2023 Fall Gorge Trip

Stevenson - after sailing.. Thanks Blaine for the photo I got up, had breakfast with Harold and Kent, then packed up my things and left for home.  The forecast was for wind later in the day, but I have to be home for late Friday afternoon to help with the Alberta's Littlest Airport Fall Fun Fly (Radio Control Airplanes). When I left, I planned to stop somewhere along Crowsnest, or at Nanton, but I was feeling good, so drove straight through, arriving just after 11:30 my time (12:30 local).  It was actually a pretty easy drive. Note: The Cheapest gas was right at Coeur d'Alaine, where it was $4.03.  I even saw one station at $3.99. Kent and Blaine headed to Sailworks in the morning.  I am still unclear about what happened, but I suspect at least one, and probably two new F4 Foil systems were purchased.  A great deal at somewhere around $4,000 each. (But that is with an extra front wing, and foil covers, so an even better deal!). Kent said he sailed 6.0 at Viento,...

Harold had a great day! Wednesday is Jim Mudry's day off.  He suggested we all meet at River Daze Café for breakfast at 8:00 and then decide what to do for the day.  River Daze is an interesting cafe/bar which we have driven past many times, but to my knowledge have never tried.  The food and service was excellent. Termira's forecast was for very light wind with a chance of something a bit stronger.  Jim suggested we go to the Waterfront park, but before anyone could rig, and before most of us could even get there, the plan changed and we decided to go to the Hatchery!  It turned out to be a great call. One advantage to winging, is I can be one of the last to arrive, and still be first on the water.  I went out on my 4.5 wing and had a great session.  Jim Mudry came out with me on a 3.5, and I had fun chasing him, Kent, Blaine and Brad around on the swell downwind of the launch site. Jim Mudry - ripping it up! Kent was experimenting with the F4 Wing, ...

  The F4 Today started with a Sailworks F4 Foil Frenzy.  Pretty well everyone was at Sailoworks and there was lots of action.  Kent and Blaine are demoing new F4 Foils.  They are GUARANTEED to go faster and turn better.  Because they are so stiff, you get a much better feel, and have more control.  Or so the story goes....  They are a great bargain at only $3000 US each, not counting the extra 2 front wings and the protective covers....   Call it $4000 US. The actual cash didn't change hands today.  Blaine and Kent took out the Demo and each gave it a try. Temira's forecast said it would be best at Moiser, but the Sailworks guys insisted it would be better at Rufus.  Rufus was the call.  Ross thought Moiser would be a better bed, particularly if it got really windy because some of us aren't in the expert category yet.  Before I left, I asked Blaine and he confirmed it.  Rufus. I packed my lunch, and headed to Rufus, w...

  Harold - Watching the water after a day of sailing! Full disclosure, Sorry, I didn't take any photos today.  Thanks to Brad and Kent, we have a few for the blog. The forecast was for it to be sailable by 9:30 and then to build all day to dusk, so no one was in a hurry to get going.  Kent washed his truck, I went to ProMotion to have my wetsuit repaired and to buy a new wetsuit for Louise.  I got a nice one for Louise which I think she will like, but their repair guy won't be in until Wednesday, so the fellow suggested I do the repair myself.  He sold me a kit and gave me instructions. We found out that Mike was in Roosevelt last night, and would probably join us today. That makes us Eleven! There was the usual round of shopping.  Kent suggested, like usual, that we all just head to the Hatchery and sit and wait there for the wind.  Most of us did that and sat around reading or chatting. It was probably sailable, but we sat waiting for the wind to bui...

Ted - after a great day! (Thanks Al for the photo) The forecast was for light and building in the afternoon.  Blaine went to wash his van.  Others went shopping.  Kent wanted to go to the Hatchery and wait.  That was the right call. Blaine Brad and I got to the Hatchery a few minutes after Kent and Harold.  Kent and Harold already had their equipment off the truck. After looking at the water, I decided to go with my 5.5m wing.   I was first on the water, and found the 5.5 to be too big, but still manageable.  I should have gone in right away and switched to my 4.5, but I kept going.  It was a little rough going upwind, but downwind was easy, and I had lots of fun doing S turns on the far side. Kent, Blaine and Brad were out on their 4.5's and then 3.2's. Ross sailed up with his kite to sail with us for a while, but timed it just as the majority of us were in for lunch.  Darn! Brad! Jim Mudry winged up to join us but missed the crew and s...

Xylophone on the beach! It is funny how each of the forecasts are so difference!  Termira, said there wouldn't be any wind.  The Weather Channel gave us some hope, and I-Windsurf said maybe easterlies later in the day at Stevenson. Brad and Blaine went down for Coffee at Dog River, but no one else was there so they came back. I stopped for a new Wrist Leash and then headed for Stevenson.  Kent, Harold, Blaine and Brad beat me there.  Al arrived shortly after I did. There was lots of discussion about what sail size to use.  As always, with an Easterly, it looks windier than it actually is, and there seems to be a 'lift" as the wind hits the beach, which makes it seem windy on the beach.   I went out on my 5.5m Wing and 999 foil, and made it work.  I actually completed a few jibes, (my first on the 999).  I am still not convinced I will keep the 999.  The smaller 899 is much quicker, (only a couple of kph), it glides better,  and I th...