Captains Log 2005

I am keeping track of MY sailing days. denotes days over 20knots.  The equipment used is not for your average sailor. I am a heavyweight, so go down a meter to a meter in a half for the average sailor.

Days on the water: 28 dismal days

Skunked days: 10 (rigged and did nothing but slog)

2005-THE SEASON THAT NEVER WAS

Well the time has come to bring this dismal season to an end.  The worst season since I have been keeping records.  There was a period during April and May where we did not have any wind for over 45 days.  Most locals sought out more predictable locations like Squamish, Harrison Lake, The Gorge and even Nicola Lake.  We had our moments but when you can count them on one hand, you have a problem.  Not sure if Inland Boarder will be around for the 2006 season.  To those who are on the coast and others that will be traveling to find the perfect storm, play safe

October 10: Skaha Lake, Penticton.  THE FINAL DAY-THANK GOD, PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY.  Thanksgiving weekend usually proves to be really good in Kelowna.  Not this year as Penticton went off on Friday, Sunday, and oh my, Monday.  Well today (Monday) was the biggest wind day this season as it has been dubbed “Big Monday”.  Too bad it’s October.  I broke my own rule by not bringing my small gear.  I was left to fend off somewhat manageable wind of 20-24 knots for about 45 minutes with my 6.0 Sailworks Retro and the F2 Powerglide 145.  Then with the utmost disrespect, the wind decided to slam into the beach gusting to a whopping 40 knots!!!  Sand was ripping off the beach and the powerlines were humming to the tune of “I can’t drive 55!”  Not a steady day as the lulls were a cool 25 knots which made those gusts slammin’ nasty!  Some people waited till it dropped in the afternoon to venture out.  One meter waves and big shore break made for some wicked chop hops and  yes, loops!  Click here to see the fun you missed.  PEACE OUT! 

September 26: Rotary Beach-Kelowna.  The first real day of 6.0 conditions.  Used the 6.0 Sailworks Retro flipping back and fourth from with the HiFly 275 FX and the F2 Powerglide 145.  A great SW started at 4pm from 20-25 knots with some wicked gusts to 30.  Although not solid, it was still fun with sunny 24 degree temps and still wearing the shorty.  Lot's of the locals were there!

September 19: Rotary Beach-Kelowna.  Two for one deal.  The wind was still cranking in Vernon after work but I opted to go to Rotary this time.  There was no lack of wind from Vernon to Kelowna.  Kal and Wood Lake were filled with whitecaps.  I arrived at the beach and rigged both the 6.0 and 7.0 Sailworks Retro’s.  I started at 4:15pm and enjoyed the 18-22 knot SW winds.  By 6pm the lousy west wind had returned.  Big holes and some back winded gusts frustrated the sailboarders.  The kiters had a better time during this almost one hour of crappy wind.  As the sun started to set, BAM!!!  25 knots hit the beach with a few big gusts till dark from the SW.  It was all good bouncing back and fourth from both sails with the F2 Powerglide 145 on big waves and rolling swell

September 19:  Kirkland Road/Beach-Vernon.  A two for one sale was on today.  First a sweet 1.5 hour nooner at the north end of Kal Lake.  I rigged the 7.0 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145, which after about 20 minutes, the SE hit well over 25 knots.  Needless to say overpowered and white knuckle out of control board speed proved to be fun but scary.  There was no time to think about it, just do it as time was limited!  Then it was off to Rotary!!!!

September 8:  Beasley Park, Winfield.  This place has skunked me 4 times.  But this time the whitecaps were plenty.  A nice solid 18 knots from the north or so kept Lars and I going for an hour.  A good mini session to end the day.  10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200. 

September 4: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  As the wind huffed and puffed from all directions starting at noon, the SW snuck in at about 5:30pm and got Phil, Chris M., Mitch and an unknown kiter on the water till dark.  The wind did shift to W a bit and back to SW so a bit of compensating was needed.  8.5 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145 was great for, you guessed it, 20 minutes.  Then switched to the 7.0 Sailworks Retro and settled in for some up and down wind between 15-20 knots.  Big waves, mega speed gybes and some sun as the north again had big black clouds and clearing to the SW.  Maybe the fall will give us what we have been waiting for since April-WIND!

September 2 : Tolko Sawmill-Manhattan Drive.  A decent 14-15 knot wind came in as several lines down the lake started at about 3pm.  Sunny and about 26 degrees.  A NW then NE wind, and by  6pm it was all over.  The 8.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200 was put to good use.  It was windy here yesterday as well till dark, but I was busy.  Watch for it tomorrow, same time, same place.

