Today was supposed to be a no wind day.  It was another big shopping day with Big Air Jim buying a couple of new booms (after breaking on yesterday, he doesn't trust the ones he has...)  Most of the guy's went golfing - (Blaine, Big Jim, Big Air Jim, Brad, and Mike).  Ross and Andreas left early and went to the cost.  (I guess they had a nice day, but not really enough wind to do anything other than walk on the beach).  Kent went for a bike ride, and I went to the Dalles to get the brakes on my van fixed.  Once the brakes were fixed I drove to the event site to take my stand up paddle board for a ride.  After paddling around the bay a couple of times, I noticed that it had started to get windy.  I called Kent to see what he was doing and found out he was on the way to the Hatchery with Harold.  When I got there, Gerry was already out and Kent was rigged, just heading out.

I rigged quickly and joined them - Harold followed.  The wind started building, and soon we were all re-rigging to smaller stuff.  I ended up on my 5.6 and Kode board - very over powered.  Eventually a storm blew in and it started raining.  Kent re-rigged down to a 4.8, but just as he was about to head out, the wind died.  Harold ended up doing the big swim.  In fact, I ended up swimming out to drag him back.....he was stuck just at the edge of the current shift, and couldn't seem to make any progress towards shore.....

Dinner at 6th street Grill was late, because we didn't get away from the Hatchery until about 8:30.

I think everyone is pretty tired.  I hear the golfers did 18 holes, and the back nine is all hills.

Kent and Harold are leaving first thing in the morning.  We have to be out of the house by 11:00.  I think most of the rest of us will drive to Roosevelt tomorrow and sail if it is blowing.  If not we will keep going.  Ross and Andrea may be staying through the weekend.

All in all, it was a great trip.  Only one non-sailing day.  That may be a record.....

We are all looking forward to fall....

Harold with his new glasses....

Another great day.  (Photo by Mike)

2010-06-17-Roosevelt

Lots of new equipment this year.  I came down with a new Kode 94.  Gerry bought a new board on Monday, Harold bought a new board on Tuesday,  Jim is demo-ing a bunch of new sails from Sailworks, and Kent, and Blaine bought Kode 86's Thursday.

Ted trying out his SUP (photo by Gerry)

 The Thursday forecast was for big winds out east.  Everyone busy in the shops, so we were late getting to the site.  We actually drove past great wind at Maryhill and the Wall.  When we got to Roosevelt, the wind had just dropped.  We almost went back to the wall, but eventually decided to stay. 

I took out my Stand Up Paddleboard with my 6.6 and played around for a bit until the wind picked up some.  Most of us got out sailing on bigger sails and boards.  I sailed on my 6.6 hucker and Freexxx Board. Overall it was a pretty good day.  Certainly by Edmonton Standards it was a great day.

Without footstraps it hard to get the

SUP out of the water with the sail...

(photo by Gerry)

Andreas, Mike and Ross did some kiting.  Mike gets points for the most impressive crash.....

At the end of the day, Jim broke a boom on the far side.  Kent and Harold stayed with him, while Gerry came in to get another boom for him.  Brad found a guy who owned a boat and went out with him to help also.  For all the drama, it really wasn't too exciting.  The boom was replaced without any trouble and Jim sailed home in one reach.

A view of the Kitchen in the House....pretty nice...

Andreas and Ross headed back to the house early and had a wonderful meal ready for us when we got back.  (Steaks, baked potatoes, salads and mushroomshome early).

This is the view from one of the decks on the House.

Everyone is impressed with the shower...

2010-06-16-Roosevelt

We had another slow start again today.  We all eventually ended up at Sailworks to talk to Dale Cook and Jim.  (Don't worry Louise, I didn't buy any sails....).  Andreas had a sail repaired and purchased two new Revo's.  It is always interesting talking to Dale and Jim.  Dale has a twisted ankle so isn't sailing (After sailing in big waves all winter jumping 40-50 feet high, he hurt it falling off a small retaining wall while doing some landscaping - go figure...)  Jim recommended that Kent buy a new Fanatic "Free Ride" board.  Kent went right out and rented one - so he could try it out......

