2017 Reflections (pix)

[C36]

The current ‘doldrums’ have provided a lot of time to reflect on the 2017 season.

2017 IN PICTURES

A few of my favourite shots from 2017.

January

La Ventana


Robin at La Ventana (Jan 27)


Unknown kiter at “The Generals” in La Ventana (Jan 27)

February

Boundary Bay (Feb 19)

March

Shaggy at Columbia Beach (Mar 27)

April

Long Beach (Apr 1)


BWD at South Chesterman (Apr 2)


Red Baron at South Chesterman (Apr 2)

May

BWD at South Chesterman (May 5)


Red Baron at South Chesterman (May 6)


Unkown kiter at West Beach (May 24)

June

Paul at Columbia Beach (Jun 15)


Kevin Pritchard Pistol River (Jun 20)


Winddoctor at Gold Beach North Jetty (Jun 25)

July

Banfielddave at Long Beach (Jul 23)

August

Dunkinguy at Long Beach (Aug 23)

September

Winddoctor at Columbia Beach (Sep 9)

October

Nanmoo at Columbia Beach (Oct 21)

November

Daniel at Centennial (Nov 13)


Tsawwassen at Centennial (Nov 14)

[C36]

WINDSURF

A few personal reflections on windsurfing in 2017.

The year started off in the water of La Ventana we got treated to an El Norte.


thanks to Jose for the loan of the GoPro


thanks to Jose for the loan of the GoPro


thanks to Jose for the loan of the GoPro

Ethan was introduced to the sensation of riding large rolling swell and he was all smiles.



I was very thankful to get in an early summer trip to the south Oregon Coast.


photo credit: Mandi Sinclair


photo credit: Chris Curran


photo credit: Chris Curran


photo credit: Chris Curran

Although not keen to leave early thankful for that the bruised ribs healed quickly and didn’t crimp the rest of the year too much. And a big shout out to both Chuck and First-On-Last-Off for their loaner sear harnesses!

Picked up a new-to-me SUP (AllWave 120) and was really impressed with how loose it feels for a 32” board and how much fun it is to SUP-sail on lighter days!


photo credit: Ethan Clutton


photo credit: the Gerbrandts


photo credit: the Gerbrandts

Great to see Ethan kiting independently this year with sessions at South Chesterman, China Creek, Nitinat and Squamish!




photo credit: Paige Clutton

Even with 2017 total number of sessions dropping well below 100, I was somehow managed to keep a few sessions ahead of Tsawwassen.

2017 Windsurfing by the Numbers

• 3 countries (Mex, Can, USA)
• 5.1 is average sail size
• 6 new launches (Generals, Campground, Windsports Ventana, Birch Bay, Gold Beach North Jetty, China Creek)
• 7 SUP-sailing sessions (all at Long Beach)
• 10 of 20 launches are wave/wind wave spots
• 12 months of the year sailed
• 13 sessions at Long Beach (top spot), Centennial a close second with 12
• 15 OSR's posted
• 20 launches in total
• 34 sessions on my 5.3
• 44 SUP sessions (not counted in windsurfing sessions)
• 45 sessions on FreeWave 115
• 52 consecutive months sailed in a row
• 80 windsurfing sessions
• 107 litres is average board size (SUP-sail sessions increase this)
• 3,600+ windsport photos taken and posted

WS (by month).JPG (122.08 KiB) Viewed 14808 times

WS (by sessions).JPG (120.47 KiB) Viewed 14808 times

WS (by gear).JPG (131.96 KiB) Viewed 14808 times

[C36]

Awards

It is also interesting to see what catches the eye of others.

• www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the Week: 9 January 2017
  
  Going round (Stokometer at the Rock)
  http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-21219
  
  
  • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the Week: 3 April 2017
    
    Tail Grab (Shaggy)
    http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/imageweek.php
    
    
    • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the Week: 15 May 2017
      
      Heyyyy! (Redbaron)
      http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-21875
      
      
      • www.bigwavedave.ca featured Sailor in Photo of the Week: 26 June 2017
        
        photo credit: Chris Curran
        http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-22013
        
        
        • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the week since: 31 July 2017
          
          Seastar (Winddoctor)
          http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-22125
          
          
          • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the week since: 07 August 2017
            
            Moments of Glory (Clayton)
            http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-22128
            
            
            • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the week since: 30 October 2017
              
              Stop just drifting around out there and CRANK!!! (Sam)
              http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-22370
              
              
              • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the week since: 06 November 2017
                
                Peek 'a Boo (Eastside)
                http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-22358
                
                
                • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the week since: 13 November 2017
                  
                  Mash Potatoes (Shaun)
                  http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-22369
                  
                  
                  • www.bigwavedave.ca Photo of the week since: 27 November 2017
                    
                    14 (Nanmoon)
                    http://www.bigwavedave.ca/gallery/displ ... pos=-22380

Thanks to all who helped create these great moments!

May 2018 bring many more!

[LeopardSkin]

I didn't sail all summer.

2017 total: 24 days.

[Brian C]

Not a bad year, but it required some travel. Managed to squeeze 56 windsurfing sessions out of a year plagued by local smoke and extended wind droughts!
19 were local (Boundary Bay, Jericho, and Squamish). 18 at Nitinat (3 trips, with many different friends); 14 at various Gorge sites (2 trips); 3 at Nicola in June; and 2 at beautiful Lake Mohave, Nevada in mid October. Burned a lot of gas but had fun.
A few highlights included:
-2 big days with great turnouts at Centennial April 7 & Nov 13
- sharing some excellent Hatchery conditions with Kato in July
- sailing with Mokka and Jerry (kiting and go-pro’ing) at Nitinat (Jerry, when is the summer video being released??)
- slalom sailing with a dolphin at Locarno in September
- some great days at Nexen with my daughter Stephanie who is now confidently water starting and using the harness.
- discovering “little Baja” at Mohave in 30 C sun, after an awesome Utah road trip.

As always, the best sessions combined good conditions with great company. Here’s to more windy days with friends and family this year.

[tweegster]

We all appreciate the photos and stoke Dave.

Between the lack of wind and life (wife working evening/weekends, then newborn) I doubt I hit 50 sessions this year. However still had some memorable ones.

Hot & sunny May long weekend in Oregon was the best. Specifically a shipwreck downwinder when James kited over a humpback whale because he was looking directly into the suns reflection. I was going the other way so I could see it blow, roll, then hang just below the surface. James had no idea there was even a whale until beers around the fire "I wondered what you were yelling and pointing at".

Some good fall sessions and due to hurting my ribs got a lot better at riding a surfboard.

[Alton]

Happy New Year ... it better be ... can't get much worse

Only 72 sessions last year. Can't remember if it was poor local conditions or working too much. Unfortunately, not many memorable sessions except for a handful at Boundary Bay and 1 at White Rock.

Going to be super busy with work in 2018 so C36 will remain our fearless leader

sessions_2017.jpg (79.61 KiB) Viewed 14690 times

[george]

Outstanding Dave. Thanks for the incredible stoke. Great pics.

[bandito]

Happy New Year ... it better be ... can't get much worse

Only 72 sessions last year. Can't remember if it was poor local conditions or working too much. Unfortunately, not many memorable sessions except for a handful at Boundary Bay and 1 at White Rock.

Going to be super busy with work in 2018 so C36 will remain our fearless leader

sessions_2017.jpg

I believe if you get a foil board you will be able to rise your session # at Jericho,north van, and the bay.