S1 - windsurf - Pistol River (2017 June 18 )



Flat. Advanced our departure to catch the beginning of the cycle. Drove as far as Salem the night before and through to Gold Beach this morning. Locals seemed pretty excited about the week ahead. Quick stop at the Cape and then off to `the rock`- even M agreed it was the better choice (low tide, no shore break and playful wind swell). Funny part is the locals were calling this flat. Wind and wind swell increased in intensity. A few of the pros were throwing forwards, backs and push loops with mechanical precision. Fun session minus the usual `haunted house`threats.

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow



S2 - Windsurf - Cape (2017 June 18 )

Imaginary friends. Tsawwassen and I left Pistol River when it really started to ramp up to leave some energy for a evening 'glass off' session at the Cape. We arrived at about 4pm and it was on fire. We decided to wait a bit. Jessie came down and we all decided that the 'swell' was starting to build (if you squinted your eyes and turned your head sideways). Redbaron and Tsawwassan took to the water first and I saw them each get multi-hit rides on consecutive waves back light by the sunset. Awesome! I joined in the fun and caught a few of the ground swell although at times it felt a bit like you were riding imaginary waves. A day well spent for sure! Many thanks to Mandi for the photos!

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

redbaron wrote:Going coastal again tmw. Headed back to the Cape. Might hit up some other spot on the way back to the gorge Thursday.

Damn son... you see the forecast back home... no freedom bucks required.

nanmoo wrote:

redbaron wrote:Going coastal again tmw. Headed back to the Cape. Might hit up some other spot on the way back to the gorge Thursday.

Damn son... you see the forecast back home... no freedom bucks required.

Committed to the gorge bash beer gardens......

S3 – windsurf – Cape Sebastien (2017 June 19)


Clear night skies and stars and NW wind gave way to early morning fog and south wind. Rinsed the salt spray off the van, grabbed breakfast and then off to the Cape. Wind ramped up quickly and 115 was too large after a couple of rides. Grabbed to the 92 and it was better but also became a handful. Waves got a touch mean and started to suck sand at the beach on the low tide. One mast lost (RB) and one board nose cracked (Luke). Waves began to flatten on ebbing tide and wind kept pounding so took a break and went down to check out the action at `the rock`. Rumour has it KP was throwing one-hand-one-foot back loops after we left and some pro freestylers took to the flat water in Pistol River proper for some evening `training`. Thanks to Mandi for taking most of the pictures at the Cape!

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

S4 – windsurf – Cape Sebastien (2017 June 19)


Early evening `class off` was shaping up well for Tsawwassen and Redbaron, but wind got punchy shortly after I got out there. Waves were way more open on the flooding tide. When the wind turned punchy I decided to call it early and save some energy for tomorrow (and avoid an evening swim). Shredded beef Super burrito with red! Thanks again to Mandi for most of the afternoon pictures too!

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

Great photos C36. Looks like you are all having an epic time!!!

DavidM wrote:Great photos C36. Looks like you are all having an epic time!!!

Thanks, but a lot of these are Mandi`s shots (using my camera). Awesome to have second creative talent contributing!

S5 – windsurf – Cape Sebastien (2017 June 20)


Fits and starts. 9am arrival at the Cape held promise for a little air wave sail. But the wind pulsed and lulled and kept us guessing. Finally we all sailed what we rigged as there was no ‘prefect’ solution – 5.3/105 (Tsawwassen), 4.3/105 (RB), 5.3/115 (me). There were waves, jumps, rides, walls and washes. Red Baron stayed out longest and scored extra style points with his aerial off da lips! Impressive given the growing anger in the conditions. Next stop Pistol River.

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

S6 – windsurf – Pistol River (2017 June 20)


Expression session. Arrived at Pistol River to find all the pro’s out expressing themselves! Woman and men were all ripping – a mix of new faces (Kevin Pritchard, Matteo Spanu, Alissa from Holland, Tom Soltysiak) and familiar faces (Morgan Noireaux, Russ Faurot, JP, Jesse Cohen). The calibre, creativity and precision of the sailing was truly incredible to witness in person. KP was getting towering height on his aerials and the funniest moment was when JP witnessed one he immediately gybed, sailed into the beach and repeatedly bowed down to KP in the ‘I’m not worthy’ pose. Too funny! After the pro’s declared the area safe, Tsawwassen, Simon and I took to the water with Trudy, the Boss and few others. The Boss mentioned the wind was gusty and he was off to get his 3.7. He was right. Came back in to flatten my 4.0 and it felt a little better, but it was windy, BIG swell on the outside and as Leo mentioned, “Today you had to pay attention.” Simon managed to get to the outside and ride a healthy wave in and Tsawwassen found a new appreciation for the place and was in ‘the zone’ and came in all smiles! I had fun, but found it work with limited front side opportunities, not a lot of jumping (on purpose) and a few wide-eyed moments (one inbound wave that walled up that felt like it was logo high and sounded like thunder when it broke). The ‘haunted house’ was in effect today. We stopped in to check out the south jetty after dinner and it was frighteningly confused and crazy windy. Glad I’m not on a ferry here tonight.

