2025-06-18 Why should today be any different?

Cam's rig Tucked out of the wind waiting for the second session..

The forecast was for another windy day but the clouds were really close to the event site so there was a lot of thinking going on and the forecast in the corridor depended on what the clouds did throughout the day.

For a change, Kent was up early, but Brad and Blaine went downtown for coffee and breakfast as usual!

Harold is long overdue for a new wetsuit so Kent took him to a couple of stores, but the shopping did not work out.

There was the usual humming and hawing about where to sail with the cloud bank being so close.  The final decision was split.

Kent, Harold, Blaine, Brad, Big Jim and John went to the event site, while Ross, Cam, Cynthia, Big Air Jim, Travis and I went to Moiser.

I can only speak for Moiser - it was great.  I was on a 3.5 wing and sailed for a couple of hours before coming in for lunch!  It was one of the best sessions of the trip for me.  The wind was strong but steady and I had some great wave rides.  Cam was also on a 3.5 and said he was a bit over powered.  I'm not sure what Travis was on, but I know he had a lot of fun!  Cynthia and her dad, Big Air Jim, were blasting back and forth and chasing each other around.  I had a lot of fun sailing with them.  I am on a completely different tack/angle but we crossed paths many times!  So Fun!

Ross was on his 3m Kite, and other than getting yanked by a gust as he was first heading out, he said he had a great sail!

After lunch, Ross and I decided we were done for the day.  My shoulders and arms feel like they are going to fall off!  Cynthia, Big Air Jim, Cam, and Travis, all headed out for a second session as I left.  I found out later, that when Ross saw Jim Mudry come in, and then go back out, he headed out for a second session as well.

I went to the Event site to check up on the other half of our gang.  Kent was just coming off the water after his second session.  He said the swells up at the Hatchery were amazing.  Big Jim and John said that they both had great days.  John is progressing very quickly and is stoked!

John - up on foil! (thanks Brad for the photo)

Ross was right to worry about the cloud bank.  The wind at the event site was great 3.2 foiling to start.  Blaine and Kent went out on 3.2s while Jim C went out on a 4.5.   It was great for a while and Blaine led Kent and Tom up to the hatch for about an hour of great sailing.   Then the issue Ross was worried about happened.   Suddenly 3.2 was not 3.2 and the boys had to milk their way back to the event site.   All three made it with minimal slogging but had to use every swell and puff to make it work.   

For about 45 minutes the wind was down and we started to pack up to go to Mosier.   While we were packing up Harold saw a windsurfer head out and start blasting.   The pack up became a quick rerig session and we all headed out on the water for the second session.   Kent and Blain on 3.9 while Jim and John stayed on 4.5s.   Harold sailed his big board and a 4.7 which he made work while staying in the narrow swell line on the washington side of the river.

Brad was done for the day, but Blaine was out.  Kent was considering a third session...  He eventually went out, but only "for 2.7km because the wind was sh*t..."

Big Jim (thanks Brad for the photo)

The sailing and "de-briefing" at both the event site and Moiser took until almost 7:00pm.

Jim, Cam, and Cynthia went to Three River's Grill for supper so that Jim could buy and Cam and Cynthia could celebrate their anniversary!

Big Jim and John ate at the Townhouse.  Big Jim has maybe over extended himself, and had to rest his knee.

The rest of the guy's decided to go to pFriem's.  Ross and I rode down on our bikes and met the gang.

We had a bit of a wait for our table, but once seated, the service and food were excellent as usual.  When we were done, we went to Mike's for ice cream, and sat on their lawn chairs enjoying our cones.

Great way to end the day.  It looks like more wind tomorrow.  It is a good thing the trip is almost over as I don't know how much more our bodies can take!