2011-09-15-Roosevelt Beach Park

First - all the photos on this post are from Blaine, Mike or Brad.  I sailed all day, and didn't take any ...  Thanks guys!

Dale Cook - Smoking through a laydown jibe.

We woke up to clouds and colder weather in the Gorge.  Coffee at Dog  River - then Breakfast at Bett's. Brad was on I-windsurf, Mike was looking at Temira's forcast, the locals were looking at the Clouds, Ted talked to Dale Cook at Sailworks, and Big Air Jim was calling his friend Antonio to try to get a forecast.  Everyone agreed that it would blow best out east - beyond the cloud line.

The decision was narrowed down to Maryhill, the Wall (a few miles east of Maryhill on a dirt road, positioned in and amongst some cliffs (the Wall), and Roosevelt Beach Park.  The Wall is the obvious choice for expert sailors who want to be on the edge, with no alternate beach access points, maximum waves, gusts and winds speed.  The rumour was that high flyers like Dale Cook and Bruce Peterson would be there later in the day to strut their stuff.

Dale Cook complained that he couldn't find any port ramps...

After careful consideration, we decided that it would be best not to show up our friends, the locals, and leave them with the perception that they are the best sailors in the area.  We headed to the grassy rigging area, sheltered launch spot, and user friendly launch at Roosevelt.  It didn't disappoint.  It is about an hour and a half drive east of Hood River, so we arrived around noon.  There was some initial confusion about the wind speed.  Kent rigged his 3.8 and small board, then his 4.2 and large board, then finally settled on his 4.2 and small board - all before he got on the water.   Most of the other guy's did the same.

Ted - Sailing his 4.2 at Swell City Wednesday.

Gerry went straight to his 4.6 - and sailed one rig and one board all day. Tired from being beaten up the last few days, I decided to sit out the rigging frenzy until a few people had been on the water. I then rigged my 4.8 Hucker on my Kode board, and sailed it all day.  After being overpowered on my 4.2 the last few days, it was great to be on the 4.8 in relaxing conditions (I can't believe I am calling 4.8 (my second smallest sail), chop and large waves and swell - relaxing conditions.  For the most part I felt totally in control and was starting to get my confidence back!  I had a few nice Starboard jumps and started working on my port jumps (it wan't pretty - and I didn't land any).  I was also trying to be more aggressive wave riding - amazing what you can do when you are not scared to death......If I wan't so sore from the last few days - I might have really progressed....

The boys - talking about the day.

Big Air Jim says that the day satisfied everybody's need for speed.  Apparently when you combine the 4.0 Revo with the Roberts Speedster - there are no speed limits on the water. NOBODY PASSES BIG AIR JIM!

It was great to see Gerry getting huge air off the port side ramps, and to see Rene blasting back and forth and at one point going soooooo fast that he scared himself!

Handre - Stoked!

Handre was still hurting from Wednesday when he had fallen and hit is head (YES - he
was wearing his helmet!)  He had some good runs in the somewhat lighter conditions, but wasn't feeling well.  Afraid that he may be slightly concussed, he decided to leave early and have himself checked out at the hospital.  In spite of many offers to drive him back - he insisted on driving himself  (Isn't there something about following your own advice?).  Anyways, turns out he is OK!


Kent and Ross had fun teaching each other new tricks.  Kent was learning an off-the-lip jump, and Ross was learning to do a laydown jibe in the waves.  Lots of stories about how great they were - blah, blah, blah...

Brad - Great Day!

Brad had a solid 4.2 day!  Great Jibing on and in the huge glassy swells on the Oregon side.

Mike finally had a day of port ramps.  Too bad the jumps were too far out for anyone to photograph, or maybe everyone was just too busy sailing.

Ted - relaxing after the best day of the trip!

Harold just sailed like he always does - nice wave rides and on the water all day.

As always, we ran into Bill at the launch site.  He joined us for a beer after sailing and told us about showing off his 42 Centimeter fin at Jones Beach. I understand that the locals had never seen anything like it....

You have to give Bill credit for his endurance. He is always out and works hard.

Gear spread all over....

At the end of the day we had gear spread all over the beach.  Unbelievable how much gear we have when it is all laid out.

Friday looks like a light wind day.  Looks like sailing and then heading home for most of us.
What a great week!

Harold!  Put some Clothes on!!!