2011-06-23 - Andreas's Version

Thought I would throw in my version of Sunday as it was quite the eventful day. It started with me deciding to go for a kite session. I got all rigged up had a flawless launch....ran out to the water dove my kite down to get going at which point I somehow came disconnected from the kite. The kite went to the leash which subsequently broke. So here I was standing in the water with a 2 foot piece of rope left in my hand watching $2000 blowing across the water to the other side of the river. I thought of trying to swim after it but it was just moving way to fast to have any chance of catching it. I was about to go grab my stand up paddle board when one of the other kiters suggested I grab the kayak that was sitting down by the water. I was reluctant but they told me no go ahead it is here for rescues. Okay fine. As I am picking up the kayak the owner comes over with a look on his face like...umm that's mine what are you doing..lol. After some exasperated words of trying to explain myself I was off to save my kite. Paddled out and retrieved it with no problems. I pieced my kite back together and even though the wind was now solid 4.7 for me I decided I better redeem myself to the other kiters and go for a quick kite session first. It was fantastic down at Arlington with only 2 or 3 kiters and a couple of windsurfers playing in the waves. I kited and Ross sailed on his 4.2 for 2 or 3 hours. It was a great session. The wind was constantly ramping up throughout the session. I came in to get packed up as we had a long drive ahead of us. After packing up the wind just kept getting stronger and stronger. It had to be one of the windiest days I had seen in several years and decided I had to go windsurfing. I rigged my 4.2 and ross and I headed back out. I was overpowered on my 4.2 and the waves were huge. Wicked session. Here is were it gets interesting...

I come in and there are a few guys on the beach asking how I'm feeling. Exhausted..but what's up. Turns out they can't find one of their buddies. He was supposed to be out for 15 more minutes and then coming in. It had been an hour and they can't see him anywhere. I get a description and tell them I will go out and take a look. Well first reach out upwind I find his gear but the guy is not with it. I take a look around and cannot find him. I decide the best thing to do is get back to shore and try and get the rescue boat the kiters have in the water. They phone the sheriff and while I am talking with the guys about the boat a lady comes up to me and says "are you Andreas"? Yes...well your friend Ross is broken down on the other side. He is try to get to arlington but I'm not sure if he will be able to. Great. I figured the guy missing with no gear was probably more a priority as Ross was with all his stuff still. I tell her I will be there when I can and proceed to go back out looking for the other guy along with the boat. I find his gear right away again and start sailing around looking on shore. After about 10min of looking I finally see someone climbing up the rocks by the railway tracks. It was him. Thank god. You just never know. 70 year old guy separated from his gear in huge waves and 3.7 conditions. I tell the boat on the way back to shore and they go to pick him up. I get back to shore to let the other guys know their buddy is okay. Now it's off to find Ross.

I was told he was trying to get into the bay at Arlington so I head there first. On the way there I ended up on probably one of the biggest waves I have ever been on in the gorge. Sorry Ross but I figured after 30min what's another minute. I get to Arlington. Can't find him but someone with binoculars thinks he sees him and that the rescue boat was close to him. I had told them where the other guys gear was but they were looking for it in the wrong spot....which was good for Ross. When they came upon him they thought are you holding on to that other guys gear for him. No...but I could sure use a ride. lol. We are both back to shore exhausted but what a great day.

We had planned to drive to Sandpoint or the border but only made it to Pasco for a bear and burger to talk about all the carnage and big wind and waves of a fantastic last day in the Gorge.

As usual once again I had a great trip with you guys. Looking forward to the next one!

- Show quoted text -

--
Pipeline Surf
10169 - 104 St.Suite 2
Edmonton, AB T5J1A5
888-470-5990
780-421-1575
info@pipelinesurf.ca
www.pipelinesurf.ca

June 18-19, 2011 - Ross's Story.....

Gents

After everyone departed on Sat the weather cleared and it ramped up to a solid 4.2 w huge swell, sunny skies.

Sunday was a repeat, except it kept increasing until it was 3.8, and before you all start commenting on "it was 3.8 for skinny guys", Andreas was getting overpowered on his 4.2. Swell was massive with huge breaking crests.

Only bad part, last couple of rides for the day I trashed a brand new sail messing up a jump.....did I mention how big the port ramps were?...about midway across the river, sail is lost, rescued the rest of the rig, got drifted and self rescued to the Arlington shore and was looking at a long walk on the train tracks...plus a long wait to get picked up in Arlington....when a rigid hull private rescue boat appeared and told me that they would be back in about 15min. They were out rescuing another sailor, an older gent who was lost and there was concern that it may have been a fatality, and figured that since I was broken down they would come back, he had just been found, and give me a ride as well. Nice of them. Moral of the story, don't jump mid river in 3.8 conditions from 2m faces if you are not going to stick the landing!

