Garage Works - 8/31/2025

I got Marlon's foil board repair completed this afternoon.

Sanded to 400, no spray to keep with the distressed look.

And then I headed deep into the garage to start the rocker cuts on No.42

Electric planer and shop vac -

I've been studying some of the leading DW SUP foiling boards and I am trying to take the design points from those to make this parawing specific board.

The desired characteristics are the same - a board that returns energy directed forward when you pump the board/foil.  It also has to have sufficient volume to convert that energy efficiently in less wind (this is Oahu, not Maui).

This last photo is oriented with the bottom deck pointed upwards, nose to the left.

I'll use the surform and dragonskin next.

Foil Drive Dawn Patrol - 8/31/2025

Some sets still coming through.  I got into several overhead waves (SO MUCH FUN!!!)

Wind was dead - sheet glass at times.  This is when the battery goes on forever...

I brought the Silk 850 - but in the end I just ran the Enduro 900

This was all from one HO battery!!!

The three peaks of PV -

Norm, Stu, Jen (I think that's her name - Paul Cooper's better half), one Lift eFoiler, and eventually Marvin were all out.

Hard to tell exactly how many rides I got.  I know I got left behind on a couple.  And I botched at least one takeoff.  I'm gonna call this count 20 rides.

The forecast for tomorrow is calling for similar conditions.

W:56/FD:110/PW:29/S:6

Foil Drive Dawn Patrol - 8/30/2025

Still a little lumpy - but the size jumped up.

Same gear as the previous days.

I met Brent this morning.  Unifoil P170 foiler (that is a fun foil).

Lots of long rides.  I had a few get away from me - the bigger swells travel faster.

And I wasn't prepared for the size on a couple of waves - got steep fast so I aborted.

I think I could have easily used the Silk 650 today (and I might tomorrow).

I count 11 rides in an hour and a half.

Fun session!

W:56/FD:109/PW:29/S:6

Evening Foil Drive Session - 8/29/2025

Monk seal hanging out again.

Wind would gust into the rideable range - but the lulls were mostly what was present - TRAP!

The waves did get bigger than Thursday, but with the wind it had some chop on it.

Same as the previous day.

Honestly I think I could have winged - but I didn't want to have to deal with getting the wing through the surf zone.

I was able to get waves at Fenceline and over at the Cabins.  Roland came out 40 minutes into my regular Max battery duration.

18 rides

Super fun session!

W:56/FD:108/PW:29/S:6

Evening Foil Session - 8/28/2025

Large gathering of the WP crew today - Roland, Prayot, Duke, Gary, Norm, Koa, Stu and myself.

The wind forecast called for annoying level winds - but it was actually strong enough to parawing.

Gary had just bought the 5.5 m2 BRM Kanaha that was on FBM.  I gave him a basics lesson and suggested that he try and fly it on land a lot before going out on the water.  Ground handling is never a waste of time.  It felt similar to the Maliko 5.1 -

After yesterday I didn't want to risk getting stranded again, plus I wanted to get back out on the Enduro 900 - so Foil Drive-ing was the call.

It was choppy.  With the annoying level winds, that was to be expected.

I got a bunch of really fun rides.  It took a few waves to get accustomed to the Enduro 900 again, but once I did, the ripping began again!

I count 18 rides (with a couple of missed waves).

Awesome session!

W:56/FD:107/PW:29/S:6

Garage Works - 8/27/2025

I sanded the last epoxy/carbon add to bulk up the rake on the tip.

Better now than when I got it!!!

The tip is more solid (that is one of the criticisms I have of AFS front foils - the wing tips are fragile...)

It's already been out on the water!!!

Parawing Session - 8/27/2025

There was wind while I was setting up - and it was windy enough as I was paddling out.  I even got up on foil - but the entire session felt more like a survival session and not anything like yesterday.

Everything was the same gear wise as yesterday, except for switching out the lower foil set out for the Enduro 1100/HA40 on the Standard fuselage.

First off - when there was wind, the Enduro 1100 is wonderful.  Gets up almost as easily as the Enduro 1300 - but a lot faster and smoother.

