Wing Foiling Session - 8/27/2022

Got to go winging after a little bit of a hiatus (a trip to the Philippines to visit relatives as we all remembered my Mom - it was a wonderful trip, but I'm also glad to be home).

Trade winds are back with a vengeance!!!  I loaned Kalani my ART 999 so I bolted on the ART 899.  I also used the Project Cedrus 96cm Clydesdale mast that I received before I left for my trip.  To round out the equipment, I used the Wide Wingfoiling Board, the 420HA rear stabilizer and the Ultra Short fuselage. 

Lots of wingers came out for this new wind event - me, Kalani, Jesse, Arvin, Bill, Matt, Harris and Ryan.  Harris, Jesse and I were out at Firsts.

The wind was coming strong out of the East.  There was a good base level of wind, but the gusts coming through were really strong.  At times the 5.2 was fine - other times I could have used the 3.6.

This was the track of the first session (5.2 SWX/420HA rear stabilizer).

I caught lots of waves - and they were fun, but generally weren't standing up.  A few did and they were standouts!!!!  Harris was up and riding, but Jesse had a 4.5 Ensis Score, 30l Armstrong sinker and a 925HA front foil - he spent most of the time I was out waiting for a gust to get him going.

I went in to check the bolt tightness and to swap out the rear stabilizer and wing.  I swapped out the 420HA for the 375P, and the 5.2 SWX for the 4.7 SW2.

I headed out to Firsts again to ride some waves, but the tide was rising and the waves were starting to dampen out.  Jesse made it back out with a bigger board for redemption.

I think the wind did actually pick up also, but my top speed jumped up a notch with the new setup.

I managed to get several outbound tacks in (and jibes both ways) - so the 899 delivered without issue.  The new mast was really fun to use - riding up high was more relaxed, but I did ventilate a few times and I wasn't able to recover from it (like I can do with the 85cm mast - going to need to learn to recognize this; and maybe the mast height is a factor in the recovery...).

Good testing day and super fun riding!!!

W:86/F:72/S:19

Wing Foiling Session - 7/2/2022

Today was an experimenting day.  Winds were forecasted to be really strong - which they eventually were, but there was a slow start.

I ended up with four segments to this session.

First segment was with the Takuma RS 6.1 - it was pretty light to begin with.  I also had bolted on the ART999/420HA combo again.  And just as I launched, the wind started to fill in.

I tried a few inside tacks and got them around - I'm thinking the front foil is what makes all the difference in this transition - the Kujira 1440 was the easiest foil to do this with.  I might have to use that foil to develop the muscle memory, and then come back to the faster foils.  The wind got pretty stiff, so I went in to switch wings.

Second segment - same lower, and swapped the RS 6.1 for the SWX 5.2

I was still pretty powered, but decided to stick this out because I was not grossly overpowered.

After a few transitions to get recalibrated, I headed out to Firsts.

With the lower tide, the dropping swell still had nice form - I picked off several rides that were just as good as the ones from earlier in the week.  The peaks would show and the waves would run at that same height through to the bowl.   There they would break and I would maneuver around the section and keep riding the wall as it marched on.  SO MUCH FUN!!!  The SWX rides best barely luffing from the first riding handle (not the luffing handle).  From this position, I could pull a little power when needed to stay with the wave, or book it to a better section. 

The wind had seemed to fill in even more (just a notch below nuking) so I headed in.

I was contemplating going ahead and calling it a session, but I decided to swap out the ART999/420HA to the ART899/380HA and get some speed runs in.

I had gotten in about 20 minutes of some really fast runs - but the Strava app had not recorded the run.  That third segment saw some spectacular blow ups (there was a constant spot where the wind would spike up and if you weren't ready by softening up on your stance and preluffing the wing, you got bowled over), and some potential records for me.  Oh well - serves me right for forgetting my watch yet again.

I had just enough time left before I had to take off for work to get in one more segment and make sure it was recorded.

This was the data from the 4th run

24.61 mph max speed.  Not too shabby.

I feel that run was as fast as the others that weren't recorded from the third segment.  I'm going to have to tune in the 380HA rear stabilizer - it was singing like an opera singer on opening night.

Fun session!!!

W:59/F:61/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 7/1/2022

Today was supposed to have had nuking winds - and for a while the wind was strong, but it wasn't nuking.  

