Garage Works - 5/20/2026

Some interesting things garage wise happened today.

First I donated 3 of 4 boards and my two GoFoil sets to the KYC wing foiling group.  I wasn't using these boards so I figured, if someone is using them then that is better than them sitting in my office.

I need to fix the big one (loose track), and I'll donate that one as well.

As I mentioned in the previous post, Kalani is going to buy my Triple Seven PT Hybrid - I figure if I keep moving the parawings I have, I'll continue to be able to get new foiling gear.  With the proceeds from this, I'll be able to pick up another BRM S3 -

And back to garage specific information - 

I sanded the window patch on Tim's board down to 400 and put a clear coat on the modified spot.  I'll get this back to him tomorrow.

I'll probably work on the big board's track replacement next - then I can donate that board to KYC also.  That'll really clear up the garage.

Parawing Session - 5/20/2026

Stronger winds started to fill in today.  Tide wasn't as high as it has been (and it gets higher the later it gets) so the paddle out is getting a bit longer.  Waves started to come down.  Also the wind had more north in it than the previous days.

With the stronger winds I wanted to try out this combo - No.40 with the Cabrinha Prestige setup.

I also let Kalani use the Triple Seven PT Hybrid 4.3 as he is contemplating buying it from me.  I used the BRM Maliko 4.0

So with this, I finally got to see the shape of the PT Hybrid while it was flying (a perspective I never get as I'm always flying it).  You can see the double skin section doing its magic!!!

Norm winged up from PVs.

There were a few rides where I doused the PW and got long rides prone foiling - the Cabrinha Prestige felt really good doing this - as long as there was a wave pushing.  One in particular was really good!

I attempted a few tacks today, but with the north wind, I got field stripped off the board.

Hard wind to rig for today - there were multiple times where I didn't quite have enough power to get up.  Some other times it was easy to get up because of the wind strength.

Kalani was flying the Hybrid really well.  So well that he said he'll buy it from me.  And that means I can order the BRM S3 4.2

I love the Triple Seven Hybrid - but the S3 is redefining parawinging in my opinion.

Lots of great wind coming over the next several days!!!!

PF:8/W:2/PW:47/FD:37/S:17

Garage Works - 5/19/2026

Window install on Tim's board got sanded -

And covered today.

I'll try and wake up early to sand this and get a clear coat sprayed on - then it can go back to Tim tomorrow afternoon (and I can get more working room back in the garage).

Parawing Session - 5/19/2026

Almost a repeat of yesterday.

Wind was good, but not as steady or strong as yesterday - and it was a bit swirly, especially on the back half of the course.

Nice high tide again.

And the waves had similar energy to yesterday.

Launch point -

Robby was on Foil Drive (testing out a tiny race stabilizer).

Norm had the same setup as yesterday.  And Kalani came out today - and tried the Code 985X (or whatever it was)

I bumped up the foil to the AFS Enduro 1100 - insurance with the slightly iffy winds.

And the landing -

The waves were really good up above Fenceline - got a few stashed parawing rides that reeled for quite some time.

I was pretty much holding my line while riding - then I looked for Norm and Robby and they were both almost at Campgrounds.  I started heading downwind at this point.

You can see at Campgrounds the wind was coming in from different directions.

The waves over here weren't as good for retracting the parawing, so I just had it in drift position.  I really love flying the BRM S3!

This is Hickam's wind chart - I think our run was a notch below this (pressure reduction from up there to PV is enough to make a difference).

Pretty much the same as yesterday on top speed.  I definitely pushed the Enduro 1100 -

Another fun session!!!

Wind should be stronger tomorrow - I'll likely setup the Cab P905 and the Maliko 4.0

PF:8/W:2/PW:46/FD:37/S:17

Garage Works - 5/18/2026

The projects have been piling up in the garage.  I just haven't been in the mood to tackle some of these (plus it has been warm and humid lately).

I got approached by Tim yesterday - he wanted another single window on his Amundson board.  I actually cut this hole yesterday - I thought I ran out of milled fibers and said I'd get some today.