Great sailing though.....

Did I mention that most of the time there was only a handful of people out on the water at Arlington.




Ross Abdurahman, P.Eng., LEED AP
Principal, Mechanical Engineering
FSC Consulting Engineers

June 17, 2011 - Swell City was Swell...`

It's hard to believe it is almost the end of our trip.  Cam headed out on Thursday as he wanted to get back for his Anniversary.  I decided to leave after sailing today, and Kent decided to join me so we could drive back together.  I believe most of the other guys will be leaving Saturday after sailing, although a few, like Andreas and Ross, don't have to be back until Monday Night.

At Swell City, you have to pay Brenda
a $5 launch fee...

At first we thought we should head East to Roosevelt again, but at breakfast Brad worked on his Iphone to check the I-Windsurf site, and figured the Hatchery would be the place to go.

Big Jim and Handre decided that the Event Site would be more suited for them, and Ross and Andreas headed to Rowena - I think.

When we got there... no one knew what to rig...

When we arrived at the Hatchery, we found that fishing nets had been strung out across our launch site, essentially blocking all reasonable access to the water.  We definitely did not want to deal with that, in addition to the current.  We left the fish nets for the locals to deal with (I imagine there will be some screaming...) and headed to Swell City, just down river.

Swell is usually a great place to sail, but with the current, some of us were worried that if we didn't stay powered, we would drift down current, and there is no good landing spot for miles.  (Unlike the Hatchery, where you can drift down to Swell City...)

Kent was watching the water...

The wind looked light, and we thought we might not be able to sail, until a local went out on a 5m sail and looked fully powered.  There was a rigging frenzy as usual.  Virtually everyone went out on their new Sailworks 5.2m Sails. I was on my 5.6, and I think Harold A had a smaller rig.  We all had a lot of fun, although the wind was a bit light, and there was some slogging. It felt great to be in control for a change.  The current wasn't a big deal as it didn't seem as strong as at the Hatchery.

Looking towards the Hatchery

Kent left after his first session and headed to Roosevelt, hoping for stronger winds out East.  I stayed for a second session, and left around 4:00.  The rest of the gang were still sailing!

On the way out of town, I flagged down our friend Mike Pokock, to say goodbye.  We always enjoy running into Mike and have had many a brew with him. Mike is actually an author and runs an on-line company which sells personalized romance and mystery novels.  Check it out at Books by You.
They make great gifts! (I'm hoping that Mike will sponsor our next trip....)


I met up with Kent at Roosevelt - there was no wind at all, so we headed for home.  Made it as far as Sandpoint, so it should be an easy drive home Saturday.

It has been a great trip!

Ted

It is always interesting watching
Big Air Jim's van exploding when
the rigging frenzy starts.

Lots of new 5.2 Sailworks Revolution Sails...

Ted, Mike, Kent and Blaine

Brad was the only one to get "AIR"

Brad ... going upstairs....

June 16,2011 - The Hatchery - Separates the Men from the Boys.

The forecast was for a light-wind day in the corridor (Stevenson to Hood River).  I got to the river late. Kent was coming off to rig down from his 4.8 to 4.2.  It was REALLY windy!!!!.

The Men!

Harold - doing what he always does.
Steady

Andreas, Kent, Ross, Harold A, and Mike P, ripped up the river.  Although Mike P. admitted that it was a lot of work.  The wind was extremely variable (3-30mph), so you had to be able to stand on your board (up to your knees in the water) holding on, and trying to stay "up current" in the lulls, be aggressive and take advantage of the waves to gain ground, then hold on and fly in the gusts.....

Andreas on his 4.2 and Kode
Classic Table-Top Jump!

Andreas did his first back loop, and almost landed it. He got all the way around and landed on his feet, but then went in.  WOW!  It was even caught on film! (well, digitally...)  His parents were even there to see it, and it was his mom who took the photo - see below...

Ross - Slashing a wave

Ross was efficient as always. He enjoyed trying out his new Sailworks sails... (apparently there was a buying frenzy at Sailworks earlier in the morning).

Ross is probably the best jumper in the group, and showed off his style as the rest of us watched from the beach!!

Ross - Flying High - Andreas looking for wind.

This is an interesting picture...  Andreas is slogging with almost no wind, trying to surf down a wave to keep up current.  A hundred meters behind him, Ross is totally powered - showing us the bottom of his board!

Kent said he had some wave rides that he will remember for the rest of his life!  Huge, even, smooth swell.

Funny, how the guy's who are younger, generally lighter,  and in better condition - had the best time....
(No I am not implying anything....)






The Boys....

Ted  enjoyed taking photos as usual.

