My phone started making a lot of noise around 11 - the Hickam crew were buzzing that there was some good wind filling in. I got there at 12:30 and the wind was strong.
I brought No.25, the 85cm PC mast, the 1095/178 on the Stringy direct bolt fuselage. With the wind, I pumped up the Reedin SWX 5.2 - this was a change from the normal equipment (but the wind seemed steadier and stronger than normal).
Lots of people winging today - Jesse had come and gone, Ryan, Bill, Ken, Jim, Harris and others.
By the time I got out (ended up talking with Ryan about where power comes from in wings, stabilizer size with Harris, and board attributes with Bill), the wind was in a lull so I had to schlog out for a bit before I got up on foil.
I usually warm up on the inside, but I just made my way out to Firsts.
The surf was fun sized, and with the steady wind, the 1095 was in its prime! I got several waves getting to carve up and down open face - and I even got a full speed tack onto a wave (rare here at Hickam because of the wind direction.
The SWX 5.2 was a good wing to have up today - until towards the end of the session. The wind fell off for an extended period of time, and I got stuck for a bit until I picked up a gust and got to head in.
The wing tip hit 3x today when I was on a starboard tack - I lost the wing since it twisted out of my hands (and I'd have to reset and takeoff again). I don't recall having that happen that many times in one session before. It may be that I haven't used this wing in a while.
I really enjoy using the 1095 - it has great lift and it carves exceptionally well. As with all the Kujiras, it cuts through white water and turbulence and maintains lift (where other foils would drop). The wind was just shy of being able to jump, so I didn't bother. My left elbow and my right wrist aren't 100% either - so the rear foot strap was pretty much just in the way. I eventually worked it out that my right foot while sailing out would just sit in front of the foot strap - when riding regular foot stance on a wave (I nabbed three waves where I was able to pull it off today), I'd have my foot in the strap and pushed towards the back.
I actually prefer to have the ability to move my back foot around as needed. It is also one less thing to worry about while tacking/jibing. After I got back to the parking lot, I just took it off. FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, THE FOOT STRAP WAS ON THE FIRST HOLE (COULD POSSIBLE GO ON THE SECOND HOLE TO BE MORE NEUTRAL).
I've been riding shorter boards than I normally would lately - lots of reworking muscle memory and foot placement, but in the end, this extra work should give me more options. I have now been contemplating converting No.26 into a high wind sinker wing foiling board...
Really fun session!!!
W:102/F:93/S:34
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