Parawing Session - 7/6/2025

Parawing session today!!!

Rising tide - nuking winds - and a little more wave than I would have preferred.

Solo mission - Duke and Prayot ran the Voyager Race; Roland wasn't going out until much later.

I brought No.34 out.  I want to start using it more for parawinging.  I also used the AFS UHM 85cm mast.  With all the chop I'm glad I had this mast.

I feeling the need to start stepping down the front foil size from the Enduro 1300/HA43 to something else - but I'm not sure which foil and also maybe not just yet.

I had both parawings with me today - but with all the whitecaps, even the Maliko 4.0 was realistically too big (thinking Flysurfer POW 2.5)

The waves were actually pretty good sized - most likely up from the strong tradewinds.  And with the rising tide, that seemed to accentuate their vigor also.

I took my time getting situated - just to make sure nothing went wrong (flying solo remember).  I would just wait for a lull then work the parawing-board-foil to get up before the next set lined up to break.  It took me a while to get to the wind line initially, but eventually I got into the stream.

The blue lines were all at the front end.  The winds were easterly so I don't know why the wind line was so far out.  You could even see the heavy texture on the water - but still couldn't get up early on.

I tried to keep everything in slower motion today - again primarily to not get into a bad situation, but also to get a better feel for how each component was working.

I originally was aiming to get three runs up on foil in - that would have made me feel accomplished.  Instead, I got in multiple runs and I made every jibe.

One thing I learned was turning downwind, the apparent wind drops off and the wing just drifts - which I eventually took the opportunity to retract the PW.  I did it three times and the third was perfect.  I rode the wave I was on pretty much like a prone setup (which made me think I need to push the foil-mast forward just a touch - felt like not enough front foot pressure).

That felt like an accomplishment!!!

I also got an inbound start while in regular foot stance (first time doing that).  In fact I didn't ride goofy foot at all today (I didn't want to risk a crash).

With the harness line, the range on the Maliko 4.0 is decently large.  Despite all the strong gusts and steady stiff wind, I wasn't really ever overpowered beyond being able to manage.

I think before I size down on the foil, I maybe should size down on the parawing...

It's awesome to progress!!!

W:51/FD:92/PW:14/S:4

Wing Foiling Session - 3/11/2025

Strong winds, high tide, but small waves today.

I wanted to mix things up - Neilpryde Fly 4.0 and the Cabrinha H800.

Big crew today - Eddy, Norm and I were the early shift and Kalani and Roland were the late shift.

The H800 felt a little slow/draggy.  And it was also really pitch sensitive in the choppy conditions.  But in these winds it did get up pretty easily.

Having to learn a different foil, I pulled my punches to avoid having to restart.  Despite all that, I did eat it a lot and had to restart anyways.

Some of the gusts were nuking -

The chop did make for hard riding.  The H800 seemed to respond better to rear foot steering.

And oddly enough - the Fly 4.0 was also responsive to rear hand control.  With the winds blowing around today, the twitchiness of the wing did fatigue me.  The North wings I have been using don't do this - better for my elbows.

Tomorrow is supposed to be even stronger than today -

W:19/FD:39/PW:1/S:3

Wing Foiling Session - 3/6/2025

Hit WPB this afternoon.  Pulling up to the parking lot and checking the conditions, there were white caps everywhere.

I had finished wetsanding the AFS Silk 850 before going to the beach - that got bolted to the mast and No.40 - so I basically went out on the same gear as yesterday - but I did switch out the North Mode Pro 4.8 for the Neilpryde Fly 4.0

I was ultra cautious paddling out - made sure I was clearly in deeper water before trying to launch - I didn't want to scratch the just sanded foils...

It was pretty windy, so the NP Fly worked well.  It has a short chord so it was a tad playful (unstable) in pitch but that also made the wing super flickable (especially in transitions).  I kept making comparisons in my mind to the NP Combat windsurfing sail from the 90's - subtle power, but on the edge of unstable (really maneuverable if you knew you needed to control the flow).

