Evening Session - 9/30/2022

I learned my lesson from yesterday - and brought the Viking out.  Perfect conditions for this board!

I caught plenty of long, fun rides!

Marlon brought out his fixed longboard, and tried out the halo side bites and the Turbo Tunnel fins.  He said the fin was too locked in - I told him that it was designed to be locked in for noseriding.

He had stayed out for a few waves, then went in to grab his camera gear.

Roland went out on his foil.  He caught several threepetes (but he also doesn't care if he hits bottom).

The forecast for tomorrow calls for weak winds (but maybe the thermals will kick in???), as well as the same small surf (with a large high tide...) - maybe I'll just dawn patrol for a bit for exercise, then come home and work on the boards...

W:95/F:81/S:26

Garage Works - 9/30/2022

When I got home from work today, I went ahead and put the bottom deck fill coat on the blunt nosed prone board (I think this is No.26).

And after I got back from the evening session, I got the top fill coat on the board.  Tomorrow I'll grind open the track boxes and address those.  I'll also drill out the holes for the vent and leash plugs.  This one should be ready to surf (as soon as we get some surf).

I'll also get the rail band on No.27.  Actually, I'll probably do that first so I can get the fill coats on this board tomorrow also.

Evening Session - 9/29/2022

I was debating about going today or not.  Then when I figured it would be nice to get wet, I debated about bringing the longboard or the foil.  From the picture below, you can see the call that I made.

I was wrong.

I should have brought the Viking in all its glory - and I would have caught all the waves.

I did catch a few - and one was full of carves, banks and even a trip back out.  But the tide wasn't as full as I thought it would be, the waves were small and the wind was strong enough to put some texture on the surface.  Not ideal foiling conditions - but I made the most out of it.

The wind is going to be minimal for the next several days.  I'm either going to finish the two prone foil boards I have on the rack, or I'll be exercising the Viking.

W:95/F:81/S:25

Wing Foiling Session - 9/27/2022

The wind was blowing throughout the day - I had hopes of getting in a fully powered on the 5.2 SWX.  Then as I was driving home, I noticed the wind dropping, and dropping fast.  There were signs that the coastal zone still had wind (palm trees along Kamakana Dr were blowing) - so I figured I had nothing to lose.  I packed up and Marlon came along to drone and then swim out to use his camera in the water housing.

I set up the gear I've been using lately - RS6.1/1210/178/85 PC Mast/the big wing foiling board

I had to schlog out to the wind line on the outside to get enough wind to get up on foil.  That was pretty much the whole session in a nutshell - schlog to the wind line, get up on foil when the gust came through and then ride as long as there was wind or I fell.  Then do it again.  I think I was up on foil a little more than half of the session.

With the wind light, I rode goofy to pull upwind whenever I could.  At one point I was on the outside and lined up with the cedar cabins (not good - worst case is it is a long swim in, landing on sharp rocks and then a long walk through deep sand) - I knew there would be more gusts, and so there were - enough for me to get back upwind and make a landing at Fenceline.

I did get some good rides in, but not having the wind full time made for a less playful session.

W:95/F:80/S:25

Garage Works - 9/26/2022

Marlon and I skipped the afternoon session (although it did look wingable...) - and we got work done on the boards.

Marlon sanded down the ding repairs, but they still needed some work.  Filled the holes with epoxy and milled fibers.  We'll sand tomorrow and see if we need to put a thin fiberglass layer on (I think yes right now).

I had gotten the rail tape on No.26 (kinda a PITA - I guided off the bottom rail when trimming the rail tape and it left the top all over the place.  I think I'll do the opposite on No.27 to see if there is a difference.

After that (and cooking and mowing the lawn), I prepped the bottom deck laminate for No.27 and got the boxes in and the deck laminated.  I did forget to cut the box slots before using epoxy on the track boxes... I made an approximately located cut (so I wouldn't muck up my scissors) and kept going.

Not bad - we'll see how the fit is around the boxes when I grind them open.

Tomorrow I'll sand around the rail tape I added to No.26, smooth out the bottom area where the logo will be placed, stick on the logo and place a fill coat on.