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

Looking to head down Monday to hopefully catch the start of the next wind cycle. Looks awesome!

S7 – windsurf – Cape Sebastien (2017 June 21)


Started the day off with a morning session at the Cape in the hopes of getting some down-the-line wavesailing in before the wind blew out the waves on offer. Simon was pretty excited to get out there. Impact zone was a little tricky, even on the flooding mid-tide. But there were some waves on offer so we all got to work. Rides and hits were taken, but the session was cut short when the volume on the wind was turned up. Simon was now two for two!


Thanks to Mandi for taking all of the action shots in this gallery! Next stop Florence.

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

S8 – windsurf – Florence (2017 June 21)


Happy Anniversary! Exiting views of Gold Beach, south jetty and the Rogue River. Quick look-see at Face Rock in Bandon (large NW wind swell and lot of white water). Considered stopping in at the Dairy Queen in Bandon, but decided it was too soon (still feeling a little sad inside). Woman at the gas station seemed to appreciate the mini-tour humour. Arrived at south jetty in Florence to find KP, JP, and Russ enjoying the clean sets. Decided on the same sail size as yesterday (4.0) but took more float (92), which helped in launching and in the lulls, but it was too much when the wind ramped up. Fun at first, and at the end, but punishing in the middle (twisting gusts, stuffed gybes, backwinded sails). Some of the smoothest waves of the trip, until the wind stepped up. Spooky, square confused inside water (seemed like there was a trough hiding behind a sandbar on the inside), but more organized on the outside and pretty forgiving. Some were so clean and steep they gave you no option, but to jump! Trudy asked, “Is it really gusty or is it just me?” JP was a little disappointed by the modest swell, but still went out for a second session on his `standard issue` 4.5. Looked like Jesse was having fun on the outside, even during the peak of the wind. Simon was now three for three! Florence showed a bit of mean streak today. Thanks again to Mandi for battling the sand storm to capture most of the pictures today (again)! Noticed on the way out that it is the south jetty`s 100th anniversary! It took seven years to construct from 1910 to 1917 (that must have been fun times). Stayed at Honeyman State Park last night and both Tsawwassen and Simon seemed impressed.

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

S9 – windsurf – Florence (2017 June 22)



Trade. Day five and first single session day of the trip. Got to sleep in to 8:30am. Hot indoor shower. Breakfast in Old Town. Uploading pictures with Trudy at Safeway. Then rumour had it the locals were aiming for a 12 noon start. Windoctor arrived following the trade for Tsawwasswn (headed home), Redbaron (Gorge) and Mandi (Gorge). Given the forecast was for similar, but slightly lighter wind I rigged the same set-up in hopes of getting ahead of the curve today and it worked for the most part. A little light at first, but nice big clean waves (as Jesse predicted). It was like the gentle sloughing waves you sometimes get at Long Beach, only bigger. Much bigger at times. Tsawwassen and JP shared a bomb of party wave! Windoctor said he felt a little out of sorts being road weary, but his sailing didn’t show it (forward, wave 360, top turns and bottom turns all looked sharp). Simon`s streak was broken as he was denied the outside today (three for four overall). The real Oregon coast showed up today. Sand was blowing again as the wind continued to ramp up as I left. Funny though – yesterday looked easy, but was tough; today looked challenging (and was), but was really sweet. Sad to see Tsawwassen leave for home. Safe travels! Might have the $12.99 buffet at the Casino for dinner tonight.

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow

Thanks for posting C36. Looks fun minus the sand blasting. Missing the coast...

We did an fun air- mattress river float on the klickitat River yesterday near Hood River on a windless day. Super fun! A couple spots where we had to hold on! We put in at the 9mile marker and got out at the 5mile marker for anyone in hood on a windless day.

A few of you might already know about this spot up the rogue River. I camped here with Trudy, Russ and a couple others our last night in GB. It's a bit warmer and quiet with good opportunity for camp fires. Word on the beach, this is good spot where nobody bothers you. Often used by Oregon Windsurfers. It's a little tricky to find. See attached pics.

So, no banjos ....

I stayed there before the IWT event. Lots of windsurfers. Lots of RV's that people are living in then driving to work in the morning. Quiet, warm and riverfront. Not a lot of great pooping spots though without the houses on the other side of the river snatching a view.

S9 – windsurf – Florence (2017 June 22) continued
TRUDY LARY shots


Tsawwassen bottom turning on the wave with a roof

As gracious as always Trudy shared her pictures and here are some of my personal favourites from June 22 at Florence (with emphasis on the BWD crew who were there).

Gallery (better for mobile devices)
Slideshow