2011-09-16 Get Home Itis..

Today started as usual.  For many of us, this would be our last day in the Gorge, but some were thinking of spending the night before heading back on Saturday. Mike is the only one who will be staying for the weekend - he is to pick Barb up at the Airport in Portland, and then they will spend a week or two on the coast.

At the Dog River Coffee shop, we all analyzed the weather.  While it may have looked like a great forecast for Pigeon Lake or Dried Meat Lake - after 4 days of big winds and huge swell 15-20 didn't sound stellar.  Worse - the forecast was for no wind, and probably rain on the weekend. Undeterred, we headed to Bett's for breakfast. After breakfast, Handre and Lazelle told us they were heading for home.  Handre was still not feeling right after hitting his head, so he decided that he shouldn't sail.

Ted setting up a "Hero" cam on his boom...  too bad he forgot to put in the sd card....

There was a lot of discussion about where we should sail. Everyone agreed it had to be to the East, but Rowena,  Doug's,  Mary Hill, Rufus, or Roosevelt?  After a bunch of shopping, and visits to Sailworks and Big Winds, (which took up the rest of the morning), the group finally decided on Rowena. The wind at Rowena would have had us stoked if we were at home - but it looked light - so the gang decided to press on to Maryhill.

Maryhill is a beautiful park-like setting, but the wind was off shore - and it didn't look very sailable.  Now it was after 2:00.  People were talking about going across the bridge to the Oregon side to try Rufus.

At this point - I decided to pull the pin, and just keep on going.  Funny how four really great days of sailing makes a marginal day seem not that important, even if it may be the last day of the trip... I said my good-bye's, and headed out.

A few minutes after I left, I got a call from Kent, saying that he and Rene were right behind me.

I am not sure what happened to the rest of the group - I hope they got in some sailing.  Gerry and Blaine were planning on heading home after sailing, while the rest were heading back to the house for one more night.  I hope they have pictures and stories that we can use to finish up the blog.

This was one of the best trips yet for high wind sailing.  The reputation of the Alberta Boys to bring the wind is turning into legend......  hope we don't disappoint the locals next year by bringing in the doldrums...

Saying good-bye to Mount Hood until next year -- photo by Brad

2011-09-15-Roosevelt Beach Park

First - all the photos on this post are from Blaine, Mike or Brad.  I sailed all day, and didn't take any ...  Thanks guys!

Dale Cook - Smoking through a laydown jibe.

We woke up to clouds and colder weather in the Gorge.  Coffee at Dog  River - then Breakfast at Bett's. Brad was on I-windsurf, Mike was looking at Temira's forcast, the locals were looking at the Clouds, Ted talked to Dale Cook at Sailworks, and Big Air Jim was calling his friend Antonio to try to get a forecast.  Everyone agreed that it would blow best out east - beyond the cloud line.

The decision was narrowed down to Maryhill, the Wall (a few miles east of Maryhill on a dirt road, positioned in and amongst some cliffs (the Wall), and Roosevelt Beach Park.  The Wall is the obvious choice for expert sailors who want to be on the edge, with no alternate beach access points, maximum waves, gusts and winds speed.  The rumour was that high flyers like Dale Cook and Bruce Peterson would be there later in the day to strut their stuff.

Dale Cook complained that he couldn't find any port ramps...

After careful consideration, we decided that it would be best not to show up our friends, the locals, and leave them with the perception that they are the best sailors in the area.  We headed to the grassy rigging area, sheltered launch spot, and user friendly launch at Roosevelt.  It didn't disappoint.  It is about an hour and a half drive east of Hood River, so we arrived around noon.  There was some initial confusion about the wind speed.  Kent rigged his 3.8 and small board, then his 4.2 and large board, then finally settled on his 4.2 and small board - all before he got on the water.   Most of the other guy's did the same.

Ted - Sailing his 4.2 at Swell City Wednesday.

