Garage Works - 11/5/2026

I looked the cut and block over this afternoon and all looked good.

So after dinner I got the slot vacuumed out and the block glued in.

Tomorrow I'll trim the excess glue flush to the board and prep it for the carbon lamination.

Parawing Session - 11/5/2026

The wind was stronger and a tad bit more consistent today.  But it was cloudier and 

as such the gusts/lulls were more up-down.

There were a few sets that came through, but for the most part the waves were on the small side.

Same equipment as the past couple of days.

It was one of those days that I could have used the BRM S3 5.3-4.2-3.4

I tried multiple times, but I couldn't redeploy the S3 5.3 - somehow the lines would get around the bar....

I did get one long retracted ride - so good!!!!

I was fine on the 5.3 in all but the points where the gusts were blowing through.  I could depower the parawing, but I definitely could have used the smaller PWs.  But then during the background wind I might have been underpowered.

Those longer down periods were where I was having to untangle and redeploy the parawing.

From the past few days (this wind event) it looks like the wind is strongest around lunchtime. 

PF:11/W:3/PW:138/FD:77/S:29

Garage Works - 11/4/2026

I cut out the slot on Roland's board.

And here is the block dry fitted.

I'll clean up the slot tomorrow and get the block glued in.

I'm targeting this weekend to get the bottom done (and then start on the footstrap inserts on the top deck).

Parawing Session - 11/4/2026

Similar conditions to yesterday... this wind event has it's pattern - go earlier if you want stronger, more dependable wind.  Go later, and you risk getting dropped.

Roland was out on wing when I got to the parking lot.  Kalani got there as I was getting back to the truck after taking this picture.

Same gear as yesterday

And similar results as yesterday.

Except that I got in a really long stashed ride (the waves were a little better today).

It was really fun while the wind lasted.

Which unfortunately wasn't all that long.

The forecast calls for wind to be present over the next week at least - but it looks to be the same type of wind (strong early, weak and falling off in the afternoon).

Good times!

PF:11/W:3/PW:137/FD:77/S:29

Parawing Session - 11/3/2026

The wind was blowing everywhere again today (while I was at work).  And just like yesterday, by the time I got to the beach, the wind had come down.  There was texture on the water, but no whitecaps.

And the waves came down.

And the tide was on the low side.

I setup No.44 with the Cabrinha Prestige 905/Union 160 Rear Stabilizer/Apex 78 Mast

For power I packed the BRM S3 5.3

The wind was really north (or the angle I could pull with this equipment was super high)

Kalani and Prayot came out later on parawing.  Robby was out on FD.  And Roland came out on wing.

The wind was good - sometimes gusting up into 4.0m reach, but also lulling where having the 5.3 was critical to staying up on foil.

Eventually it dropped to the point where it didn't matter what parawing you had up - just not enough.

Fun session - but it seems like this wind event will have periods where the wind is strong (earlier in the day) and it'll drop off in the afternoon.  At least that is the pattern that is setting up.

PF:11/W:3/PW:136/FD:77/S:29

Parawing Session - 11/2/2026

The wind was blowing nice and strong all day - it was whitecapping when I pulled up to the parking lot.

In anticipation of a nuking session - I set up No.40 (5'6") with the AFS Enduro 900/Mako Carve 130.

And for power I pack up the PPC Orbit 4.5

As typical - as soon as I started paddling out, the wind dropped a notch.  By the time I was outside the breakers, the wind had dropped another notch - and it wasn't even whitecapping anymore.

I ended up drifting to out in front of the cabins trying to takeoff.  No.40 has a lot less buoyancy and stability than No.44.  8" makes a lot of difference when trying to get up in marginal conditions (for the equipment you have).

I eventually got up with a good gust, and I didn't blow any jibes.  I got some fun rides (drifting the parawing) - but eventually the wind lulled out again.

Looking at this chart, it seems as if I need 20mph to get up on the Orbit 4.5

With a bigger board and a bigger foil, I can probably get takeoff at 15mph.

By the time I was ready to launch, I could have actually used the BRN S3 5.3

If I could rewind and start the session over, I would have used the AFS Silk 1050/USurf 150 and the BRM S3 5.3 - but you just never know!

I still had fun challenging myself with gear that needed stronger wind.

PF:11/W:3/PW:135/FD:77/S:29

Parawing Session - 11/1/2026

I had to run to Kailua to pick a used foil up for Kalani - then I ran some errands and was able to squeeze in a session at Hickam.

The wind was trying to come up - and normally I would have probably got back in the truck.  But today the forecast was calling for decent conditions and it felt like it was just a matter of time.

