Wing Foiling Session - 7/15/2021

Wind was blowing most of the day - all the parts except when I got out.  I got to the beach at 4, quickly setup (thanks to the new electric pump, I was able to set up the foil while I put the foil and board together).  It looked good as I was driving up, and everyone had come in right before I got there to take a break (as the wind was pretty strong).  I pumped up the 5.2 and setup the HA1125/232/95cm mast.

The foil/board setup was not seamless today.  The wind was strong, but it kept coming from different directions, so it was hard to get a lock on where I should be going or where to draw power.

You can see the wind was up - and that at times it was more from the North - then more from the East.  I headed back in to swap out the HA1125 for the HS1250.  It took forever from me to get back - the HA1125 wasn't allowing me to build up speed (it really doesn't like to be pumped up like the HS series - needs the wind to pull you up).

I did manage to get in - and I did the swap and I did get back out.  You can see the last quarter of the session log I was mostly up and connecting transitions.  I'm not sure if it was the 95cm mast... I've used it in the past and had really fun sessions - maybe with the chop and the more northerly wind it just wasn't lining up.

Overall I'd say it was worth getting out on the water - even though I was struggling for most of it.  Tomorrow the winds are supposed to be stronger and it keeps up through the weekend.

Wing Foiling Session - 6/30/2021

The trades are back!!!!  Hit Hickam after work.  Pumped up the 5.2 and rigged the HS1850/85 mast.60 A+ fuse/232 on to the WWFB.  There were two guys out when I pulled up - one had a Duotone Echo and the other had a Slick.  There was also a guy named Zack that came up - he had a prototype Uni wing made of Aluula.  It was a 6 meter and it was super light.  I still love my Ensis.  Knowing the wind is going to be up for the next several days, I also rigged up the harness line and my Dakine Chameleon Harness.

I started out by riding on the inside - wanted to shake the cobwebs off, get some turns in and start playing around with the harness.  The wind was definitely up and strong, but there were a few lulls, and because of all my tweaking the harness line, I drifted down a little.  I went ahead and headed out to Firsts.  There was a fresh swell hitting and I got drawn out.

My turns outside were really fun - with the stronger winds, I was pulling tacks and not coming down at all.  The waves were coming in at a decent pace - I caught several, but the HS1850 was a little slow to keep out in front of the waves consistently.  I might try to use the HS1250 tomorrow.  I'll give up some ability to pop up in the lulls, but I'll have more speed and maneuverability on the waves. I caught a few bombs and it was surreal!  Lots going on while catch a big wave on a foil, going goofy foot with a wing in tow.

I was out from 3:45 to about 6.  The 5.2 was perfect for today and my arms aren't as nuked because I'd use the harness on longer runs.  I'm going to have to work on this but I noticed that while I was using the harness, I didn't have the same "connected to the board" feeling that I had while unhooked.  And I also didn't have the same reaction time to gusts (and I seemed to drop off foil more when hooked in).

My top speed was 15 knots - probably on a wave.  Super fun and I am glad the forecast is calling for strong winds all the way out to next Wednesday at least!!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 6/9/2021

 Wind was supposed to be strong again today - and it did not disappoint.  I was out from 4 to 6pm.

The wind was pretty steady above 20, but when I was rigging up it didn't seem like 4.5 wind, so up went the 5.2 again.  The HA1125/232 also went on - so same setup as the second session yesterday.

Kalani setup up his 1550v1 and 300 rear.  Harris was also out so the three of us headed out to Firsts.  The wind was blowing harder outside - made me wish I had the 4.5.  After riding a few waves, I was milking one in to the inside of Firsts and noticed something dark in the water.  In the past these have turned out to be turtles, a monk seal and even a big manta ray - but this one was a 6' tiger.  From that point on I was trying to stay up on foil... On one ride, I actually hit Prayot's anchor line for his boat - good thing it is nylon.  And from that point on I was glad to have the 5.2 - got up faster out of the water.

Headed in after several more waves - with the wind blowing that hard, it was hard to get through tacks.  I got in 15.3 nm and hit a top speed of 17.6 kt

Roland and Prayot showed up later.  Roland was out on Prayot's new 4'10" and Prayot was out on Roland's 5'2".  With the wind as strong as it was, both were making really long runs and completing jibes.

