Today's session was at Hickam to test out the characteristics of the AFS HA Ultra 750.
There was wind, but it was up and down.
Miles was already out when I pulled up. Matt and Mark (lifeguard) were chatting on the overlook.
I had dinged No.34 yesterday trying to get it up on the wash rack - so I used No.36
And I pumped up the Nova Pro 5.0 again
This was the second time I used the HA Ultra 750 - but today was enough time to get a really good feel for this foil. At an AR of 14, what I would have guessed was this foil would need high speed to take off, and that it would have a super high stall speed. I would also guess that the turning would be stiff and if kept at high speed, this foil would glide forever.
What I found consistently was as long as my wing was powered up, the foil would takeoff pretty easily - this was the biggest surprise.
This foil also could get through the lulls because it had a low stall speed (and it didn't drop out like the Armstrong foils consistently did), as well as the ease of how it pumped.
The turning was closer to what I thought - stiffer than most of the foils I currently ride, but I could still turn it without too much difficulty. And the glide was ridiculous - this really is a downwinding foil.
At the start, I didn't want to drop off foil (and get on the struggle bus to get back up) so I jibed. The wind was also up and down so timing was pretty important.
When the wind picked up, I headed downwind straight out to Firsts.
I surfed the small waves that were out there and got to become familiar with the turning, takeoffs, glide and pump. I am really impressed by this foil (but I don't downwind - so despite how sexy this thing is, I do not think I'll be adding this to my hanger).
Looks like I was out when the wind was at its best -
Honestly, this is where I was disappointed with the performance of this foil - I would have thought it would have easily gone over 25mph.
Also, it was singing loudly above 20mph (pretty high pitch too). When I get to borrow this foil again, I'll tune it so it runs silent.
Good run today!
W:119/PW:2/FD:66/F:4/S:18
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