Spring Gorge Trip 2011: June 10, 2011 - Day One

Kent in the waves...

Most of us arrived at the Hatchery on Friday around noon. The wind was up, but relatively moderate with most on 5.2's. The water level is very high this year, and the current is as fast as we have seen it. Bart says it is 4.5 knots at the hatchery.Around 2:00 the wind ramped up, and then it did it again at around 3:30.

By late in the afternoon, most of us were getting blown off the water. Add to that the current - so you have to sail downwind to stay even with the beach (much harder to do when over powered), and the occasional lull (Usually just as you get to the big head-high swells as you are trying to get back to the beach), and you have a very interesting, and humbling day! (at least for me...)

Harold - Riding the Swell..

Brad and I both ended up doing a "Walk of Shame" as we were on rigs that were too big, and couldn't get down wind enough to get back to the beach.

Very much a survival sailing day. Even Kent didn't look his smooth self, and only Harold was able to stay out for hours at a time. His style never changes, regardless of the conditions.

Big Jim and his friend Handre, also arrived Friday, but spent the day renting gear for Handre, and then sailed at the Hatchery.

Andreas and Ross, didn't like the look of the Hatchery Launch, so headed to Kite Beach. Apparently they had a great day kiting......

All in all, no broken bones, no one lost, no broken equipment, must have been a great day!!
Just the basis for more stories!!