Second Session from the Beach

I noted that Marlon came to the beach since we were going to hit the grocery store after I went winging.  Well, he took some pictures and here are a few.

You can see how light the wind was in comparison to pictures from the first session.  This wing has a really good range.

Second Wing Foiling Session - 8/1/2021

After the epic morning session, Marlon needed stuff from the grocery store.  The wind was still up so I figured if we were going to Hickam/Pearl Harbor, I should trying winging again - mainly to test the wing/foil combo again.  Surprisingly the little wing generates lots of power for its size.  I needed the gusts which would white cap the surface to get up on foil (recall that I am using the HS1250 - might have been different using a larger front foil), but as long as I didn't have to transition, I could stay on foil.  Here's a picture mid tack.

I can see using the smaller wings more coupled with larger front foils.

I didn't stay out too long - we still had to do the grocery run.

The wind wasn't as strong and steady - and I ended up shlogging more than flying - but it was a really good test of the low end of this wing.  It also provided an opportunity to dial in the control motions.  I said it earlier, but this is a back hand controlled wing compared to the front hand control of the Ensis.  I got up to 17.6 kt this session.

Testing is important and shortens the learning curve.  In a perfect scenario the wind would have been opposite of what it was and I would have tested it in flat water first, then taken it out into roaring winds in wild surf.

First Wing Foiling Session - 8/1/2021

I got in two sessions yesterday - the highest winds from the resident NE High Pressure cell were supposed to be coming in yesterday morning - the forecast was spot on - I'd say it was steady 20 to 25 with gusts touching 35 to 40 - EPIC NUCLEAR!!!

It's rare that the winds get this strong - but I got to pump this wing up - the Reedin Super Wing 3.6m

It was awesome to wing foil in these winds and there were good waves - they just weren't exactly lined up (I've found I prefer a SW swell with an ENE wind - makes jibing into a wave an incredible experience!) 

I took the GoPro off shortly after my second run - it was a lot to concentrate on the wind and the waves (everything was jumbled up with the really strong winds) to worry about finding a camera if it got loose.

Even though things didn't line up perfectly, riding waves goofy always makes things interesting (I think I'm actually getting really good at this).

I got a max speed of 17.9 kt - the HS1250 was perfect for the conditions (probably could have used the HS1050).  Kalani finally stepped down to the Ensis 5.2 - and he didn't skip a beat.  Roland used the Wasp 4.0 and he hated it.  It was too soft and it kept backwinding on him.

The Reedin is a backhanded wing - compared to the Ensis which is a front handed wing (control wise).  The camber is shallower on the Reedin which makes it faster and it also seemed way more powerful for its size - more on that in the next post.

Epic session!!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 7/16/2021

I took La's car in to the dealer to get a tow hitch installed.  It took forever and started to mess with my winging timeline.  The hitch looks great - and I finally got to Hickam at 4:15.  While I was setting up, the wind was in a lull - so I pumped up the 5.2.  I could have easily used the 4.5.  I did want to continue using the HS1250 and Chopped 300 to get the difference between the 95cm and 85cm masts.

The wind was nuking!  When the gusts came through, I was getting dragged around even with the wing straight overhead - it was AWESOME!!!!

When the gusts backed down, I would try to get speed runs in.  I topped out at 17.2 kt - I think I need a smaller front foil if I'm going to go faster.  I've got the CF800, but I think starting that may be too difficult.

I got another toe-side tack in - don't get to do that much since I really don't ride toe-side too often - I'd rather switch stance.  Prayot had to leave and get to a dinner event.  I had three people's worth of winging gear and boards in the truck! 

Might do Kailua in the morning, and back to Hickam in the evening!

Wing Foiling Session - 7/15/2021

Wind was blowing most of the day - all the parts except when I got out.  I got to the beach at 4, quickly setup (thanks to the new electric pump, I was able to set up the foil while I put the foil and board together).  It looked good as I was driving up, and everyone had come in right before I got there to take a break (as the wind was pretty strong).  I pumped up the 5.2 and setup the HA1125/232/95cm mast.

The foil/board setup was not seamless today.  The wind was strong, but it kept coming from different directions, so it was hard to get a lock on where I should be going or where to draw power.

You can see the wind was up - and that at times it was more from the North - then more from the East.  I headed back in to swap out the HA1125 for the HS1250.  It took forever from me to get back - the HA1125 wasn't allowing me to build up speed (it really doesn't like to be pumped up like the HS series - needs the wind to pull you up).

I did manage to get in - and I did the swap and I did get back out.  You can see the last quarter of the session log I was mostly up and connecting transitions.  I'm not sure if it was the 95cm mast... I've used it in the past and had really fun sessions - maybe with the chop and the more northerly wind it just wasn't lining up.

Overall I'd say it was worth getting out on the water - even though I was struggling for most of it.  Tomorrow the winds are supposed to be stronger and it keeps up through the weekend.

Evening Session - 7/8/2021

Yesterday's evening session was funky.  Nice high tide, swell still had some size - one of those days you could ride on the inside and do donuts - but the wind came on and was causing weird issues.  When you caught a green wave and it broke behind you, the wind would cause a secondary suction and the foil would get all discombobulated.  I still got some good ones (and overall it was better than Wednesday's session). 

