2019-09-07 A mixed day with LOTS of WIND!

The day started slowly.  I slept in until 8:00, and then joined Ross, Karen, Andreas and Mike for tea/coffee.

At 10:30ish, Kent and I rode down for breakfast.  The other guy's had finished their coffee at Dog River, and their Breakfast at Bette's, so we went down to Freshie's for a breakfast Bagle.

After breakfast, we rode to the Bike Shop where I bought a rear flashing red light for my bike.  We seem to be riding home in the dark each night, so I think it will be good to have a rear light.  "Safety First".

I went back to the condo to finish yesterday's blog and then had a quick stop at Safeway to buy a sandwich for lunch - then drove to the Event Site.  The guys were already there and the rigging frenzy had begun.  Al, who has not been bitten by the foiling bug, left for the Hatchery (probably a good move).

Gerry at the Hatchery - Thanks Al for the Photo

Big Jim, Big Air Jim, Cam, Blaine, Brad, Kent and I all rigged our foils and went out.  I went out on my 7m sail which was perfect for about one half of the first reach - then the wind started to pick up.  I came in after a couple of reaches and re-rigged to my 5.2.  I did one reach out and one back, but the wind had picked up again so I was way overpowered.

Everyone else, except maybe Kent, had a similar experience.  Kent is at the stage where he seems to be able to hold down any sail size, and just make his foil go faster!

I then rigged my smallest sail, a 4.2, and went out on my new Stubby board.  I was overpowered almost all the time, but the Stubby is a great board - letting me remain in control.  I sailed about 10km, making about half my jibes before I had to come in.  Some of the gusts were just ridiculous, with water from spray coming off the waves, hitting me in the face as I was sailing.

Cam, Andreas and Ross were out kiting.  Cam looked really comfortable when I passed him on the water - he even gave me a wave, which I don't think I was able to return because I had a death grip on my boom at the time.

Kent sailed up to the bridge.  He said the swells were awesome very close to the rocks and the pressure of making your jibe or hitting a rock wall added lots of incentive for the wave riding,   Dale Cook was out there as well, boosting his usual mile-high jumps.

Andreas complained that he was overpowered on his 7m kite, but then talked about all the great jumps he had!  Apparently being overpowered for jumps is great but the riding between jumps becomes a challenge!  Kent did witness one jump out by the bridge but since there is no photo I am not sure it really happened.  I think everyone had fun but there a lot of out of control riders out there and staying away from the mayhem was difficult at times.

We sat in the parking lot after sailing and had a few beers while listening to the disappointing Eskimo/Calgary football game.

Another great day!  Kent, Big Jim, Brad and Blaine

The decision was made that we would go to Double Mountain Pizza for supper.  I said I would drive back to the condo and then take my E-bike down to the restaurant.  Ross, Karen and Andreas met me at the condo with the news that the plan had changed, (why am I not surprised), and while we were still going to Double Mountain, the majority of the group had decided to go to 6th Street Bistro.

Karen with a Root Beer Float!

I don't know about the rest of the group, but Big Jim, Andreas, Ross, Karen, Big Air Jim, Cam and I had a really good time at Double Mountain.  While we were there, we had an excellent view of a thunderstorm that was approaching from the East.  I don't think I have seen so much lightning in Hood River on any of my trips.  It was a spectacular show.

Of course, the storm meant bike riding home in the rain!  At least I had my new red flasher!

Another great day.  Tomorrow might be even windier!