It is cold now

This was really the first fall session for me. Hood on, booties on and cold fingers. But the 6c NE wind was too strong to ignore, so I headed out with the 6.5m NP V6 with the Stingray 140 and 99 cm foil.

Thanks Jen for the photo

A quick 13 foil in the cold

Lots more foiling than non foiling jibes

The wind built during my session to the point where I was contemplating getting out a short board. The water was 15c after all. Instead I walked out to the point and took down the flags I’ve been flying there since before the Hatteras crew arrived.

Overall 47 minutes and 13 km. 6 days on the water in my 6 days up here. No wind in the forecast for the next while and 0c at night. I’ll likely be wearing gloves too next time I’m out.

Wonderful last day for the Hatteras crew

We woke up and the conditions were sunny and calm as the weather had predicted.

Calm morning after the epic SW Tuesday

Jamie headed off on his fully loaded Seadoo leaving 4 of us to see what the day might bring. After another great breakfast we headed out to the Launch Pad to assess.

It was almost glassy so the decision was to have another go wake foiling on the small 105 litre foilboard. The water was still 16c and the sun was beaming, so everyone was toasty in thin neoprene. The bay was calm so we covered some good ground out to Dokis island and back.

Steve did some great toe side riding, Bryan definitely learned a lot from his 2+ hour windfoil session the day before and Chuck amazed us with another wakeboard style launch up onto the foil. It seemed that 16 km/h was about the ideal speed for the boat.

A nice little 1.5 km wake foil back to the Launch Pad

16 km/h or 8 knots works nicely

After my nice long ride back it was time to derig the guests’ gear and tidy up a bit. We also had a proof of concept practice putting my Seadoo on the trailer for winter storage.

The island clean up didn’t require much effort

Everything was slowly packed up and we grabbed a nice leftovers lunch at the cottage before saying goodbye and next time…

“The Ride Home”

The foilboard gets the passenger seat!

First ever kiters in Key Harbour!

Wow, what an amazing day. Shortboarding, kiting, windfoiling, and wingfoiling all happened at the Launch Pad. 

A highlight for me - kiters enjoying the Launch Pad!

The SW wind came as predicted building to a solid 15 knots by noon. We got out to the Launch Pad and I quickly got Jamie ready with the Tahe 148 board and his 5.8m sail. He headed out and was getting a few planing runs by pumping quite nicely.

Jamie getting going

I set Bryan up with the old Techno 148 (yes, same board as the new Tahe 148) but this one with the 76cm foil under it. It was nice to see Bryan being the first person to ever rig in the nice grassy flat of the septic field.

Yes, a grassy rigging area at the Launch Pad

The 16c water and 16c air had everyone comfortable and ready for a long session. The process to launch the kites was interesting to be a part of; the first time I’ve ever had kites being rigged at the Launch Pad. Chuck decided to get his kite ready and then leave it moored to the rock using my handy rock ring. I think I’ll have some more of those available next time!

Ready to launch the first kite at the Launch Pad

Chuck’s kite

It’s up!

Kite just chilling

The Kite parking system

Getting Steve’s kite ready

Chuck heading off - first kiter ever in the harbour!

After Chuck’s kite was ready, it was Steve’s turn to get rigged. After a brief complication with Steve’s kite bar it was time to get Chuck out to the water. He took off a bit far inland and BARELY missed the granite downwind of the point. He cleared it though and got going across the harbour. After 3 runs it was clear there wasn’t quite enough wind to keep the big guy upwind. I rushed down to get the Seadoo and collected Chuck on a shoal in the harbour and took him way upwind to Mann Island so he could drift launch.

Steve ripping!

On the way back to the dock it was clear that Bryan was having a great session learning the foil. I got some shots without dropping my phone in the Bay!

Bryan getting comfy on the foil

Steve was also ripping nicely and making his way upwind, and Jamie took a break from his windsurf session to go up on the Seadoo and help Chuck launch again.

With everyone on the water I pumped up my 6.0 Echo wing and headed out on the 140 Stingray and 99 cm foil. I was able to race upwind, quickly passing Steve and joining Chuck who was now finally having some good runs in the wind out toward Wedge Island. Steve got up there and started scooting between the islands - just like I’d shown in my morning map briefing.

My session was great with some of my first ever switch stance initiated wingfoil jibes. I went 18.5 km in 90 minutes. Bryan was out for 2.5 hours! 

Bryan’s amazing windfoil session!

My wingfoil track

I started falling more later in my wingfoil session..

Steve’s session data!

All our sessions ended and it was clearly lunch time. By then it was 18c and we were sitting comfortably outside eating delicious leftovers - and having first beers!

A nice warm lunch!

It was then time to try a few other things. I went out on the 105 l Starboard with the 6.5m NP V6. I was sinking up to my knees but was able to slog it back to the dock but didn’t get up on the wing. Chuck took the 7.0 NP V6 on the Techno with the 76 cm foil. He and Steve exchanged some “Starboard” challenges on their way out. Then Steve had a great session on the 6.0 Echo wing on the 140 l Stingray.

My slog back to the dock on the 105 litre board

I eventually went out on the 7.0 V6 with the 140 l and 99 cm and also had a good last session.

Nice to be back foiling on my Techno

My last session

Foiling with the 7.0

I got lucky with some loosening screws though!

Steve ripping on the wing

Steve impressing everyone by pumping
all the way into the harbour

Steve’s wingfoil track with some great wing jibes

The wind chart for the day. Solid SW for 8 hours!

After all those adventures it was time to kick back with some Baja fogs for the crew. 

The gear got stowed in case the wind would sustain through to Wednesday. 

The gear stored for tomorrow?

We celebrated a FANTASTIC day with a steak dinner out on the screened in porch and a call to Australia.

Heading back

Heading into the moon

Steak dinner!

Mmm.

Then we had banana boats and another round of euchre before heading off to snooze.

Everyone got foiling!

After a good sleep dreaming of foiling the crew woke up to some Eggs Benedict for breakfast.

A good start to the day

With the north wind being a bit light and gusty, we started with a boat tour out to the Bay to learn the safe windsurf / kite / foiling areas. The tour included a visit to the Dead Island channel, a walk on Oma’s island, a bit of prop damage (my first in 140 hours on the new boat). 

Dinged it

Then we walked a bit of the fire area up the Pickerel River.

A nice burger lunch was on deck at the Launch Pad as we got ready for an afternoon of foiling.

Sketchy BBQ!

Good burgers

Chuck went SUPing

Others caught some shut eye

A barrel fire kept us all warm

A while later everyone took turns behind the big Seadoo on the big 140l Fanatic Stingray board with the 99cm slingshot foil. We had a 100% success rate - but just didn’t get photos of everyone.

Chuck on the big foil!

Bryan flying high at the Launch Pad

And then the wind shifted to west right at 6pm in time for a quick wind foil session. I did two perfect jibes - it is amazing how much better I am when someone is watching. I came into the point and gave Steve the board. He did very nicely as well on the 27 year old NP V6 sail and 140l Stingray and 99cm foil.

A nice little foil session - with two great jibes to start

Kept my speed in the first two jibes!

Gusty NW changed to steady West wind at 5:30 pm

Back to the cottage for a BBQ pork dinner (extra salad for me), then some euchre.

Dinner time - you can even see Bryan in the reflection

Everyone turned in for a nice sleep feeling sun and windburned. And stoked for the forecast for Tuesday…