Wing Foiling Session - 5/4/2024

I didn't want to deal with the Access Surf crowd at WPB - and the wind was supposed to be really strong, so I figured I'd head over to Hickam to do some speed runs.

When I got there, the wind was actually pretty up and down...

I figured I could still get away with small gear - No.32 with the PC 85cm mast and the Eagle 890/DW190.  I didn't rinse the Ezzy Flight 4.0 yesterday so I figured I'd pump it up and get it wet (and rinse it afterwards).

It actually took a while for me to pick up a gust to get up on foil.  But once I did - I was able to stay up for a while.

Harris and Anson were out at Firsts - and so were three Wavestormers (not surfers - they were pretty much just bobbing around in the middle of the break).  They didn't have enough arm strength to paddle into the waves that were breaking - and after the wingers were riding all the waves, they finally moved on (just sitting in the channel).

The wind angle and the waves were lining up where I could slam tacks at the top of the wave - really made a difference in the fun level in smallish waves. 

And then the clouds moved in - the wind turned flukey and riding became pretty hard (in fact I was just floating inside waiting to pick up a gust to head back in).

And this is the only reason the Ezzy Flight 4.0 isn't perfect - there is no low end with this wing.  That is countered by the fact that I haven't found the top end limit - when there is wind, this is an amazing wing!

Lots of guys out - Harris, Jesse, Matt, Anson, Arvin, Tim, Jim - I might be missing a couple.

Fun session!

W:57/FD:28/F:4/S:9

Wing Foiling Session - 5/3/2024

Strong winds today!

Strong enough to use the Ezzy Flight 4.0!!!  I setup the SK8950/C200 on the 85cm PC mast bolted to No.32 to accompany the wing.  I figured if the wind lightened up, I would stand a better chance of getting back up on foil with the 950 (instead of the 750).

And the stats should speak for themselves - great session!!!

Waves were breaking on the outside and with the east winds it lined up nicely.

Lots of people out winging today - Kalani, me, the Slingshot guy, Prayot, Roland and Eli.  And Robby was out on his Foil Drive.

I got in a bunch of heelside tacks onto incoming waves, one of which I whipped around pretty hard and actually hurt my neck (just a little).

And with the stronger wind, I got in three toeside tacks.  They are starting to get a little easier.

Looks like I hit this peak a few times over the session.  The Ezzy definitely proved to be faster, higher pointing and more luffable than the other wings I've been using - its a really good wing.

There was some fluttering - a little further down the wing than the 5.0 (after the 2nd batten) - but it was actually really minor.  

Super fun session today!!!

I think I may hit Hickam tomorrow and get in some speed runs with the Eagle 690.

W:56/FD:28/F:4/S:9

Wing Foiling Session - 5/1/2024

The trades came back earlier than expected.  And they were really consistent and steady from the East!!!

The waves were good, but infrequent (and I think as the trades build, the surf will subside).

The tide was pretty low (so I had to paddle a ways out to takeoff).

There were whitecaps across the outside wind line - so I pumped up the Reedin SW2 4.7

I had expected the wind to be a little lighter so I only brought the Eagle 1090/DW210 - but with the SW2 4.7 it was a good pairing.

Eli was out with his 6.0 and Roland used a 4.0 (I think).

This was a pretty fun session.  At first I had the fence on the Project Cedrus mast - but I was having some issues so I just took it off.  That actually was the best thing I did for the session.

Pretty good stats.

I got some fun tacks in on the outside - and the wind penetrated pretty deep into the usual "no wind" zones.

I felt perfectly powered on the 4.7

I managed to nab a few head high waves (when they came through).

The black slots early on were me dealing with the fence and trying to adjust the harness line.  The latter ones were me trying to push the 1090 as if it was the SK8 750.

I did have a couple of close calls with the foil and the wing - it's actually been a minute since I flew the SW2... lucky today nothing got damaged.

With the tide low again in the afternoon, I may try to catch the wind at the peak tomorrow and get a lunch session in at Hickam... that way I can get some time in the garage to work on the board.

W:54/FD:28/F:4/S:9

Wing Foiling Session - 2/24/2024

Dawn patrol at Kailua!  Conditions were fantastic!

I setup the same gear as yesterday - primarily to get the sand off of it, but also because the wind was up and down and there would be benefit to having the 5.2 up instead of the 4.7 (or in some gusts even the 4.2)

Nice stats!

And there were some really good waves too.  I stayed out just shy of 2 hours, but staying upright in the strong winds and even stronger gusts and side chop took effort.  With the strong wind forecast across the next 10 days (at least), I didn't want to risk injury. 

The peak speeds were had coming down the faces of some of the bomber coming through.

As I was leaving, the winds got even stronger!

I got to talk with Rex on board building trends.  He said he's primarily on the Eagle 790.

I saw several SK8s setup also.  I got my Evolution Cedrus F One adapter in the mail today - tomorrow I think I'll mix it up with one of the F One foils (I have been on an Axis trip recently).

I needed the successes of today to shake off the ending of yesterday's walk of shame...

W:17/FD:13/F:4/S:8

Wing Foiling Session - 11/4/2023

The trades came back today!!!

