After attending AWSI in 2023 I was sure I wanted to go back. I had learned so much and connected with so many people that this year I made sure to add an extra day on each end of the event. It turned out to be a great decision as the wind was great the Tuesday before the official event start. Jennifer joined me this time as she hadn't been back to the gorge since our RV trip there in 2006.
We arrived at the Event Site and were welcomed at the Duotone tent by Jason who was keen to help me and Jen get on the water. I decided to start with windsurfing and got a 8.6km session on a FreeWave 104 with a Duke 5.0. So sweet to be fully powered and on such nice windsurf gear.
Then a few sessions wing foiling. First on the new Skybrid 115 with a 4.5 then 3.5 Unit. More stable than I expected for a narrower board design. It sure was windy! Just wait for a gust and go, so I didn’t really get to see how the Skybrid pumps up onto the foil but I image it would be more efficient getting going that the older wide style foilboards.
The 2025 unit has the option of a long bar which actually looks as good or better than the old Slick miniboom. Most of the Units on the beach were set up with the longer boom rather than 2 handles. What a nice unit!
I then got the bbTalkin headsets out and put Jen on the big 125 Sky and the 3.5m Unit. She taxied out and back getting used to the Columbia River for the first time in 18 years! Thanks Dave for the photo of brave Jen.
Ethan and Mac from Northline both took a turn foiling too and then I got to sail the gear back upwind. Everyone thought the headsets were great for teaching but I think I talked a bit too loud while coaching - I looked like a crazy guy on the shore talking to imaginary friends! Overall I sailed 35 km between windsurfing and wing foiling.
We had a great dinner with wind addicts from Vancouver including my brother in law and then a solid sleep.
Day 2 for us was the official opening day so we got registered for the formal start of the AWSI conference. The great wind from yesterday was gone so people were out dock starting, efoiling and SUPing.
Representing WeCANFoil with my hat on!
The first presentation was the Duotone kite and foil presentation. It was interesting to see the 2025 gear. A highlight was hearing Ken Winner describe the changes to the 2025 Unit which now has a boom handle option.
Later in the afternoon we watched the FoilDrive movie. That was an interesting product that is a lot simpler and affordable for schools to teach foiling without the expense of a full efoil.
The most relevant presenation for the LPW&FA was the Fiona Wylde and Zane Schweitzer talk. They discussed how their schools in Hood River and Maui are getting kids out on the water. Zane is recovering from being run over by a boat while way offshore and is very inspiring with all he is going for the keiki's in Hawaii. Significant overlap with what WeCANFoil is doing in Canada. It was fun seeing Svein Rasmussen again and introducing him to Sarah Labrosse and her crew from Windsure. Fiona Wylde's gear locker and operation right there at the beach in Hood River is very impressive!
The Duotone reception that evening was a great time to try some fun beers, catch up with old friends like Derek Rijff and make some new contacts too.
Day 3 started again with no wind so we walked the beach checking out the event tents and talking tech gear with the representatives. The new NORTH 3d printed sails are very cool looking. Jen got out paddleboarding while Sarah from Windsure was very impressive trying a downwind foil paddle board.
Day 4 The last formal day of the event was pretty mellow with most people exploring the gorge and the many activities to be found. We started with a hike and ended the day with a lovely dinner with the Windsure group from Vancouver.
Day 5 The next morning we said our goodbyes and started our drive back to return our rental car and fly home to Toronto. I qualify for the Denny's senior specials which is pretty funny. And some other junk food was consumed on the way while we relived some of our past drives through Washington.
Thanks again to Steve from Northline for recommending this event and brining his coworkers Mac and Ethan who were great housemates. AWSI followed up the show with a survey and has already committed to having sessions next year to help schools and brands expand the sport. I also wound up on their AWSI2024 Instagram reel which is fun!
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