Wing Foiling Session - 4/3/2022

Today the winds were even stronger than yesterday.  I brought the 4'8" Wing Foiling Board and had all three straps on - wanted to try jumping today.  Because of that I also brought the one piece GoFoil 32.5" mast.  With the wind ripping through, I was glad I brought the 3.6 (which still felt big at times).

Ryan, Arvin and Bill were out before me.

Marvin said he was going out - I left a 4.5 in the truck for him to use.

I set out with the NL160 on the board.

It has been a long time since the wind was this strong!

I had to come back in early to move the footstraps up.  Then I came in to move the mast back.  I actually never got to the point where I felt balanced on this board with the NL160 - same issue I had when I prone foiled this foil last (a "teetering" at the start when getting up on foil, then it flattened out when coming up to speed).

Despite the balancing issue, I did get some flying in.  I even got a couple of jumps in where I could feel I had cleared the water.  But it felt bunny-hoppish and not like a boost.

I went in and switched out the NL160 for the GL140.  I'm not sure I actually ever used this foil for winging... might be a first.

The balance on this foil felt better, but still felt like I had to put way too much front foot pressure on the board.  I think both foils needed to come back more - I think I'll try that prone foiling next (faster way to do it???).  I was able to get tons of powered jibes in.  Even duck jibes at speed - turning is so much fun!

Marvin went out.  He got up on foil two times, and then held his line while on his knees on the way back in - until the really strong gusts hit.  He had to paddle against the wind to get back.

Once we were both in and back at the parking lot to derig, Harris showed up.  I told him I didn't go outside today because the wind was ripping the tops off the waves.  By this time (2pm) the wind was starting to return to normal trade strength - but I was done.

Pretty much out of control - but the best day in a long time!

W:22/F:33/S:10

Evening Session - 12/7/2021

Got in a late afternoon session - wind died off and left behind a decent shoulder high swell.  I setup the 4'8" prone foiling board with the GL140 - perfect for today's conditions!  I got several really long rides with carves and switchback turns all along the way.

Roland was out and nailed a flip while Marlon was filming with the drone.

The incredible sunset was a wonderful backdrop to this awesome south swell in December!

It really doesn't get better than this!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 10/6/2021

Today was a testing day.  Two different friends loaned me their Takuma Kujira front foils.  The first foil is Marvin's Takuma Kujira 980.  The second is Prayot's Takuma Kujira 1210.  The third is my GoFoil GL140 and the last is my GoFoil NL160 (which lately has been my go to since I left Armstrong - before that was the HS1550v1 for its carving ability).  Looking at the picture - you can see there isn't much difference - but the chord is shorter on the Kojiras.

First up - the GL140 on the 32.5" mast.  This is the first time I've used this foil on the wing.  I've used it to ride some of the biggest waves I've paddled in to - but never winged on it (I always had it in my head that this was too small - little did I know!!!).

No shortage of wind - it was really good today!

This being a smaller front foil, did take a little bit more power in the wing and pumping to get it to lift.  But once it did, this foil proved the be another foil that liked to be up and in motion (like the NL160).  Tacks and jibes were executable.  I think I need a smaller rear stabilizer (note for next time).  Fun setup!

A lot of solid blue - echoing the statement that I was up on foil continuously.  I got to 19.3 mph without an assist from the waves (I stayed in to test).

Next up - Marvin's Takuma Kujira 980 on his carbon mast.

Looking at the center of lift on the front foil, and knowing the relative surface area - I figured just short of the front of the boxes was a good spot to try.  It actually was spot on!

In a nutshell, this is the fastest (I think - maybe the HA925 was slightly faster), most worry free, gliding, turning front foil that I have ever used - EVER!!!

I got a bunch of speed runs in and this foil was nothing short of incredible.  I had to pull back a little because the carbon mast is a total of 30" tall (I did not want to breach today while going fast).  Knowing that, there is still more speed to be milked from this foil...

I actually even started pulling toe side tacks on the inside - I got three and the last one was tight and almost executed without a touch down.  I forgot to mention that yesterday I got two toe side tack on the inside (I don't need to switch before the turn on the outbound legs).  

There was still a lot of solid blue - but the 980 didn't take the lulls as well as the GoFoil did.  Pretty sure the chord is driving the glide (and the rake on the tips is driving the turnability; and the thickness dictates timing of lift; and the span relates to the speed - so many variables, so much more experimenting!).

Now I just need the Takuma adapter for my Project Cedrus mast (so I can run the 1210 on a longer mast...).

Tomorrow through next week, the wind only gets stronger everyday - 

Evening Session - 10/22/2020

The surf report said a new south pulse was supposed to arrive.  I switched out the GL180 for the GL140 and kept the No.5 rear stabilizer bolted on.  Marlon also placed the side bites onto his longboard.