On No.27, I want to sand the laps and get the rail tape on.  It has actually been pretty efficient glassing two boards simultaneously - I usually have to walk away once the epoxy is set in place.  For these two I've just start to work on the second board while the epoxy cures on the first board.  Constant production!

At this rate, I may be able to surf these this weekend... that's if I don't get distracted...

Garage Works - 9/25/2022

I got some work done in the garage today.  I didn't get a picture of it, but I got the carbon sheet cut out, the mast track boxes epoxied in, carbon patches placed and the carbon bottom sheet laminated.  This was mid morning.  By the afternoon, the epoxy was nice and cured, so I sanded the burrs off and got that board ready for the carbon rail tape.

With that work done, I shifted to the other board.  This one I wanted to glass like the other recent boards.  I cut out the innegra deck sheet, placed patches in the high load areas, then placed some of the innegra/carbon I used on the top deck of the other board as heel patches.  Then I cut the lap reliefs, mixed epoxy, added the pale blue tint.

The innegra up by the nose wasn't sitting down, so I went ahead and added a layer of peel ply and got the kids to help me get it tacked down.

Also in this picture, you can see No.26 perched up across the other boards.

I guess if I had set it up prior to laminating, I could have stuffed this into a vacuum bag.  

Tonight, I'll check on how much rail tape I have (I'll need enough for these two boards and Prayot's wing board).

Tomorrow, I'll get the peel ply off, setup the bottom deck laminate, epoxy in the track boxes, and laminate the bottom deck.  

If I have enough time, I may try and get the rail tape on No.26

Dawn Patrol - 9/25/2022

Dawn patrol again this morning.  Got to the beach even earlier than normal - needed to bring the Greedy Beaver to the beach so I could sell it to Tim (even though he just got that Pyzel Ghost).  After the session, he said he loved the board (phew).

Marlon surfed for a bit, then went in to swim out and use his new water housing/camera.

I paddled the Seaside and Beyond - and was astounded yet again!!!  I was catching waves on the outside and gouging top to bottom turns.

After the sun started getting higher in the sky, I rode a few waves in and started surfing the inside.  The waves were smaller on the inside, but the Seaside and Beyond worked just as well.  The range on this board is really good.

So as much as I didn't want to sell the Greedy Beaver and the Sunday (and I'm still trying to sell the Toots Asymmetric) - those three boards had too much overlap among themselves, and none were as easy to ride as the Seaside and Beyond.

This has been a really great run of surf, and a great introduction to what is lining up to be an incredible surfboard!

W:94/F:80/S:25

Garage Works - 9/24/2022

Got some work done in the garage once the afternoon heat let off.  First up was Marlon's longboard - he had some spots that needed to be touched up.

Best way to learn is to do.  Or maybe that is to watch Youtube...

Anyways - we got the fiberglass patches on and the epoxy is curing.  He'll sand and paint tomorrow - then he says he wants to try out the Turbo Tunnel fin he bought on Maui.

I went ahead and cut out the template from the blank for Prayot's wingboard.  I needed to clear the rack so I could get to the next thing...

The next thing is laminating the top deck on to #26.  For this one I decided to use the combo carbon fiber - innegra cloth that I got a while back.  I used a nose to tail patch under a full sheet that had rail wrap, then a small heel patch for my left heel.

I'm laminating it with the pro resin and I'll fill with the FGH Aluzine (I am debating about using blue sparklies in the fill coat...).

Tomorrow will be the bottom lamination on this one to include the mast tracks.  I think I'll also try to get on the top laminate on #27.  Still debating on the tint for that one... maybe half deep blue and half light blue.  Or maybe all yellow (brilliant).  Or maybe I won't laminate...

Dawn Patrol - 9/24/2022

Dawn patrol this morning.  Marlon brought the Seaside, and I brought the Seaside and Beyond.  Swell was chest to just overhead on the sets.  There was minimal wind.  The tide was low and dropping - this was the reason for me bringing the surfboard; I didn't want to deal with scraping bottom with the foil.

I was super glad I did bring the S&B!

I surfed in front of the MWR Shack and I picked off several head high waves.  Marlon was in the same spot and we even rode a couple together (or maybe he dropped in on me and I was just a nice guy).

