2017-06-18 - Fathers Day

Light, Fickle Winds...
Sophia
Once again, the forecast was for light winds - building in the afternoon.  I don't want to jinx us, but it looks like the winds will get stronger, with Tuesday and Wednesday in the 30mph range.

We all met at Dog River as usual.  It was Fathers Day so Bette's and all the other restaurants were very busy.  Six of us endured the line at Bette's - not sure where the others went.

Blaine is always happy to show off photos of his granddaughter Sophia, and to tell us all about her.

Blain and Sophia

Around Noon I was heading to the Event Site to watch Kent do some more foiling when he called me and told me the wind had picked up and that everyone was going to the Hatchery.

The Hatchery was underwhelming.  Harold rigged his 6.1m sail and headed out, but did a lot of standing around.  With the strong current, it was interesting watching him come back to shore as he angled at about 45 degrees and was dragged downwind by the current faster than his forward speed.

Harold had a good day!

We watched a sailboat jibe in front of us.  It virtually stopped in the current as the current was about the same as it's forward movement.  It had to angle off into the center channel before it could make any headway.

Going nowhere in the strong current!

Al rigged his 6.5, but his downhaul rope broke so he had to go back to his van to get a new one.  By the time he got back, the wind had dropped even further, so he was saved from a swim (or at least a slog fest).  He decided to rig his chair and read a book.

Al with his lawn chair fully rigged - enjoying his book!

Ross, who had launched with a 9m Kite from the bridge came up and played around in the waves.  There weren't many other sailors out, and those that were, were spending a lot of time just standing around.  We did see Dale Cook and Bruce Peterson flash by on their foils.

After an hour or two, we decided to go back to the event site to see what was happening.
Kent had a great day foiling, Cam had fun on his 12m kite, and Cynthia also had a few runs on a 5.6m Sail.  I think, but can't confirm, that Jim had given it a  go on his 7.0 earlier in the day.  Jim said it was the best fathers day ever, sitting there in the sun watching Cynthia and Cam have fun!

Cynthia enjoyed getting out!

Kent is getting very proficient with the foil.  He is pumping onto a plane proficiently and keeping the board out of the water while going very fast.  He is even completing a few jibes.  He had a big grin on his face when he finally came off the water after hours and hours of foiling.

Kent had a great day foiling!

As it looked like it had picked up a bit, Al headed back to the hatchery, but then "resisted the urge to rig".  Probably wise...

Blaine and Brad went on a Road Bike Ride to the Rowena Lookout and back.  Wow - that is a lot of work in the heat of the day.  Sorry - no photos.

I sat and read, and took a few photos.

Cam and Cynthia took Jim out for a Fathers day Dinner.  I suggested that they should take all the fathers out for dinner, but they weren't having any of it.....

The rest of us went to 6th Street.  The owner, Chirs, was happy to see us as usual.

After dinner, we went to DQ for dessert - then early to bed.  Hopefully, we will be sailing tomorrow.

The only issue with foiling is all the gear you have to haul around...