Windfoiling zen

The wind was super gusty from the north north east. When we got out to the Launch Pad there were still some gusts coming through. I went out on the WeCANFoil Severne wind foil rig with the 5.7m sail.

Dock cam caught me on the way back in

I slogged out to where the wind line normally is but there wasn’t even enough wind coming from the north to get up on the foil.

I very much enjoyed doing light wind freestyle: upwind 360s duck tacks, heli tacks, etc. Didn’t even fall in. I was just in my shorts with a nice warm 22°C wind and the water at 19°C. Not too bad considering it’s the end of September! 

The water was super clear. I just keep saying this but it was the clearest I’ve ever seen it. 

Heart rate got up to 130 while
getting up on the foil that one time

There was one gust where I managed to get up on the foil once very very briefly. Just enough to be able to say that it was a "foiling session".  

My heart got going as I got going!

But the reality was it was just Zen being out on a gorgeous almost cloudless day enjoying warm weather. Windfoiling is definitely the best option when the wind is gusting from 5-15 knots. Freestyle and then a chance of foiling.

Beautiful day!

I was feeling particularly good after doing some nice construction back on the shed and using the table saw for the first time to make a new birch bark lamp for my wife! 

The new lamp!

Using my new table saw

A little light wind freestyle after the lesson at Northwinds

I had a fun time teaching Lynn at Northwinds Beach. The iRIG is a success. Full blog post at: www.launchpadwindsurfacademy.ca/post/irig-lesson-for-lynn 

Selfie during our lesson

After the session I took the boards back downwind. Did a few sail/board upwind 360s and almost got the Viper 80 planing with the 5.6.

My GPS trail during and after the lesson

A wonderful day to be on the south end of Georgian Bay. 22c and didn't even need a wetsuit. Not bad for the last days of summer.

One moment on the foil…

Doug and Stephanie were coming over for lunch and I was hoping to get them out windsurfing in the afternoon. So I sailed the 7m Duotone Slick wing and the North demo gear to the point. The wind was 7 to 8 knots and I was able to get up on the foil just briefly for a few hundred meters. I think my heart rate I got up to 130 while it was pumping!

The wind never really built more than that except of course while we were having lunch. Nevertheless it was a wonderful day to be at the island. Full blog post coming at the launchpad website. 

Me out hoping for a bit more wind for the foil

My GPS trail slogging upwind and a bit of foiling

I can say I got on the foil briefly!

My track while out with Doug

Doug getting ready to try the iRIG

Doug trying the wing

The new windsock in test mode

After our session we played with options for mounting the new windsock for the Launch Pad. I think we’ll get a pole instead of using lumber.

Slow windsurf circumnavigation

Nice to be back at the Launch Pad after a big trip out west that included the AWSI event.

Ontario is in the middle of a huge mid September warm and windless spell. At 1pm it looked like there might be a thermal building. By the time I got on the water at 3pm it was all gone!

Leaving at 3pm… sun looks pretty low in the sky already

Just as the wind died

But a nice sail anyway

A nice circumnavigation of the island.
With a visit to neighbour Mark along the way.

Had a wonderful afternoon on the island in any case. The water is the clearest I’ve ever seen. And a lot lower. Might move some boulders tomorrow.

Skate 108 Session!

John and me coming in together after a great sunset session.

It had been a windier than expected second day for my students. I was excited that I managed to get Adam and Kim standing on the foil board for the first time in their lives. More about that on the LaunchPad blog.

I got in one short run myself when taking the gear out to the point for Adam to try. Using the little 4.2m North Nova wing in the big swells was new experience for me.

Taking the foilboard upwind for Adam and Kim

After our lesson concluded I took the family back down the river.

Later friend John arrived and wanted to get out for a session. I got him trying the foil board but he was much more comfortable winging on the big Viper HD board which gave me time to go out windsurfing. 

A rare shortboard windsurfing session. Started at 8:23 pm!
5 km in 20 minutes and right back to the dock.

7 jibes!

It was 18 gusting to 26 knots. I took the Skate 108 and Idol 5.6 from the dock. Wow, to do 5 km of shortboard windsurfing without falling in felt unusual. Despite the gusty wind and wind shadow, I was able to come right back into the dock! Thus the webcam photo at the top of the blog.

Windiest spot on the Great Lakes!

Even better, I was out windsurfing with my buddy and was able to talk to him the whole time on our BBtalkin headsets. What a great day.

Foiling for the student’s benefit…

Alex and Kim were having their lesson from me at the Launch Pad (see blog). I got to have a quick session showing them how the foil works and chatting on the BBtalkin headsets while I was going.

At the end of the day the wind had built even more and I foiled the North Demo board back down wind with the 4.2m wing!

My students...

Showing off foiling for Adam and Kim

Riding the gear home

Sweet day...

The trees grow sideways here

Dinner on Bigsby

The windfarm at night

It was a great day on the water!

The thermal wind kicked in!

I was heading out to get the Launch Pad ready for our next students. The wind picked up right at 3pm, making our corner of the Bay one of the windiest spots again.

I hopped on the WeCanFoil demo North board and 6m wing. It is a remarkably comfortable setup.

I worked on my toe side tacks, a few 360s and had a great time. I wound up foiling half way down the channel north of the island. First time for that! 

Dana from yesterday’s lesson was driving past in their boat and he sent some photos. Looks like I was having fun!

Thanks Dana for the photos

Then Rob sent some photos too!

Almost foiled the whole way around the island!

16 knots on a 2100cm foil! - 15km in 55 minutes

Nice afternoon thermal wind!

Looks like good wind most of the next 4 days!