Well, unlike the "Men", some of us didn't fair so well.  I went out on my 4.2 and Kode 93.  I had a great reach across the river - fully powered and fully in control.  I thought "This isn't so bad...", I jibed on the outside, and then the wind dropped.  I slogged back, finally got on a plane, but then the wind dropped again, and I dropped into the water right in the big swells - of course the current was taking me down stream at 5 knots...

I got up and made it back up wind, slogged, then planed, and got back up river.  On the way back, I tried to get to the beach, but couldn't slog through the big swell, and didn't have enough speed to ride the wave.  By now I am drifting down to "Kodak Point" - the expert area, and the end of the beach.  I went out and back again - but decided I had better get in before I was too far down river, and before I didn't have enough energy left to waterstart.  I thought that maybe no one would notice my "walk of shame".   I no sooner got my rig out of the water, than Big Air Jim was there to help me carry it back.  Mike P, even took a photo of my doing my walk.  I promised to post it if he sends it to me....

Big Air Jim
In control, after successfully rigging his lawn chair.

Big Air Jim had a similar experience to mine, except that he managed to make it back to the beach.  He talks about being totally over powered - not able to sheet in - screaming across the water - and then no wind, and having to drop in to the water.

Jim speaks for many of us, when he says he "was humbled by the Hatchery - again".

Harold W, had a similar adventure to mine, although was on the water for longer.....

Blaine - contemplating life...

Blaine had an adventure as well.  He was thrown forward over the "Handle Bars", and ended up under his sail, still hooked in, with the harness line twisted.  He had some very "interesting" moments, trying to get un-hooked, and then finding his way out from under his sail.

He came back and snoozed on the beach in the nice warm sun.

Big Jim made the right call - Event Site

Big Jim and Handre made the right call, and moved to the Event Site. Beautiful grass rigging area, relatively flat water (at least on the inside), and not very much current.  The wind was lighter,but steadier.

Jim said he was powered 80% of the time on his 6.3, while Handre had a great day, first on a 5.0 and then on his new Sailworks 6.0. (remember I said there was a buying frenzy at Sailworks earlier in the day.)

Handre and Jim sailed until about 7:00pm.  Handre had a great day, and is working hard on trying to Jibe.  He is very close to making one....

It is almost funny watching all the advice he is getting from everyone, and of course there are two or three distinct styles - so I am sure that while much of the advice has a lot in common, some of it will be quite contradictory.  He can't go anywhere without one of us showing him the footwork, sail flip, board position or something.....


Lots of adventure, and the basis for many stories and lies, to be told over and over.  All in all, another great day.  Everyone learned something - even if it was just respect for the river......

Andreas's parents came down to watch.

Mike enjoy taking photos and watching the action.

Harold W - re-rigging for another try...

Mike P, after a great sail - said it was hard work....

Ross - going up!!

Andreas - slashing a wave..

Ross - out of control...

Ross and Andreas!

Andreas - first Backloop
under the waterfall....

Going Down......

And he lands it - sort of......
Definitely the first in our group to do a loop!!!

June 15, 2011 - An 9 out of 10 Day at Roosevelt

Blaine says the day was a 9 out of 10.  The call was Roosevelt...

it was blowing 4.8 when we got there just before noon.

Blaine was stoked!

Ted
Thanks Harold and Andreas for Photos of me.....

The wind stayed steady all afternoon, building a bit. I was on my 4.8 all day, and just changed between my Naish when it was lighter and my Kode when it was stronger.  It felt really good to be in control for a change......

Handre - mid Jibe. 

Handre was blasting back and forth, trying his Jibes ... came very close on a couple.  I think it made up for yesterday.

I did a lot of sailing, but also had time for lots of video and photos.  The wind filled in close to to shore, so there were lots of good jibing shots, and many crashes on the video.

More photos from today are on my Flickr Site.

Kent - Big Smiles

Andreas's parents arrived in their motorhome.  They will be staying in the gorge for a few days to watch Andreas Kite, and will then head down the Oregon Coast.  It was great to see them. I sat with them on the point for an hour taking photos.

No rioting in Roosevelt. In spite of the Stanley Cup loss.. no broken equipment, no "adventures", just smiles everywhere and very sore muscles....and very tired sailors.

Brad -Big Ass Jibe!

I went up to the T&M bar in Roosevelt with Andreas and his Dad to watch Period three of the Stanley Cup. Somehow between when we left Roosevelt and arrived at the T&M (about 5 minutes), the score changed from 1-0 to 3-0.  At least the burger was good.

It was a very early night - as everyone was exhausted from so much time on the water.





Looking forward to more sailing tomorrow...

Ted

Big Air Jim - all puffed up...

Kent - more smiles!
Telling Ted to stop taking pictures and get out on the water!

Big Air Jim - Crusing!

Blaine - slashing a Jibe

Kent - Checking out the Barge

Not sure what Mike P is thinking????

