Dawn Patrol - 1/31/2020

Had to work late last night so I was going into the office a few hours late.  Instead of sleeping, I went foiling.  It was peak high tide at 1.5', there was no wind and the swell had chest high waves on the sets - it was perfect for foiling!

I brought the 4'10" setup with the Armstrong CF1600.  Having used the Go Foil so much recently, the Armstrong does feel like using a hot knife cutting butter - so smooth!  I still won't take this foil out if the tide is low - it's way too expensive to be grinding on the reef.  The Go Foil is infinitely easier to fix so it still has a firm place in my quiver.  I only had an hour but I caught five really long waves - I wish I could have stayed all morning.  This swell is supposed to stick around for a couple more days...

Evening Session - 1/28/2020

Marlon and I hit the beach yesterday afternoon.  Almost the same conditions are previous afternoon sessions - upcoming high (the smaller of the daily high tides) at 0.9', some wind from the S, a waist high swell and a mellow crowd.  Marlon bumped into a friend so he was mainly on the inside, but I kept getting drawn outside to stay away from the shallow takeoffs inside, and to try and get more practice taking off at the peak.

I botched a few takeoffs, but I'm sure they were spectacular to watch...  I did get a bunch of long rides also - standup walls where I could glide along until a section peeked - then lean into a cutback to keep running with the wave - couldn't do this on my longboard.  But I also don't have to worry about running aground on my longboard either.

Another great wave riding session!

Dawn Patrol - 1/27/2020

Took advantage of the inbound energy again this morning.  Marlon having heard how good it was yesterday decided to go this morning.  A hint of wind texturing the water, a high tide of 2.0' and a chest high break on the sets - I'll take it!  Air temp was a chilly 63F, but the water was warmer - probably hovering around 70F.

I wasn't catching as many waves as I would on a smaller swell - my foot placement didn't seem to be falling into place as well - ended up having to bail on four or so.  I also had one wave where the foil just stopped lifting just after takeoff - I really need to figure out how to stop those from happening.  The ones I did catch were epic - two off the peak - I feel like an eagle swooping down on its prey with waves like these; and a few that ran for a very long time with a wall pushing the foil.  Marlon caught some head high ones - he couldn't stop smiling!  Successful dawn patrol!

Dawn Patrol - 1/26/2020

I pulled a solo dawn patrol this morning - and boy was it worth it!!!  The swell was up, there was zero wind, the tide was high (2.0' - I stayed out long enough for it to drop to 0.5' - full moon tides swing wide) and the crowd was spread out.

I caught some long rides from clean takeoffs.  I also had more than a few botched takeoffs - I kept getting greedy and tried taking off on the head high sets coming in - the Iwa was a little big for handling the speed from those takeoffs.

The swell changed as the morning went on and I was also getting sloppy (which I tend to do when I get tired).  I have to work real late tomorrow - so I am going to go in later (and can make another dawn patrol and maybe even get a nap in!)

Late Afternoon Session - 1/25/2020

There is still ridable surf on the south shore - the swell was just a hair bigger than yesterday and that helped spread the crowd out.  There was a hint of wind on the water so there was a texture to the waves, but I'm not complaining.

I brought out the 5'2" and the Iwa again - the Go Foil wings are way easier to fix after bottom hits - and the lower tides in the afternoons make hit somewhat inevitable (but not today).

I got several fun rides, but could have had more if there weren't so many people blocking the takeoff zone.  I did get one straight off the peak (waist high albeit) - felt real good flowing down the face and sticking to the pocket.  I had a few more where I had to maneuver around people on the inside and I would outrun the wave - I'd pump a bit and pick up the wave again, but kick out before it got too shallow.

Marlon got a few good ones also.

No green flash tonight - too many clouds to get a clear view of the setting sun.  Another super fun evening in the surf!

Shrinking Swell - 1/24/2020

Marlon and I hit it again - the swell is definitely dying back - smaller and less consistent, but still super fun!  I brought the 5'2" and the Go Foil Iwa - this combo is so much fun!!!  There was zero wind and the tide was going down from a small high of 0.7'.  I'm glad I got the front wing collars on the 24.5" and the 29.5" masts synchronized (so the wings are interchangeable) - the Iwa on a 24.5" (+3" for the track mount adaptor) is just so much fun to ride.

