2011-09-14-Big Swell Again...

Wow!  Another Big Day.  I started on my 4.2 and 77 Litre Acid.  That's almost as small as the board that Harold uses, and he is about 80 pounds lighter than I am....

Huge Swell, sometimes spanning the near half of the river.  The only problem for me was it was so powered that I had trouble turning down the wave.

Big Air Jim - Going upstairs!!

 Big Air Jim - said it was one of the best days ever.  (Period).  I asked if he wanted to expand on that, and believe it or not - Jim Said no, there is nothing more to be said. I almost fell off my chair.

Big Air - sailed his 4.0 Revo, and his beast - All Day.

Mike

Mike says that a nice 5.2 day would be really nice.   He spent the day on his 4.0 and 75 litre fish.  At breakfast, he told us that yesterday was a one Advil morning, but today is a two Advil morning.  By the end of the week - who knows...

Brad - Big conditions - in control.

 Brad described the day as more about control and survival than about style....  Still had had a great day on his 3.8 "Tornado" Hucker sail.  Lots of blasting back and forth across the river.

Brad described the day as "Punchy"... Big lulls, and then, with no warding, huge gusts.  Full on and then full off. A great day - WINDY!

This may be the best 3 days in a row- that we have ever had on a trip.  This definitely builds on our reputation (deserved or not) for bringing the wind.

Brad - getting some air!

 I had a fellow come up to me yesterday and ask if there was any way we could plan a trip in the summer - so we could bring the wind then.

I think our friend Mike P has been helping to perpetrate the legend.  Whether true or not - after two or more weeks of no wind, it only took a couple of days for the wind to start after we got here.

Kent, Ross, Blaine, and Handre were all on 3.8m sails, and Harold was on a 3.2.  There were lots of 2.8's and 2.5m sails on the water.

Kent - Slashing a Jibe

  Handre had a full day, in spite of a very sore big toe (very black and blue).  He is pushing hard, and everyone admires him for his perseverance.  Unfortunately everyone is trying to teach him how to jibe - and because most of our group all have  completely different styles, and we all think we are doing it right - a lot of the advice is contradictory. It is amazing that with all this help - he is actually learning anything.  I can't wait to watch him on a lighter day - if he is doing this well in totally overpowered conditions, it should be no problem in normal conditions.

Kent - Slashing a Jibe on the wave!

 Kent and Ross were tearing the place up with slashing jibes, unreal wave rides, and big jumps!  Kent claims that he is struggling to keep control, but he sure looks smooth from the beach.

Harold said that the conditions were incredibly variable. During the day you had everything - huge troughs, large waves, chop, high wind, higher wind.  It shaped up in so many ways over the day.

Blaine said that the day was a 3.7 HURT'IN ALBERTIN DAY! - but fun!

Ross - Smiling for the camera.

Lazelle went for a run and then a two hour walk all over town looking for a health food store. She finally found it and had the best smoothy ever.

Some bad news from Harold W, it turns out that he did break two small bones in his left foot.  We all hope he has a speedy recovery.






Late in the day, I went for a final session with Dale Cook!  They guy's on the beach said it was hard to tell us apart - until they figured out that I was the guy laying in the water, and Dale was the guy going twice as fast as everyone on the water, and making huge, long jumps.

Mike P - Enjoying a drink (or two) with friends.

 After sailing, we all headed to the Mexican restaurant at the top of the hill.  Mike P, joined us to catch up on all our stories and lies. 

He always has some great stories.  He was sailing at the Hatchery, but sailed up to join us for part of the day.

Big Air Jim's friend Antonio also joined us for a while, and showed us his big jumps.

Thirsty Ross...

 Ross had a couple of "Sips".  A great time to swap lies and talk about the day.

After supper, we all headed to the house, to watch some windsurfing videos and Survivor.....

Big Air Jim was snoring on the couch by 9:30. Everyone was in bed by 10.....

Keep Thirsty my friends!!

Typical Gorge Trip - one great day after another.....