I was at Hickam by 1100 and I was in the water at 1130.  Arvin was already out.  It had been a little bit since I have been winging, so I wanted to shake of the rust.

For today's agenda, I ended up running through several pieces of equipment.  I wanted to continue testing the North Mode Pro and also try out the Naish Hover Compact LE.

I ended up getting in three separate runs to get the equipment swapped out.

Good wind (FINALLY)!!!!

My first run was with the Eagle 1090/DW210, No.25 and the North Mode Pro 6.8 - the wind would gust up to a pretty good clip, but this wing was totally manageable.

Another thing I noticed about this wing - I really don't pump it, I just let it build speed and I pump the board/foil.  I think my tendons will appreciate that.  This wing is also fast - probably the fastest I've used to date.  It's pretty flat and only has a little dihedral - should be good for racing.  All of these things have been advertised by North - I'm just seeing that its all true.

Once up on foil, I made sure to run through one of each transition (H-T Tack, T-H Tack, both Jibes) before heading out to Firsts.  The waves were pretty weak - but every now and then there was a good set that would roll through.

Not a bad top speed considering I had a 1090 cm2 foil bolted on.

I came in and swapped out the wing.  The stronger winds had filled in and even though the Mode Pro could handle the gusts, I didn't want to strain anything (especially my tendons and ligaments).

This session was pretty darn good.  I did catch a few waves as the tide was dropping.  I did drift over a bit - and I figured I'd try catching a few waves at Seconds - I just didn't want to get stuck over there (lucky for me I didn't).

This was my longest run and I spent a lot of time out at Firsts.  Jim, Jesse, Harris, Arvin and a few others were all out - starved wingers taking in the new wind...

Nearly the same wind and not as fast while using the smaller wing.

And lastly I setup the Naish.

I should have also pumped up the SW2 5.2 (but I was lazy and didn't).

I ended up drifting for most of this session.  The wind wasn't pressurizing the SW2 4.7.

I was able to get up on foil a few times - and I also didn't have to swim in (but it got pretty worrisome for a bit).

Looking at the foil -board setup after getting back in, I noticed the foil was pitched down as the mast track boxes had a lot of tail rocker (and the Eagle is designed to ride flat).

I'll have to try this again with the base shimmed.  As far as the board, it wasn't any more difficult to ride than the other short sinker boards I've tried using.  I'm just going to have to keep dialing it in... 

This is just the beginning of the wind for this week!!!!

W:105/F:99/S:54

Wing Foiling Session - 4/5/2023

After work I picked up Noe from school and after I got home, I packed up and headed to WPB with Marlon.

The wind was up, the tide was pretty high and there was some surf!!!  Time to wing!!!

No. 25 with the Uni Vyper 170 and my thin rear stabilizer.

I pumped up the RS 5.1 - Kalani and Eli were on their 6's.

Roland was having a good session!!!

That's some long hang time!!!

I had a bunch of fun ones - no jumping, just surfing.  The Vyper turns really well, but doesn't have much glide (as to be expected from the plan form).  I did surf the shit out of some waves - but I missed that "floating yet locked in and carvy" all at the same time feeing of the Eagle 1090.

I did try to tack (outbound, heel to toe) - I wasn't able to pull it off.  Not enough glide.

Some part of my setup was singing... I'll probably fair the rear stabilizer.

Got in nearly 18 miles today.  ENE trades and a SW swell - so good together!!!

I felt like the wind was on the lower edge of the 5.1

Not a bad speed from a lower AR foil.  Looks like the peaks were from riding the larger waves.

So in conclusion - I've used the Vyper 170 in good waves prone foiling and now in marginal winds wing foiling.  This foil is an incredible maneuvering one - probably one of the best carvers - but you need energy behind it.  This will definitely be the foil of choice in the summer when the swells hit - but in conditions that are less than optimal, the ART 999 and the Eagle 1090 are going to be what I bolt on.

Fun session!!!

W:31/F:20/S:22

Wing Foiling Session - 2/25/2023 - 1st

Dawn patrolled Kailua this morning - seems like a lot of people had the same idea - Paul and his wife, Tim and a few others from the SW corner of the island were pumping up before the sun came up.  Phil was there too!

The wind was blowing hard already first thing.  With the wind as strong as it was, I decided to bolt on the Kujira 980 to get more speed out of the session and to possibly turn harder on the waves.  Speaking of waves - there were some over head sets rolling through at Jump City so this was destined to be a good session!

I pumped up the SWX 4.2.  I never felt overpowered - but there were a few times the wind lulled and I had to wait for a gust to get back up.

I got in 13.55 miles in just over an hour.

I fell a little bit more than I normally do - but the water was really choppy.  This session was pretty close to the conditions you'd see on a well powered downwinder - tall, short period wind swell.  If I go back tomorrow morning, I may use the Clydesdale.

I guess I fell on the board at one point and dinged the front port side.  It is not bad at all, but with my OCD I'm going to have to fix it.  I think there is some of my skin stuck in the ding. 

This data pull is from the Kaneohe sensor.  I think it was stronger than this.

The max speed spikes are probably from the waves - jibing onto a breaking wave and taking the drop definitely generates speed.

So much fun!

W:19/F:12/S:12