Wingfoiling around Bigsby Island

I’m getting more confident on my Wingfoiling ability. Today I decided to head way upwind and all the way around Bigsby Island. Bigsby is one of the most beautiful islands in Georgian Bay in my opinion and has been a painting location for renowned artist John Hartman.

Me and John Hartman on Bigsby Island in 2019

The wind switched from NNW to SW just as iWindsurf had predicted at 2pm. (Windy.com was wrong all day, not showing any SW at all.) Jen and I were out at the Launch Pad getting a visit from the Coast Guard boat when the wind started hitting 13-15 knots. Key Harbour was again the windiest spot in iWindsurf.

My GPS track around Bigsby Island

A good number of jibes in each of those 15 minute sections!

I got out on the water and got up beyond the old coal wharf piers after 1 pivot jibe and 3 foil jibes. I was on my 7m Duotone Slick wing and the Fanatic 125l Sky board with 2000cm2 foil. I headed upwind having two 15 minute stints without falling off the foil. I did find wind shadow west of Bigsby and realized I wouldn’t get around it in that direction. So over to Oma’s island and then back past where I proposed to Jen. I tried drawing a heart…

Around Bigsby!

Where I proposed to Jen… off Dokis Island on Georgian Bay

The best GPS heart shape I could draw with the wingfoil 

Then around Bigsby and into the Small Craft Route. I hit the wind shadow again and slogged a bit more. I had a hard time getting on the board after falling the rolling swells west of Wedge Island. I was getting a bit cold and wobbly but eventually got going again.

Finally it was time to just do tight jibes downwind back to the Launch Pad to end my 28km session. I did attempt and complete my 4th nice foiling tack just before my last run to the dock. Perfect. Well except that I made us late for dinner - on Bigsby Island. 

Windy.com wrong!

iWindsurf.com nailed it - wind shift at 2pm
& windy all afternoon in Key Harbour!

The view back to the Key Harbour from Bigsby

The windiest spot on the Great Lakes!

I checked the wind. Again, Key Harbour was the windiest place on the entire Great Lakes. What a special place. Thanks Katie and Dana for hosting us for dinner.