I dropped Marlon off at UH for an event (gas is pretty expensive right now) and I headed to Hickam. I got there around 9:15 and Bill and Brantly were out. Wind was strong and there was texture on the water pretty much everywhere. Finally - the wind we have been waiting for!!!!
I took my time rigging up. I pumped up the 4.2 Reedin SWX. I could have actually used the 3.6 Reedin SW - it was that strong. I brought two boards today - the Wide Wing Foiling Board and the skinny 4'10" prone surf foil board.
Started out with the Takuma Kujira 1095.
I really like the glide on this foil - but when the winds get above 25mph, this foil get form speed limited and to me is the most sensitive of the Kujira's in frothy water (I took it out to Firsts to test the waters - after a couple of waves, I decided to switch out the front foil).
Once up on foil - this thing just keeps on going!!! Notice the top speed on this run.
I switched out the 1095 to the 980. I had to also move the mast slightly forward. By this point Harris, Ken and Arvin had shown up.
The 980 was perfect for these winds!!! I followed Harris out to Firsts and caught a few more waves. The sets were stacked up on each other (Harris seems to think the tide was too low and everything was breaking, where we normally would ride on higher tides and smaller swell - all I know is the waves didn't stop so you had to be careful on the way out). It didn't help that the gusts pulling through were hitting 35+ - definitely challenging (but not gear eating scary) conditions.
Came in from the crazy house that was Firsts and did speed runs and transitions on the inside playground. I was able to get in some fun duck jibes on the outside as well as some flying tacks - helps when the wind is nuking.
Top speed on the 980 today was a flat 22mph. Stayed up on foil for a majority of the session!
The wind seemed to be getting even stronger, so I went in a changed the foil over to the skinny 4'10". You can see all the blue spots - that where I was going through the learning curve of getting up on a small board. It was physically demanding, but I got up. As long as the wind is nuking, I think you can get up on any board - it all boils down to wing handling while balancing on the tippy board (using the wing for stability at the onset, then again after you've quickly transitioned to both hands on the handles).
I also think a total sinker with straps would be easier than a board that can almost support your weight - but you'd need water deep enough to allow that. It's good to know I can do this, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort (unless I am specifically jumping).
I stayed away from tacking, but I was also happy that I got in a bunch of jibes at speed. If the winds would be more consistent I'd probably take this on - maybe summer time.
Without the extra real estate to move my feet around (and the rear deck pad not being lined up for winging - needs to come forward), I think I wasn't able to heel the foil over to pull upwind as hard. And I was also tired from the earlier runs and from starting on this board - all those factors saw me being more conservative (because I didn't want to have to start again) and I had a lower top speed.
Here's where the foil was set. I think this confirms that the foil spacing is the same regardless of the discipline - but for sure it is more sensitive while proning versus winging.
And another reason for me holding back while on the prone board - I crashed once and fell on the foil. The starboard "shark's tooth" winglet bit me good. Good thing it was just a scratch...
Totally fun day on the water!!! I wish we had winds like this more often - but it truly makes you treasure them when they are here!
If you look closely at the center of this picture, you'll see a unicorn... I learned to windsurf at this spot decades ago (probably 26 years ago???) and it was frustrating because the winds were never strong enough - it was definitely strong enough today and this unknown ripper brought his gear out of mothballs!
Awesome!!! Tomorrow should have more of the same (I'm bringing the 3.6 and the 4'8" Wing Foiling Board).
W:21/F:33/S:10
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