Garage Works - 9/7/2023

I got my second shingles vaccine shot this afternoon, so I figured I should stay home this evening.  But since I was staying home, I figured I should sand No.32

I got through the whole sanding regime (40-80-120-180-320) - so I'm down to installing the leash plug and vent, spraying clear coat and placing deck pad on.

I'm really happy with how No.32 turned out!

With the Foil Drive tie down points up front (another set of footstrap inserts), I'm going to have to think about where to put the vent (maybe at the back).

And this board will be for use with the smaller front foils - I moved the boxes up almost 2"

This one also came out pretty light.  I'll have to bring the scale down to get the weight, but handling it is a breeze (yeah carbon fiber!)

And I also got to knock down the high points on Roland's Uni Hyper 190 repair.  And I also cleaned up the Axis ART1099.

Productive day!!!

Dawn Patrol - 7/22/2023

Today's dawn patrol was supposed to have tiny waves.  With that forecast and the effort put in to getting the Shred Sled all set up, I went SUP Foiling with the Foil Drive.

Noel and Kalani setting up.

SUP foiling is hard.  SUP foiling with a Foil Drive is hard.  I don't spend enough time doing either to get good at it.  I thought the waves were going to be smaller than they were so I brought this setup out - ART1099/460F, 80cm aluminum Project Cedrus mast on the Slingshot Shred Sled.

I had multiple servings of humble pie.  I was falling like it was going out of style.  Amidst all the falling, I did manage to get 3 rides.

I have a lot more practice ahead of me if I want to actually be good at this.  I think I'd rather be good at kitefoiling.  I can save the Foil Drive sessions for prone foiling (which I can already do).  After I get a shorter paddle, and have much more practice, perhaps I'll get good at this.

I sucked today.  I'll go back to prone FD tomorrow to get my confidence back.

W:68/F:67/S:30

Dawn Patrol - 6/3/2023

Super low tide today.  Wind was negligible.  Surf was decent at the onset, but faded through the session.

Marlon used his longboard - and I brought the Shred Sled out for its inaugural run.

I used the Axis ART 1099 and the 460 rear stabilizer on the 68cm mast.

I caught five waves (which offered long rides) - but the rest of the time in between rides was struggling to get my balance on this board (5'9"x28.5"x4"+ at 110 liters).

This was actually easier to keep my balance on than the Starboard Hypernut that I had before.  When I was taking off on the waves I caught, the board felt big.  Same as when I was up and riding (it actually felt bigger then).  And when I held it up to compare with Dennis's Quatro, it also looked big.  

But when I was standing up, paddling around, and just kneeling on the board, it felt super small.

Funny how all this works out.

I'm going to get a few more sessions on this board goign standard SUP foiling mode - then I'll rig it with the Foil Drive.

W:47/F:49/S:28

Dawn Patrol - 4/29/2023

I brought the TJ Everyday and No.30 out this morning - depending on the conditions, I'd have options.

There were some small waves that were breaking on the outside - I setup the foilboard (despite the 0.0' low tide).

This being the first time I had No.30 out in the water, I figured I use the ART1099/460F combo.

The board paddled foil up nicely.  It also paddles with speed with the foil down.

I caught several waves that had not yet broken (so that design objective was met) - but when I got up on them, the foil would throw me.  I adjusted the foil back a few times, until I couldn't go any further back.

Kalani showed up in the break and I let him try out the board (while I used his normal setup).  He immediately caught a wave and pumped way back out.  Then he caught another and did huge circles around the Cabins break.  At least I know the board works....

I caught a wave with Kalani's board/foil - for me his setup was really front foot oriented (I had to weigh the nose down to balance it out) - but his setup glided nicely.

I had to get home to take La's parents to the airport.  As I paddled the board upside down across the shallower spots, I picked up a wave and got pushed in a considerable distance (which never happens on my normal setup).

Lesson learned from today - use a smaller foil for this board.  Also - tell dip-shits that hog the shower to get the hell out of the way and not socialize at the showers.