Gerry went straight to his 4.6 - and sailed one rig and one board all day. Tired from being beaten up the last few days, I decided to sit out the rigging frenzy until a few people had been on the water. I then rigged my 4.8 Hucker on my Kode board, and sailed it all day.  After being overpowered on my 4.2 the last few days, it was great to be on the 4.8 in relaxing conditions (I can't believe I am calling 4.8 (my second smallest sail), chop and large waves and swell - relaxing conditions.  For the most part I felt totally in control and was starting to get my confidence back!  I had a few nice Starboard jumps and started working on my port jumps (it wan't pretty - and I didn't land any).  I was also trying to be more aggressive wave riding - amazing what you can do when you are not scared to death......If I wan't so sore from the last few days - I might have really progressed....

The boys - talking about the day.

Big Air Jim says that the day satisfied everybody's need for speed.  Apparently when you combine the 4.0 Revo with the Roberts Speedster - there are no speed limits on the water. NOBODY PASSES BIG AIR JIM!

It was great to see Gerry getting huge air off the port side ramps, and to see Rene blasting back and forth and at one point going soooooo fast that he scared himself!

Handre - Stoked!

Handre was still hurting from Wednesday when he had fallen and hit is head (YES - he
was wearing his helmet!)  He had some good runs in the somewhat lighter conditions, but wasn't feeling well.  Afraid that he may be slightly concussed, he decided to leave early and have himself checked out at the hospital.  In spite of many offers to drive him back - he insisted on driving himself  (Isn't there something about following your own advice?).  Anyways, turns out he is OK!


Kent and Ross had fun teaching each other new tricks.  Kent was learning an off-the-lip jump, and Ross was learning to do a laydown jibe in the waves.  Lots of stories about how great they were - blah, blah, blah...

Brad - Great Day!

Brad had a solid 4.2 day!  Great Jibing on and in the huge glassy swells on the Oregon side.

Mike finally had a day of port ramps.  Too bad the jumps were too far out for anyone to photograph, or maybe everyone was just too busy sailing.

Ted - relaxing after the best day of the trip!

Harold just sailed like he always does - nice wave rides and on the water all day.

As always, we ran into Bill at the launch site.  He joined us for a beer after sailing and told us about showing off his 42 Centimeter fin at Jones Beach. I understand that the locals had never seen anything like it....

You have to give Bill credit for his endurance. He is always out and works hard.

Gear spread all over....

At the end of the day we had gear spread all over the beach.  Unbelievable how much gear we have when it is all laid out.

Friday looks like a light wind day.  Looks like sailing and then heading home for most of us.
What a great week!

Harold!  Put some Clothes on!!!

2011-09-14-Big Swell Again...

Wow!  Another Big Day.  I started on my 4.2 and 77 Litre Acid.  That's almost as small as the board that Harold uses, and he is about 80 pounds lighter than I am....

Huge Swell, sometimes spanning the near half of the river.  The only problem for me was it was so powered that I had trouble turning down the wave.

Big Air Jim - Going upstairs!!

 Big Air Jim - said it was one of the best days ever.  (Period).  I asked if he wanted to expand on that, and believe it or not - Jim Said no, there is nothing more to be said. I almost fell off my chair.

Big Air - sailed his 4.0 Revo, and his beast - All Day.

Mike

Mike says that a nice 5.2 day would be really nice.   He spent the day on his 4.0 and 75 litre fish.  At breakfast, he told us that yesterday was a one Advil morning, but today is a two Advil morning.  By the end of the week - who knows...

Brad - Big conditions - in control.

 Brad described the day as more about control and survival than about style....  Still had had a great day on his 3.8 "Tornado" Hucker sail.  Lots of blasting back and forth across the river.

Brad described the day as "Punchy"... Big lulls, and then, with no warding, huge gusts.  Full on and then full off. A great day - WINDY!

This may be the best 3 days in a row- that we have ever had on a trip.  This definitely builds on our reputation (deserved or not) for bringing the wind.

