Garage Works - 1/20/2025

I trimmed the excess foam off the reinforcement block - I used the small Bosch planer and the microblade surform.

I'll have to use some epoxy to fill the sides - I cut it tight, but there are still some voids.

And I marked the centerline and the track locations.  I trimmed one side of the boxes so they can sit closer to the existing tracks.

I cut the slots tomorrow - I want to go through this in my mind a few times before spooling up the router.

And I got the Spitfire 840 fitted and balanced onto the Groove Kitefoiling Board. 

Pretty much to the rear of the tracks - which makes sense because this is a larger foil in terms of kitefoiling.

I originally thought my sole new year's resolution was learning to parawing - now I'm including learning to kitefoil 

Wing Foiling Session - 12/13/2024

After work session at WPB - I didn't want to pull a solo session at Pavilions and the wind seemed lighter than yesterday.  And the waves were smaller.

And the tide was low.

But I answered the call -

I wanted to be able to get back up on foil if the winds got weak.

I setup No.36 with the Project Cedrus mast and bolted on the Spitfire 840 and P325 stabilizer.

Well - this was a great session!

I was messing up several of the outbound tacks - but I made up for that with the tack off a waves after the ride was done.

Looks like I got another day of near perfect wind - at the right time.

This kinda lays it out the pattern that the Spitfire is not that fastest foil around.  I did pull of some runs with constant wave riding - pure ripping!!!  

I'm debating about dawn patrolling Kailua, or doing a mid day Hickam session...

W:150/PW:2/FD:89/F:5/S:29

Wing Foiling Session - 12/10/2024

My plan this morning was to get in early, work, then hit Hickam again and get home ahead of the traffic.  Well - the Zip Mobile didn't quite get the zipper lane closed on schedule so the traffic built up early.  I figured I could still get home and get in a session at WPB before I needed to get La to her evening appointment.

That's when Norm texted -

He took his stitches out and was wanting to get a winging session in.  And I didn't want to have to do the low tide paddle at WPB - so we met up at Pavilions and he showed me how to launch and land.

This place is awesome!!!  It's like WPB and Hickam had a love child - the best of both spots smashed into one!!!

Nice setup area that isn't a long walk from parking.  Super easy deep water (even during low tides) launching, and a pretty jacking/challenging wave!!!

I pumped up the North Nova Pro 5.0 - because I didn't want to get stuck outside when La needed me to take her to the doctor later.

And I setup No.32 with the Spitfire 840/325P

This was a great session and an awesome introduction to potentially a to be frequented often new winging and Foil Drive-ing spot!

The wind was coming through at a slightly more north angle.

There were two breaks working today - they both had shifty bowls and they would jack on the reef shelf, but then taper off in the sand flats.  Which actually could work to your advantage if you wiped out on a wave (not getting pummeled).

And Norm was actually riding way better than he does over at WPB - he seemed more relaxed and that made him more proficient.

It was stronger than this - but this is what the Kalaeloa meter at the airport was reading.

Most of the time I was up on foil - but I did wipe a few times on incoming set waves.

Landing was super easy.  And there were hose bibbs to rinse everything off with.  I really don't think you could ask for more from a spot -

Tomorrow the wind is supposed to be stronger - I'm going to come back to Pavilions!!!

W:147/PW:2/FD:89/F:5/S:29

Wing Foiling Session - 8/26/2024

Spicy riding today - first this....

Then getting out through the white wash to find bomber sets rolling through.  There was wind, but it felt thin and didn't have the push it normally does (Hurricane Hone winds have seemed this way for the past several days)

I used No.36/Spitfire 840/325P/Project Cedrus 85cm mast and the Reedin SW2 5.2

Not a day to get stuck outside - Kalani, Duke and Prayot all came out to revel in the large surf.

I did not throw a single tack today - the turns were actually pretty critical today.  Miss one and you could get bowled over.

And the Spitfire was acting wonky today.  It wasn't getting up as fast as it normally does, and it was really twitchy.

I'm not sure if I've been spoiled by the F Ones, or if today had a lot of turbulence on the top layer of water - all I know is it was exceptionally challenging today.

I did catch a handful of bomber waves - when the waves broke the whitewater was way overhead (and I was up on foil).

I came in because I felt the pressure gradient drop.  I did not want to risk having to paddle in on a day like today.  Take enough - don't be greedy.

W:111/PW:1/FD:58/F:4/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 8/13/2024

Winging today - 

Wind was stronger (at least at the beginning of the session).

Waves were smaller than yesterday (so not as fun).

Zach was out already when I got there (a little later than I had planned - I picked up a razor blade in my driver's side tire).  Kalani was launching as I was finishing setting up.

Same gear as yesterday - just switched to the Reedin SW2 4.7 (from the 5.2) 

Marlon was nice and flew his drone again.

And he must have been bored because he was pushing the envelope

Despite the smaller waves, if you were patient, there were some leftover good sized sets.

The wind did start to drop - I had a flashback of the last time I got stuck in the dead zone...

Roland and Duke also came out.  It was good while it was on!

I can't complain - I had fun!!!

W:101/FD:58/F:4/S:15

Wing Foiling Session - 8/12/2024

Met up with Nick at WPB.

Wind was good on the outside when I got there.  Nice high tide and there were still some waves left.

Same gear as yesterday - just swapped out No.32 for No.36

Nick stayed on shore for a bit since his family was also at the beach.

Duke came out next, then Nick and finally Roland.

The waves were chest to head high, and were super fun going left.  The wind had a lot of North in it so the runs were getting quite parallel to the shore. 

Tons of opportunity to crank tacks onto incoming waves

Did I miss a spot???!!!!

The wind really picked up for about 30 minutes after 4:30

Marlon flew his drone - it is amazing the stuff that starts to happen when there is a camera flying around.

The wind also seemed to be channeled into lanes.  Had to pump across some of the softer wind lanes a few times.

I can't complain - this was down right fun!!!

Tomorrow is supposed to be windier!!!

W:100/FD:58/F:4/S:15

Wing Foiling Session - 8/11/2024

And to wash all the sanding dust off, I headed to WPB for an evening wing foiling session!

Perfect 5.0 weather!!!

Axis Spitfire 840/325P on the Project Cedrus carbon mast all bolted on to No.32

I pumped up the Reedin SW2 5.2

Prayot and Roland were already out when Duke and I pulled into the parking lot.

Fun surf at the Palins today!

And where I have that weird jog on the track below - well that's where I saw the near resident big tiger shark.  

Other than Tony, riding the breaking surf was super fun!

Decent winds today!  Below is the Kalaeloa wind meter - probably 10mph off).

And when everyone was coming in because the wind was getting light, Derek pumps up and launches from the inside break and proceeds to rip every wave!

Really fun session!

W:99/FD:58/F:4/S:15

Wing Foiling Session - 8/7/2024

When Marlon got back home from work, I went ahead and hit the Plains.

The wind seemed weak, but Prayot and Roland were up on foil so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Pretty much the same setup as last time - just swapped the SK8 out for the Spitfire 840

Short session - swirly, patchy wind and really small waves.

And you can see the higher degree of north in the wind.  Definitely makes for more challenging winging conditions (and there were a couple of runs where I would get dropped as the wind took abrupt direction changes).

The readings from the Kalaeloa meter are definitely lower than what is present at the beach.

Mellow day!  AT least I didn't have to swim back.

And Prayot was out testing his new board.

The deck was really glassed light.  Too light - he already placed a significant heel dent in it.

W:97/FD:56/F:4/S:15