2015-09-14 the Hatchery - Rigging Frenzie

2015-09-14 the Hatchery - A Rigging Frenzy

The temperature was a little cooler today.  In fact most of us had a light jacket over our tee shirts - although most of us were still  wearing shorts.  (Kent was wearing down...)

Ross came down and met us for Breakfast at Bette's, and then packed up and left.  He had already stayed a few more days than he had planned on - and needed to get back for some business meetings. (who knew he still worked).

At breakfast, in front of all of the guy's, Brad presented René with his 40-20 tee shirt, officially inducting him in to the Edmonton chapter of the 40-20 club.  René, who turned 60 in August, was happy to accept the honour.  A quick count of the membership, revealed that we now have more 40-20 members than 40-10 members, and there are a few more right on the cusp of the transition.

Brad presents René with his 40-20 shirt!

After breakfast, there was the usual round of checking out the shops, getting advice on where to sail, and going to Safeway to stock up for lunch.

Blaine

When the guy's were at Sailworks, Bruce Peterson and Dale Cook were telling Jim how much better he would be able to sail, and how much better he would look, if he were sailing on a new quiver. How could he resist.  Before he left, Jim was the proud owner of four new sails, and two new masts.

René

We eventually gathered at the Hatchery.  There was definitely wind, but it was hard to tell how much. It looked light, so we all brought down and our big stuff.  I took my 135 Shark down right away, figuring that I would need the flotation, but as it turned out I only sailed my smallest board!  Brad and Blaine were the first out - Blaine on his 5.6 and Brad on his 5.3.  Blaine returned after his first reach - basically blown off the water.  Brad lasted a little longer, but was tailwalking a lot of the time.  The rigging frenzie began in earnest.  Kent, who had rigged his 5.6, rigged his 4.8, went out, and then came back to rig his 4.2.  Most of the guy's were out on 4.2ish sails.  Jim looked great on his new red and yellow 4.2 Sailworks sail.  Harold was on his 3.7.

My 135 Shark - it didn't get wet as I sailed by 4.8 on my 93l Code.

The wind didn't last long, but most of us had a great sail while it did.   Unfortunately a couple of guy's spent the whole time rigging.  Kent was behind the curve all day because as soon as he rigged one sail, the wind had changed and he needed another.  He rigged and sailed almost everything he brought with him.  Only his 3.4 and 6.6 stayed in car.

The boys on the beach!

Eddy won the prize.  He rigged two sails, and brought down two boards, and never did get out on the water.  It is easy to get into the trap of watching and waiting until things settle down - and then missing the best sailing.  I know this well because I fall into it all the time.

Eddy had lots of rigging practice!

Blaine sailed 24 Kilometers, (He wears a GPS watch which shows his track and measures his distance and speed).   The track looks like a bunch of spagetti.

Blaine had lots of fun!

By 3:30, the sailing was done.  With all the gear down at the beach, it took quite a while to de-rig. Then we sat for an hour or so in the parking lot, discussing the day and playing "Sit Down Frisbee".

Gerry!

We noticed that there were more wasps around than usual.   We found the next - it was in the trees half way down the path, and it was huge - about a foot in diameter...

Wasp next - about one foot in diameter!

We went to Gerry's favorite place, the Hood River Restaurant, for Chinese dinner, and then everyone came over to Ross's Condo.  Jim bought some special Scotch which everyone had to try.  In the basement we were flying my small quadcopter.  Lots of the guy's gave it a try.

Kent with his sailing shoes
they are easy to spot - and no one will ever steal them!

By midnight, everyone had gone home or to bed except for Jim and I.  We came very close to solving all the world's problems, but then we realized what time it was and had to turn in.

Tomorrow looks like a golfing day.