2026-06-11 Waiting for Wind

 

Big Jim - Muscling his board up the beach after sailing.

John and Big Jim arrived last night, and Brad arrived this morning.  We are expecting Jim, his grandson Ben, Cam and Cynthia late tonight to officially kick off our trip with everyone here!

The forecast was for a calm day with the wind building in the afternoon, so there was a lot of touring of shops, cleaning of vehicles, and general mucking around wasting time, waiting for the promised wind.

Around 2:00 the gang headed to the Event Site. Kent was first out, on his 5.2m Sail.  John and Big Jim, also Wind Surf Foilers also went out, Big Jim on his 6m Sail.

Ross took off with his 5m Kite and headed way upwind.

I think Rob, Blaine and I were all on 5.5m Wings.  Everyone got a few runs, but the wind soon started to drop, so we all headed back to the beach.  I have to say I was pleased with how my Swift board accelerates to get on foil in light wind!  You really notice it when conditions are marginal!

After we had all been siting for a half hour or more, Ross arrived.  He had been way upwind, when the wind died.  Eventually it got so light that his kite fell out of the sky.  He drifted in the water for more than 20 minutes unable to start waiting for a puff so he could get his kite back up!  He finally did, just as a guy came by in a boat to ask if he was ok....!  He sailed back to the beach, landed and walked up to our group expecting us to be concerned about him.  Typical of our group, we were oblivious.  No one had missed him.  He is such a competent kiter that none of us would think that he would get in trouble.... I guess we should take more care to inventory everyone. 

Meanwhile, Al had made the best call and had gone to the Hatchery.  He went out on his 6.5 and had a good Wind Surfing session.  He sailed upwind and then the wind picked up so he was OVER powered!  It was apparently an interesting ride back to the hatchery in over powered conditions on his 6.5!  He said he probably could have sailed another hour if he had re-rigged to his 5.5m sail, but he was tired...   He definitely made the right call, and probably got a better sail than any of the rest of us.

After waiting over an hour for the wind to pick back up, I left for the condo.  Maybe that did the trick, as the wind finally picked up a bit.  Kent went out again with his 6M sail, and sailed with another fellow who had the same gear and about the same skill level!  The wind was light and shifty but he had a lot of fun with his new sailing buddy!  Everyone else was content to sit on the beach, have a few beers, and watch the action, or lack there of, on the water.

It was late by the time everyone got back to the condo.  Brad, Blaine, Al and I watched the third period of the hockey game.  Blaine was disappointed again as Carolina won handily.  They are now ahead 3-2.

Overall, it was a good day, although the wind was a bit disappointing.

Ross had the best story of the day.  First he had the 20 minute swim that was mentioned earlier, then he found out that none of us had missed him or were concerned for him.  He then decided to go to Viento to sail because it looked a lot windier upwind.  When he got there the wind looked great!  He rigged all his gear, got into his wetsuit, and was ready to go out.... but then couldn't find his bar! He looked all over!  It turned out he had left it at the Event Site!  He quickly put everything back in his car and rushed back.   He was in such a rush he drove in his wet suit... Fortunately someone had set is aside and he was able to retrieve it!  So much for his second session!  Not the best day, but either session could have been a lot worse....  so maybe it was his lucky day!

Everyone is looking forward to better wind tomorrow... we hope!

Early to bed.

Blaine - packing up!

Big Jim didn't want me taking photos of his nipples.....what???