Wing Foiling Session - 6/9/2022

The forecast called for light winds today, but I was keeping an eye on the thermals.  Around 1pm they kicked in.  I was out there around 4pm.  Harris had already had his session - said he had to wait 45 minutes before the thermals kicked in.  By the time I was unloading, he was already chatting with Kalani who had pumped up.

I used the GoFoil setup on the Project Cedrus 85cm mast again, but today I bolted on the PNL185.  When I was rigging there were definite whitecaps - so I pumped up the Reedin SWX 5.2

The wind was coming on strong from the SE - side onshore conditions.  It was good for the first 15 minutes, then the thermals all fell apart.  I drifted for a long distance and I was way past Camp Grounds before I was able to pick up some light wind.

There was still some drama - I came off foil a couple more times - pretty demoralizing when you have a long paddle ahead of you.  But that same kick in the teeth served as motivation to get back up and wing back in on foil.

I finally made it back - I landed at the first lifeguard tower.

So you can see it was good until it wasn't...

When there was wind, it was actually pretty good.  I winged a total of 10 miles and got to 16.5 mph.

At least I didn't have to swim back!!!

W:46/F:58/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 6/8/2022

Lots of coordination today - Marlon got dropped off at my office so Noe could pick up La, who could then drive Noe to sailing practice - then I would pick up Noe and La would come back from the hospital when she was done visiting her dad.  That left an opportunity for me to get a wing session in.

Too bad the wind didn't cooperate. 

I brought the big guns out today... M200 on the Stringy GoFoil fuselage (next time I'll use aluminum tape on the male ferrule - the front foil was a hair loose), the 16.875" chopped down P18W stabilizer, and the 6.1 Takuma RS.

Harris came out (even though he wanted to go to WPB) - but he was not able to get up on foil.  I got up and as long as the wind was present, I could jibe.  But I was probably on the water schlogging as much as I was on foil.

It was a good session to shake off the cobwebs as the next several days looks like stronger winds will start to fill in! 

W:45/F:58/S:17

Taking the Bite Off

Also rounded out the edges of this cutdown P18W.  Seeing as how I've been noticing changes in my own weight, the weather conditions and what's going on with the water surface all influence how the GL180 has been working beneath my feet - I figured I should mix these two rear stabilizers back into the rotation. 

You can see the lines where I was initially planning on cutting - but I decided that if I'm going to shrink this rear stabilizer, I should do it one small cut at a time.

The "rounder" edges are there to make sure I don't get anymore cool scars.

Evening Session - 8/15/2020

Marlon and I headed out to catch the evening surf late yesterday hoping that would thin out the crowd of BOBs.  The plan was to drop me off at PTs, and he could surf where all the pretty girls were (in the middle of the crowd at WPB) - but there were some HPD vehicle roaming around PTs so I figured I'd just suck it up at WPB.  I brought the same setup as yesterday - skinny 4'10", GL180, chopped flat tail.  The wind was present, but it didn't chop things up too bad.  The tide was a dropping high (I kept checking when I was on the inside to make sure I had enough depth to not hit bottom).  And the swell was belly high on the sets.

When we got to the beach, I saw that the "ghost" break was working (way outside peak that breaks and then quick fades - but on a foil you can pump through the flats and ride the unbroken swell until it walls up again further in) so I made the long paddle out.  I picked up a handful of waves and rode them all the way in before the tide changed to the point the ghost break stopped working.  I was mostly just enjoying the super long glides, but during the latter half I tried to get a bunch of turns in.  Lots of torque generation and I didn't breach on any of them.  I really didn't have to deal with the crowd so this WPB session was pretty good.  I didn't even see Marlon - I think he was mixed into the main crowd - but I'm sure he was catching everything.

Evening Session - 7/27/2020

With Hurricane Douglas influencing the local weather the past couple of days, I opted to stay out of the water (even though it probably would have be pretty good seeing as how we didn't end up getting rain or wind down on the south side) - I was actually busy at work and somewhat at the house getting ready for the storm.  Anyways - I went out today to get some exercise.  