Brad - getting some air!

 I had a fellow come up to me yesterday and ask if there was any way we could plan a trip in the summer - so we could bring the wind then.

I think our friend Mike P has been helping to perpetrate the legend.  Whether true or not - after two or more weeks of no wind, it only took a couple of days for the wind to start after we got here.

Kent, Ross, Blaine, and Handre were all on 3.8m sails, and Harold was on a 3.2.  There were lots of 2.8's and 2.5m sails on the water.

Kent - Slashing a Jibe

  Handre had a full day, in spite of a very sore big toe (very black and blue).  He is pushing hard, and everyone admires him for his perseverance.  Unfortunately everyone is trying to teach him how to jibe - and because most of our group all have  completely different styles, and we all think we are doing it right - a lot of the advice is contradictory. It is amazing that with all this help - he is actually learning anything.  I can't wait to watch him on a lighter day - if he is doing this well in totally overpowered conditions, it should be no problem in normal conditions.

Kent - Slashing a Jibe on the wave!

 Kent and Ross were tearing the place up with slashing jibes, unreal wave rides, and big jumps!  Kent claims that he is struggling to keep control, but he sure looks smooth from the beach.

Harold said that the conditions were incredibly variable. During the day you had everything - huge troughs, large waves, chop, high wind, higher wind.  It shaped up in so many ways over the day.

Blaine said that the day was a 3.7 HURT'IN ALBERTIN DAY! - but fun!

Ross - Smiling for the camera.

Lazelle went for a run and then a two hour walk all over town looking for a health food store. She finally found it and had the best smoothy ever.

Some bad news from Harold W, it turns out that he did break two small bones in his left foot.  We all hope he has a speedy recovery.






Late in the day, I went for a final session with Dale Cook!  They guy's on the beach said it was hard to tell us apart - until they figured out that I was the guy laying in the water, and Dale was the guy going twice as fast as everyone on the water, and making huge, long jumps.

Mike P - Enjoying a drink (or two) with friends.

 After sailing, we all headed to the Mexican restaurant at the top of the hill.  Mike P, joined us to catch up on all our stories and lies. 

He always has some great stories.  He was sailing at the Hatchery, but sailed up to join us for part of the day.

Big Air Jim's friend Antonio also joined us for a while, and showed us his big jumps.

Thirsty Ross...

 Ross had a couple of "Sips".  A great time to swap lies and talk about the day.

After supper, we all headed to the house, to watch some windsurfing videos and Survivor.....

Big Air Jim was snoring on the couch by 9:30. Everyone was in bed by 10.....

Keep Thirsty my friends!!

Typical Gorge Trip - one great day after another.....

2011-09-13-Tuesday - another FULL SAIL DAY

It was blowing hard when we got up, but the "Frenzy" wasn't quite as intense as yesterday. Most of us were moving slowly, and wincing with every movement.  The day started off with Coffee at the Dog River Coffee Shop, and then Bett's for Breakfast.

Harold W, came into Bett's, and told us he was heading home.  He showed us his foot...  Swollen and purple.  In the interests of the family nature of this blog - I didn't take a photo....  We all feel badly for Harold - but on the bright side, he did sail every day he was here, he had a great day on Monday (right up to his last day), and now there is another bedroom - so someone can move off the floor.....  :<)

Kent wants to see how close he can get to the Barge..

Rene, decided to take a day off and go biking for the day, but the rest of us all headed to Swell City again!  We arrived at around 10:30 and were on the water by 11:00 "ish".  Mike and I were first on the water.  The call was 4.2 for most of us,  but Mike was 4.6 and I was on my 4.8 and Kode.

The waves and ramps were intense.  The far side was way over powered in chop.  Survival sailing for sure, but everyone had a great day!

Close enough?

Harold - in total control!!

Mike!

Kent was a Jumping machine today!

Kent had to have one last little hop on his last reach back to shore!

Back to shore after a long day!

