2021-09-09 Big Jim's Day 3 - Foiling Frenzy

Lac La Biche - Big Jim's Place

Ted's Report:

We got up to a cool calm day.  Brad, Mike and Kent had fun flying my small indoor quadcopter around the house.  You fly it wearing goggles that give you a TV like vide from a camera on the quad, so it is like you are actually flying it.  You get a bit of an out of body experience when you see yourself from a different angle as you fly past.

Blaine, Brad, Big Jim and Mike decided to go golfing.  The sun came out and it turned into a beautiful day.  Brad said the course was very green and well maintained, but the golfing was not at pro level.  They were hit by rain on the 8th hole, which turned out to be the front bringing the wind.  They timed their game perfectly, as the wind came up just as they arrived back at Jim's.  Big Air Jim and Cam arrived right at that time as well.  Perfect timing.

I was the first out on the water on my 7.0 Flyer.  Mike had tried to talk me out of it telling me there was no wind, but it looked to me that the wind was a lot stronger off shore, so I first slogged up wind to the windline, and then had a great sail.  When everyone saw me going, there was a mad scramble to get out on the water.

Kent, Blain, Brad, Big Air Jim, and Cam all went out on their 7.0 Flyers.  Big Jim was on his 8.2, and Mike was on his 15m Kite.  After my first 15-20km (my watch stopped at 10k and I didn't notice it right away), the wind started to drop off, and I thought we might be done.  Then, the wind picked up.  I held on for a while, thinking it was a gust, but it just kept building. 

Everyone but Big Air Jim, came  in to re-rig.  Blaine, Kent, Cam, and Brad went back out on their 5.2's.  Mike went out on a smaller 10m kite, and Big Air Jim just flattened out his sail and hung on.

I decided to stay on shore and take some photos, although I didn't get many good photos because everyone was too far out.  Scott Currie, from down the beach was out as well, first with a wing, and then with a Wind Foil Board.  I managed to get a photo of him foiling, although he was a long way away...

The most exciting part of the day was towards the end when almost everyone was finished sailing.  Cam went out on with his 6m wing and wing board.  He did really well, and got the board up on the foil a number of times, to cheers and clapping from all of us on shore!  When he came back in he had the biggest smile you can imagine, and he was definitely the local hero!  Wow, the start of a new era!  AGAIN!  Now we all need new gear... AGAIN!  "Add to cart".

We were all a pretty slow moving group at supper.  Everyone has some sore muscles from the day!

A few days ago, the forecast for Friday was for another calm day, but the more recent forecast looks a lot better.  We are looking forward to more wind tomorrow!

Blaine - going out on his 5.2!

Cam on his 5.2

Cam's is bigger than Blaine's...

Jim in Surf!

Mike on his 10

Lesser Yellowleg

Scott up on his foil!

Mike gathering his gear!

Kent - smiling a the camera - mid jibe!


Blaine had a great day!

Brad had a great day as well!



Cam foiling on his wing board!

Cam Foiling on the other tack!

Oops!

Big Jim giving Winging instruction to Cam!

Greater Yellowleg


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