by Kent - or is the board a bit more under water than usual....
OOPS! another fine exhibition in the Jiba-a-torium to cheers and cat-calls...

Brad found a new friend in the parking lot. I'm glad he didn't slither past me while I was rigging....

Jim probably had the best day of everyone. He absolutely had his jibes nailed. He was using the waves - and not even slowing down!!!

Great Job Jim!!!

In the evening, our whole group was invited to a barbecue with some of the locals. Our friend Mike, who we seem to see at the Hatchery every time we go, set it up at his friends Sue's house. It was a wonderful evening - lots of stories, interesting friendly people, and amazing food. Thank you Sue and thank you Mike!!

The forecast was for wind to build, with reasonably strong winds in the afternoon.

After four days of sailing, I can tell you that we were all a bit sore. Brad, Blaine, Adreas, and Mike decided to relax for the morning, so they went Golfing. Ross and I can't figure it out how you can have fun golfing... , but apparently they had fun.

Brad warming up in front of the house.

Jim negotiated a new (flat) parking spot from the Real Estate company next door. In exchange, he had to have a game of tennis with the owner. She kicked his but!!!!! Her husband met up with Trent and Adrien in the evening and was bragging about how badly she beat him....

Blaine with his "Jumbo Driver"



Indian Creek Golf Course - very scenic. You can see Mount Hood and Mount Adams.

I sat at the hatchery, and read my book for most of the day. The forecast was for wind later in the afternoon. I watched Adrien and Trent sailing on their very big gear (8.0+) - although I didn't know it was them at the time. The weather down here is very fickle. The forecast can change within a few hours. The wind wasn't building - if anything it was dropping off. I watched a kiter floating down the river with his kite in the water....

At about 4:00pm, I got a call from Kent. The gang was heading to Doug's beach. Is I drove to Doug's, I kept looking at the river, which looked totally flat. As I passed the town of Lyle, I could see that Andreas was there Kiting - there was definitely not enough wind to windsurf.

When we got to Doug's, it didn't look very good. A few whitecaps, but not much wind. Kent and I decided to try it anyway. The rest of the gang sat on the fence (literally).

I rigged my biggest rig - 6.6 hucker with my big board. I was first on the water. As I stepped into the river, the wind started to pick up. I should have gone in to get a smaller board or sail, but I hung on, and had a great sail for about 2 hours. A rigging frenzy ensued - and everyone came out. We all had a great sail. Ross and Kent had a lot of fun chasing each other on the waves (apparently very close to each other).

Blaine took this photo with his cell phone after our session, so he could send it to Wynnie. She complained that we were having way to much fun.

Mike had a tough day - again.

We aren't sure why he is so tired.

Oops!!! We were caught setting up and taking photos.

Morning mike!

Day Four - the Hatchery Again!

This place is amazing. It blew again at the Hatchery. I was on my 5.6 and 4.8. Most of the other guy's were on 4.7 or 4.2 - and lots of 3.7's on the water....

It wasn't as gnarly as yesterday - at times almost relaxing - but the waves were bigger and smoother (probably because there were fewer people....

The equipment frenzy has started. Ross, picked up his new 80l "Code" top of the line carbon fiber wood construction board, when he first arrived. Touring the shop before sailing, he fell in love with a new 2008 68l Acid. The price was right. Two new boards within 4 days - not bad.

Ross trying out his new board..

It didn't take long, for Ross to sell his old board. I have been warned not to reveal who purchased it until significant peace keeping negotiations have been completed with a certain spouse. (Don't worry Louise, it wasn't me....)

I did buy a harness, Blaine needed a new Wetsuit, and JimS was trying out a new quiver of sails (although I hear this morning, that he has decided to stay with his North's...at least for now..)

Brad and I were Dialed today. Thanks to Blaine, who made a point of sitting on the beach and taking photos. Most of the pix on today's blog are courtesy of Blaine. Sorry for the number of photos of me today (i'm not really sorry...)

Ted and Brad - after a great day!

Brad - Stoked.

Ted sailing under the waterfall.

Ted - going upstairs...

Kent - blasting

Kent Flying High

Yes - Adrien is on the trip with us - just haven't seen any photos of him sailing yet.....

lots of talk......

We finally got a photo of Trent sailing!!!

Trent - trying out a new move - Not sure I want to learn it....

I am practicing Ross's pucker Jibe technique......

It might be working.....

Resting in the sun after a long day (Noon to 5:00)

--- and yelling rude comments about the few of us left on the water ---

that's me in the middle....

Brad - taking off - yes the fin is out of the water!

Ted - riding a wave...

Brad - wow - what a day!

Mike was a little tired after sailing his new board (oops...)

Jim - being Jim...

Blaine enjoyed the day!

Brad - repairing his fin after a run in with the rocks.

The river level was lower than yesterday by a few feet. Both Brad and I were tricked when we came into shore the first time, and dragged our fin on the rocks.... $#$%##@

Looking forward to more sailing tomorrow - don't know how long the body will last....