2025-06-17 Mixed Day

The forecast was for more wind today...   so ... Blaine, Brad, Big Jim and Big Air Jim booked a 10:00am tee time.

When we got up, Robert was gone!  Last night, he found that he couldn't move his big toe.  Cynthia had a look and shouted for Cam.  Cam had a look and advised that Robert go straight to the hospital.  When he had cut his foot it had severed a tendon and the medical people had missed it.  The sooner he gets it looked at the better.

Robert had left a coat hangar that I had lent him on my van windshield, and there was a sail sitting on the front of Big Jim's truck.  Robert had decided to leave early, and head back to Canada to have his foot looked at.  We were sorry to see him go, he was a lot of fun!  We wish him the best of luck.  

As usual, it took a while for people to get going.  I decided to go down to Dopio's with Blaine, Brad and Big Air Jim for a change.  Dopio's was excellent as usual, but they didn't have any "Regular" black tea, so I had to wait until I got home for my fix.  Should I bring my own tea bag next time, or would that be rude?

Blaine - selfie - having fun on the Golf Course

Big Air Jim, Big Jim, Blaine and Brad left for their windy golf game and John snuck away quietly and went to the Event Site.  The rest of us took our time but settled on Moiser because the wind looked like it would be steadier there.  It was!

I was first on the water with my 4.5m wing.  It was a little over powered at times, but the right call for sure.  Travis, Kent, and Cam were next out, and headed straight upwind.  I tried to follow, and did catch up with Cam and Travis, for a while, but Kent was disappearing over the horizon.  I finally thought - this isn't really fun - one long straight reach after another and not really sailing with anyone, so I headed back downwind and played on the waves and sailed around Harold and Cynthia.  Cynthia was blasting back and forth.  I couldn't keep up with her, but it was still fun chasing her.  I could usually keep up with Harold, but only because he was a bit under rigged and took a while to get planning after his jibes.  Lots of fun, lots of turns and some good wave rides.

Harold had a good day!

I crossed paths with Ross a few times.  He also went upwind with the others, sailing his 3m kite!

The wind started to lighten up (or maybe it was just there were bigger lulls).  I was heading for the the beach when I decided to do one more run, but after jibing on the inside, I dropped off the foil and slogged almost all the way across the river before I could get going again.  Time for lunch!  It was one of my best sessions of the trip.  Stoked!!!

Cynthia was already off the water.  Kent, Cam and Travis came in a little while later.

Kent - checking out the water after eating lunch!

We all ate lunch on the grass behind the vehicles, out of the wind and in the sun, or shade, depending on what you wanted.

There was a bit of excitement when a big, but friendly old Samoyed wandered over and casually took off the top of Kent's sandwich!  The owner was horrified, but I suspect it is a usual experience for her.  The old guy was friendly, but obviously not interested in any command she tried to give him.  The lady came back a while later and offered Kent a new sandwich fresh from the store, which was a nice gesture, but Kent had already eaten what was left of his, so declined.

Ross had a good day, first on his 3m kite and then on his 4m Kite.

My intention was to go out for a second session, but when I went down to the water the wind looked light, so I decided to pack up instead.  Maybe my 11 days on the water this trip are taking a toll... It would have been a short session anyway as I had to get back to the townhouse in time to set up for the 5:00 Oilers Game!

Cynthia, Cam, Travis, Kent and Ross all went out for a second session but first Cam had to repair his wing.   Apparently a foil and thin cloth wing material do not mix well.   Cam has damaged a few wings in the past so decided that he would not use Travis's wings for fear of damaging them.   He said it was his fourth repair on that particular wing.  We all had a great second session without Ted but missed the first period of hockey.  Not much of a loss as it turned out.

I stopped at the Event Site to check on John, but he had already left.  He told me later that he had another incredible day.  He is losing his fear and able to concentrate on all the advice he has been given.

Kent had a great day!

When I got back to the townhouse, the boys were back from their golf game.  When I asked who won - Big Air Jim said "In golf everyone looses...".  I guess the wind made the game "interesting".  Still, it looked like they had fun!

We set up for the big Game.  Everyone had high expectations.  I don't have to tell you how it ended up!  Damn!  Oh Well - maybe next year.

Poor Brad and Blaine were so depressed they didn't even go out for ice cream as they had planned......

Ross organized Thai food with a salad for supper.  It was excellent, if not a bit too much!  Wow!

Everyone is getting pretty worn out, so the party didn't last much past 10:00.  Early to bed - it looks like more wind again tomorrow!

A couple of photos I forgot to post yesterday...

Last night at Double Mountain!
Harold, Ross, Brad, Kent, Blaine, Big Air Jim, Cynthia, Cam, Travis

Ice Cream the other night!
Near to far - Ross, Kent, Brad, Harold, Cynthia, Big Air Jim, Travis, Cam
Thanks Blaine for the photo!

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