Tomorrow I'm going to bring out the NWFB and the Go Foil - so I can start trying to jump.

Wing Foiling Session - 6/8/2021

Yesterday I had a two part session.

The wind was pretty crazy - I was out from 3 to 5 and it was so much fun!!!

First session was on the HS1532CS and the chopped 300 rear stabilizer - I got to 13.5 kts and did 6.78 nm.  I spent a bunch of time out at Firsts and got a bunch of rides.  I had not used this foil since I recently sealed it - but I also didn't wax it yet either and I could feel the drag from the sanded surfaces.  Since the winds were nuking, I went in to change the front foil out.

Back out on the HA1125 and the 232 rear stabilizer.  I was initially concentrating on my transitions - I haven't spent nearly as much time on this foil as I would have liked to - the HS1850 is just too much fun.  And after I got comfortable again, I headed outside to Firsts again.  The HA1125 rides waves well - mainly due to the controllable lift and the speed it can carry - no blow ups ever.

On this run I did 11.15 nm and got to 15.9 kt - which is funny because I can hit this speed on the HS1850...

Prayot was back on the HS1850 and the Ensis 5.2 - and he was finally up on foil more than not.  Roland was also up using his Ensis 4.5.

Super fun session and stoked for Prayot being able to foil longer distances and jibe.

Wing Foiling Session - 5/15/2021

The wind was picking up through the day - so after I took another ding repair/board modification job (Tim's Pyzel again) - I headed over to Hickam.  I had a lot going on and pretty much got skunked.

When I first went out, I was trying out the Chameleon harness and Chinook harness line on the Ensis 5.2.  I had high expectations of the wind and bolted on the HA1125/232.  But I forgot to move the mast forward from the HS1850 position and had figured I might as well ride out once and back just to get the feeling on a poorly set mast/foil.  I did try out the harness and I wasn't feeling it.  And the wind looked really funny - not coming from the typical direction but more from the north.

That was just the beginning.  I did make it back in from the first run - and took off the harness and harness line, then moved the mast all the way forward.

I spent the next hour trying to get back to the launch.  The wind pretty much DIED and I was having to work hard to keep my balance on the board and then try and catch every little puff of wind.  I don't want to paint the picture I wasn't riding - but that was the exception and not the norm today.  Here's proff I was up on foil.

             And I even got several transitions in - here I am mid-tack - I love turning while winging!!!

On the left hand tracks, you can see how "north" the wind was.

I was out from 2:30 to just after 4.  You can see the huge lulls in the wind chart below.

I only got up to 15.1 kts - it sure felt like I was going faster (once I was up on foil).  Looking at the graph below, today was pretty much the opposite of yesterday - only a little bit of riding and a whole lot of schlogging.

Despite the huge levels of frustration, I recognize today was really good training for light wind situations.  If I had the Ensis 6.0 and the HS1850/chopped 300, I would have been better equipped.

I was tricked by the weather forecasters!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 5/12/2021

I went to Hickam today after work to get some more winging in.  WWFB with the 85cm mast, A+ 60cm fuselage, 232 rear stabilizer and HS1850.  Pumped up the Ensis 5.2 as there was some wind blowing around and it was forecasted to come up as the afternoon went on.

I was out from 3:30 to about 5:30 - on the chart below you can see the lulls in the wind.

And in the speed graph below you can see where the lulls settled in - especially the wide black area towards the end.

The wind was really good early in the session - and I made a beeline out to Firsts.  There were intermittent waves breaking and I was able to ride a few - I also jibes into two of them and went straight into a good drop.  The HS1850 works in this scenario, but it is a tad bit slow and also needs to be managed during the quick turns on the wave.  It is great for low end grunt - gets up super fast and allows you to get out of the way if the wind is on the light side of things.  Prayot and Roland made it out - and Roland was doing really well on his strong side (outbound tacks - regular foot heelside).