I had a few waves that rivaled distance rode while on a foil.  And the faces were nice a steep so I was able to stick to the face and huck some big turns.  I really like this board a lot - I never felt this connected to the Firewire Sunday (which sold already so I could get this), the Firewire Greedy Beaver (which I am close to selling), or the Toots Asymmetric (which I think I could still get used to, but would still rather sell so I can just focus with the Viking, the Everyday and the Seaside and Beyond).

I didn't see Tim out - but while packing up I did see him carrying his new Pyzel Ghost.  This was produced pretty quickly - I think he placed the order in just last month.  Nice shape, good volume - looks like a wave killer (if the waves have some energy in them).

The forecasts call for the current swell to stick around for a few days.  With little wind in the forecast, I think I'll be surfing the S&B some more!

W:94/F:80/S:24

Evening Session - 9/23/2022

Got in an evening session.  I was thinking the swell would come down a little and I could ride the inside with the foil.  With the higher tide I felt safe taking the ART 999/400P out.  There was almost no wind - so the surface was pretty glassy.

Roland took his shortboard out.  I saw him at Fenceline catching a couple.

I caught the start up waves (the ones I knew I'd botch up while I remembered how to foil) on the inside.  Just like normal after I change something up, I need to get my muscle memory back.  After a few, I had my feet back and I was carving several.

The waves were actually better than yesterday.  I think I would have had a better time on the TJ Everyday compared to the Seaside and Beyond - tomorrow morning will be a debate (with a lower tide and a long period swell, I'm thinking the Seaside and Beyond.... but I could also sit on the outside with the ART 999/400P again...)

W:94/F:80/S:23

Evening Session - 9/22/2022

Took the Seaside and Beyond out again.  The waves were slightly bigger than yesterday on the sets.  The tide was full again.  But the difference today was the wind - I could have gone out (I didn't deal with all the winging gear today, and I really wanted to spend more time getting this Seaside and Beyond all dialed in.

I had a handful of really good waves - largely because you have to pick and choose the correct waves.  This is a really great board - paddles in easily, holds in bigger surf and behaves like a board several inches shorter.  Goodbye Sunday and Hello Seaside and Beyond!!!

W:94/F:79/S:23

Evening Session - 9/21/2022

Evening session with Marlon and Roland.  There was a new longer period swell hitting - so time to break out the shorter boards.  Marlon brought out his trusty Firewire Seaside; I anointed the Firewire Seaside and Beyond...

I caught a handful of really great waves - top to bottom, fun drops (trying to get dialed in on my footing - too much foiling), hard leaning bottom turns and then lined up wall riding - SO MUCH FUN - I know I write this all the time, but it's always true!

Marlon and I even got to share some waves towards the end of the session - it really doesn't get much better than this!

W:94/F:79/S:22

Wing Repair and Board Prepping

Yesterday while I was using this wing (Takuma RS 6.1) the leading edge bladder popped.  Today I went ahead and fixed it.  You never know what you are going to find when you pull a bladder.  The pop sounded small and noncatastrophic - and it even took a little bit of time for the air to completely come out - so I figured I got lucky and this hole was small.

And small it was.  I had this patched in no time.

And I went ahead and inflated it and left it inflated.  It's at my office - I'll check on it in the morning.  I'm thinking it should be good to go.

I also decided to sell the surfboards I'm not currently using.  Those would be the Firewire Sunday (shown here), the Firewire Greedy Beaver, and the Toots 7'4" Asymmetric

The proceeds from selling these boards will go to the Ocean Rodeo Glide AX wings I'm saving up for and to pay off the Firewire Seaside and Beyond.

I'll post more pictures tomorrow of all the surfboards moving around (bought and sold).  There is also a swell that is inbound - surfing tomorrow!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 9/19/2022

The trades filled in today, but it didn't last too long.  By the time I got home from work, packed the truck and over to the beach, the winds had settled down a bit.  I went ahead and pumped up the RS 6.1 figuring it would be better to have the extra power.

Eli was out already by the time I launched.  He had a 5.0 up and when I was looking at the conditions he was schlogging - so I put up the 6.1

Marlon was flying the A2S drone to take shots and clips.