I set up the same gear as the past couple of days.  I picked Kalani up - and Marvin, Harris, Jim and a few others were out also.  Matt came out towards the end of the session.  Marvin wanted to try out a shorter board, so I let him board the 5'0"x25"x5".  Both Kalani and Harris had brought out their just picked up High Modulus Carbon Fiber 90cm Axis masts.

At the beginning of the session, the wind was strong - I took off pretty quickly and headed out to Firsts.  The conditions outside were a carbon copy of the two previous days - but better.  The wind was more steady than it had been, it was lined up with the swell direction and was strong; the waves were cleaner and stood up taller, the tide was nice and full.  I caught several remarkable waves - overhead bowling walls that I could carve (normally with winds with more north I get blown back - I can rip with easterlies).

These days get burned into my head - so good!

I ended the first run to go in and try to coach Marvin through his first runs on a shorter board.  The wind started to collapse and I never made it back out to Firsts.

I thought the wind had more east in it than what the chart shows.

And here is the surprise of the day - according to the Strava app I was running, I hit 23.9 mph.  I'm not sure I necessarily believe this - but while riding the bigger waves taking off on the outside, I did feel like I was going as fast as the foil would go and where I could still control it.  If the wind was stronger in the inside, I would have switched the rear stabilizer out to the 380HA - who knows I might have gone faster.

Where it gets hard to believe this is the app listed a max speed of 26 mph, but I can't find a reading on the analysis plot higher than 23.9.

The quest continues.... and hopefully tomorrow the wind will get stronger

W:58/F:61/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 6/30/2022

Hit Hickam again after work.  Similar conditions to yesterday - except that it was steadier outside, the waves were bigger and cleaner, and the inside was swirlier.

I used the same setup as yesterday (but I was hoping it would have been windier and I could use the 3.6 and the ART899 - maybe tomorrow).

I wish I had brought a GoPro - the wave riding today was all time!!!  The wind direction helped me line up some great rides and I didn't feel like I was fighting the wind to stay aligned.  The bigger rides were overhead while I was up high on the foil.  This was one of the best days I've had out at Firsts!!!

Harris was out and riding all across the waves - up and down, using the entire face.  

Kalani was still staying on the inside, trying to build up his endurance.  Looks like he doesn't need any help...

Jim was also on the inside, as were a couple of other guys I didn't recognize (Spin Wing/SAB Foil, and F One Wing)

This session was definitely in the top 5 I've had - what a huge difference riding waves are when all the conditions line up - easterly winds, high tide to slightly dampen the waves from pitching lip, good swell that has a little more open period - there really aren't words to describe the feeling of catching one from outside the runway jetty, dodging the whitewater and using the rolling energy to fly.

We were out from 3 to 4:30 - good winds for the SWX 4.2

Didn't break any records, but got into the low 20s a few times!

So much fun!!!

W:57/F:61/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 6/29/2022

The wind was way up today - I brought my gear and headed out after work.  I pumped up the Reedin SWX 4.2 and setup the ART999/420HA.

I brought Kalani out and Harris was finished setting up when we showed up.

By the time I was launching, Harris was already out at Firsts.  I made my way out, taking my time and getting a couple of jibes in to shake off the rust (it's been a few days since I was winging).

Waves were head high and the sets were pretty tightly packed.  But it was the wind that stole the show - at times it was nuking and switching direction simultaneously.  When the wind rotated more from the North, I would have a hard time staying with the waves.  I also would get blown off the waves if I tried to jibe too tightly onto them.  I could have used the SW1 3.6

Kalani used his SW2 5.2 for the first time.

There was a steep drop in the wind right around 5pm - I had already gone in by that time so all was good.

You can see the wind swinging in this low resolution report.  The wind actually seemed much stronger than the graph shows.

I tried something new today regarding the tracking.  I used the Garmin GPS watch, and I also used the Stava app on my phone.  The recognizable set is from the Garmin.

I hit 21.1 mph in the latter half of the session.  It was hard maintaining speed because of the chop and the changing wind direction - but BAM!  Not bad!

Here's my Stava track and speed chart.

The data corroborates well between the two devices.

The wind is supposed to be similar tomorrow.  I'll try to run the ART899 and the 380HA tomorrow and see what top speed I can generate.

W:56/F:61/S:17

Wing Foiling Session -6/23/2022

There was some wind today - it was blowing around while I was at work, but sure thing - it dropped off as I was walking to the water.  Definitely not as strong as yesterday - but good enough for the big wing.

Same foil setup (ART999), just changed out to the big wing (Takuma RS 6.1).