Well - the swell seemed like it was smaller than yesterday.  I was able to catch a few and Marlon had a bunch - but it was challenging.

With the 15" sloped shoulder rear stabilizer on, I could feel the slight additional lift from the tail - but with the conditions, it was harder to really get an idea of top end performance.  Hopefully this swell shows up soon....

Evening Session - 10/8/2020

 This swell has been continuing to deliver energy - but it was starting to back off.  When Marlon and I did an evening run on Thursday, the takeoffs on the outside were still shoulder to head high - but the walls to follow weren't as energetic or as big as they were earlier in the week.

I brought out the same setup - skinny 4'10", GL140 and the No.2 rear stab.  With the chop in the water, I did pop the tail a few times and dropped off foil - but it still a great session.

Noe came out to take pictures, but the break is further out at WPB than it is at PTs, so these aren't the same as the previous ones that she took.

Evening Session - 10/7/2020

Marlon pulled a dawn patrol and had some other things to do this evening, so I hit WPB on a solo mission.  From the sound of it, he had it bigger than I did - 2' overhead.  I had some head high waves so there was still plenty of energy out there.

I brought out the same setup as yesterday and I got the same results - absolutely mind blowing perfection!

I caught 7 really long waves - from the way outside all the way in.  Then I had to paddle all the way back out - multiple times (great exercise).  According to my watch, I got a 722' long wave (and three others over 500') - shattering my previous single wave distance record.  And I got to over 13mph on all the waves - maxing out at 13.8 (if you believe my watch).  It is hard to describe the feeling of flying along a wave face, making tight radius turns and freely flowing between sections - so much fun!

Evening Session - 9/29/2020

I picked Marlon up from one of his Mid-term exams after work.  I asked him how he did - he said pretty good.  I then asked if he wanted to go surf and he said yes - so off we went to get an evening session in.

The swell from this past weekend was still lingering - head high on the sets, but mostly in the chest high range (SUPER FUN).  The tide was dropping and the wind was super light.  Made for having to paddle the foil upside down a bit more than usual (so I wouldn't have to fix more scratches).  

Marlon brought his trusty longboard.  I brought out the skinny 4'10" with the GL140 - same setup as the past few sessions.  I caught several waves that I was able to ride for really long distances.  My watch said my longest wave was 474' and I got up to 12.8mph.  There were some real gems in the mix - a long left looking at the sun setting the whole way.  I had another where I got an infinity turn in (infinity symbol is a horizontal figure 8... and it sounds cooler).

What a great day!!!!

Dawn Patrol - 9/27/2020

We hit the dawn patrol again - the swell was supposed to be bigger than yesterday (but it didn't seem like it - more like the same).  There was some choppiness on the surface even though the wind was low. 

Marlon went for the outside more towards Fenceline and Middles.  I headed for the break in front of the two cabins.  I would catch a wave, ride it forever and have to paddle all the way back out (totally worth it).  The longest wave I rode was 364' and the fastest I went was 16.8mph (both according to my watch).  The waves weren't as steep as they were yesterday - so it was pick up, get lined up and ride the wall as it ran to shore. 

I did lose lift on a few rides - not positive, but again I think it was the rear wing ventilating through the chop.  Despite the few setbacks, this was another perfect day for foiling with the GL140 (so fast and turny!!!!).

Dawn Patrol - 9/26/2020

Marlon and I went on the dawn patrol this morning.  No wind at all (perfect for surfing).  The tide was low (so I had to paddle the foil upside down for a bit longer than normal).  The swell - yes the swell - nice rollers on the sets.  Head high perfection.  I brought the skinny 4'10" out and took the time to swap out the GL140 for the 180 (and moved the foil back in the tracks.  I did this because the forecast was calling for the waves to be smaller than yesterday - mistake since the swell was bigger. 

I paddled out with the GL180 and caught a few, but I was having trouble keeping the foil down (since the drops were epic - too steep for the 180).  I decided to ride one in and swap the front wings back out.  I got 446 feet on the one I rode in.  I was making the drops once I paddled back out and had the GL140 on.  Epic rides - big drop followed by long lined up walls that I would swoop up and down the whole face - my watch said I got to 13.5mph.  I saw Marlon take off on an overhead wave - this morning was perfect!!!

Evening Session - 9/25/2020

Marlon and I hit WPB this evening.  On the sets the waves got to head high.  The tide was low - so low that I did not venture to the inside - even on my really long rides.  The wind was manageable (I'm glad I didn't go winging today like I had been tempted to).  I brought out the skinny 4'10" with the GL140 and a 16" tail - perfect for today's conditions.  I was also dealing with a pulled muscle on the left side of my neck - it got looser the longer I was out.

