2022-06-15 Shopping and Foiling

Kent looking at a new board!

Kent and I were a bit slow to get up, but we managed to get to Sailworks by 9:30.  

The shopping frenzy begins....  After two years of no windsurf shops we both had a list.

Kent picked up his new foil, and I bought one that will arrive Friday.  Good start to the trip - I won't say how much that cost....

From there we went to Big Winds to try on wetsuits.  We both needed one.  I couldn't find one that fit properly, but Kent found one and bought it!

We had lunch at the truck by Pro Windsurf, and then we went to see what they have.  Kent bought a new set of sailing shorts, and I gave them my shorty to repair, and bought a "Last Year's" model of a wetsuit which was on discount.  They are adjusting the fore-arms to give me a little more room, and shortening the legs a bit.  I can pick it up tomorrow.  I also arranged for them to repair my old wetsuit.  Their prices are reasonable, and it is nice having a spare for those days you sail twice so you don't have to put on a cold, wet suit.

Blaine and Brad called as we were in the shop.  They had just arrived, so we met them at Sailworks.

I sold my old (almost new) Wind-Foiling foil to Brad.  Kent started looking at a new board which he will demo, and Brad had his Flyer repaired.

I'm not sure what Blaine bought, but I am sure it was something, he did start looking at a new board, which he may pick up tomorrow.

Blain - looking at new boards!

I made the decision that for the next year or two, I will concentrate on Wing Boarding, so I consigned my three Flyer sails at Sailworks.  I also took my Wing Foiling board to both Windance and Big Winds to put it on consignment, but both said they had so much inventory that they couldn't take it.   I made a for sale sign for it and will put it out on display at the beach wherever we are sailing.  I will also try to put it on the local Facebook buy and sell page.

It was a hard decision to sell all my windsurf foiling gear, but I am enjoying learning the Wing Boarding thing, and I just can't see doing both (and having all that extra gear that I won't be using).

Blaine and Brad are talking about selling all their windsurf gear as they are now foiling.  Who would have thought a few years ago that the sport would change so much!  I am still hanging on to my windsurf stuff, but I am actually not really sure why...  we will see - baby steps.

We spent most of the afternoon at Sailworks.  Dale was helping us with repairs, Jim was giving us lots of advice, and Bruce was giving us some killer deals.

The wind was supposed to pick up by 5:00, so we all headed over to the Luhr Jensen park.  Jim Mudry met us there and even though there wasn't any wind yet, we all rigged.  Then, what wind there was, died!  We sat in our chairs chatting for a while, and then, at 7:00m decided it wasn't going to happen, so we all started de-rigging.  Of course just as we were finishing, the wind came up

We re-rigged and went out.  Blaine and Kent were on their 6m Flyers even though they were a bit big for the conditions - but that is what they had out....  I went out on my 5m Wing, and Brad was on his 5/2 Flyer.  

It was about 7:30 by the time we got out on the water, and we sailed until just after 8:00.  

I had a great session, but only made one (slow) jibe.  It will be a big learning curve for me.  I am also a lot slower than the windsurf foil guys...  Oh well, it will come.

What a nice surprising session!.  I think we had all given up for the day!

We stopped at Safeway on the way back to the condo, and had some pizza, chicken and salads for supper while having a few too many beers and catching up.

Big Jim Cornish showed up just as we were eating.  Great to see him.  A few more will arrive tomorrow,  and then Andreas and Handre on Friday and then Ross on Saturday.

Great start to the trip.

Jim Mudry - giving advice!