You can see the wind line where the water changes color.

I took some time to fix the Truce stash pouch (bent Ride Engine reel leash bolts), I took the tags off the Sealine wearable dry bag, and sent pictures of Kalani's new to him foil (all to pass the time waiting for the wind to come up).

I set up the Cabrinha Prestige 905/Union 160.

I tested the Sealine dry bag by stuffing the BRM S3 5.3 inside it.

And I used the BRM L1 6.5 for primary power. 

I was basically riding gusts this session.  I think this is the lower end limitation of the Prestige - I needs a minimum amount of power to stay up (duh) and when the lulls set in there just wasn't enough power.

The wind was super north - despite my best efforts, I still needed to paddle the last bit to get back to the beach.

Lots of practice jibing in uber light winds.  I got tangled up in one - but the rest were fine.

Pretty light wind -

I'd say there is a correlation between the ups and downs with the gusts and lulls.

The next multiple days should see strong winds - we will see how it shapes up.

PF:11/W:3/PW:134/FD:77/S:29

Dawn Patrol - 11/1/2026

On the way in from yesterday's session, I noticed the surfers on the inside were getting some really good waves.

I figured with similar conditions this morning, I should try and get some rides on one (of probably too many) shortboards.

Enter the Firewire Cymatic -

And the Kohola thrusters were still in place - so those were the fins I used.

The waves were slightly smaller than yesterday - but there were still head high rides to be had.

Of the five waves I rode, three of them involved multiple powerful turns.

And that is the sole reason I still have my shortboards - the feeling from pulling off a hard top turn and flowing through into the follow up bottom turn - keeps me coming back for more!!! 

PF:11/W:3/PW:133/FD:77/S:29

Garage Works - 10/31/2026

Roland asked me to install a set of tracks forward of the originals on this board (his parawing board).

I found the center line (he said the tracks were crooked), marked it and the points where he wanted the tracks to line up, and measured out the centerline of the block.

With everything lined up, I traced the outline of where I'll need to route out the foam.

First cuts were with the Dremel and a small cutoff wheel.  I pulled off the carbon that covered the area to be removed.

Then I used a multitool to cut the foam lined up at the "remove" line.  I also cut the track boxes where the line lay.  I was considering removing the whole track, but I think it would be better to leave them in place as additional reinforcement at the rear of the new block.  I'll just fill them with 2-part foam, level and cap.

The last thing I did was sand the area where the cap sheets will go on.

Tomorrow is routing and gluing in the new block.

Foil Drive Dawn Patrol - 10/31/2026

350kJ on the Surfline forecast.  2.5' high tide.

And no wind -

With the larger surf and the weekend crowd, I figured it would be best to Foil Drive.

And knowing the full tide would somewhat dampen the intensity of the surf, I figured I'd try something different - the HA Ultra 750/UGlide 41

I couldn't remember if the forward most marks were for the Ultra 750, or if I had worked out that the Silk 850 and the Ultra 750 shared the same mounting point.

I started out using the forward marks - but after the first few waves I brought it back in the slots (to the Silk 850 marks).  I could more easily control the foil after the adjustment. 

I kept moving to the right towards 5-O's

The waves were heavier out there and the chop that was on the inside cleaned up nicely.

The waves were well overhead - I had some really challenging rides (adjusting to the nuances of the Ultra 750)

16 rides and no getting smashed - good score!

Not sure I hit 29.5mph....

PF:11/W:3/PW:133/FD:77/S:28

Parawing Session - 10/30/2026

Marlon was coming in from Guam this evening - so I figured I would get a session in during lunch.

There was wind, but it was coming in gusts and then would lull out.

I opted for the Cabrinha Prestige 905/Union 160/Apex 78 bolted on to No.44

For power I put up the BRM S3 5.3 

When I paddled out, I actually considered paddle back in - it lulled out a lot.  But I had seen some wind on the water earlier so I figured it would come back through - I only need to get up once for it to count as a session!

The wind did pick up and I was able to stay up on foil.  I got through two tacks on the outside and a couple of downloop jibes on the inside.  I didn't want to risk going down (especially if I had to paddle in - this was a lunch special after all).

The wind was not this strong - the anemometer is probably closer to the tower.  It did feel more north than what is shown on the wind chart.  I'd say it was 17mph gusting to 23, and lulling to 12.

Looks like I only got 20 minutes of foiling in -

I'll take it!

Fun session!  And it is good to get the feel of the Cabrinha set again (with an inbound Domani 960).

PF:11/W:3/PW:133/FD:76/S:28