The wind was up and strong out of the east - that meant choppy surf that was hard to ride and a head wind for me going front side.  The tide was dropping - probably around 0.9' while I was out.  I didn't hit bottom, but it wasn't the normal carefree deep PT normally is either.  Lastly the swell was on the small side.  Stomach high on the breaking sets, but mostly thigh high.

I brought out the skinny 4'10" with the Go Foil GL180 and the chopped P18W tail.  Transitioning from the Armstrong to the Go Foil was seamless - which wasn't the case going the other way (at least for me).  What I did notice going from the Armstrong HS1850 to the Go Foil GL180 was the smoothness of the Armstrong - it didn't feel like I was riding a foil because it just slipped through the water with minimal friction.  Today using the Go Foil it would go fast, but I could feel drag and turbulence more than I could on the Armstrong.  The Go Foil was still fast when I got it lined up - real fast.  I need a GPS watch to start quantifying these factors.  I think if I round out the stabilizer tips, I can reduce some of the perceived drag.

I ended up catching a bunch and getting several long rides - tons of fun from totally junk waves.  There were some longboarders out and they would catch the waves when they peaked, but they would fade quick and they'd have to stop - on the foil, I'd ride the same wave all the way in - accelerating on the walls even though it was unbroken.  I've said this all before, but it never gets stale at all!  

Evening Session - 7/17/2020

Marlon and I hit WPB this evening.  I was hoping to get a repeat of yesterday, but alas it was not to be.  The swell seemed to be similar to yesterday, as well as the tide (dropping high), but the wind was on the waves and it made for very choppy conditions that were not easy to ride.  In fact, I spent most of the first 2/3s of my session not catching waves that would back off and if I did catch something, there was a BOB hanging out inside of me (so I'd pull off the wave to make sure no one got hurt).

Marlon was doing his thing towards Fenceline - but it looked crowded over there also.  After the sun went down, I finally started catching waves where I didn't have to worry about running into people.  I got several fun ones to balance out the scale.  I should have gone to PTs....  Same setup as the past few sessions - no additional feedback (set up perfectly).

Evening Session - 7/16/2020

I pulled a solo session at WPB.  The wind was side onshore from the east - and it was blowing enough to make you think twice about paddling out, especially coupled with the waist high predominant swell (every now and then a stomach/chest high set would pull through).  The tide was dropping from a high of 2.0' - was probably near 1.0' while I was out.

I brought the same setup as last time - skinny 4'10", GL180 and the cut down P18W.  No breaching at all this time - and I got the same "gurgling" that I get out of the Armstrong CF1600/Uni 300 when the wings are just under the surface.

I started out in the break out in front of the two cabins, out at the second break.  I caught a bunch and got calibrated quick, but the rides were not long when compared to the waves at PTs.  I looked out at the third break and thought that I could probably pick up the wave as it peaked and keep on going as it fizzled out and keep going until it reforms on the second break.  I paddled out and caught four like that - from the steeper takeoff on the outside, riding the faded out wave for yards, picking up the reform and riding that for tons of yards more.  RIDICULOUS FUN!!!  Especially given the crappy conditions, I felt like I was on fire today!!!

Cutting Down the P18W

I've been listening to some podcasts discussing breaching.  The common thoughts on the culprit is the rear wing.  All I know is when I think I'm good to go for a long wall, I breach coming out of the turn that lines me up.  Sure it makes me feel alive to get the crap kicked out of me every now and then, but after a few express elevator drops it gets quite frustrating. 

I've also heard guys talk about getting more maneuverability out of a chopped wing - but I'm more interested in the increased speed (from less drag).  I took an inch off of both sides - I'll see how this works before taking more. 

The forums are saying most guys have taken their stabilizers down to 14" - what I don't know is what their weight is - the lift you lose taking the wing length away is lift that works to hold you up.  I'll probably get to 14" - but I'll take it a step at a time to be able to document and understand what is going on.  We went and did the rounds up at the Waialua Surf Shops yesterday - and I picked up a second P18W so I have a reference point to go back to (and use when the waves are smaller and I need to extra lift and not the extra speed).

