Day 7, Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Wind at Bob's Beach

In Hood River the American Flags were all out on the sidewalks to commemorate the anniversary of September 11.  Hard to believe it was 12 years ago.  Brad and Blaine were down here when it happened, and remember the shock.  Fighter jets were continually flying up and down the river - they weren't sure if they could get home...

Temira's Forecast was pretty good.  Easterlies all day at Bob's Beach!

Mike and Gerry were first there and on the water by about 8:30am.  The majority of us arrived closer to 9:00 as Mike and Gerry were coming off the water to rig down!  Great sign!

Big Air Jim 

I rigged my 5.6 and was out on my Nash Board before 9:30.  I was a little under powered at first, but then the wind built. I headed upwind to the "Red Bouy", and raced back and forth with Brad, Blaine, Kent, and Harold.  (Harold wasn't really racing - he was a bit under powered, so he was having fun in the waves, but not really going fast....).

Mike - First out, and most time on the water!  Great Day!

Brad was on a smaller sail than I was, but he is a very efficient sailor.  He kept trying to pass me, but with my bigger sail, for once I was able to fend him off.  I even passed him once!  :<)

We all sailed until about noon, when the wind started to lighten up.  We needed a break anyway.

Gerry - relaxing after a great day!

As Ross pointed out, once an Easterly wind starts to drop at Bob's Beach, it is very unusual for it to pick up again.  With nothing better to do, however, we all sat in the shade on the grass, enjoying the view for the rest of the afternoon.  There is an excellent sandwich and pita shop called The Crossing, just across the tracks, so lunch was excellent.

Eddy had a great day as well!

Al decided that he would go out on his big sail.  Unfortunately, the river is deceptive here and it looks windier than it is.  The current, although not strong, also takes one or two kph off the effective wind speed.  He did a repeat of my experience a few years ago....  He ended up downwind on the sandbar.

He walked upwind a bit, and then looking at the water, it was obvious that the wind had picked up, so he went out again.  Going across it appeared he was making ground and heading back to the beach.  Unfortunately this is a trick of the wind angle, and when he reached our side of the river again, he was 100m further down wind.

He walked upwind a bit, and then looking at the water, it was obvious that the wind had picked up, so he went out again.  Going across it appeared he was making ground and heading back to the beach.  Unfortunately this is a trick of the wind angle, and when he reached our side of the river again, he was 100m further down wind.

He walked upwind a bit, and then looking at the water, it was obvious that the wind had picked up, so he went out again.  Going across it appeared he was making ground and heading back to the beach.  Unfortunately this is a trick of the wind angle, and when he reached our side of the river again, he was 100m further down wind.

He walked upwind a bit, and then looking at the water, it was obvious that the wind had picked up, so he went out again.  Going across it appeared he was making ground and heading back to the beach.  Unfortunately this is a trick of the wind angle, and when he reached our side of the river again, he was 100m further down wind.

Now, pretty well at the Island, he realized that walking back was the best option.  Al was happy with his "Self Rescue".

Big Air Jim worked so hard on the water, he needed a snooze in the afternoon!

Handre, borrowed my 113 litre Nash board and put on his big sail.  He was able to sail up wind and got planing a few times.  He was desperate for time on the water as he had missed yesterday.

A little shorter day than we had planed - but a great sail by everyone.  We all had a workout.

Harold A spent the afteroon repairing a ding on the tail of his Board!

Half the group with to Big Air Jim's favorite restaurant, Three Rivers Grill, and the other half to 6th Street.

Kent, Rene, Al and I ended the evening with a game of Hearts.  We weren't keeping score, so in the end everyone was trying for power!  Lots of fun trying to stick each other with the Queen of Spades, and/or breaking an attempt at power by saving that last high heart......