The unfortunate thing about the Enduro 1100 is there are times when I am foiling WPB that I can use the extra low end of the 1300.

Today was definitely one of them.

I got up several times - but the wind came in bands and if you were outside of it, you dropped off foil.

I got greedy when I saw Marvin and Robby out on FD.  I figured I could get a tow back in if I needed it, so after actually getting close to the launch point, I headed back out to get another run in.

The unfortunate thing was I never got back up on foil and I drifted way out towards Campgrounds.

The meter readings are usually about 5 mph slower that what's at the beach.  But that means it was still below 15 mph.

If anything, I got in a bunch of light wind starting practice.  Five starts - not bad.

I'm actually not sure if things would have been different with the Enduro 1300 - it was pretty light out there.

Tomorrow will be a Foil Drive day -

W:56/FD:106/PW:29/S:6

Parawing Session - 8/26/2025

The Surfline forecast has been doing much better than Iwindsurf.com

This afternoon had solid wind in the 15-20 mph range.

This monk seal was chillaxing on the beach.  It had a bunch of algae growing on its fur.

AFS Enduro 1300/HA43 on the 85cm UHM mast all on No.34 - standard equipment now for parawinging.  And I only brought the Maliko 5.1 - which was pretty spot on considering the wind speed

This was pretty much statistically an inflated wing session - you really wouldn't have been able to tell the difference if you just saw the charts.

And this just took the distance record for parawinging (my record).

Tracked just like a wing -

I stayed hooked in for most of the session - and I jibed hooked in as well.

I also stashed the parawing and rode a few waves with nothing in the way.

The Kalaeloa meter is wacky.  Probably a good 5 mph low.

Everything just came together well today!

I tried takeoff regular footed (headed back in) - and I stood up... but didn't have much success launching.

Super fun session!!!

W:56/FD:106/PW:28/S:6

Garage Works - 8/25/2025

Monday is rest day - but that doesn't mean stuff slows down.

I got the tracks cleaned up on Marlon's foil board.

And I got the carbon applied.  I'll let this harden for a couple of days then route open the slots.

And I got the chipped wing tip filled in on the Enduro 900.

Same thing - I'll let this harden up a bit, then sand/file down to shape, then foil and fine sand.

And then I took No.34 and the KT Dragonfly and got some ratios defined for the mast track placement on No.42

Ratios!!!

If the wind doesn't come up tomorrow, I'll likely be rough shaping No.42

Parawing Session - 8/24/2025

I got a second foiling session in today (but coupled it with grocery shopping).  The wind stayed up - so parawinging Hickam it was!!!

I forgot my watch at home so no session statistics (but that's ok).

I opted for the BRM Maliko 5.1

There were a few gusts where it felt like too much wing, but for the majority of the session it was actually perfect.  If there is one thing I've learned its go bigger than you think you need.

And I brought No.34 out for a second session.  Bolted on this time was the Enduro 1300/HA43

I held my line for most of the session, and really was way upwind (for Hickam).  In the middle of the session I did drift down by the channel markers - but I was able to get back upwind and stay there.

The highlight of this session was nailing not one, but two toe-side tacks (inbound).  I got the wing and the board through the transition both times, but I lost my momentum and came off foil.  I'll keep working on these -

I did multiple jibes.  One from outbound to inbound ended up with a bridle line going over the handle.  But I felt it happening and just pulled it back off - all good. 

Lots of the regulars out - Harris, Zach, Naomi, Ken (Red Jeep), Matt and others.  Prayot was out parawinging also.  He got back to the launch without having to paddle back.

After I put the board/foil away, I went back to the groin and flew the Maliko 5.1 to dry it off.  Good after about 8 minutes.  I like doing this to make sure the PW doesn't get stored wet, and it is also a good opportunity for more ground handling.

I did the same with the Paia 6.1 - definitely handles differently.  On another day with consistent wind I'll finally bring this PW out on the water.

Fun session!!!!

W:56/FD:106/PW:27/S:6