Next up... wing session???

W:35/F:29/S:26

Dawn Patrol - 4/9/2023

Smaller waves on the dawn patrol.  I should have foiled yesterday and surfed the Viking today.  Oh well -

I used the freshly waxed 4'8" prone foiling board, the 68 cm Project Cedrus mast, the ART 1099/460F, on the Ultra Short fuselage.

The tide was medium height.  The waves were waist and below for the most part.  That made the takeoff zone more tightly packed (I am not a fan of days like this).  I got in early to get some waves before the crowd set in.

I caught plenty of fun rides.  The glide on the 1099/460 is really good.  I haven't prone foiled for a bit, so I had to get my footing back.  By the second half of the session I had gotten some hard redirect turns in.  I also had a few triples.

The wind may come up this afternoon....  

W:32/F:21/S:23

Evening Session - 3/21/2023

Marlon and I headed to the beach in the late afternoon.  He brought his longboard and I brought the ART 1099/460 hydrofoil (thinking it was going to be smaller than it was).  Today was windier than yesterday - bigger than yesterday - and there was a ton of turbulence in the water.  NOT good conditions for the 1099/460.

That's the only foil I brought with me so I use it.  I did catch several long rides with some double dips.  This was a fun session!!!

W:28/F:17/S:17

Dawn Patrol - 3/11/2023

Dawn patrolled this morning.  There were waves, but it felt like it was going to get mega crowded.  I went ahead and got in early.  Marlon got some extra sleep.

I setup the Axis ART 1099 on the 68cm Project Cedrus mast with the Ultrashort fuselage.  To change it all up a bit, I used the 460 Flat rear stabilizer.

I got a couple of handful of waves - they started to back off a third of the way through my session.

This setup pumps the easiest of the Axis setups that I've foiled.  I think I may try to wing this setup and see how it tacks (extra glide from both the front foil and rear stabilizer.

Kalani had his 1099 out also.  I let him borrow the 400P rear stabilizer - he liked the 400P (and he had been using the 375P).

W:27/F:16/S:13

Dawn Patrol - 3/4/2023

I thought the waves this morning were going to be similar to yesterday evening.  I was wrong - the set waves were probably just shy of head high.

Marlon was stoked and grabbed a bunch of good ones.

At home before driving to the beach, I swapped out the ART999 for the 1099 and setup the 68cm mast thinking I'd get better carry on the waist high swell.  Well - on the head high waves, I was barely making the drop.  I actually contemplated going back home and grabbing a shortboard.

I figured I was here already and just sucked it up.  I did pick up a handful - and those were either really long rides or triple dips.

The first days back either surfing or prone foiling after a long run of wing foiling are usually work getting back into paddling shape.  It is all good!!!

W:25/F:13/S:13

Anointment of No.29 on the Dawn Patrol

In this picture, my main stay prone foiling board is in the foreground - No.21.  I've been using this board since June 2021.  It catches waves easily and has been a great partner in this foiling journey.  

I did want to explore lower volumed, shorter length boards so I built a few boards, but the one in the background is what I've had in the back of my mind as I've seen many boards from many different shapers.  I took No.29 out for its inaugural session this morning.  

It was a good day to anoint No.29 - super light wind, super high tide, and perfect sized foiling waves.

My first wave was a double dip!  The shortest boards I've made were No.26 and 27 - I was able to ride those boards, but there was no room for error on foot placement on takeoff - if you didn't have your feet in the correct spots, it was a wipeout for sure.  This board was purpose built to allow for a larger front foot sweet spot and to have my front foot able to go further out on the port rail for more leverage and control of the foil.  I looked down a few times while riding and my front foot was further over and so was my back foot.

Pumping this shorter board also seemed easier.  Less volume up front (foiled thinner up front and also a narrower template) means less swing weight and less overall inertia.

No bevel in the rear of the board I think helps with release while taking off and also adds to board speed while paddling for a wave.

I spent two and a half hours out and caught many waves.  I had an opportunity to take steep drops, paddling for flatter waves and find my footing on this board.

