2026-06-16 Wild Winds - Learning Day!

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Ben... showing how it's done!

The forecast was for 30mph - on the verge of too much...

The Event Site was the call with people starting to head there around 10:00. When I arrived at 11:00 everyone was rigging. It looked gusty with light wind in front of the Event Site and much more wind upwind!

Al went to the Hatchery, which was probably a much better call. He had three sessions on his 3.8 sail! The middle session was the best, his last session was very gusty and shifty.

I set up and took photos for the first couple of hours, although it was difficult because of the gusty conditions as people were generally staying on the far side. I started at Luhr Jensen's, and then moved to the point at the Event Site.

Big Air Jim - making it look easy!

I had a tough day on the water.... you think you are getting pretty good, and then you have a day when just nothing really works. While I was overpowered some of the time, that was not an issue. The issue was I had rigged too small for the lulls, and tired myself out climbing on my board and falling off again when there wasn't enough wind to even taxi.....

Cam said he had a tough day as well, but he sailed over 50km and had a great time.

Big Jim - Blaine in the background

Kent was on his 3.9 for the first session and 3.2 for the second, and spent most of the time up near the Hatchery. At one point when he stopped to adjust his sail at the Hatchery, his friend Alex gave him some pointers, reduced his downhaul, and adjusted the outhaul. Kent said that after that, sailing overpowered was fun, and not an issue at all!

Cynthia, Brad, Big Air Jim, Big Jim, and John were Wind Surf foiling and looking good. I did manage to get some photos event though they tried their best to stay on the far side of the river.... They all had multiple sessions!

Ben continues to improve his Wing Foiling at an amazing rate.

Ben Looking Good!

Blaine had a day that was a "little technical", but is continuing to improve his wing foiling. He said he was "afraid" in the big gusts! He is now a committed Wing Foiler. While he brought his Wind Surf Foiling gear with him this trip, he didn't use it once.

Robert said he had a great day, and is also seeing improvement every time out.

Blaine - officially a Wing Dinger!

In the evening, the plan was for everyone to go to the Mexican restaurant for supper, but it was closed, as were most of the restaurants up the hill,, was it a holiday of some sort? Sixth Street was also closed - but that is their regular schedule... Eventually we decided on Kickstand. Everyone was there and we had a table for 12. Lots of fun and great food.

It is hard to believe the trip is already starting to come to a close. Big Air Jim will fly out tomorrow to get home for a funeral, and Blaine leaves in the morning to help with his grandkids. Then Kent and I will leave Thursday and most of the others on Friday.

It has been a great trip!