After about 45 minutes of winging, the main leading edge lost pressure and collapsed - nothing catastrophic - just a pop and sssssssss.  Lucky for me it I was not too far from shore when it happened.

I swam back in, put up the 5.1 and headed back out.

You can see the direction shift on the chart.  I forgot my watch at home, so no track or speed data.

And when I was relaunching with the 5.1, Roland was making his way out.  He was boosting and luffing a bunch.

Super fun session today (aren't they all???)!!!

W:94/F:79/S:21

Wing Foiling Session - 9/18/2022

And my phone started buzzing around 11:30 asking if I was going to go winging.  I was helping La run some errands so I said yes, but later in the afternoon.  Some rain clouds were coming through, so the wind was up and down at my house - but there was a clearing so I thought the thermals would kick in - I hit the beach at 3pm and there were some white caps.

I brought out the 1210/178 (since they've been scratched already, I don't mind if they get scratched again), and the RS 6.1.  This has honestly become the gear that I take out the most - pretty much due to the prevailing conditions lately.

Today was fun - except for when the wind was lulling.  And I did have to get used to another wind direction (seemed like at the beginning of the session the wind was coming out of the SE for a bit). 

The 6.1 was the right wing for today.

The swell still had some size - a few of the waves I rode on the outside were head high while I was up on foil.  I had some really awesome rides - both regular and goofy footed.  Lots of turns, taking the ques from the waves (lots of the normal WPB log jams - so no ride was straight, always adjusts for what was directly in front of you).

So much fun!!!

W:93/F:79/S:21

Volume Determination Tank

Kalani asked if I could estimate the volume of the board I made for him.  I told him bring the board over and I can setup the dunk tank.

Archimedes Principle in full use here - submerge the board, measure the rise in water column height, then run the math.

His board measured out at 86 liters.

The 4'7" Wing Foiling Board (pictured above) came in at 70 liters.

The 4'11" Wing Foiling Board came in at 82 liters.

The 4'8" Prone Foiling Board came in at 50 liters.

These are not out of line with what you would have thought the volumes would be.

Dawn Patrol - 9/18/2022

Marlon and I dawn patrolled this morning.  He brought the Submoon (and I watched him get some really good rides).

Waves were belly to chest high - but with the transitioning tide (flood) you had to either way outside, or way inside.

Very little wind made for really nice conditions.

I ended up running one more experiment.  I took the same foiling setup out as the previous foiling session - but swapped out the 375P for the 400P.  So the setup was the ART 999/400P on the Ultrashort fuselage.

I caught a bunch of waves - and several of them ended up being doubles if not triples.  Super fun session this morning!

The 400P definitely gave more lift so it was easier to pump.  I think the 375P has a place with this - especially once the waves get higher than chest.  The smaller rear stabilizer will allow for bigger/faster takeoffs.

W:92/F:79/S:21

Change of Scenery

We made a trip out to Maui to get away for a bit.  We hit the surf shops and came away with some cool stuff.

Then we checked the conditions at Kanaha (no I didn't bring equipment - I didn't want this to be a winging trip).

We headed up to Haleakala.

You could see the Big Island when you were at the summit.  Driving up you could see Kahoolawe, Molokini, Lanai and Molokai.

I totally got altitude sickness.

Silversword plants were growing at the upper reaches.

I think everyone had a great time!!!

Evening Session - 9/16/2022

Evening session with Marlon.  Swell was holding in the shoulder high + range.  The tide was on the low side (so I decided to bring the longboard again - I wanted to see if the fin was truly the difference) and that was causing the lips to almost throw out.  And the wind - there was no wind and the surface was nearly glass.  It was raining on and off which also helped glass the surface.

Marlon had forgot his leash, so he was hovering in the middle break.  He caught a bunch of fun waves.

I brought the same board/fin as yesterday and wanted to repeat the rides.  I repeated the rides!!!  When the waves stood up, riding the board close up to the face and ALMOST getting covered.  Also when lining up for the walls, I could weight the back of the board and this fin setup is really floaty/fun!  

Days like this where waves and equipment compliment each other reminds me of how much fun surfing can be.

W:92/F:78/S:21