2026-06-12 The Gang's all Here!
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| Jim, checking his life jacket! |
It was a bit of a slow morning.
The whole gang is now here. Cam, Cynthia, Jim, and Jim's grandson Ben arrived last night. Ben is a 21 year old competitive snow skier, among other things. He even brought his skies with him in case there was a chance this trip to get up to Mount Hood!
Brad got up and explained that Blaine had run out of groceries, so was looking forward to coffee and breakfast at Doppio's! They headed down on their bikes at around 8:00. That will be the usual routine from here on. Big Air Jim, Cam, Cynthia and Ben had gone down for coffee earlier, but got there before Dog River had opened, so had to go down the street.
There was lots of discussion about where to go to sail. Eventually Al went to the Hatchery where he could windsurf, and the rest of us went to the Event Site.
As I was driving in to the park, I was thinking about how many hours I should pay for parking with the app. Then I got distracted. Big Jim, John, and Rob had already been out and Rob and John were rigging smaller! I quickly rigged my 4.5m Wing with Swift Board and 909/375 stab, and headed out. I got going right away and sailed upwind to the Hatchery to see if I could find Al. I sailed back and forth a couple of times looking but didn't see him. On the way back I had a lot of fun in the waves. The waves weren't set up terribly well, but a few lined up and let me ride half way across the river on one wave! Ross rocketed past me heading straight upwind on his kite foil, fully powered and focused upwind. I don't think he even saw me. I also crossed paths with Kent who was also working his way up, but playing in the waves and not as focused heading upwind as Ross. When I got back down to the event site I was sailing back and forth, chasing Brad and a few of the others, and thinking about what a great session it was.... when it hit me..... I hadn't paid for parking yet... I headed straight to shore, but it was too late. A white note was waiting for me fluttering on my windshield held down by my wiper..... $53.95. That was an expensive day of parking... Damn.... It wouldn't take too many of those to make the season pass, at $200US, look reasonable!
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| Cynthia had a great first day! |
Big Jim, John, Brad, Big Air Jim, Cynthia and Kent were all wind surf foiling. Ben, Cam, Blaine and I were winging, and Al was windsurfing, but at the Hatchery.
Ben did an amazing job for his first day on a wing. He was going back and forth and came right back to the beach.
Cam, so excited to get out, started out on gear that was too small for the conditions, but switched to a bigger front wing and then had a great few sessions sailing more than 30km!
Cynthia was looking good, and chasing her dad around as usual, but also keeping a close eye on Ben...
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| Cam - heading out for his third session! |
Big Air Jim, was last to get on the water, likely because he had been kept busy rigging everyone else in this group first, but then had a good couple of sessions!
Up at the Hatchery, Al started out on his 4.8m sail, and then switched to his 5.5 for a good session in the waves! The current was pretty strong there so spending too much time in the water led to a rocky landing after his first session. I guess I was a bit too early and had already headed back downwind before he came out for his second go.
Jim Mudry was also at the Event site chatting with everyone. He sailed with Kent for a while, going upwind to Well's Island, where he said the wind was best!
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| Jim Mudry - always willing to chat and give advice! |
After eating my lunch I tried to go out for a second session, but picked the worst time for the wind. I got going right away but part way across, the wind just quit all together so I dropped off a foil, stood there for a bit, and eventually fell in the water... The wind then varied from enough to get foiling, to zero...... then just enough, then zero... It was good practice getting up and trying to balance on my narrow board in no wind, but it was also frustrating and a lot of work tiring me out completely.. When I came in, I was done for the day.
I packed up and left the beach around 3:30, put my tail between my legs and going to the Port Authority to pay my ticket!
Most of the guys (guy's meaning everyone, including Cynthia), went for another session. Kent and Ross both did over 90km total for the day!
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| Kent - the Animal with over 90km for the day! |
A couple of "stories for the blog..."
- Cam, excited about going out for the first time in a while, rigged a small wing and his favourite small front foil even thought the conditions were moderate at best. After a lot of work slogging and climbing on his board, he remembered that he "really liked that small front wing - when it is really windy". He changed to a bigger front wing and that worked. He ended up with a great sail and over 30km for the day!
- Big Air Jim was out Wind Surf foiling with his 6m sail when he realized that he didn't have his life jacket on. He sailed to shore and disconnected his sail from his board, ready to bring them to shore. Kent was just heading out, and Jim told him what had happened. Kent looked at Jim and said "Jim, you are wearing your life jacket". Jim looked down, and yes he was wearing it. I think it is a new one with a smaller profile..... OOOOOOKKKKKKK....... Without missing a beat, Jim re-attached his sail and went out to enjoy the rest of his session.
- And of course, my parking ticket, but I already told you about that.....
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| Blaine with all his gear! |
A few of us ended the evening watching the Blue Jays beat the Yankee's in a series opener in Toronto. It was a satisfying game, with Alejandro Kirk coming back from the Injured List for his fist game in many weeks, and hitting two doubles, a single, and a walk! The Jay's won!
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| Brad, Blaine, Cam, Ben's Ski Coach, Ben, Ben's ski friend, Cynthia, Kent, Ross, Big Air Jim, Al, and Ted (taking the photo...) |
Nice evening.
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