This board is definitely going help further my progress.  There is still room for No.21 (it has always been like my "longboard" for prone foiling - I can catch smaller waves or paddle in early on the bigger ones) and I still have some experimenting to do using No.27 which is a wider templated, flat tailed/square railed short foilboard - but I think No.29 will become my daily driver.

This is a good sign for the upcoming year for prone foiling!

W:4/F:5/S:7

Dawn Patrol - 1/15/2023

Marlon wanted to sleep in today, so I pulled a solo dawn patrol.  I used the same setup as yesterday.  The waves were initially a tad bit bigger - but eventually it lulled out and was worse than yesterday.

I managed to get a few good ones - my first wave was a triple.  I got a few doubles after that, but most were single glides.  Towards the end I was eating it on the takeoffs...

I didn't want to leave the water frustrated - and waiting, I was able to pick up a fun one and rode it to the showers.

W:2/F:4/S:6

Dawn Patrol - 1/14/2023

It was COLD this morning!  The truck's thermometer was reading 57F.  I had already put my shorty and long sleeve hooded top on before leaving the house.

Tim was there - used his new Armstrong MA1000.  Kalani was trying to work out the placement for the Advanced fuselage - he was using his ART999

There was some surf coming in, mainly waist high.  The wind was light, but you could feel it blow (because it made you colder).  The tide was 1.0' rising to 1.2' so no real concern about grounding the foil. 

I had the 4'8" prone with the short Project Cedrus mast, the ART1099 on the ultrashort fuselage and 400P rear stabilizer.

I caught plenty of waves - lost count.  The first few were singles as I was making sure I had the muscle memory to surf this foil.  After that I was getting double dips and towards the end of the session I was pulling triples.

After about 8 o'clock the waves backed down (the tide was peaking), so I figured I'd call it (since Marlon and I had to go to the dentist today). 

Really fun day!

W:2/F:3/S:6

Dawn Patrol - 12/17/2022

Dawn patrolled with Marlon.  Rising tide, the late season SW still pushing through and zero wind - nice conditions!  That said, air temp was in the mid 60's - I wore my shorty and a rash guard - burrrr....

Marlon longboarded.

I setup the 4'8" with the ART 1099.

I had some adjustments on the first several waves - I don't foil well in low light conditions.  Once the sky was lit, I was getting triples.  I had to consciously ride the foil lower - I breached on my first two waves.  After I got those two things sorted out, everything was good to go.

Kalani was trying out his new Advanced Black Fuselage.  Roland was out on the new Hyper 2 170.

W:124/F:99/S:42

Dawn Patrol - 12/4/2022

Dawn patrolled this morning with Marlon.  Tide was a lower high (still above 1'), there was no wind (something I'm really familiar with), and the swell had a little bit of energy in it - but it was crowded (so I needed to pick off the ones that tricked all the longboarders).

Marlon brought his longboard - and he caught his share.

I brought the 4'8" prone board and bolted on the ART 1099 on the short Project Cedrus mast.  I caught some and I focused my attention on pumping by moving my feet closer together.  Most of what I caught today were double dips - but the 1099 is really good at that.

Here's where the 1099 gets bolted down using this setup.  It's pretty spot on.

Not a bad session considering it is early December.

W:118/F:96/S:40

Dawn Patrol - 10/2/2022

Marlon and I dawn patrolled again.  The waves were slightly bigger, the tide slightly higher, and the wind was non-existent.

Marlon brought his Hawaiian South Shore tri of fins.  And he was sitting at the top of the pack trying to pick off the bombs.

I bolted on the 1099 and used the 400P rear stabilizer.  It took me a few waves to get my foil feel back.  Towards the end of the session, I saw Scott out doing 5x repeats.  That inspired me to do better and I got a few 4x rides.  I think I need to use the crazy short fuselage with the 1099 if I want to use the 400P - I was wrestling with the pitch a little bit (so much so at the beginning that I was woven pretty good around the lower set of the foil...)

