Evening Session - 8/8/2024

Today I took Nick out on his first Foil Drive session.  If that gear looks familiar, it is the setup that I started on.

The waves were tiny - and the wind was up (of course it was - I didn't have a wing).

Then after Nick left, the wind calmed down - just in time for Duke to go out with his wing. 

The 1 mile session was while I was showing Nick the ropes.

I went back out after he was packed and away so I could get my battery to storage level (as Noe is leaving for college - these next two days are family time).

First session stats

Second session stats.

Looks like between the 2 sessions I caught 20 waves

No way I could have done that paddling in.

W:97/FD:57/F:4/S:15

Wing Foil Session (Second) - 3/5/2024

Second session was at Hickam - partially so I could get Ken's board back to him and Kalani's fuselage and front foil back to him.  The other reason we came was to get some waves at Firsts. 

I forgot my watch and I didn't drive the truck (so no phone case) - so no data this session.

The wind was lighter than I thought it was going to be.  I'm glad I brought No.34 - but instead of it being for the extended mast tracks (to get the Eagle 690 on a test run), it was for its light wind starting capabilities.

It was Kalani, Nick and I.  Then eventually Prayot and Roland came out.

I did three runs out to Firsts - I got some fun ones, but I think Kalani and Prayot had impeccable timing and landed some really nice rides.

If I had brought my watch, I would have tried the 690... maybe next time -

W:26/FD:15/F:4/S:8

Wing Foil Session (First) - 3/5/2024

Nick and I did a winging dawn patrol at Kailua.  When we pulled up, there was nuking winds....

That turned out to be a really big squall.  Lots of rain clouds passed through at the same time.  We had set up the small wings - but after the wind dropped we pumped up the bigger wings - for me the SW2 4.7, while Nick pumped up his Cab Mantis 6.0 

I used the Eagle 890 but swapped out the rear stabilizer with the monobloc DW190 that I got from Jeff.  The mast was positioned pretty much where the SK8 950 was.

The winds were much better than yesterday and so were the waves.

Lots of wave riding - more straight south instead of angling up to stay pointed at the launch - but that was fine since there was plenty of wind.

You can see the squall at 8am, and the subsequent drop to nothing.  We were out for a little over an hour and a half - wanted to save some energy for the afternoon session.

I didn't really try to break a speed record - just wanted to be out and have fun without working too hard for it.  Its easy when the gear lines up with the conditions.

W:25/FD:15/F:4/S:8

Wing Foiling Session - 3/4/2024

Nick and I got a winging session in at Kailua this afternoon.

When we were setting up, there were white caps blowing around.  Based on that I figured I'd bolt on the Eagle 890 and pump up the SW2 4.7

Nick went with the Cab Mantis 6 and the HA1325 

I charged my watch on the way over to Kailua - it didn't last.  I did get data for the first half the session. 

The wind kept getting lighter - then a gust would come through to entice you to stay out longer.  The waves were unbreaking rollers - still fun when you try to ride them while keeping the wing barely engaged.

Yup - pretty much what was going on.  I was able to stay in the wind line for the most part.  I did come off foil a couple of times.  The last one I had to aim right for shore and make a last second jibe to stay out of the shallows - all in the name of not doing the walk of shame.

I'm pretty sure I got faster than this...

The second half of the session - there were more kite foilers out than wingers.  There were 9m, 7m and 5m kites out - so much for me trying to figure it out by observing.

Awesome time winging with Nick!  And being at Kailua in the evening on a weekday - that never happens! 

W:24/FD:15/F:4/S:8

Wing Foiling Session - 2/28/2024

I headed to Hickam today to meet up with this guy - 

Nick and I have know each other since October of 1994.

He's here on vacation and I'm loaning him my big wing foiling board.

The wind was pretty weird - the grassy area was kinda dead.  And that went out about 100' from shore - then the wind line would show itself.

I was expecting more wind so the biggest wing I brought was the 4.7, and I only brought the Eagle 890.  I wanted to get the position for the 890 worked out on No.34

By the time Nick got there and all set up, the wind had filled in decently. 

The Eagle 890 and No.34 are a match made in heaven!  It might be the change in stabilizer (I placed the C195 on - and it is wonderful).  It might be the board coming up to speed faster than my other boards.

Whatever it is - the Eagle 890 is a great front foil

I got in a bunch of tacks and even headed out to Firsts to get a few rides with this combo.  Too bad the waves were kinda small.

The wind was actually better than it seemed according to the chart.  It didn't feel this strong.

My watch picked up an errant reading (49 mph).  I had to dig but I got up to 21.7 mph

Nick was doing great!  He was up in no time and was trying out transitions at the end of each run.

I am going to probably take tomorrow off from watersports and knock out the board repair orders I have in the garage (and also set up the new Foil Drive Max!!!)

W:21/FD:13/F:4/S:8

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

Master Blaster from the Past

This guy and I learned to kite together over 20 years ago - and here we are still playing in the water together!

The equipment has changed (for the better), the crowd on the beach is different than when we first started, and we are both grayer, but that's about all that has changed!

Pretty epic session - but an odd thing happened - we both ended our sessions with equipment failures.  I lost the screws on my left foot strap and Nick split his foilboard in two.

Time to break out the sander!!!!

Marlon's First Surf at Pop's

Marlon and I picked up my old friend Nick in Waikiki and headed out to grab some morning surf. We were originally going to surf Cliffs over at Diamondhead, but when we got there the wind was nuking. We turned around, packed up and went over to Pop's. Side-offshore winds and a fun sized swell made for a great session. Nice swell for Marlon to try Pop's for the first time!!! Nick was having fun - You couldn't have asked for a better set of conditions - ahhhhhh, life in the waters of Hawaii...