August 30: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  Well Jason pretty much summed up this evenings session.  "That was the S**T!"  It was the perfect storm, black clouds to the north and blue sky trying to clear to the southwest.  Over 3 hours of 17-20 knots winds from the SW.  It started about 5pm.  I rigged the 8.5 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145.  It was an excellent combo for about 25 minutes.  Then I switched to a flat 7.0 Sailworks Retro which proved to be perfect until the 25 knot wind hit.  The board was tail walking and lifting into the air on several occasions but I held on as night time was upon us.  This was the best steady session this season at Rotary.  Too bad it wasn't longer!

August 20: Harrison Lake.  Why don't I wipe the slate clean and forget about the Okanagan.  I finally made it to Harrison Lake and met Lars.  I left Kelowna at 9am (apparently there is no rush to get there as the wind starts at about 1pm).  Arrived in just under 3 hours to the launch beside the marina on the east side of the lake.  The wind was a very light north so I was concerned.  Lars said don't worry, the sun is out and it's 29 degrees.  By the time I rigged my 10.5 and got the Starboard Go 200 ready, the flag did a 180 degree turn and started flapping from the SW.  Remember the rule on the coast, outflows in the morning, inflows in the afternoon.  This has to be one of the best flat water sailing places around along with Squamish.  I sailed for almost 5 hours in 15-16 knot winds.  By 4pm the wind was picking up to 20 knots but I decided to flatten the 10.5 and milk it for another hour.  I was overpowered but I was to lazy to come in and get my 7.0.  Besides, all the formula people were hanging on.  

This place is formula heaven.  There were a few kiters, but it seems to be more of a windsurfing area.  The wind is offshore from the launch which the bay provides a major flat water jybe area.  No hazards known other than the occasional boat which can bring the waves up to about 20cm and the odd seal!  But all they do is watch you and sometimes follow you.  As long as the high pressure is over the coast as it has been since the end of July, Harrison Lake and Squamish are your guaranteed spots every day.  The beauty of it all is that the wind starts in the afternoon, and if you are there by 1pm you will be able to sail till the sun goes down.  One local said April to June are their best months and the summer winds get light.  Over 3 weeks of 15-20 knot winds in the summer, I would love to see there good months!  

August 1: Sarsons Beach.  After waiting for 3.5 hours, I left Rotary Beach and went home only to have the wind kick in 20 minutes later.  Disgusted with this horrible season, I ate dinner then ventured out to Sarsons Beach at about 6pm.  Rigged both the 10.5 and 7.0 Sailworks Retro.  Used the 10.5 with the Starboard Go 200 for about 20 minutes.  Then bam, the wind hit hard at about 22 knots or so and the 7.0 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145 was the perfect combo.  Steady, no holes or gusts till 8:30pm.  I am glad I went back out as I was thinking of selling all my gear!

July 28: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  Same old, same old.  West wind from 5pm till 9pm.  Holes, gusts, the usual.  10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200 then the 8.5 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145 as the gusts were to much for the 10.5.

July 18: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  Well another 15-25 knot west wind was the order of the afternoon/evening.  Some people loved it, some hated it.  The west winds are not as fun as the SW.  Their full of holes and gusty.  Wait a minute, its always like that!  Anyway this season has been pretty sad, so whatever we get just milk it.  I used the 7.0 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145.  An attempt was made to use the 6.0 Sailworks Retro with the HiFly 275 FX but it was just frustrating.  As soon as the sun went down, the wind quit.  It was a long slog back to the beach.

July 16: Tolko Sawmill-Manhattan Drive.  A bizarre wind out of the WNW.  Right out of Bear Creek on shore.  Holes with gusts was the norm today.  Frustrating wind and chap.  Used to 10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200.  I will guess the wind was around 10-15 knots with some 5th gear gusts.  Not really fun.  Phil had a some kite runs and then we went to Rotary Beach after the wind got really stupid.  The wind was white capping from the WNW side shore.  Phil and Mike headed for Peachland but did not make it on their big honking kites.

July 6: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  Our friendly neighborhood west wind played havoc on the conditions and our patience.  One frustrating line after another was the difference between planing and complaining.  The 7.0 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145 was a decent choice but no combination of rig and board or even a kite could have made things smooth in about 10-19 knot wind.  Most of us packed it in by 7pm only to see the sky clear and 20-25 knots hit the beach from the Southwest.  You win some you loose some.