I felt there was enough power in the wing to throw tacks - and throw tacks I did!  I did two in front of Roland and he made it known that those turns were worthy of high praise.  The Silk 850 carves so hard - this really is a special foil!!!  And now after the filling and sanding - it rides super smooth and runs silent.

Today was a good day for wave riding! 

The wind was stronger and more consistent than yesterday.  I did go in before the others (Prayot, Roland and Duke) because the wind felt like it was weakening and I didn't want to get stuck outside if the NP Fly didn't the low end to get me up.

Another good day of strong winds!

Prayot pumped up his new PPC M1 4.0

This wing looked good!

W:15/FD:39/PW:1/S:3

Wing Foiling Session - 3/5/2025

Big highs and deep lows today - 

The wind "seemed" to be stronger today, but the direction had shifted more easterly.

The tide was really low.... more on that in a minute.

Norm and I both setup the same equipment from yesterday.

The AFS Silk 850 - the hardest carving foil I have ever used!!!  The SK8s are good also - not shabby by any definition - it's just that the Silk is that good.

While setting up, Norm was talking about how he washed down stream yesterday and was worried about having to get in at Bunkers.  He picked up a gust that had a bunch of North in it and he was able to get back to the launch spot.

He also was talking about grounding foils if you didn't find yourself near either of the channels after wiping out.

So guess what happened to me today??? 

Norm launched and his timing was impeccable - up in the first trough (that is deep enough to not ground your foil) and out into the channel.

I on the other hand - started in a slight lull and couldn't get up on foil.  Then the longshore current started carrying me west into No Man's Land, where I proceeded to hit every high point on the bottom, and even had to turn the foil sideways to avoid further grounding in thigh deep water getting pummeled by waves.

I had gotten pushed so far over that swimming back was not an option (too much shallow reef in between me and the beach with strong wind trying to push me out).

I eventually got to deeper water and the waves slacked long enough for me to pick up a gust and get the hell out of the mine field.  From there things got better.

There were some big sloped waves coming through, and when I got out in front of them (they were moving very fast), luffing the wing and carving up the face was phenomenal!!! 

I started to feel better about the conditions and then busted out tacking onto the large waves - it's hard to see in the yellow spaghetti below, but I rode four waves like this -

Towards the end of the session, the wind slacked and it actually looked like doable conditions for Foil Drive-ing.

After I made it back to Pavilions proper, I didn't drop off foil - even with the challenging conditions.  I guess my time in No Man's Land was enough to keep me motivated to not screw up.

After packing up, I drove over to WPB to see what the conditions were like for comparative purposes.  Roland was going back out after having to come in to fix his front footstrap - pulled screw.

The wind line was further out and with the low tide you had to paddle out further anyways.  It also looked like the waves were smaller.

This has been a good run of wind!!!

W:14/FD:39/PW:1/S:3

Wing Foiling Session - 3/4/2025

The winds were pretty strong today.  Tide was still pretty low.  And the tradewinds generated some decent sized swell that was breaking on the outside.

I went slightly smaller today than yesterday.  North Mode Pro 4.8 (which handles blustery gusts without a lot of drama) and the AFS Silk 850 (best carving foil ever).

I swam out a little bit further since the tide was lower - but the wind was so strong I launched before the inside break and got out without any drama.

I only had an hour - Noe had a concert tonight so I wanted to be home to watch the live telecast!

Norm was trying out an Elev8 5.0 today (he got a pretty good deal on a 5, 4 and 3) so we stayed at Pavilions.  That really wasn't a downer - the waves were breaking over the outer reef and the whole experience was awesome!!! 

I whipped into several overhead set waves!!!  On a few of them - the ones that stood up taller without breaking, I got in some really hard carving gouges!!!

I think I could have been on a 4.0

With the chop, I did eat it a few times.  No big deal - for all but one of the wipes, I got right back up on foil quickly.

