Wing Foiling Session - 4/6/2025

Big adventure today - downwind run from Hickam over to Pavilions.  Nick, Matt, Prayot, Roland, Duke and I used wings - Marlon went on his OC-1.

The crew met at Pavilions and loaded into Prayot's and my trucks.

Everyone set up and right before we launched the wind promptly came up.

I setup No.40 with the AFS Enduro 900/HA40 - I wanted to dial in the mast placement.  I ended up setting it back a bolt diameter - and it was perfect.  It felt just like it did on Foil Drive (super maneuverable and progressive lift).

There's a reason a 5 mile run turned into nearly 30 miles...

After launching, everyone gathered at Firsts and rode waves until everyone made it out.  Then we headed across the channel.  I made it over and watched everyone come across - except Marlon.

Prayot and I headed back to find him -

I checked my phone and it looked like Marlon was still back at the end of the runway.  I told Prayot to head down and look for Marlon - and that I was going to head back to Hickam to see if Marlon was back over there.

He wasn't.

Now I was worried.  I called Roland and asked him to keep an eye out.

I landed back at Hickam and didn't see Marlon - so I headed back out.  When I checked my phone again, Marlon's position had changed and it looked like he was at Ewa Beach already.

I bolted and made it to Iroquois - but still hadn't seen Marlon.  I stopped and checked my phone - and it looked like I had passed him.

I started doing a search pattern again but couldn't find him.

By this time I was at Hau Bush - then Marlon finally returned my call - he was already at Pavilions.

From there I booked it downwind.

I managed to get a few waves before I landed.

We're gonna have to rethink how we do these downwinders.  Brighter clothing, maybe radios, a designated lead and tail (who stays behind the slowest person), checkpoints where everyone musters - just to make sure everyone is good to go.

Marlon's version of the story was - I saw you guys head down, then I couldn't see you anymore.  I figured I was on my own so I just kept paddling.  I rode some waves, scared some fish (and a flying fish hit me in the chest after gliding into me), I saw some turtles mating, and didn't huli once!!!

I'm glad he had fun (but I was scared something bad happened).

I'm going to check my posts from where I used the Enduro 900 on Foil Drive... I feel like I can get this foil to go faster, but these last couple of session I haven't been able to break 20mph.

Everyone else said this was a great run (which it was).

W:24/FD:53/PW:1/S:4

Wing Foiling Session - 4/5/2025

Trades finally came back!!!

And the tide was supposed to be low all day - so I hit Hickam.

Lots of people cycling through today -

I brought No.25 so Miles could try it out (he wants to order a custom)

I brought Kalani on -

Jim, Harris, Zach, Naomi, Grant, Matt, Ken, and...

This guy!

Besides the low tide (and saving myself for a long paddle out at WPB), I went to Hickam to get a couple of foils dialed in on No.40

First up was the Enduro 900 - which I have already been using on this board - but mainly with the Foil Drive, so the positioning is way different (has to carry more weight).

Hickam is almost always shifty and gusty - so I wanted to save myself some trouble and I pumped up the North Nova Pro 5.0

This first run, I did my normal warm ups (tacks and jibes both directions) - the foil performed exactly like I thought it would.  On wing, I got to look over at the foil running in the water and while doing some 'S' turns, I could get the tips out without losing any stability.

Then I took it out in the small surf at Firsts.  Surfed just like it did on Foil Drive (but why wouldn't it).

I think I need to move the mast just a notch back to get the foot pressure balanced (it feels a tad bit front foot heavy).

Not the fastest this foil has gone - but with the lack of waves, it was wind alone.

Speaking of wind, here's what was blowing through.

I went in and switched out the foil to the Ultra HA 750/HA38

I had a lot of fun on this foil.

I've used this foil before when the AFS demo was at Kailua, and when Prayot let me use his.

I got the positioning right at the first setting.  This foil is surprisingly easy to get up on foil - granted there was a good amount of wind, but there were lulls also.

This second run, the waves got even smaller - so I didn't spend a lot of time out at Firsts - but I did get a bunch of speed runs in.

I thought I got this foil up to a faster speed - but obviously I didn't.  Where this foil did surprise me the most was at the low end of its range.  I could keep the foil up in the lulls with a little input from pumping.  The reviews of this foil note the tubercles helping with low speed lift.

Between the Ultra HA 750 and the Pure Race 560, the Race went faster - less surface area means less drag and the smaller span likely factors in as well. 

It's good to get on wing again!!!

W:23/FD:53/PW:1/S:4

Garage Works - 4/3/2025

And after Foil Drive-ing, I gave an impromptu class on how to fill scratches and tune a foil.

I got this AFS Enduro 900 with a far from perfect repair job.  There was even clear coat sprayed on (ugh).

I filled it to show Norm and Marvin how I do it.  Then when I got home I sanded the foil.

This session produced an almost perfect repair/finish.  Yes there were some scratches on the top...

Here is the bottom - all refreshed!!!

There are still a couple of spots that need to be filled again and sanded - but I'll wait until I get more rubs that I have to repair before tackling the minor work.

Tomorrow may be a winging day....

Evening Foil Drive Session - 4/3/2025

Similar conditions to yesterday (but yesterday was better).

Same setup as yesterday - and I pulled the assembly back just a notch.  I wanted to see what the results would be -

Prayot was on a regular SUP.  Roland was on prone foil, Gary was on SUP foil (DW) and Marvin (and eventually Norm) were on Foil Drive.

The feeling I get when I use this setup is like riding a dialed in shortboard on powerful waves - when the conditions are far from that.  The maneuverability of this lower set is incredible!!! 

Most rides were really long and full of cranking turns.

Marvin said the tips are coming out on most turns.  I'm going to have to get Marlon to fly the drone to see what is going on below.

I did get a couple of double dips - and even attempted a triple - so I am slowly finding this foil's cadence.  Eighteen rides in an hour... UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!

W:22/FD:53/PW:1/S:4

Evening Foil Drive Session - 4/2/2025

The afternoon southerly winds slacked this afternoon.  With a rising tide and ridable waves from the south, today was pretty fun!

No.40 with the AFS Enduro 900/HA40 combo.

But this session saw the use of a new mast - the AFS UHM 80cm.  For as long as I have been Foil Drive-ing, I have almost always used the Project Cedrus Aluminum 80cm mast.  I wanted to try something different.  And actually, these last few sessions have opened my eyes to what else is out there.

Of note, I'm also using the Custom Wing Foil Screws M7 nuts (super low profile), and the 12cm drive cable. 

Norm and I were the only Foil Drivers out.

This session duration is pretty typical of the Max battery - just under an hour and on the throttle pretty much the whole time.

I am super thrilled to be using this gear combo - I am turning harder, running faster and not feeling as much strain (as I was with the Spitfire).  It is also slightly less heavy using this new mast.

I got so many incredible turns today...

And Roland had stayed on the beach because he thought the waves didn't offer much today.  But he saw Norm and I out and then spent the next couple of hours getting a learning session on how to setup a Foil Drive.

Thirteen incredible rides today!!!

W:22/FD:52/PW:1/S:4