July 1: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  I am late with the updates but it looks like Mike, Colin, Brad, Chris M. and myself were the only ones left to take advantage of the 5 days of wind that started on Wednesday and went to Sunday.  Who ever was left milked what they could as Wednesday to Friday was wicked.  Friday was a 10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Go 200 to start. Of course that did not last long as I moved to the 7.0 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide 145.  At least 24 knots in the upper ranges.  The weekend was a little unstable but wind was available.  All of course in the afternoons and Brent and I were moving!

June 22: Tolko Sawmill-Manhattan Drive.  A short session on the 8.5 Sailworks Retro and the F2 Powerglide 145.  It looked like the wind was cranking but it was again full of holes, probably about 13-16 knots.  The 10.5 and the Go board would have worked better.  The wind was coming out of the NNW not out of Bear Creek which made the runs short..  Wind was only from the shore half way to the buoy.  I'll take what I can get.

June 22: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  Clear skies to the south, cloud bank to the north=SCREAMIN' WIND!  Over 4 hours of southwest wind hit Rotary at around 4pm.  20-25 knots with some bigger gusts.  Big waves and big air for some.  Started out on the flat water blaster, the 10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200.  That lasted 15 minutes.  Then moved to the 7.0 Sailworks Retro and the F2 Powerglide 145.  Threw in the HiFly 275 FX for some easier manageable wave sailing, but the lulls made it painful to keep the board moving.  Sunny and 25 degrees.

June 13: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  Crank crazy.  Sunny and 20+ degrees.  It's shorty time!  Wind hit Rotary Beach at 4:30pm.  Started out on the 10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200.  That lasted 15 minutes.  Then about 18-22 knots filled in and the 7.0 Sailworks Retro with the F2 Powerglide was kickin'.  Lot's of holes in the wind as it had some west to it.  So rip and slog, rip and slog.  From 2pm to 4:30 we watched the wind come from all directions till it settled in for a WSW.  I'll take it!  Rule of thumb:  When Penticton is north, Kelowna will blow (if EC is calling for wind like today).  Southwest rules!

June 11: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  We must be the only place on earth that gets 20-40 minute wind blasts and then it's all over.  20-25 knots in the gusts.  7.0 Sailworks Retro and the F2 Powerglide 145.

June 3: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  Another afternoon on the water. 15-22 knots, plus some other gusts.  10.5 Sailworks Retro and the Starboard Go 200 was great for about an hour and a half.  Then look out!  Jumping and tail walking a Go board is quite crazy.  Not on purpose of course.  Made it back to the beach in one piece.  The big kites came off the water too for a quick change to smaller sizes.  By dark it was still blowing.

May 31: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  A day of reckoning?  The southwest wind came back this afternoon/evening.  7.0 Sailworks Retro and the F2 Powerglide 145 was a sweet combo.  22-24 knots with some tail walking gusts.  Since this was the first real session this season, I had to say uncle after about an hour and a half.

May 22: Rotary Beach, Kelowna.  A stupid in and out wind.  Could not rig worth a damn.  10-30 knots.  Tried it all as the wind was every which way but loose.  Isn't that a movie?

May 21: Skaha Lake, Penticton.  A southeast blast 25-30 knots brought some mega waves.  7.0 Sailworks Retro with the F2 proved to be way too much.  I hooked in and could hardly hang on.

April 20: Kayola Regional Park, Oyama.  It started out good but dropped off slowly, but not before Superdave, Jacko and I got in a few runs.  14 knots to start down to less than 10 from the North.  10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200.

April 9:  Rotary Beach, Kelowna:  Blown off the 8.5 Sailworks Retro and the Go 200.  I swear it looked allot less windy when I got there.  Oh well.  Hurry up Hermann, get my F2 out of dry dock!!!  18-25 knots to go from the South starting at 5pm.  Sunny and 17 too.

April 4:  Rotary Beach, Kelowna:  Nice 10.5 Sailworks Retro with the Starboard Go 200.  First it was a southwest then fought a southeast for a bit.  Then the sun broke out and a steady 15 knot wind blew till dark.  It was kite crazy time!

April 2:  Skaha Lake, Penticton.  Well after an uneventful month of March that started out like a lamb but ended in a lion, I got out today.  It was a disappointing session as the forecast was for 30km from the south.  Rigged old faithful (which I hope is not going to be the norm this year) and had a few runs in the light stuff before it crapped out.  9 degrees and the promise of sunshine was no where to be seen.  Lot's of kites but windsurfers in the Okanagan are now the minority.  Apparently Lars got out yesterday on Kal Lake in Vernon for some screamin' wind in the sun.  The 10.5 Sailworks Retro, Starboard Go 200 in 10-12 knot winds was the order of the day.