Wing Foiling Session - 7/30/2023

Yesterday was interesting.  First off, there was a regatta for wingers at Hickam.  La was more excited about that than I was.  She came with and I even brought the SUP out for her to paddle around and wing on if she felt like it (I brought the strap on keels so you can hold a line and even get up wind).

Noe also came and she wanted to wing.

The wind was super flukey - when we were setting up, Bill was out riding - by the time I was bringing gear to the beach he had come in and said the wind was swirling around and would swing 120 degrees.  Plus there were significant holes.

I set Noe up with the GoFoil GL180 on the 29.5" mast and the Reedin SW1 3.6.  She should have been on the Ensis V2 4.5 (but honestly that may have not made a difference today).

And there she goes!  I told her to go over to the left so she would have some runway to drift downwind.  The wind got weak by this time and it became slim pickings.

I went out on No.30, the Eagle 1090/DW210, the 85cm Project Cedrus Mast and Kalani's SW2 6.0 (this was a race after all).  I was able to get up in the light wind with this gear.

The winds were really swirly.

So swirly that I got caught off guard on one directional switch, got knocked off the board and straight into the port wing tip of the Eagle 1090.

I'll spare you the before pictures, but instead of racing, I was in the Emergency Room for 4 hours getting stitched up (the specialists did a great job).

Crazy winds... I think I'll start wearing my helmet again when I know the wind is weird.

W:74/F:68/S:31

Wing Foiling Session - 1/27/2023

The wind was up enough today to go winging!!!  And Noe was available - it was good conditions for a training day!

I set her up with the 4'7" board (which at 22" wide would be easier for her to paddle back if needed), the Go Foil 27.5" mast, the GL210 (pushed back in the tracks), and the Ensis V2 4.5.

I used the Triton T1 for the first time (with the WWFB and the Takuma RS6.1).

This was the original spot where I installed the foil.  By the end of the session it was jammed as far forward as I could put it (and I think I needed more - this is a good excuse to build a new wing board with extended tracks....).

I suggested to Noe that she should paddle upwind before starting so she could have some ground to lose while trying to get up.

I had no idea what this foil was going to feel like.  I figured with the 6.1 I would have plenty of power.  The track below shows I had a slow start, but I did get up when I got into the wind lane.

This foil is way different than anything I've ever ridden.  I would get to speeds where I thought I should have gotten up on foil, but I'd still be on the surface.  I'd have to move way back on the board with both feet pretty much right over the foil and keep my feet really close together.

Some of the other characteristics of this foil - you need a lot of power to ride this.  There is no glide so as you are turning you need to get powered back up quickly.  But it does turn on a dime.

I would get up and get my feet situated, but I never felt like I could climb upwind (because I'd lose board speed and drop off foil).  So I ended up pushed up against the Second's reef.

Noe had held her line way upwind for quite some time.  Kalani was keeping an eye on her as I drifted unrecoverably downwind.  But eventually she drifted to where I was.  He said the she was having trouble with the wing size (too big as it was dragging her downwind) and she needed to work on where to put her feet.  At this point I told them we should paddle to the bail out point (where we go fishing on the flat).

While we were setting up the paddle in, I saw that Noe had stopped, was sitting up on her board and was staring at a big black moving shape in the water not far from her.  After a quick double check, I told her it was a big manta and that they only eat arms.

We eventually got to shore and I did the walk of shame back to the truck to go pick Noe back up.

Reviewing lessons learned, In this wind speed (15 to 20), at Noe's weight, she should be using a 3.5, which means 12 to 17 would be the 4.5, and anything above 20 will be the 2.5.

The other lesson learned is she should have her foil a little smaller and more forward (the GL210 was mounted 1" back from where I mounted the 1095 - 3/4" might have been better since Kalani saw her porpoising).

I did not hit 51.7 mph.  Combing through the data I saw 17.4.  Interesting day.  I can see why the T1 is a good kitefoiling foil.  But more and more people are winging with it.  I think if I build a board with longer tracks further forward, I'll be able to use this foil in average conditions.  I'm thinking 4'6.5"x25"x3.5" (~70 liters).....

W:5/F:6/S:8

Wing Foiling Session - 12/27/2022

The wind forecast was not aligned on the websites I use - so that meant today would be a crap shoot whether the wind would be favorable or not for winging.

Harris texted me and said there was wind - I got home quickly, packed up the gear and took Noe over to Hickam so she could try winging.  I set her up with the Takuma RS 5.1, the NWFB and the GoFoil 29.5" mast with the GL180.

I used the WWFB with the 85cm Project Cedrus mast, the PNL185/chopped stabilizer/Stringy direct bolt fuselage, under the North Nova Light Wind 8.0

Noe was a trooper.  She has good form on her outbound runs.  Harris even said he saw her get on foil.  But on her inbound runs, she was struggling to keep her balance and hold the wing steady.  

I tried sticking close to her to give her pointers - but she eventually drifted too far downwind.  I told her she should start paddling upwind to get to a point where she could try again.  The NWFB at 25" width was a bit much for her to get a good power pull while paddling.  I disconnected my leash and tried to tow her (but the leash didn't offer much area to hold on to).  I figured she should paddle as far as she could, and I would make a beeline in - then I could swim back out and help her paddle back.

I was nicely powered on the Nova LW 8.0 - I think the RS6.1 would have worked in these conditions as well.  I focused on making transitions without backwinding the big wing - as I was successful.  The PNL185 is a foil I haven't been out on in quite some time.  It was really fun to use - a bit loose and maneuverable, but still tracks upwind well.  Lots of glide in the transitions.  Fun setup today!

You can see the gap below where I was towing Noe.

When we got back to shore and were breaking down the gear, we were discussing the session and lessons learned.  Next time we'll use a smaller board - so if she needs to paddle, she'll have an easier time.  We'll also practice with a wing on land, and a mock board so she can work on her foot placement during her goofy foot runs.  Lastly, we'll use the Ensis V2 4.5 - the 5.1 in these winds was a little much - the 4.5 will have similar low end, but it'll have a more forgiving high end compared to the RS.

Based on the forecasts, this will likely be the last winging session this year.  And what an awesome year it has been!!!  So many awesome experiences - I am thankful and appreciative for the opportunities I have been presented and for my and the family's health.  I have so many more goals for winging next year - jumping efficiently, making more boards, learning more transitions, running more downwinders, and fine tuning my toe-heel tacks.

W:128/F:100/S:44