According to my watch, I got a 515' ride and my top speed today was 12.1 mph.  I was able to get four waves that I recall that I picked up on the outside (big cojones drops) and got to glide along a head high wall - so perfect!!!

Marlon was surfing over by the thick crowd (I can't foil over there - too many obstacles) so I didn't see many of his rides.  Noe was crewing on a friend's sailboat and they were moving the boat from Haleiwa to Iroquois Point.  The white triangle is the boat on their beat upwind to the channel. 

Nice way to end the work week!

Evening Session - 9/20/2020

Marlon and I hit PTs this afternoon.  The swell was still up, the tide was a small high at 1.6', and the wind was down.  Bonus was the swell was more consistent than yesterday.

Marlon was waiting on the outside for the head high waves.  I saw him pick off several.  He had a GoPro, but I think he was mostly taking video (Marlon - if you want any pictures posted, text them to me).

I had the same setup as yesterday, but earlier I switched the shim on the rear stabilizer and centered it (yesterday was a rush job).  The rides I got today were better than yesterday's.  The GL140 and this 16" flat stab (used to be a P18W) is awesome when the conditions are right.  I picked off a few head high waves and those takeoffs are awesome. Then getting to ride all of them for really long runs was icing on the cake. 

Today's evening session made up for the choppy runs from yesterday and the winging skunks I got on Friday and Saturday.

Double Duty - 9/19/2020

Marlon and I dawn patrolled WPB this morning.  The new SSW swell arrived and was delivering solid chest to head high surf.  It was not as nice as the last swell.  There was a chop on the surface and it was really throwing me off - literally.  I could not stick a landing for my first several waves.  I also would be hauling at top speed and just drop out.  Not fun body slams.  I did eventually get some good ones - one was 348 feet and my top speed was 13.9 mph.  I am not sure what the issue was, but I've had better foiling sessions.

I saw Marlon drop into a few good sized rides early on.  I also saw Dennis on his new e-foil from Lift.  I actually tried to go winging today at Hickam.  When I left the house, it was blowing decently.  By the time I got to the beach, the wind had swung more North and died back significantly (it was clean enough to surf).  I also tried to go winging on Friday afternoon - caught a skunk then also.  This started to clog my chi flow.

I did a solo run to PTs in the evening (Marlon stayed back to study for his upcoming mid terms).  Similar conditions to this morning.  And I even botched up my first few waves to repeat that part of this morning as well.  I had switched out my tail wing from the 16" straight cut stab I had been using, to the new rounded edge 16" stab I recently got used (I also got a 12", but I didn't think it was the right conditions to test this one out).  I'm going to cut down the straight 16" stab to a rounded 14" and see what results I get from that.  Eventually I got my bearings and started getting long rides. 
Some days you win, some you lose.  I'd say I lost big today (but I'm still a winner - any days spent in the water is a win).

Evening Session - 9/11/2020

Marlon and I had a very special guest join us on our evening session - Noe!!!  Though she really didn't come to be with us (she had two friends meet her there).  She decided to use the Mach 7-7. 

I had the skinny 4'10" with the GL140 (switched back), and Marlon brought his longboard.  The swell was a righteous shoulder high with plus sizes every now and then.  There was some wind - and I especially noticed it going right, but it was not bad at all.

Marlon was having a ball.

Noe told me after the session she caught one where there was no white water and it was smooth and glassy from the drop through to the end of the ride.  I had some long ones, but I think I could have gotten much longer rides if I left the GL180 on.  I ate it on a bunch of takeoffs so it didn't seem like I was taking advantage of the GL140 anyways.  I'm not complaining - the GL140 is a super fun wing - just over analyzing.

Dawn Patrol - 9/7/2020

Another good day of sizable surf - smaller than yesterday but less wind.

I had several fast, super long waves - my watch said I got to 13.8mph.  Over chest high - the GL140 is the bomb!!!  This has been a great swell!!!

Dawn Patrol - 9/6/2020

Dawn patrolled this morning.  Pulled up before first light and the lot was already packed. 

Zero wind, carryover swell that hit yesterday and a high tide.  Same setup as yesterday.

Today was absolutely perfect - head high peaks, made the drops on foil and rode forever.  I even got two for ones on two of my bigger ones - mind you this is on the GL140.  According to my watch, I got to 14 mph.  Taking off on steep faces and making it on a foil is about as awesome as this sport can get.  And doing it on a board you made - nothing better!

I didn't even see Marlon again today - but he said he was on the outside break towards the middle and was taking off on some bombs.  Can't really ask for more than what this session delivered!!!