Marlon and I were using the same GoPro - I think I did a better job ;)

And there was yet another Green Flash sunset (fourth one I've seen this week)

Another awesome session!

Repeat of Yesterday (But Better) - 1/23/2020

Marlon and I went back out today - the surf was a hair more consistent, just slightly smaller, but there was no wind so the waves were super glassy.  There were no clouds on the horizon - so I got the see the green flash for the third session in a row!

As far as the rides went, the Go Foil Iwa on the 5'2" was perfect for today.  I had several really long rides - one where I got a three part infinity turn.  I also had one where after a long ride, I was able to pump back out and just missed a 2 for 1 .  The trick is to come off the wave you are riding with as much speed as you can - then on the way out you need to get into a rhythm to sustain flight.  I'm going to score a 2 for 1 soon - I can feel it! 

On the last wave, I got greedy and was pumping in (so I wouldn't have to paddle), but I hit bottom hard (and went flying off the board).  I hit on the rear wing.  I already sanded it and got a coat of paint on - and since I was using sandpaper, I even put the 45 degree chamfer on the rear wing in order to get the foil to stop humming.

Trailing edge sanded

Another awesome session!

Foiling Afternoon - 1/22/2020

Went foiling this afternoon - brought out the 5'2" foil board and the Go Foil Iwa (on the 24.5" +3" mast).  The tide was pretty low at 0.4' when I was out.  Had to paddle the board upside down quite a ways out to get to a deep lineup.  Almost zero wind.

I had the foil set just forward of the mark where the Slingshot Infinity 76 was placed.  I guess I had never used this foil with the Go Foil before...  I caught a few with this setting, but it felt a little unstable.  I paddled in and moved the foil back in the tracks and it worked awesome afterwards - when in doubt, bring a screwdriver to the beach - don't settle for a suboptimal foil position...

After I made the adjustment, I was getting super long rides and pumping was a breeze.  I even headed back out on one - almost made it to a second wave but my legs were burning.  I forgot just how much fun the Go Foil Iwa is!

There were no clouds in the sky so I got to see a second green flash this week!  Thigh high waves - astronomical phenomenon and getting to hang out with Marlon (after he drove to the beach by himself - I came with an old friend Ky).  Awesome session!

Evening Surf - 1/20/2020

And I squeezed in a second session with Marlon this afternoon.  There were a lot more clouds so no green flash.  The wind was up, but so was the swell - if you waited long enough, there were some head high sets - I got two big ones (totally awesome!).  Most of the waves were running waist high - for January, I'll take it!

Brought the longboard out again - the tide was a negative low this afternoon (so too shallow for foiling - even though there were two guys out - eek).

Go Foil Surgery Success

I was able to finish the sanding, filling and filing needed to get all the wings to fit on both of the masts.  What a pain in the butt, but now modifying wings will be easier.  Honestly, when I got these I thought the compatibility would have been automatic (had I known I would have to modify, I might have gone a different direction) - but working with your wings does enhance one's understanding of them.

In the end, I only had to epoxy the Iwa so it would fit the 24.5" mast collar.  I just filed the set screw hole a tiny bit to get it to fit otherwise.

For the Kai wing I also had to file the set screw hole, but the fit was closer so I only had to shim the collar with metal duct tape to get the fit tight.  I still need to fine tune the M280 and the Nalu - but should be relatively easy. 

Looking forward to playing with these again - especially the M200 and M280 on the 29.5" mast for windsurf wave foiling, and the Iwa on the 24.5" for surfing.  I'd say the surgery was a success!

Morning Session - 1/20/20

Went back out this morning - same swell, no wind and a little bit more depth on the tide at 0.5' (but still not deep enough for me to bring out the foil).  I did park next to the Signature Foils rep (nice meeting you Dave) and he had out their new 200 sized front wing.  I brought the longboard again (I love longboarding).

It is getting cold in the mornings now (67 F air temp) and it is "refreshing" to initially get wet.