I was also practicing how to get on the board using my butt first instead of my belly - hoping to start using a harness soon to help alleviate the tendonitis I'm getting on my forearms.  I've said this before - turning with the HS1850 is pretty easy - was nailing tacks and jibes both ways.  While outside, I was staying on foil for multiple back and forth runs - super fun!!!  The rest of the week the wind is only supposed to get stronger!!!!

Dawn Patrol - 5/8/2021

Marlon and I hitched a ride on Prayot's boat out to Firsts.  It was a lower tide so Firsts was breaking - albeit a little less frequently than Seconds.  I rigged up the Wide 4'10" with the HA1125/232/A+ 60 fuse/72 cm mast.  Perfect setup for the conditions!

Every now and then the winds would pick up to winging strength - in fact Brian and one of his friends  did wing towards the end of our session.  I felt good about skipping winging because there were long lulls between the good wind.  Marlon started at Seconds, but after a while most everyone migrated to First.  Marlon picked up some really good waves.

I had some long runs - 623' was my longest, and according to the Garmin I hit 30.4 mph (not likely, but there were multiple over 20 mph runs).  I am starting to get the feel for this front foil.

I also met another retired Chief (DDC) - Marvin.  He was the guy that got Prayot sold on the Lift HA120.  Both Marvin and Prayot were on the HA170.

Here is the speed graph.  Not sure I believe the 30mph reading, but I do believe the other over 20mph readings.

The swell was building, but it wasn't quite filled in yet.  Mother's Day always has a swell!

Wing Foiling Session - 5/5/2021

Hit Hickam after work to wing foil with Kalani, Prayot and Roland.  The wind was at the minimum for winging around 3pm.  I rigged the Ensis 6.0/HS1850/232/85cm and 60cm A+ fuselage on the WWFB.

You can see from the graph that the wind dropped off to almost nothing - which sucked.

While the wind was good, I did get out to Firsts to ride some bumps.  I could sense the wind dropping so I made my way back in - but not all the way.  So for 45 minutes, I got to exercise my light wind foiling skills - both pumping up on to foil and sustaining flight.

With the HS1850, I was able to make several runs back and forth without dropping off foil - it is definitely a front foil that is way easier to turn (compared to the HA1125).

Kalani was on his HS1550v2 - he still hasn't gotten it dialed in yet (I think he needs to take off his foot straps to be able to balance the board better to accommodate the different center of lift).  Just goes to show you that foiling is pretty individualistic - he puts all his wings on without changing the mast position, while I change each one every time.  The below pictures are of the 1550v2 lined up against the HS1532CS

The thickness on the chopped 1850 does allow that front wing to rise faster than the 1550v2 - maybe not what you'd want on flat water, but in the waves it would help to get you moving to avoid a pile of white water.  Wind and surf are going to be down for a few days - time to get the newest foil board glassed.

Wing Foiling Session - 5/2/2021

 I was working on a bunch of projects today, including teaching Noe how to sand the wood pieces for her new art desk.  After a while though, the wind started to pick up.  I kept my eye on it since yesterday the wind picked up radically after 11am.  Well - the weather did not disappoint!  Marlon dropped me off (he went to get groceries) and I was on the water at 12:30.  Wind was good enough for the Ensis 6.0 - and I rigged just like yesterday.  Marlon took this picture before driving off to the Commissary - toe side inbound.

I made two runs to go down wind to line up with the channel, then spent an hour at Firsts riding nothing waves.  I would have went to Seconds - but I had the HA1125 on and didn't want any reef kisses.

I got 12.88 nm in and my fastest speed was 16.1 kt (18.5 mph).

I was out pretty much at the peak of the wind - from 12:30 to 3pm.  If I didn't have the 1125 bolted on I would have been overpowered on the 6.0.  But with the higher speed requirement for the 1125, the 6.0 was perfect for getting up on foil fast.

I did focus on trying to open up my transitions so I can complete them.  Here is an outbound jibe sequence -

I didn't have the camera on while it happened, but after the run in the picture, I was headed back out and I saw a large dark object moving through the water towards me... it was a decent sizes manta ray.  I think it was more scared of me than I was of it - but after that I made sure to stay up on foil as much as I could.

Winging is SO MUCH FUN!!!!