The call was for out east later in the afternoon.  We all headed to Roosevelt around noon.  Most were on the water by 2:00ish....  It was a cold day, and rained on us while we were on the water.

Ross trying out his new Kode board...

(Thanks Mike for the photo)

The first session lasted until almost 4:00, when the wind died almost totally.  It then started raining and seemed to get colder.  After 1/2 an hour or more, the wind started to get up again.  The brave amongst us headed out again (not me...).  There was a bit of drama when Big Jim broke a mast in the middle of the river.  He had lots of help, so was in no danger.  Kent borrowed my board (because it is bigger than his), and some rope from Mike, and towed Jim in.  His arms were pretty sore by the time they reached shore.  Jim enjoyed the ride laying on his board.  By the time everyone was in, the wind shut down again and it started to rain for real.  If it had only snowed a bit we would have all thought we were back in Edmonton.

An excellent dinner at China Gorge ended another great day!!!

(Thanks Mike for the help with the photos today.  Between sailing lots and all the rain, I didn't have my camera out much)...

Kent towing in Big Jim....

Harold sucked the last little bit of wind out of the day!

Gerry had some great runs on his Roberts!

(Photo by Mike)

Brad with his Acid (Photo by Mike)

Blaine can't wait for more sailing tomorrow!!!

(Photo by Mike)

2010-06-15-Doug's Beach

After a very slow moring, and even watching part of the Brazil/South Korea Soccer match, we headed off to Doug's Beach.  The best sailing was from about 2:00 to 4:00. I started off way overpowered on a 4.8, but then re-rigged down to my 4.2.  Most of the guy's were on 3.7's or 4.2's.

 I finally had a chance to try out my new board (a Starboard kode 94). 

There has been a kode explosion.  Ted, Ross, Gerry, Brad (renting), Andreas and even Harold were sailing them......

Ted on his new board!  (Thanks Gerry for the Photo)

I think everyone had a good sail.  Conditions were very rough with lots of chop, but also some very large waves.  I think a lot of the guy's were quite sore from the last few days.

After sailing, we went to the White Salmon bar for supper.  It must have been a great day, because the guy's stayed up late talking about it....(11:00pm)....

Mike - setting a rail!

Blaine - going fast!

         Gerry - going "upstairs"         and        Big Air Jim - showing him how.

Big Jim - going really fast!!

Blaine...

Even Harold was going fast!

Big Air Jim is looking forward to another great day tomorrow...

See all of todays photos on my Flickr Site

2010-06-14- The Hatchery Again...WINDY!!

Some young guy... showing off up at Kodak Point....

After a slow morning everyone headed to the Hatchery. It was windy by 11...and I mean windy. Sails ranged from 2.2 to 4.2. Even Andreas was complainging that he was over powered at times. There were also some amazing swells. Kent said he had the longest wave ride ever....

A new guy to our group - Harold 2

Kent...

Big Air Jim has  lost so much weight that when he jibes

you almost loose sight of him because he is so slim...

Kent - looking nervous...

Kent in in the background - just a little swell....

Brad hunting down Blaine...

See all today's photos on

my Flickr site...

2010-06-13 - We are all here... AGAIN

Big Jim Having Fun...

Well, here we are in the Gorge again. The weather is beautiful (80's and sunny!). A wonderful change from what we have had at home this spring. I almost feel guilty.

Blaine...

Most of the guy's arrived on Thursday or Friday, but I didn't get here until late Saturday. The sailing was apparently good on Friday (I'm not sure I believe them...), but Saturday was a Biking/Golf/Car Wash day!

Kent - Slashing a Jibe

Our new house is amazing (although I haven't been told what it will cost yet...). It is set up on a hill with some fantastic views (I promise to take some photos). It is so big, with so many rooms, that almost everyone has their own room - with rooms to spare. Certainly a step up from where we were (litterally) about 200 steps in fact. It is a significant climb from downtown.

Gerry at the Hatchery

I think everyone had fun yesterday at the Hatchery! The wind was a bit gusty, but everyone had smiles on their faces and everyone had some good rides.

Big Air Jim...                                                     Kent...

Blaine hitting a wave...                              Mike Flying... 

Big Jim - Blasting...

Big Jim was showing off the bottom of his

 board with a couple of great jumps......