I got a handful of waves and called it (so I can go out again this evening - maybe catch another green flash).

And this is something I learned from Marlon - to appreciate dragging a hand through the face of a running wall.   I love longboarding!

Evening Session - 1/19/20

Got in an evening session yesterday after taking Marlon to music practice and running a bunch of errands.

The tide was really low, so I opted to bring the longboard instead of the foils.  There is an out of season small SW swell pushing - I'll take it!  There was a little wind on the faces, but not enough to chop it up.  I stayed out for 5 waves, then headed in (had to hit Home Depot for some gloves and a couple of files).

Got a bonus green flash sighting as the sun dove beneath the horizon.  Sometimes it's the little things that make it all good.

Wishful Thinking

And when we got back from the flats - look what was in the parking lot - a big Farrier Trimaran.

Owning one of these out here would be awesome - could get across the channels pretty quick with this (but it would be a beating going up wind with the swells as big as they can get.  It's nice to dream about those things anyways - back to reality (no boat for me).

First Fishing Outting

Marlon asked to go fishing on his Birthday - so fishing we went!  We used ika strips for bait, but I actually had more action on lures.  I saw a kaku swim up to a small brown Mark White ceramic lure I was using and cut the main line.  Then I got this guy -

Nice sized omilu papio - not a bad first fish of the year!  This guy hit a 1/12th ounce kastmaster - silver with a blue stripe.  

Marlon also hooked up with an omilu.  He got his fish on an ika strip.

It is really nice to go fishing and not go home skunked.  Multiple that by 10 for a first trip of the year!

Go Foil Surgery

I'm working on getting these Generation 1 Go Foils to swap across masts seamlessly.  First step was measuring the front wing plugs every 1/2" to get an idea of what is really going on.  The 29.5" mast seemed to be a fraction of a millimeter larger across the entire length.  Next step is filing the sides of the front wing plug of the 29.5" mast until its profile matches the 24.5".

After about 30 minutes of filing, I got pretty close.  I was going slow so I don't over do it - you can only file down to size once.  I'll try to get to it again this coming weekend.

The next steps beyond this will be to shim the interior of the Iwa, Kai and Nalu front wings since they are bigger than the interior of the Maliko 200.  I did this already to the Maliko 280.  I only need to get in the ballpark during this step as metal duct tape can be used to fine tune the fit for each wing.

After all this work, I should be able to start windsurf wave foiling in minimal winds on the 29.5" mast with the big wings, and prone foil surf with the Iwa on the 24.5" mast again.  I am projecting it'll totally be worth all the effort.

Lining Up Foil Surgery

I finally took the first step in standardizing the Go Foil front blade wing post.  I measured these to see how much these two masts differ and to plot out the next steps.

I think I can do just some superficial filing on the 29.5" mast and get the M200 to fit perfect.  Then I'll have to tune the back stop spacer on the 24.5" mast and add some fill to the Iwa (and the Kai and the Nalu) to get it (them) to fit perfect on both masts.

The next few days will be messy, but being able to swap wings and masts should make foiling on any day, on any tide and with any wing will make it all worth it.

Fourth Day of the Weird South Swell - 14 January

I went out again this afternoon - the report called for a continuation of the swell that has been providing energy here on the south shore.  It was not as windy, just a hair smaller than yesterday and when I was out, the tide was just over a 1' - but it was still challenging to ride.  Marlon came along also just to get in the water - and he brought the Coil.  He caught two standing up and a third on his belly, then went in because it was kinda cold.

I stayed out and got a few long rides - on those there was a bunch of interference affecting the foil - mostly the texture on the surface (and I think a counter current underneath).  I did wipe on a few, but because of bad front foot placement.  I may strip the wax under the front foot and paint on some large red (or orange) circles so I can visually see where I need to get my front foot.  Right now I don't have a contrasting reference point and I'm making adjustments to get to where I'm balanced.  This is actually the same problem I was having with the two longer foil boards - until I got a front foot deck pad put on.  We'll see.  The 4'10" and CF1600 combo was perfect for today's conditions.

