Wing Foiling Session - 10/31/2024

I picked up another prototype wing from Donnel.  I hit the beach straight from work to get the wind while it was up.

Good conditions while I was setting up - but in typical fashion, the wind dropped when I paddled out.

I thought the wind would be nuking so in order to counter the power in a larger wing (testing another 5.0) I set up the F One SK8 750/C195

And here is the prototype -

This wing is the most technical I have flown to date.

It luffs really well - but it does get locked in (granted the wind got pretty strong at times and the extra speed I picked up from the larger waves would affect the wing generating more lift).

This seemed like the blue 5.5 wings I previously tested - where once I was up on foil, the wing would always provide enough power to move; but it doesn't generate brute force to get you up out of the water quickly - this requires a lot of finesse)  

After a bad start to the session (when the wind died down and I drifted into the dead wind zone). I got up and stayed up for a bit.  I picked up some really good waves - head high while on foil.

Eventually during the session, one of these waves wrecked me and put the foil into the wing...

Nice pattern on the track 

You can see gaps in the wind here -

And in here

Despite these issues, this was a fun session!

W:133/PW:2/FD:79/F:5/S:19

Wing Foiling Session - 10/30/2024

I thought the winds would stronger today - they weren't.  Still good wind, just not nuking.

The tide was good and high, and there were still waves coming through.

Same board/foil - but anticipating the stronger winds, I pumped up the Mode Pro 4.8

I also opted to use the Ion/Wingman chest harness.

I forgot my Garmin watch at home so I used Strava on my phone to track the session stats.

I wanted to run to Costco to grab some groceries, so I had a shorter session today.  Also with the smaller wing (this 4.8 really behaves more like a 4.2), I didn't want to risk getting caught outside when the wind slacked.

Lots of squiggly lines on the tracks today - which means lots of carving!

The waves were working nicely with the tide - they were standing up and running the distance.  Made from really fun rides!!!

I guess looking at this chart you could say the wind was more consistent today (less gusty), but overall it wasn't blowing as hard as it was yesterday.

I got tacks in both sides (in and out) - and ended up recovering from some sloppy inside tacks.  So maneuver wise today was pretty good.

Tomorrow is supposed to be nuking - we'll see.  That and Donnel has a new Ezzy 5.0 he is asking if I want to test (oh yeah!).

W:132/PW:2/FD:79/F:5/S:19

Wing Foiling Session - 10/29/2024

The wind came back today!!!  I rigged for good conditions, but we ended up with nuking winds!!!

Nice high tide and some fun waves still rolling in -

I pumped up the North Nova Pro 5.0 - but truthfully save a few lulls (one of which I went down on even with the 5.0) I could have easily used a 4.2 or smaller.

And going for a change today, I set up No.36 with the SK8 950/C200

Typical tradewind day - ENE winds.  Good direction for nailing outbound tacks onto waves - of which this picture is a screen shot from Roland's video taking this afternoon.

Apex of an outbound tack onto a wave 

For most of the session the 5.0 was slightly overpowered - I was thinking I should have pumped up the Mode Pro 4.8

Decent stats today - 

With the strength of the wind, I was able to drop back towards Cabins and take advantage of the waves breaking over there.

You can see on the chart that I pretty much left the waves before hitting the inside (where the surfers were lined up).

Of note - I did get two goofy footed jibes in (back to back at that) today.  I thought Roland got video of that, but he didn't (or didn't send that one).

With the power in the wind, I think I could have easily used the Ezzy 4.0 and the SK8 750/C195

Tomorrow should be close to today's conditions.  And Thursday is now the nuking day.

I think I'll use the above equipment tomorrow and drop down to the Reedin SW2 3.6 on Thursday.

W:131/PW:2/FD:79/F:5/S:19

Garage Works - 10/27/2024

Norm hit his board with his knee - I told him I'd get it fixed up.  Luckily the crack was superficial (the basalt - double wrap - was intact).

Yesterday I sanded the cracked resin off and got the new fill coat on.

Slightly thickened epoxy with white pigment.

And this morning I sanded the repair flush, went through the grits and got the clear coat on.

The white pigment didn't exactly match - this batch was a tiny volume compared to the original fill coats. 

Good as new!

Dawn Patrol - 10/27/2024

There was some good energy coming in - but there was some wind blowing this morning so the chop was on.  And on enough to make riding challenging.

Same stuff - why mess with it once it is dialed in.

With the chop, I had to use the throttle more than on a glassy day - I only stayed out a little over an hour.

The rides were pretty long - and top to bottom riding (again).

The speed chart was off today - this is what downloaded.

The wind did calm down a bit for a while.  And the waves on the outside were at least head high as they made their way through the line up.

I think I could have used the Spitfire 900.

Super fun session!!!

W:130/PW:2/FD:79/F:5/S:19

Dawn Patrol - 10/26/2024

Cloudy and light winds this morning.  Also a decent high tide - all made for nice conditions.  The waves would be good on sets that were pretty far apart (time wise).

I used the same gear as the past several sessions - and the repair work I did yesterday evening made for super quiet running today.