Blaine using Kent as a Jibe Mark!!

Mike- Sailed on the same board and rig all day!

Cam and Harold A

June 14, 2011 - Hatchery Meyhem

Bruce Peterson can't quite believe the rack.

Tuesday started out like all other days with coffee at Dog River, then breakfast at Bette's - followed by touring the shops.  There was lots of excitement at Sailworks.

Bruce Peterson and Dale Cook were very impressed with Big Air Jim's rack. It is a show stopper... nobody can quite believe it.....

Brad didn't know what to rig - so he rigged everything.

 I arrived  at the Hatchery around 11:30, followed by the rest of the gang.  The wind was light, but appeared to be building.

I wanted to try my Naish (big board) again, so I rigged my 5.6 and went out.  Mike and I were some of the only sailors on the water, and the only ones from our group.  We slogged a bit at first, but then had a great session for about forty-five minutes.  The wind continued to build, and eventually we both got blown off the water. I made it back, but fully sheeted out, knees bent, trying to survive through the large swells near the beach, and looking like a total amateur... while the pro's were wave riding and jumping around me...

Kent had his best day ever, and his worst,
 all in the same session.
(The average was GREAT!)

I switched to my Kode (smaller board) and had another great session, until I was blown off the water again!

Sometimes it is best to wait for an hour for the wind to settle - then pick the correct sail size and sail for the rest of the day without chasing the wind with continual rigging.....

Not Tuesday!

Blaine always has fun - on or off the water
Although he is feeling guilty, because
Winnie is sending him emails telling
him how hard she is working at home...

 Every time Brad finished rigging something, the wind had changed.  He ended the day with three sails rigged, all his boards down at the water, and only had two reaches for the day. Very frustrating.
Big Air Jim started out fine then got totally over powered.  Trying to waterstart, overpowered in the large swell, he went "over the handlebars" and landed on his boom.  He said he thought he broke his arm...

After recovering, he tried to waterstart again, did the same thing, and landed on the same arm in the same place....  (what do they say about doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result???)  Anyway he drifted in to the next beach down the river - Swell City to visit his friends there.

We sent out a rescue mission and brought him home.  Lots of Ice and beer seem to have helped a lot and he is expecting a full recovery.

Big Jim and Handre were both blown off the water.  Handre ended up a Kodak point with the experts and had to walk back.  They decided to move to the Event site, where there is less current and a friendlier launch.

Big Air Jim and Brad - swapping lies...

After a short sail on his 4.7, Kent came off the water to rig his 4.2.  He thought that rather than struggling a little over powered, he could re-rig and be comfortable for the rest of the day.....

I was also re-rigging to a 4.2 after being blown off the water the last time.  We both finished rigging our 4.2's and got to the water just as the wind died. He re-rigged, went down to the beach, and the wind shut off.
It was only about 2:30...

Ted had a good day - sailed lots, and
totally worn out...

The wind was quite light, with strong gusts for the rest of the afternoon.  I went back out on my 5.6 and Nash.  I had a good ride across the river, then spent quite a bit of time in the middle trying to waterstart with not enough wind to keep the sail out of the water, then had another totally over powered, totally out of control survival run to the beach.
.
We all de-rigged and sat around talking about the day- swapping stories and lies.




Brad suggested we go home and watch game 7 of the Stanley Cup.  We all agreed that it would be a good idea until Mike Pocock reminded us that the game wasn't until Wednesday.... I thought Brad was a hockey fan.....

We were just about ready to leave, when the trees started to move and the wind started to pick up. At first we joked about it, but then headed down to the river for a look.  The river was going off, and several experts were out.


Kent, Blaine and Harold A, decided to rig.  The wind was extreme, with big lulls in between.  The swell in the river was huge.  Kent got out first.  He had some of his best wave rides ever, but also spent a lot of time in the water waiting for a puff.  Chatting with the other sailors later, they agreed that it was some of the best sailing they had ever had, mixed with some of the worst - all in the same session. Kent was out for about an hour, before the wind dropped off again.

Harold got out, but rigged too small, and couldn't get going.  He went out and back but that was about it.
Blaine having rigged, and suited up in his wetsuit, got down to the beach.. watched Harold, and looked at Kent - way down river - and decided not to go ..  probably a wise decision.

With the inconsistent wind, and the huge current, we are all finding the Hatchery to be much more of a challenge than usual.  Very humbling.

Most of us went to China Gorge for dinner - then watched the days video at the house.
Ross and Andreas arrived back at the house late.  Apparently they had lots of fun at the Coast kiting and Stand Up Paddleboarding, although it seems they lost a good part of a day because they had had to much time in a local pub the day before.

Early to bed - looking forward to sore muscles and doing it all again tomorrow....

Can someone pass the ice and ibuprofen.....

Ted