Nick also came out - but he didn't setup his foil.  He did paddle mine around and said it felt like paddling a boogie board.

Marlon was catching a bunch on his longboard.

Still a bunch of fun catching waves on the inside, riding the wall and pumping back out.  If I knew the seabreeze was going to kick in as much as it did, I would have brought the winging gear out.  Oh well -

Evening Session - 7/7/2021

And just like that, things flipped - Marlon had a great session and I had a tumultuous one.  The takeoffs I had on the outside had that secondary "suction" that totally goofed up the foil and I was flung around little a rag doll.  Marlon was catching a bunch and getting some fun turns in.

Totally opposite story from yesterday...

You win some - you lose some!  Take them all and have fun!

Evening Session - 7/6/2021

Yesterday evening was freaking awesome!!!  I caught so many really long, totally rippable foil waves!!!

High tide so I didn't have to worry about grounding.  Light wind (a little difficult heading into the wind, but not too bad).  But full waves that made takeoff so easy and lined up for super long rides!

HS1250, chopped 300 rear stabilizer, A+ 60cm fuse with one +1 degree red shim - all bolted on to the 4'8".

This is definitely dialed in - riding was effortless!

Pretty good stats!!!  I love days like this!  Oh - Marlon went too, but I actually didn't see him. After, he said it wasn't that good for him.  Funny how what's good for one is not so good for the other.

Wing Foiling Session - 7/4/2021

The weather was fluky again yesterday.  Learning from Saturday, I waited until the clouds burned off and the weather settled.  Unfortunately it settled on the lighter side of windy.  The forecasters have been totally off the past several weeks - like someone purposely jacks up the predictions.  Anyways - the Ensis 6.0m saved the day!!!

The harness has also been a blessing - I still ache after a session, but my joints are not painful anymore.  I had the HS1250 in the truck... the session would have been much better if I had the HS1850, but I do think training with different equipment helps develop better skills.  I even limited my wing pumping - primarily due to the camera on the wing - but also my left forearm tendons - and I was still able to get up.  Finesse trumps brute strength.  This picture is me coming out of a jibe.

This picture is me going into a jibe.

Winging is so much fun!

Prayot is getting better on his 4'10" Amundson (HS1850 front foil).

And here is my old friend Nick getting oriented to this new sport.  Nick and I learned to windsurf together and he lead me through the kiting learning curve.  Always good to get out on the water with this guy!

With Nick out there, I didn't head out to Firsts.  Brian did and he said it was fun - the inbound swell wasn't hitting full force, but the front runners were showing.

I was out between 3 and 4:30 - the wind was frustrating - but again it was an opportunity to train.

You can see the big gaps in wind - but it was still fun.  Top speed was 16.8 kt, and got in 9.58 nm

Wing Foiling Session - 7/3/2021

Special guest today - my old buddy Nick Yamodis met me at Hickam - this was his first Wing Foiling session.  I forgot to take a picture...

I also brought Kalani on.  The wind was not like it was forecasted to be - it was full of holes, super gusty then dead, and it kept swinging from different directions.  I had the HS1250 on again, but swapped out the board, put footstraps on and used the 5.2.  Honestly I should have used the HS1850 and the 6.0 -

I stayed on the inside for the first couple of hours.  Tried to stay close to Nick to help him out, but also the wind was pretty fluky.  Nick washed up at the flats and did the walk of shame to get his van.  We all do it - but he did get up on foil multiple times.

After he left around 11, I headed back out and by this time Prayot, Roland and another guy were out.  I played around on the inside until the wind started to fill in again - then I went out to Firsts.   

Every one followed and that's when the chaos began.  The wind would go into heavy gusts, the it started to swing offshore.  It was actually hard to get back in - one because of the direction, but mostly because the lane between reef at inside Seconds and the taxiway is rather narrow.  I eventually made it back in to the inside.

Max speed was 16.2 kts and I got in 21.53 nm (but over three hours).  You can see tons of lulls today -

The harness is a winner - my tendons aren't nearly as sore as they have been - especially from a session like today.  I also think going out on slightly undersized equipment (wing and front foil specifically) really makes you focus on technique.  I felt I was getting better and pumping the wing and foil simultaneously.

After everyone got back in - Brian and Harris pulled into the parking lot - winger convention!  I love this activity!

Wing Foiling Session - 7/2/2021

Wind was up today - setup the Ensis 4.5 and bolted on the HS1250.  Got in some shake down runs on the inside, and when I felt I was dialed in, I headed out to Firsts.  Mark, myself, Kalani and eventually Jeff were out (and three surfers on Wavestorms...). 

I got in 18.81 nm in 2 hours.  I had some decent rides - one was a jibe in front of the wave and flag the wing.  I also got a few riding goofy.

The chart below shows a gust that nearly hit 40 (definitely smoke on the water conditions).  Nice to know I can stay up in gusts that hard.

Top speed was 17.6 kt.  Lots of connected runs (jibes and tacks completed), but also some lulls.

Prayot got a hold of Jeff's demo Ensis Score 4.5.  He was out cruising with it - and even got some jumps (that's it, time to start learning to jump).  Today was the third day I had the harness on - it really made riding easier on my arms and especially the tendons on my upper left forearm.

Tomorrow morning is supposed to be super strong!!!