2023-09-09 East Wind at Stevenson

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 think I can pump it onto a foil almost as easily as the bigger 999.

Kent couldn't decide between his 5.2 and 4.5. He asked a windsurf foiler who was rigging over by the Kite beach for his opinion., He then realized he was getting advice from a beginner, someone who does not have anywhere close to Kent's ability. Anyway, he followed the fellow's advice and had a great session. Kent, Brad and Blaine were all on 4.5's. They went way upwind and looked like they were having a lot of fun!

Harold went out on his 6.1 and had a few reaches windsurfing, but then the wind died a bit so he came in. After forgetting his life jacket and wetsuite in the Condo, Vadim made an emergency call to Jim who picked it up before they headed out. When it arrived, he went out a couple of time, and had some good reaches.

Al also tried windsurfing, but then came in and took out his foil board. He did well, but the wind continued to die, so he ended up coming in at Bob's Beach! He told me he did the usual Stevenson thing - he came to shore, then looked a the water and thought "Oh, it must have picked up", so he went out again - and lost more ground, so came in, and then REPEAT....... He made the correct decision to finally stop at Bob's Beach where Big Air Jim and I met him. Jim gave him a ride back - saving him the walk of shame.

Al - arriving at Bob's Beach!

I went out a second time on my 5.5, but this time on my 899. It worked well and I headed upwind to join Kent, Blaine and Brad. As I was heading up, they were all coming back. I should have realized that they were coming back because the wind was lightening up. I got caught and had to slog all the way back, doing several reaches as I worked my way downwind.

I sat with the guy's for a while and ate my lunch. I then packed up and headed home. I stopped at the Hatchery so see if that was where I left my new Thermos mug, but it wasn't there. The place was deserted. In Hood River I drove past the Event Site - all the tents were down from the trade show, and there wasn't much going on, so I drove to Walmart to get another thermos mug... (by Kent's count that's 3 setting a new record for the club.... however given our age trajectory a record soon to be broken)