2019-09-09 Foiling in the Rain

Lots of gear on the beach!

The wind has backed off quite a bit.  It rained overnight and it was still cloudy and misty in the morning, so the weather gradients were not working.

We had the usual morning meeting at Dog River, and then most of us headed across the street to Bettes.

From there we all went to Sailworks - to ask advice on where to go sailing.  The guys at Sailworks always seem happy to see us and help us out with all our little equipment issues.  I got some advice on how to fix an issue with my boom, and Dale gave me a new outhaul rope to use at no cost.  I also bought a cover for my large foil.

Handre, Jim, Al, Gerry, Andreas, Kent, Brad, Blaine

Blaine bought a new aluminium boom for his 6m Flyer sail.  It seemed everyone had some little question or issue.  I am sure that Sailworks do well by us, as we buy a lot of stuff from them, but they seem to honestly enjoy seeing us and helping us (and boy do we need the help!).  I can't say enough about Bruce, Dale, Jim, Phil or Canmore Jim.  Thanks, guys.

Blaine with his new boom
A great deal at $207

After Safeway and other errands, we all gradually gathered at the Event Site.  The wind was light but foilable.  I had purchased a permanent marker, so spent some time making sure all my equipment has my name and correct phone number.  A lot of my stuff is old enough that the phone number was wrong, or the writing was faded so it was difficult to read.

Ted at Sailworks

The first group went out foiling at the event site at around noon and were able to make it work.  I rigged and was almost ready to go when it started raining.  I decided to sit in the Van and read for a while to wait and see what the rain would do to the wind.

I went out a bit later and had a good session for about 10km.  (My watch corrupted the file, however, so there is no record of it - maybe it didn't happen.....)

I went out again about 4:30, and had another good 11km session.  This one was recorded!

Ted's Track - second session 11km - max speed 27kph.

For a no wind day, the river was very busy with Albertans.  There was a lot of slogging going on, but now and then there would be a gust and we would get up on the foil and we would blast across the river - then wait for another gust.  Not perfect, but better than doing nothing.

Al went to the Hatchery to try to sail.  He said he rigged his big gear and actually got it wet - because it rained.  He actually didn't get in the water - Not enough wind for regular sailing.

Not very windy!  Amazing that the Foils work!

Andreas and Ross went out on their Kites and tried to foil - with limited success.  The conditions were "Not Ideal" for learning with hardly enough wind to hold the kite in the air in the lulls, and then the occasional gust going through.  Both got up on the foil a few times, but they are looking for more consistent wind.

Big Jim was foiling most of the time on his 8.3m Flyer and big board.  Cam was really doing well and I saw him almost complete a couple of foiling jibes.  Everyone was making the best of the marginal wind and having fun.  It is fun watching how everyone is improving so quickly on the foils.

Bruce, Dale, Jim and Phil from Sailworks joined us at about 5:00.  They are all amazing sailors, and Jim is great at giving us tips.

We packed up at about 6:30.  Bruce hung out with us for an hour and gave us all the scoop on foot strap placement, stance, and rigging sails.   It was awesome to have such professional advice! 

From Kent.  Warning to all,  do not bet with Big Air Jim.  I (Kent) lost a bet with Jim about Cam's mast base measurement.  Jim was right and Kent was wrong!   What I found out was that Jim was not guessing, he had measured the location about 10 minutes before the bet..   Kent lost.  IT WAS HUMILIATING!!   I had to provide Jim with a cold, open beer, delivered in front of the whole group with a little genuflection.  Never bet with Jim.  P.S. putting it in the blog was also part of the bet....

It has started to sprinkle again, so we didn't spend much time sitting around afterwards, although Bruce and Jim did stick around to chat and give advice.

Gerry, Big Jim, Blaine and Big Air Jim

Al, Gerry, Kent, Blaine, Brad and I went to Plenti (the Pizza place up by Walmart), while the rest went to Three Rivers Grill.

Apparently, after dinner, some of the guy's were watching some of our old windsurf videos.... Andreas is starting a petition to get Blaine to grow back his moustache - I don't know if that is a good idea or not......

Blaine in an old video - looking cool!

Ted - Rigging his 7.0m Flyer

Big Air Jim had a good day!