Evening Session 7/10/2020

I foiled WPB in the early evening.  The wind was up and didn't back down.  The tide was flooding up to 1.5', and the swell had dropped from yesterday - but every now and then a chest high set would pull through.

I had caught a bunch, but it was pretty crowded (no surprise).  For most of the waves, it was an awesome drop followed by a drawn out turn to set up for the wall.  I had the GL140 out today so everything was faster than yesterday - but I still noticed the fluttering I sometimes get from the foil when using the GL180 - I just pumped through it and the fluttering goes away.  If I didn't make the drop, it was made for spectacular wipeouts.

I think I need to take the Iwa back out to feel the difference in turning capability of the old style wings vs the new flat wings.

Evening Session - 7/9/2020

I made a solo run to WPB this evening.  Tide was on its way up to 1.7'.  The wind was up initially, but dropped to almost nothing by dusk.  And the swell was a surprise - chest + on the sets.

I had thought the waves would be smaller so I swapped out the GL140 (would have been perfect) for the GL180.  Shorter mast mounted on the skinny 4'10".  I needed a couple of calibration waves to get my footing.  The setup didn't quite feel automatic - I had to find the sweet feet spot and it didn't feel like it was where it was with the GL140.  I think the setup is telling me to move the foil back a tiny notch.  

Besides that, I did have a few breaches, but most of my rides were really long.  Another fun day out in the waves!!!

Evening Session - 7/6/2020

Marlon and I went out to PTs - the tide was way up, the swell energy was backing down, and the wind had returned to trade flow.  There were four wingers out - but the wind was pretty light - I wasn't sure how they were able to keep aloft (but they looked relatively light weight).  I am interested in joining the trend - but I want to be an unpaid beta tester (which is what I was doing in the infancy of kiting).  I had the same setup as yesterday.

It was harder to catch waves today compared to yesterday.  My first few waves my front foot wasn't far enough forward and I breached.  I did catch several fun fast wall runs, with some turns (not as many as yesterday) - and those runs made it worth it.  I also had a few waves where I made the takeoff - but my front foot wasn't centered and I lost it. 

All-in-all this was a weird outing for me (although Marlon seemed to be catching almost everything he paddled for).  Probably going to take a break for the next couple of days to heal up all the cuts and scratches (or maybe I'll jump on the Viking...)

Evening Session - 7/5/2020

I pulled a solo strike mission at PTs today.  The wind was onshore and up when I got there (two wing foilers were out and powered up) - surface was choppy.  The swell was still on the bigger side so there was plenty of energy to tap in to.  Lastly the tide was up - really high with the full moon - around 2.3' when I was out there.  This morning I had shifted the Go Foil mast back by a quarter of an inch - what a difference that made!!!  This session was another incredible run - instead of fighting the foil, I was just flying as fast as I could!!!  I really need to start measuring my speed...

This setting is going to get marked.  The other change I made was to put on the P18W tail.  After paddling for the thicker waves, I made the drops, lined up on the walls and just kept going faster.  Cranking turns was also fun - more intuitive at this setting - the more I turned the more confident I became and the harder I tried to turn.  RIDUNKULOUS FUN!!!

So having surfed the Armstrong CF1600 and this Go Foil GL140/P18W, I can still say the Armstrong feels super smooth and it is the "Ferrari" of foils.  And I've said (and will keep saying) the Go Foil GLs are the daily driver workhorses - I'd even say the "Fords" - but with days like today under my belt (mind you I've had many but with the Go Foil on the Wider 4'10") this is no ordinary Ford - call it a GT40 and that should be an accurate comparison (yes I recently watch the movie).  I love prone surf foiling!!!

