The Delta 6-28 to 7-3

[Josh Shirley]

I got a real late start Thursday night and made it to Truckee by 1am - slept in my car and got an early start to get out to the delta. After a breakfast visit with some cousins and aunt/uncle, I was on the water by noon. The first day was typical Rio wind pattern, strong in the morning, backs off around noon and then builds until sunset. I started on my 6.3 and ended on my 5.2 rigged for way overpowered. The big ebb tide was always during the night so everyday was pretty flat water.
I did head into Berkley for one day. The wind never seemed to fill in but it was a good experience to check out the cal state sailing center. It would be a great place to take someone that wants to learn.
I was on the water for at least 5 hours everyday. My hands were rubbed raw, got a huge bruise on my leg from landing on my fin, a little sunburn, extended my arms 2 inches longer, and I really worked my core muscles.
Tuesday I sailed the early morning ebb tide before driving home for July 4th pancakes. Anytime the tide is ebbing the rvwa access site gets some really fun swell.
I think all in this entire short trip has helped me get in shape for a gorge trip.
Oh yeah, I used some of the discussed techniques to rescueing a san fran bound sailor. Sailed with a few Thais, one of which spent many hours trying to teach me how to through vulcans. I think I mastered crashing vulcan style. But as he said just another 400 trys and I will have it down. So lets see I get 30 laps on Grantsville on a decent session so that is 30 for each side - that is 30 attempts divided by 400 means I need roughly 14 grantsville sessions to master the trick. So sometime in 2010 I should have it down.