2021-09-11 Big Jim's - Day 5 - Foiling on flat water!

Lac La Biche - Big Jim's Place

Ted's Report:

We got up to a cool, calm day.  There was a slight off shore breeze.

Jim and Cam packed up and left.  Cam has a bike trip scheduled and had to get back.

Kent and Handre went for a "short" bike ride!  Kent was so pleased, because for the first time ever, and probably the only time, Kent was pulling Handre!  (COVID knocked down Handre so much, that it is taking some time for him to get his fitness back).

Andreas was the first to head out.  He drifted a long way before he was able to get his kite up, and got a few rides, but ran into weeds, and then the wind died so he needed a rescue.

The wind seemed to be picking up a bit, although the water at the beach was absolutely calm - not a ripple.

Blaine - ready to go!

It was strange heading out on our gear in virtually no wind.  We slogged out a long way, maybe a kilometer before we started to catch a few gusts.  I saw Brad catch a ride, and then a bit later I saw Blaine catch one.  They were a bit further out than me, so I headed even further down wind, thinking that it wouldn't be fun coming back up wind.

Not much wind close to shore.  Blaine and Brad!

I thought I was going to get skunked, and then I caught a gust and got a ride.  Then I caught another, and then another.  The wind was picking up and we were all foiling almost all the time.  It was interesting foiling in such flat water!  Fun!

After getting my fill I took advantage of a few gusts, and foiled right back to the beach.  Big Jim was heading out as I came in.  He was on his 8.2 Flyer, and had no trouble getting going.  He probably timed the wind better than everyone.

Andreas went out again and had a great ride.

As I was the only one on the beach in a wetsuit, I first helped Mike with his kite, but there wasn't enough wind near shore to launch.  Ross asked me to take the Seadoo and drive him out to the middle so he can launch.  I grabbed my waterproof camera thinking that once I dropped him off, I would take some photos of Big Jim, Brad and Blaine. What was supposed to be an easy launch, turned into a bit of a gong show.    After about half an hour, I told Ross I had to go and rescue Andreas, but I would be back.  

Andreas had had a really good sail, but the wind was moving more and more off shore, so he just couldn't get back.  Every time he tried, he just ran out of wind.  As I was dragging Andreas back to shore, I noticed that Ross had got his kite up and was up foiling!

Rescuing Andreas!

When I got to shore, Mike asked me to take him out.  Here we go again.  I thought launching Ross from the Seadoo was a gong show, but Launching Mike with his foil kite took it to a whole new level.  The kite was already wet, so getting the leading edge to fill with air was tricky.  After a first failed attempted, Mike hauled it back to the Seadoo and tried to lift it out of the water section by section to drain out the water and get the leading edge full of air, all while the two of us were balancing on the Seadoo.  We eventually got the kite in the air by me driving slowly into wind while mike sat on the back pumping his kite.

Now I was getting pretty cold, but I was finally able to take a few photos of the guy's.  Unfortunately my camera battery died, so I didn't get many photos and the ones I got weren't very good...

Big Jim on his 8.2 Flyer

I came back to shore and was getting ready to get changed, when we noticed that Ross's kite was down, and he needed a rescue.  Boy these kiters are a needy bunch!  Out I went again, but the rescue was easy.  Ross wrapped up his lines and sat on the back of the Seadoo holding his kite.

Kite Foiler Ross

When we got back to shore, I was shivering.  By this time, Mike, who had a good session was so far downwind that we could hardly see him. There was no way he would be able to get back, so he needed a rescue as well.  I told Ross, that this time it needed to be a kiter going out to rescue a kiter.

We all commented that ALL of the wind foilers made it back without help while the kiters needed help going out AND coming home!

I had a hot shower and changed, and then Big Jim asked if I would show his friend Zach to foil behind the Seadoo.  At the same time, Scott and his nephew Sam dropped in on their Seadoo to visit.  They were looking at my Wake Foil gear, so I offered to show Sam how to work it.  Handre wanted to try it as well.

I put on my shorty wetsuit, because my other one was wet and cold, and took Sam out while Scott drove.  Sam is a young kit and light so had a bit of difficulty tipping the board to get going, so I held it for him.  It took him a few tries, but he got it pretty quickly, and told his uncle that this would have to be his next purchase!  For a change, I was the "enabler" talking Scott into buying something, instead of the other way around!

Zach tried next.  He is a wakeboarder, and that may have worked against him.  He kept leaning back and having spectacular wipeouts, launching high into the air.  He gets lots of credit for keeping at it, and did have a few short rides!

Handre was next and got it after a few tries!  He is such a natural athlete!

Sam went for another ride and went all the way around the bay without falling.  He is a great kid, with an incredible uncle - Scott has all the toys and likes nothing better than sharing them with his nephew!

I was so cold, I was shaking.  I had a hot shower, and was still shaking.  I got dressed, put on my winter parka.  I then started de-rigging and hauling my equipment up the hill.  That got me warmed up, and by the time I was done I had to change to a lighter shirt!

It was almost 9:00 by the time I was finished and cooking supper.

After supper, we all watched the latest Robby Nash documentary, before heading to bed.

For a no wind day, we all had a lot of fun!