Evening Session - 6/27/2020

Went foiling at PTs.  It was a bit more crowded than normal - both in the water and on the beach.  The people on the beach were not social distancing at all...  and a lot of the people in the water were newbies that don't know etiquette.  Anyways - the wind was down, the tide was rising at 1.2' and the swell was inconsistent but shoulder to head high on the sets, waist to chest on the norm.

I brought out the wide 4'10" and the Go Foil with the GL180 - I was banking on a smaller swell based on some recon La and I did earlier on an errand run.  Well - on the outside takeoffs, I could have definitely used the GL140 - I would takeoff on some pitching waves and not make the drop - I think because of overspeed.  On the ones I did make, the GL180 did allow me to ride all the way in.  The entire session I felt a weird wobble and turbulence from the foil.  I tightened all the screws before leaving for the beach - and there wasn't a lot of chop on the water so I'm not sure why the drag was there.  Maybe coming off the Armstrong for the past for several sessions, I got used to the smoothness.  I'm thinking if I had the GL140, I would have made more drops and the turbulence was caused by the big wing going faster than it likes.  Good session regardless.

Evening Session - 6/21/2020 (Father's Day)

My family indulged me today - I got to take TWO NAPS!!!  And they took me to the beach!  That's all I really ever want on Father's Day!  We hit PTs - the tide was full (running up the beach) - 2.0'.  The wind was way up when we got there - but then it just dropped off to almost nothing.  And the swell - was forecasted to be bigger than yesterday, was actually just overhead (but to me seemed smaller than yesterday - probably something to do with the bathymetry).  Lots of pictures - I'll just let them do the talking.

Marlon was catching everything - but bailing early to pick up more drops

I knew La was taking pictures - so I launched the board right before coming in (she takes great pride in catching our wipes)!

I had a great day today!  Thank you La, Marlon and Noe!!!

Evening Session - 6/19/2020

I pulled a solo evening session today - Marlon went to chat with the Navy Recruiter (yes- I did not want to go - I would feel better if he went in by himself, did the research and make his own decision).  The wind was down relative to yesterday - and the quality of the waves were much better than yesterday.  The swell was slightly smaller - waist to stomach high, but since the chop was mostly gone, the ride were so much better.  There were a few sets where the waves were chest high, but these were the rare birds.  This was the perfect size for the GL180.  The tide was high at 1.5' (ish).

I rode plenty of set waves - didn't hurt that there was only one other surfer out.  Rode half of my rides all the way to the beach.  Its days like today that fuel the stoke for wanting to foil, and foil super fast.  

Pure fun today!

Evening Session - 6/17/2020

Hit WPB this evening instead of PTs - figured with the larger swell, it would be good enough.  The size was there, but you had to paddle out to the outside break to catch the waves.  The wind was up and the tide was high (so no issue with interacting with the bottom).

I had the GL140 on the wide 4'10" (P18W tail, 24.5" mast + 3" track adaptor).  I actually should have kept the GL180 on - the waves I picked up would mush out quickly and the extra lift would have been useful.  I eventually paddled to the inner break and started picking up the reforms - had some fun ones carving, but the wind seems to be stronger here compared to PTs.  Tomorrow I'll hit PTs and use the GL180.

Evening Session - 6/15/2020

I did another solo session this afternoon.  The swell-wind-tide were pretty much the same as yesterday.  I had the same setup as yesterday but switched the front wing for the GL180 to try and get longer runs.

Not only did I get longer runs (the GL180 and squeeze blood from a rock), but I was having a blast on the takeoffs.  If the waves were any bigger I would have been blowing up on the takeoffs - instead I was carving straight from the takeoff.  I had to pick my waves - but it was really fun (again) today!!!

Evening Session - 6/14/2020

Did a double dip yesterday evening - solo though - Marlon had his fill on the dawn patrol.  It was a tad windy - enough to be noticeable going right, but not enough to blast the surface.  The tide was lowish at 0.6', and the swell was chest high on the sets, but waist for the most part. 

I had the wide 4'10" with the GL140 - fun takeoffs, but it was tough getting longer rides after.  Fun session!