Monday, June 19, 2023

Wing Foiling Session - 6/19/2023

La dropped me off at Hickam as she went on to check out some shops in town.  The wind was supposed to be dead (FORESHADOWING) and Bill and I were going to test drive some Foil Drives, but it was strong enough to wing with a 5.2 and the 1090.


Midday winging - you need lots of sun protection.


The wind was pretty light - strong enough in the gusts to get up easy, but then it would lull out to just enough to stay on foil.  I spent this session just making turns - which I think is just as fun as riding waves.

Heel to toe tacking is the transition that takes the most commitment - leaning hard into the turn is an act of faith that you will come out the other side and ride away.  It is also a great g-force generator (which is addicting).


Jibes are better in lighter winds - you keep up your board speed and have a much higher chance of keeping up on foil compared to tacking.  Done tight, they can be just as fun as tacks.


I used a mount that I haven't used that much - but I kept losing GoPros when using the magnetic mounts.  This one is a clamp.

With the wider wing span of the 5.2, I got this shot -


You can see from the track I had a great session upfront.  Then the wind just died.


I think the Nova 8m would have carried me through - but I guess I could look at it as me getting some paddling in today.


It was good while it lasted - but such is the nature of thermals.


Bill did go out on his Foil Drive.  He had it mounted high on the mast - but for where he was, I think he would have had more fun with it in eFoil mode (lower on the mast).


W:55/F:56/S:28

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