I think the 375P on the Ultrashort will be the call next time for the extra glide.

Duke, Roland, Eddy and Koa all came out just as I was done packing up.  

W:95/F:82/S:27

Evening Session - 8/26/2022

Marlon and I hit WPB again in the evening.  Swell was slightly smaller than yesterday - tide seemed higher (which was good - no chance of grounding the foil) - and the wind was starting to convert to trades (but not enough to have a comfortable winging session).

I bolted on the ART 1099 thinking the smaller waves would be the dominant factor.  The waves ended up having nearly the same power as the previous couple of days (so I could have managed easily with the ART 999).

I caught several waves - and if going left, I was able to go far and even got a triple.  But if I went right (and into the wind) the going was much shorter.  On a few rides I also popped the tail (and ate it).

Marlon had plenty of rides, but none were particularly long.  Seemed to be a common theme today...

Kalani was out (and hammering as usual).

And Bobo was out also - out of the water resting.

Tomorrow will be a winging day!!!

W:85/F:72/S:19

Evening Session - 8/14/2022

And I hit WPB for a prone foil session this evening.  4'8" prone board, ART 1099/400P on the crazy short fuselage and the 68cm Project Cedrus mast.

There was some wind again from the thermals, but it wasn't as strong as yesterday.  And I want to give my arms a break.

The waves were waist to belly high and were fairly consistent.  I started out by the surf shack, and rode further down towards the cabins, then on another wave I'd make my way back to the first lifeguard stand.  I didn't have to worry much with the nice full tide (+2.0') 

I caught plenty of waves.  I'd botch a few, and on the other side of the scale I'd pump forever and pick up more waves.  On a few of the rides, I'd do S turns all the way in - so much fun!

This session definitely made up for the lack luster surf session this morning.  Loyal to the foil!

W:85/F:69/S:19

Dawn Patrol - 8/13/2022

Dawn patrolled yesterday with the 4'8" prone foil board and the ART 1099 (68cm Project Cedrus mast/400P rear stabilizer).

Marlon brought his longboard.

 I had a several rides, and lots of pump back outs - but the waves seemed to get weak and they weren't breaking spreadout.

W:84/F:68/S:18

Dual Session Day - 8/7/2022

Fun beach day today!  Started with a dawn patrol - Marlon brought his longboard and broke out the Viking.  The tide was really low (I can't bring myself to ground foils if I don't have to) and I wanted to make sure I could still surf.

There was small swell filling in - so the waves were really fun!  And honestly the crowd was not too thick.

After surfing, we went home and took naps.  The wind was moving the trees around the house, so I figured since we had to run errands, might as well check to see if winging was possible.  It wasn't -

After errand running, we went back for a prone foiling session - yes I said "we".  Marlon used the Kai front foil on the 27.5" GoFoil mast and the skinny 4'10" board.  He was getting up on foil without much drama this time.

I had the same setup as the past couple of sessions - 4'8" prone foil board, ART 1099 and 400P on the Crazy Short black fuse all bolted on to the 68cm Project Cedrus mast.  The tide was around 1.5' while we were out so I could cruise all over the place.

There was still wind blowing - I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about winging... but I think the time was well spent getting Marlon more comfortable on foil.

W:79/F:67/S:18

Evening Session - 8/4/2022

Another after work session.  Knowing the waves would be smaller than yesterday, Marlon brought his longboard and I rigged up the ART 1099.

I paired the 1099 with the 400P rear stabilizer.  This is such a fun combo!

Just need to make sure you bring the mast back a hair to prevent lift blowups.

Marlon went in before I did and he broke out his drone.  He got a good ride from me and Roland.

The swell was tiny - and that did not get easier with the dropping tide.  I got a bunch of waves, but the wait between them was not short.  I made the most of each - and I got multiple double dips.  When I rode them in a bit, I didn't hit bottom, but I also wasn't riding with reckless abandon -

Unlike Roland who rides the same regardless of the conditions!!!

Charger blasting!

W:79/F:66/S:17