Chilling with Vanessa - last foil session!

Vanessa wasn't so sure about heading out to windsurf in the cold Georgian Bay water. But with a tight long armed wetsuit and a huge floaty board I convinced her she wouldn't freeze.

We had the heaters on in the launch pad and slowly got ready. I wanted to test out the last bit of 12-18 knot west wind before it clocked around to north and headed for an overnight low of -1c.

With the sun out intermittently the 5c actually felt warmer to me outside than the previous days' 10c with the cold rain. I put on my 3/2 suit which was dry instead of pulling on the cold and wet 4/3. Wearing a hat was a good call. I also put on booties for the first time at home this year. So this was definitely pushing the 18c combined water/air temperature rule I'd set for myself years ago.

Vanessa's man Len from Bonaire was in full winter clothing but came out and took some nice photos of us.

Launching from the dock foil first!

Thanks Len for the photos of Vanessa and me!

Foiling!

Vanessa enjoyed the light 4.8 and the floaty F2 Viper 80. I was on the Techno with the foil and the old NP V6 6.5. I got up on the foil on 6 of 8 runs and then fell in right after Vanessa and I decided to head back. I was trying to restart downwind and plopped into the water for just a second. Top speed was just over 30 km/h.

Sudbury weather station shows wind NW and a bit colder than actual.
I think it was 5c and likely 0c with the wind chill.

After our session I packed up all my gear including the foil for our November trip to Hatteras. Well, I guess I could still rig up some of my vintage gear if next weekend has a warm wind?

Vanessa and me post session!

Packing up for the season.

Late season 4.8m session!

5:30 on a Friday afternoon. The SSW wind was predicted to stay strong but it was raining too. My windmeter was reading 17 gusting to 22. The air was 10c as was the water.

One of the very nice things about having a launch pad is that I can get changed inside. With 5 heaters going in the small living room, it was already warming up inside while I put on my wetsuit.

Garmin connect data shows the exact wind direction and wind chill!

Friday morning's forecast was right on!

I took off right from the dock with my Skate 108 and Idol 4.8. I got planing on my first run and then slogged upwind by the pilings for a bit. I figured I'd sail for maybe 30 minutes in the dying light. But then it was full on windsurfing. I didn't fall in for 25 minutes and even then it wasn't too cold. So I kept on sailing, doing some duck jibes and even sailing a few times switch stance. From switchstance I tried some jibes which weren't very elegant. But basically it was just nice to be perfectly powered.

Detailed track - Max Speed 47.9 km/h

There were a fair number of ducks flying by and only one boat to be seen. The landing lights on the helipad were already on after my first run and the red flashing lights on the first two of the 87 wind turbines being installed nearby were visible later in the session.

I wore my waist harness for the first time in a few months and my ribs were fine!

After my 55 minute session, it was 21c inside the living room and it didn't take long to get warmed up again.

Warm inside while changing out of my wetsuit.

The 7 pm boat ride back in the dark was then a bit exciting as the wind had built to 24 knots and the wind chill was down to 5c, but I made it back fine.

My windmeter readings at 7 pm

Saved by the foil

Sunday October 14th. It was now officially my latest session at the cottage of any year I have records for. Air 11c and water 11c which was pretty warm actually with a a 4/3 wetsuit and good neoprene hat.

Southwest wind 13 gusting to 18 knots so I headed out on the Freewave 116 with the Duke 6.2. I got planing right away and had one good run. I then struggled to find another few gusts and just two more runs in the next 25 minutes.

Three runs on the short board with a 6.2
then lots on the foil with a 5.6!

So I came in and swapped for the BIC Techno with the foil, and took the very lightweight Idol 5.6 sail. That was the ticket for some nice runs in the 12-15 knot winds. The seat harness was actually pretty good to use with the foil. I had the odd touchdown but all of my runs were completely catapult free.

Heading away from the dock with some warm headgear!

Thanks cousin Christoph for the photos!

Flying!

My solitary fan club!

Detailed view of my track - map facing SW.

I tried some jibes and am starting to get a feel for turning downwind while on the foil. It does get wobbly so I think a full planing foil jibe is still a long way away. I fell in for the first time at 55 minutes and that was a sign my session was going to be over soon. After an hour the wind was dropping and my feet were getting very cold. So I called it a day and started on some chores that I've been putting off all summer.

Finishing odd jobs for the end of the year!

Oct Session - Latest Ever

The water was still 14c and a relatively warm 12c west wind was blowing nicely showing 17-24 knots on my wind meter.

I went out on the Skate 108 and 5.6 Idol. With the wind so westerly I could easily launch right from the dock. My cousin from Germany caught some photos and then went back inside to stay warm.

Gear all rigged and ready

Hopping off the dock and ready to go!

Cruising! Thanks Christoph for the photos!

Jibe!

Great wind

Session with the 5.6m then 4.8m sails - top speed 47.6 km/h!

I was actually a bit overpowered in the gusty wind so after 30 minutes I headed in and swapped down to the 4.8. Man it is nice having things rigged and ready to go. That sail is so light and yet still pumpable that I felt a very good about that call to downsize. I planed most of the time in the next 45 minutes even with the smaller sail.

I didn't really try any tricks, I couldn't even get myself to try a Vulcan. I was doing some planing jibes and did one great duck jibe on my last run. 75 minutes and I called it a day. Here's the close up view looking west.

View looking west

In prior years I've windsurfed Oct 7th, 8th, 8th and 10th. This being Oct 11 marks the latest I've ever windsurfed at home since I started this blog. Maybe I'll get one more session in?