First Surf of the Year - 13 January

The forecast called for the same wave energy from this weekend to be lingering around this afternoon.  With the lower tide, I figured I would bring out a shortboard - the Coil Industries 6'3".  The waves were about half of what they were yesterday - so yesterday was the day to surf (and today would have been better for foiling).  I caught a few and one really long fun one.

Today is also the day I bequeathed the 6'3" to Marlon.  With a resounding "Yes" - as if he was actually expecting me to do this, I went ahead and turned it over to him lock-stock-and barrel.  This will be a really good board for him to learn on.  If I can ride this board on waist high waves, he should be able to rip this board - time will tell.  Marlon was sick - so he stayed onshore today - otherwise the bequeathal would have been out in the surf.  It'll be fun watching him learn on this board!

Dawn Patrol - 12 January

Forecast called for another day of rideable surf coming up from the south.  Almost a repeat of yesterday, minus the heavy wind (overcast, rainy, waist high surf inside, chest high outside).

Riding was challenging again - though I did ride more waves than yesterday.  It helped to have the 4'10" foil board and the Armstrong CF1600 out.  This foil is really smooth while riding and as I've said before, the onset of lift is more controllable than the original Go Foils (I still love the Go Foils so don't take this as negative criticism on those - this is just a favorable note on the Armstrong).

I think the chop was the reason it was hard to pick up decent takeoffs.  The surface was really disorganized and probably moving in a different direction than the lower water levels beneath the surface.  Regardless of the conditions - I was happy just to be out in the water and it was bonus points to get some long, fun rides!

Hiatus - Dawn Patrol 11 January

I have been fighting the flu for the past two weeks and today was the first day I was able to get some surf.  It didn't help that I've had to stay late at work trying to get some initiatives moving - but truth be known the conditions have not been all that great - strong trades, heavy rain and a mix of swell.

I took the new 4'6" out for a second time (first being New Years so this is actually the only board I've surfed all year).  I bolted on the Go Foil Iwa on the 29.5" mast (with the 3" extension) as the tide was a dropping high (2.2' when I went out).

I got two fun rides off the bat - and with the tall mast, being up off the water that high was a blast.  But then I ran into a spell of weird conditions where I couldn't catch a wave and ride.  I'd get thrown (pretty hard on a few) and actually no one was catching - the wind was howling by this time so I decided to catch one more good one in.  Three mediocre waves later I caught the good one but still had to paddle in.  Here is where I had the foil set.  I think I can drop it a notch further back in the tracks.

So after a couple of sessions on the 4'6", I'd say it is demanding of what wave it'll takeoff with, it is demanding on takeoff - timing is critical to go or no go, and it is lower in literage.  I'll keep using it, but it may be a board I can use to kite foil.  If I go tomorrow I'll ride the 4'10" and the Armstrong - might work better in these sloppy conditions.

Annoiting of the 4'6" Prone Foil Board - 1 January

Happy New Year!!!  Our family hit the beach to catch the first sunrise of the year and the decade.  It did not disappoint!

And since we were at the beach already, it seemed appropriate to annoit the 4'6".  I didn't know what the surf was going to be like, so I brought out the Maliko 200 (preparing for the worst).  That turned out to be a wrong call.  There was some swell, no wind and a deep tide - should have brought the Iwa on the 29.5" mast.

This board was hard to get up on - primarily because it was designed to take a steeper wave - but with the Maliko bolted on, I would breach (and quickly - see image above).

I finally got on a few waves on the inside and the glide of the Maliko was perfect.  The narrow board made it easier to control the foil (once I had caught a wave).  The volume is considerably less than what I have been using - this is 19" compared to 22" on the 4'10" - so that might have also been a factor today.  Next time there is enough energy in the water to use this board, I think I'll bolt on the Armstrong CF1200 to see if that helps.

I don't want to paint the picture that this board didn't work - quite the contrary - but having the right conditions and the right foil would help (and the board would help in turn).  

So welcome to 2020!  May we all have the hindsight to look forward and do what is right for ourselves and humanity (and may the next decade be filled with awesome stoke)!!!  Big MAHALO to La for taking the pictures!