That late summer warm west wind

Our current cottage visitors are from France and their son Marc had a great windsurf session here in 2015. He's now a windsurfing and sailing instructor in France with a welcome invitation to come back to the Launch Pad!

Mom Fabienne wanted to learn too, so after a morning of work and charity calls, it was off to the simulator. Unfortunately the wind kept building but she was very determined and then got her balance and steering under control on land. So upwind we went with the 3.5 and the Viper 80 and she started going. She did really well but the wind kept building and by the time she was downwind the waves were making it challenging. Fabienne did get a few tacks and got going in each direction. I'm sure she will get it all going in lighter wind...

Fabienne looking good on the simulator

Ready to head out in too much wind!

Underway

Another run

Last run!

I then headed out on the 6.2 and Freewave 116. I got going once but it wasn't enough. So then I tried the 7.0 and the Ray 122. Again, got going once but not enough (forgot to put the GPS on for that part). So I put my old aluminum boom on the 6.5 and headed out on the foil. That was enough.

I windsurfed for around two hours on the foil. I'm getting so comfortable going back and forth and upwind and downwind.

Lots of time and distance on the foil. Planing 41% of the time.

Just as I was done for the day the wind started building. I was putting everything away and enjoying that late summer feeling you get in the Gorge. That tired, warm wind swirling around you, healthy glow feeling from exercise and sun. And then it got windier and shifted to the west.

So I got out the 6.2 and the Freewave 116 again and had a great 22 minute session just as the sun was setting. It was magical - like I remember from years past but for the first time this summer.

The view before my surprise last session

Freewave 116 track (viewed from the west)

All done for the day and still windy!
Too bad I didn't have my weather station connected.

I'm going to need to repair the lower part of that old 1994? Neil Pryde 6.5 soon.