I did get another container of milled fibers - but when I pulled out the epoxy bottles, I found the existing container of milled fibers....

I got the fill mixed up and placed.

And I had enough material leftover to get some onto Stu's mast repair.

I placed mold release on the fuselage, then added the epoxy.

Hopefully the parts release - if yes, then I'll shape the mast foot and even add more material to make the front section more hydrodynamic.

I'll likely be in the garage again tomorrow evening - trying to get these two projects completed.

Afternoon Parawing Session - 5/18/2026

Did a parawing downwind run with Norm this afternoon.

Wind was nice and strong.  Waves were filling in.  Tide was nice and high!

This was White Plains at launch.

BRM S3 5.3, No.34 with the Cabrinha Prestige (160 rear stabilizer and the 78cm Apex mast)

And this was Pavilions at recovery.

This was the inaugural BRM S3 5.3 and Cabrinha Prestige 905 session in waves and strong wind.  And the setup did not disappoint one iota -

Jibing was a breeze - including a down loop.  I even messed up a couple of times, but the glide from the Prestige 905 gave me time to correct the parawing handling and keep going.

I caught three waves from outside Cabins and 5-O's where I'd line up, retract the parawing and just carve up and down a 3' overhead wave that just reeled - this was pure magic!!!!  

The weird twists in the track were the rides.

I had several more rides, but didn't retract because the wave didn't seem like they'd give the same push as the big three.

Norm was up and riding on the Triple Seven PT Skin 7.3 - no problems getting up (actually he said he was overpowered about 50% of the session).  ANd on the back half of the session he was getting up, making the run, jibing, making it through and on to the opposite tack - then repeat.  He made the cycle a few times at least.

This chart was from the Kalaeloa Airport (which on east or NE winds, is usually off by about 5mph).

I hit 20mph on the Prestige - bombing down one of the big waves!!!!

The Prestige was really fun to parawing with - just easy!

Today was definitely one of the top 5 parawing sessions I've ever had!!!  And it is just the beginning of this wind event!

PF:8/W:2/PW:45/FD:37/S:17

Parawing Session - 5/17/2026

Stu and I were planning to hit Kailua after he picked up his wing from the repair shop (Brenda).  But asking folks that live that side if there was wind, they said no - and we shifted to Hickam.

When we parked, the wind was there, but it still felt light.  We said we were there already so might as well go -

I setup the big stuff (No.34, AFS Enduro 1300/HA43) and packed the BRM S3 5.3

Surprisingly the wind did fill in and I had a great session!!!

With the high tide, I just sailed across the reef, hit a wave and came back to the shore side.  I did this a few times - not wanting to get stuck outside if the wind dropped.

The high light of today for me was getting my first toe-side tack on the BRM S3 (which was surprisingly drama free), several more toe-side tacks (some not so drama-free), a few heel-side tacks onto waves, and several more toe-side tacks turning by the buoys.  Tack attack day!!!

I also got in a down loop jibe - so I got in every transition I currently know now using the BRM S3.

The time off foil was likely because I messed up a turn and had to reset/wait for a gust.

Stu got in 3 back-to-back moving jibes - which really was the goal for today for him.  Once that becomes muscle memory, then he can start going to WP-PV without losing ground.

Tomorrow heading in through the week should see dependable wind!!!

PF:8/W:2/PW:44/FD:37/S:17

Dawn Patrol - 5/17/2026

Looking at the forecast last night, the dawn patrol on the south shore was looking good.

Checking the surf this morning it was consistent at chest high.  And occasionally there was an overhead set breaking out at Foil Drive Country.

I had it in my mind that I was going to surf this morning (low tide and foils don't mix in my book).

And I wanted to try out these True Ames High Pro Twins -

I caught a couple of handful of waves - and a few of them were outstanding rides!!!

I swear I got questioned what was I doing everytime I bumped into someone - I said I was mixing it up and that I've been out on surfboard quite a bit lately.

Great session this morning!!!

PF:8/W:2/PW:43/FD:37/S:17

Foil Drive Sessions - 5/16/2026

Dawn patrolled Hickam on Foil Drive this morning.