Kalani came out also - I let him try out the 400P rear stabilizer.

The wind had some north in it - and when it was light, it was swirling in - but despite the challenges, it was still fun. And seeing just how good the ART 999 is at keeping on foil in relatively smooth water - what a pleasure!!!

The wind was lighter than the graph shows...

And even in this light wind, I did break 20 mph!  Every time with the ART 999!

W:55/F:60/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 6/22/2022

The wind was not forecasted to be up today - but that didn't stop the wind from coming up.  I picked Kalani up and we headed to Hickam for a post work session.

I opted for the SWX 5.2 and the ART999/420HA.  I did bring the 899 and 380HA (and could have used it at a point - more on this shortly).

When I got in the water, there was texture on the surface from the wind so I felt good about the equipment selection.  I got up on foil and headed out to Firsts.  It was clean, side offshore winds that were fairly consistent.  I was able to catch some fun rides, but the tide was starting to drown out the swell.

I guess I rode more waves than I recall -

After 40 minutes outside, the wind started to falter and I headed in - but then the wind really picked up and I transitioned to speed riding mode (and had contemplated going in and switching out to the ART899/380HA, but figured I was better off just riding).

Was really good wind for the 5.2!

I milked 22.4 mph out of the setup today!

The other thing I did was to practice transitions - focusing on dry tacking on the outside, and trying to get the inside jibes around cleanly.  I was able to apply what I had been looking at on Youtube and bam!  I was knocking out my inbound tacks!!!

Now I need to finish the new board that I have on the rack so I can start teaching myself to jump.

W:54/F:60/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 6/18/2022

 Got in a noon session today.  Made a trip out to POP (since they had a sale on Big Green Egg stuff - I needed charcoal), and on the way back I picked up Kalani and hit Hickam Harbor.

The wind was blowing strong as we drove up, but then is quickly died back.  I should have pumped up the RS 6.1, but I toughed it out and used the SWX 5.2.  Everything else was the same as yesterday (because I didn't take it out of the truck) - ART999/420HA Rear Stabilizer/Ultra Short Fuselage/85cm Project Cedrus Mast bolted on to the Wide Wing Foiling Board.

Lots of wingers out today - Dennis, Arvin, Jim, Brantley, me, Kalani, Erik, Ken, and three other guys whose names I don't know.

I made my way out to Firsts early on - good waves on an infrequent basis, but the wind was full of holes.

I did manage to get some interesting pictures - this first one is mid-jibe, right when I'm getting ready to make the drop on the face of the wave and also switching the wing's tack (going to starboard here).  Probably the most intense moment in winging in the waves!

Fully stretched out (better for the posture) and riding a wave in - hard to tell because the wave isn't breaking.

And me trying to get to a better position to line up with the bowl section.

I headed back in for a bit to wait for the wind to stiffen up.  It did and I ended up heading back out but then it swung 90 degrees and ended up changing the dynamics completely.  You can see the abrupt change of direction in the lines I had to take.

Riding a wave now meant pulling upwind by riding out the Pearl Harbor channel markers (big swell hitting there - but I didn't partake because I didn't want to get caught out there with this fluky wind).  I'd jibe then ride parallel to the runway back over to Firsts, pick up a juicy wave and ride it downwind until I hit the Hickam Harbor channel markers.  The wind would get light inside, so after a couple of these waves, I decided to head back in.  I'm glad I did because the wind dropped off again.

Based on my experiences and this chart, I'd say the bottom end of the SWX 5.2 for me is 15mph.  It was great when it was closer to 20 (and even in the gusts to 25), but this wing is definitely a race horse and not a fart around prancing pony.

I didn't break any speed records today - I was just happy to be out winging!  I did get in 12.67 miles.  The wind forecasts are all over the place, so we'll see what tomorrow holds.

W:52/F:60/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 6/17/2022

Yesterday evening the thermals kicked in nicely at WPB - 5.2 Reedin SWX, ART999/Ultrashort Fuselage/420HA stabilizer on the 85cm Project Cedrus mast.  Good old Wide Wing Foiling Board.

Wind was perfect for the 5.2!  Nice high tide to avoid grounding.  There was even a small swell running so I was able to crank some hard jibes on the crests of peaking swell (literally the best thing you can do on a board!!!) 

I left my watch at the house again, so no run data, but you can see the wind was really good!

Roland, Kalani and two others (one ahead of us on a BRM wing, and one behind us on a F One) all partook of the great conditions today!

W:51/F:60/S:17