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
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