I setup No.41 with the Evolution Cedrus Surf mast, AFS Enduro 900/Mako Carve 130

I brought Kalani and Stu over.  Phil, Bill and Arvin were also out.  And Eli (and Mark?) and Prayot when out once we had finished.  Tow Boogies and SUP DW Foil respectively.

I used two batteries.  First was the HO battery, and I had the black props on.

Waves were chest high on the sets.  I got several fun rides, but oddly enough the waves would peak outside of the breakwater, then disappear on the inside - which made catching them a little difficult.

Eleven or twelve rides this first run.  I did efoil out - but felt my right knee pressurizing so I backed off at the channel marker.  And at the end of the first run, I did go over to seconds and caught a good one.

Second battery was my original endurance battery.

I hit Seconds first (ha ha) - caught some good ones, then went over to Firsts.

Nice opportunities to carve, with the inside bowls working.

Ten rides - shorter run (with the ride out and back chewing up about 15% of the battery).

Hickam is great on those super low tide days!!!!

PF:8/W:2/PW:43/FD:37/S:16

Parawing Session - 5/14/2026

I forgot my watch at home, so no tangible data today.

When I got to the parking lot, there was wind.  I dropped off my board/foil and headed down to PVs so I could catch a ride back up and do the downwinder.  Stu and Norm were going to DW also.

Prayot was at the beach holding his Power Pack 4.3 - I told him he wasn't going to be able to get up on foil with that PW today.  I loaned him the BRM S3 5.3 - 

And I packed the Triple Seven PT Hybrid 5.7

When I was dropping the truck off at PVs, I did put up the Hybrid 5.7 to ground handle it - it had plenty of power with the wind present.

The rest of the setup was the same as yesterday - AFS Enduro 1100/Mako Carve Pro Medium/Short fuselage/UHM 80cm mast all on No.34

As soon as I hit the water - as usual the wind died.  But I figured the clouds overhead would blow through and the wind would return.  At least that's what I hoped would happen.

I drifted for quite some time before I picked up a gust strong enough to get me up onto foil.  I was able to get up in front of the last few cabins and make it out to outside Campgrounds.  I was WAY outside (bluewater).

The wind started glassing out - so I began paddling back in.

The wind did eventually filled in and I got up on foil making a direct beeline in.

I got in without issue - and to make sure I can in good conscience call this a session I jibed and headed back out.  I really didn't want to get stuck outside so I jibed again and made it in.

I bet I could have done this faster with a big PW like Norm's Triple Seven PT Skin 7.3

The forecasts are all over the map again - I think I'll avoid the skunk and break out the Foil Drive -

PF:8/W:2/PW:43/FD:36/S:16

Parawing Session - 5/13/2026

When I got home, there were some big rain clouds as far as the eye could see.  And they were choking the wind off.  I felt like they would pass, so I loaded up the truck and headed over to WP.

The sky was clearing by the time I parked.  And there was wind, but I didn't trust it.

So I setup the insurance policy - AFS Enduro 1100/Mako Carve Pro Medium and the BRM S3 5.3

I wanted to bolt on the Cabrinha Prestige 905/160 - but I also wanted to see if moving the rear stabilizer into the back position would get rid of the pitch instability (it did)

The wind was up and down - but with the S3 it manifested as being perfectly powered or overpowered.  Probably 60-40.

I did retract the PW once but was not able to redeploy it.  The waves weren't all that good for riding without the parawing.

I think I could have gotten away with using the Triple Seven PT Hybrid 4.3 and the Cabrinha Prestige 905 - but better to have the insurance (Prayot and Paul Cooper were probably 40-60 on the up on foil/down and schlogging ratio)

I did not attempt any tacks today - but I did get a few down loop jibes in.

I'm sure there is a correlation in this somewhere....

I think I'll start rotating the Evolution Cedrus Wind mast into the rotation to get more height 

Over all it was a weird wind day.  Rechecking the forecast, it looks like Saturday and Sunday may be better for FD or regular surfing.

PF:8/W:2/PW:42/FD:36/S:16