Noel was back in the water after having surgery on his foot.  Dennis and Kalani were out of Foil Drive.  Mark and Dean were out on their DW SUP foiling boards.  And there were a handful of prone foilers mixed in with a ton of longboarders - so pretty crowded on the inside.

I had some really fun rides today - dissecting the faces and getting a ton of swooping top to bottom carving turns.  I really love the Spitfire 960 on Foil Drive!

I pretty much kicked out before even the SUP guys could catch the waves.  I manage crowds by staying away from them.

I did get several double dips today - pretty much just depends on the wave period.

I'm calling this 25 rides in 2 hours today.

The wind forecast had called for the trades to return later this afternoon and run through at least Thursday.  Well the forecast shifted and now Tuesday is the day.  Thank goodness for the Foil Drive!

W:130/PW:2/FD:78/F:5/S:19

Evening Session - 10/25/2024

Pulled an after work session with the Foil Drive weekday crew (Marvin and Norm) - post parawing trials.

Same gear as a couple of days ago.

I ended up hitting the pipe on the way out (so I'm fixing the 960 tonight).  And I used the Wizardhat bolts - and didn't tighten 2 of the bolts well enough.  I didn't lose them, but I did go in early (so I would screw up any gear).  I'm going to have to bring a small open wrench out with me to keep the bolts snug.

I did get to make some really fun turns using the whole wave - really this is why I foil - the feeling you get from flowing through multiple top to bottom speed to torque conversion events - SO MUCH FUN!!! 

12 rides in under an hour - again, unbelievable stats! 

Marvin was using the Kujira 1095 - he didn't like it as much as he likes the 980.

Norm was out on the Progression 200 - and with some mods/adjustments we worked on before he went out.  He had a much better time today - that is until he hit the board with his knee.  Just a little cracked resin - I'll have it fixed in a couple of days.  If built any lesser - that hit would have dinged the board.

Fun session!!! 

W:130/PW:2/FD:77/F:5/S:19

BRM Maliko Parawing Bridle Modifications

I went ahead and made the BRM Maliko Parawing bridle modifications today.  Was pretty quick just working along with the video.

And viola!!!

The new configuration is way better than stock - easier to control, better performance, and it doesn't want to pull your arms off when it is up in a gust.

Now we just need wind -

Evening Session - 10/23/2024

The crew was buzzing the text group that there was strong wind blowing at the Plains -

I was napping hard.  But as I stirred, I figured the thermals would die off pretty quickly - so I put the Foil Drive equipment in the truck (I did not want a repeat of Monday).

Well - when I got to the beach Prayot, Zach and Duke were well powered on 5m+ wings.  The thermal was hard side onshore (almost onshore).

Marvin came with FD gear.

Same lower assembly for me - just swapped 34 for 33 (figuring there would be some chop from the thermals).

This session had a carving emphasis - I predominantly went right and kicked out before I got into the shallows - but along the way I would crank some hard turns.

The wind never really stopped this afternoon - despite the thick cloud layer above Makakilo.  Oh well - the lose some and other times you pay more dues.  It's good to remember that I get to live here and do this as much as I do - if I miss a session every now and then, it's still more winning than losing!

I'll call this 15 rides in an hour - super fun!!!

The wind is forecasted to come back strong starting Saturday evening - I'm going to keep an eye on the weather for tomorrow.  But I also have to fix a board for Greg, cut the lawn and trim the hedges....

W:130/PW:2/FD:76/F:5/S:19

Evening Session - 10/22/2024

Foil Drive-d this afternoon.

Surf was surprisingly good.  Clean conditions.

A new guy was out on FD - Garrett.

And Norm was out getting more acclimated to No.38

I had setup No.34 with the standard FD stuff.

I actually left my watch and home and didn't take any other pictures - sometimes just simplifying the session cleans things up.

I had a ton of really good rides, cranks turns back and forth - super fun!

Hopefully tomorrow is like today!

W:130/PW:2/FD:75/F:5/S:19

Wing Foiling Session - 10/21/2024

Today was the day I turned over No.38 to Norm.  We were both going to Foil Drive, but when we got there the wind was cranking - thermals.

Eli was rigging and was saying the winds were going to die off any time and it would be sudden.  He rigged big and headed out.

I rigged what winging stuff I brought - Ezzy Flight 5.5 (c), No.34 with the Eagle 1090/DW210

Eli was literally in the water 5 minutes before I was - but that short time span was everything.

I almost never got up on foil.  There was a bubble of wind and it seemed to be following Eli.

About this time I saw Norm taking out No.38 with the Foil Drive.

I spent over an hour trying to get up with the little wind that remained.  Talk about a trap -

I eventually did manage to catch a swell and pumped the wing to get enough speed to get up on foil.  I rode that wave in as far as I could - which saved me from a long paddle back in.

I saw Norm with plenty of long rides.  Looks like that board is going to be good for him (whew!!!)

This session was totally shaping up to be a total skunk!!!  Last second save!

W:130/PW:2/FD:74/F:5/S:19