Jim is thinking about the Glassy swells stretching from one side of the river to the other...

Look Out Mike!  Don't hit the Kiter!!

Ross - Lots of Jumps and Wave Rides....

Lazelle is comforting Handre after he hurt his big toe.  We hope this injury won't impact his sailing..

Brad wants Berna to know that he is drinking Juice - not Beer after sailing!!

 The forecast is for more wind tomorrow, and Thursday, so we will see how well we hold up!!

2011-09-12 - A windsurfing Story

Ross has a new Audi S4 Luxury Sports car.  It generates more than 300 horsepower, and has auto everything. Ross is proud of his new car (even though he had to have some of the guy's carry down some of his windsurf  and biking equipment because it wouldn't fit on or in the car.

Ross talks about the "auto" mirrors, (side and rear) that instantly dim the glare from the headlights of  all the cars that he is able to pass at night.

Ross was parked between my van and Big Air Jim's van at swell city today.  I was loading my equipment and heard an older guy come up, obviously admiring a fine automobile. Ross wasn't around but Harold was there, so the guy asked what the make and model was.  Turned out it was a Chev 3500 Express Van, with a Super Board Rack.  Turns out he wan't looking at the S4 at all - but was really interested in the van.

Sorry Ross......

:<)

2011-09-12-Dawn till Dusk (Almost)

 I was up at 7:30am heading to the Dog River Coffee Shop as usual - but Kent, Rene, and Mike were already packed up and leaving for the beach.  It was already blowing 30mph, and was forecast to keep blowing all day.  The frenzy was on again.  I drove to Dog River to let Big Air Jim know we were headed out to sail. We all arrived at Swell City around 8:30am and were on the water by 9:00. It was a 4/2 day for almost everyone.  Mike and Gerry were on 4.6, and I started out on my 4.2 and then switched to the 4.8 about mid day.  By all accounts, the first hour was the best - with the most constant wind.  Throughout the day the wind built and dropped - with some periods of nice constant winds, and other times with very gusty conditions.

Brad - Having a good day!

Kent - Big Air

Gerry - relaxing after a session!

Kent - slashing a jibe!

 We sailed most of the day.  Everyone was out!  In spite of the challenging conditions everyone made it back to the beach.  Harold W. had a bad fall towards the end of the day, with his foot still in the footstrap.  By the end of the day it was swollen and turning purple.  We hope he can continue to sail tomorrow...  Lots of Ice - and Rum ...  we will see tomorrow.

Harold W, - with a bad sprain in his foot!!

Big Air JIm - Pleased with himself because once again he saved the day - bringing the wind!!!

Barge...

Ted on his 4.8 and Kode

A great Day!

2011-09-11 Sitting Around

The day started slowly, with the Dog River Coffee Shop and then Bett's for Breakfast.

Breakfast at Bett's...

The relaxed atmosphere was suddenly broken when Brad announced that it was blowing at Bob's Beach in Stevenson.  The forecast was for marginal wind - but heck - it was wind, so most of us loaded up and headed out.  When we arrived, there wasn't much wind - no surprise.

Mike - checking out the Kite Launch

The Guy's - Looking for wind.....

Harold decided to check it out - and actually got planing...

And so did Harold W.

Ted, Blaine and Kent tried Stand Up Paddling - a little tricky in the small waves.

We sat around the rest of the morning, and then walked into Stevenson for lunch. When we got back - the wind switched from Easterly to Westerly - although only a gentle breeze.  The question was whether to stay at Bob's Beach - or re-locate to Swell City (where it might blow harder, but it would probably blow later - possibly after dark...)  We headed to Swell City, where most of us watched the water for a few more hours.  It was dark by the time we headed home for supper.

Harold A, and Handre got out sailing - and planing.

Handre

Big Air Jim arrived late in the evening, hopefully he has brought the wind...  After supper, and some Jibe Instructional videos, we all went to bed.... It's supposed to blow tomorrow....

:<)