2026-06-02 First Blogging Day

 


Ted and Blaine at Stevenson

So ... when to start the blog....

Ross and Blaine have already been in the Gorge for a few days.  When the weather went really south over the weekend, I decided to drive down Monday, Kent will be driving down Wednesday, and the rest of the guys will arrive next week....

I thought about waiting until everyone was here to start the blog, but Blaine said - NO Way!  Start it now...

After two and a half days of rain, I left Camrose and drove in more rain all the way to the border!  I also had an 80kph tailwind for most of my trip which was no issue at all while I was going south, but was a bit "interesting" when going West.  I'm glad I wasn't hauling a trailer!!  Fortunately the wind quit as I got to Highway 3 and by the time I got to Crowsnest, the lakes from there on were glass.

When I got to Ritzville, and was checking into the Day's Inn, I ran into a friend form Camrose totally unrelated to wind sports.  He is one of my RC Airplane friends and was doing a long haul truck route, heading to Quebec!  What are the odds!  I will see him back in Alberta at our Bawlf RC field a few days after I get back!

I arrived at Ross's about 11:30, unloaded a lot of gear, and then headed to Stevenson, where Ross and Blaine were sailing.  The forecast was for the Easterly wind to die around noon, but I figured if I didn't get to sail, I would at least meet them at the site.

I got to Stevenson just before 1:00.  Blaine and Jim Mudry were already off the water.  Both had really good sessions.  Blaine is fully committed to Wing Foiling.  He said he is seeing improvement every day. He said on one reach he foiled all the way across, and was comfortable.  When he turned around he was getting ready to stand up, but then saw a barge, so decided to stay on his knees for a while until it was past.  Better every day, but he isn't ready to put his tracks on Strava!

Ross was out on his 4m for two and a half hours, having fun doing laps up to the narrows!  72km in total!  He says he will be feeling it tomorrow!

The wind was lighter now, but still up, so I took out a 5.5m Wing and proceeded to slog out what seemed like half way across the river!  I thought - Damn, will I get going?  Then I caught a gust and was off.  The wind was pretty good although a bit gusty.  You could definitely feel the current, although it wasn't an issue as long as I was foiling.  When the wind started to lighten up, I made a bee line for shore!  I made it!  Of course then the wind picked up again!

Ross had come in shortly after I went out and had headed back to the condo to get some work done.  Blaine and I sat on the beach for a while catching up - and then also headed back.

Pizza for supper, and then Game One of the Stanley Cup!

5.5m Wing, 88L Code, 909/375 Foil.
Great first day!

The Ramp at Roosevelt looks like it hasn't been used much.
East wind - almost sailable.












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