Norm looked a lot more comfortable on the Elev8 wing - he wasn't wrestling it and it had plenty of power.

Tomorrow should be more of the same!!!

W:13/FD:39/PW:1/S:3

Wing Foiling Session - 12/12/2024

I winged Hickam this morning while the wind was still nuking.

I setup No.36 with Prayot's AFS Enduro 900/Silk 152 rear stabilizer - with my AFS UHM 85cm mast.  Prayot had the stabilizer in the rear position - I moved it to the forward position.

And with the strong winds, I figured I use the Ezzy Flight 4.0

What an awesome foil!!!  Tremendous glide, easy to tack, turns super good - all around great foil.

It is also worth mentioning that once you are up on foil, this combo pumps well and it has a really low stall speed.  It left quite the positive impression on me.

The other thing to note is I have only used Cedrus masts for the past few years.  This is the first OEM mast I actually wanted to try out.  First impressions are it is stiff, doesn't ventilate and if goes fast.  I'm not sure if it is faster/slower than the Cedrus masts.   I'll have to test this mast more.

I spent the first 10 minutes getting a feel for how this Enduro 900 turned.  Tacks and jibes went really well.

After that I headed outside to see how this foil surfs.  It does not drive through tight turns like the Silk 850 does - but the glide that it does have helps you when you need to get across a flat spot.

This foil also slips through white water like it wasn't even there - except right behind a just broken wave - that's the only place where I could feel the foil start to get jittery.

And after riding several waves (they were super fun) - I headed back to the inside and did some speed runs.

I think I can get more out of this foil.  My HA40 rear stabilizer should be in the mail today - 

Fun session!!!

W:149/PW:2/FD:89/F:5/S:29

Wing Foiling Session - 11/17/2024

Today was forecasted to be the strongest day of this ongoing wind event.  I figured I'd avoid the low tide challenges at White Plains and hit the other winging community I haven't seen in a bit - Kailua.

The wind did not disappoint - it was nuking!!!

I decided to follow the pattern from yesterday and pumped up the Reedin SW2 4.2 and setup the SK8 750/C161W on No.34

I also gave Kalani the Reedin SW2 5.2 and 4.7 so he can get back on the water (as I'm not using those wings anymore since I have the Norths).

This session was EPIC!!!

Well overhead waves at Jump City - super strong winds (knocking me off the board at times) - long rides  - can't really ask for more!

Looks like the winds were straight from the east.

Lots of people out - Mark, Donnel, Rex, Sonja, Erik - it was fun to ride with other people you know.

There's that squall that blew through and knocked me off the board!

The more I use the SK8 750, the more I really appreciate it.  I'm going to have to sand the C161W rear stabilizer - it is making some vortex based noise.

And then it got crowded - way crowded.  This is why I only dawn patrol here.

There will still be some wind for the next couple of days, but I am eager to get work done on the projects in the garage and to get rested for the upcoming Foil Drive-ing sessions.

W:145/PW:2/FD:80/F:5/S:20

Wing Foiling Session - 11/16/2024

I was a little tired of the low tide management techniques - so I ventured to Hickam today.

It was definitely low tide - but over here it doesn't really matter - super easy launch.

The wind didn't look excessively strong - but at points it was knock you down strong.

I wanted to use today to test the Ezzy Flight 4.0 (which gave me some trouble on Thursday) and the Reedin SW2 4.2 (which has always been a more grunty wing).  I also wanted to dial in the SK8 750/C161W on No.34

Here's the wind over both the runs I made

First up was the SW2 4.2

Easy takeoff with the SW2 - better have been - the wind was really strong.

After getting my turns down with this foil and board, I journeyed out to Firsts.

The wind was super nuking out there.  I rode one and headed back in.  But then I saw Jim heading out so I followed.  I caught several more since I was out there - the pit was working flawlessly!!!  Waves would stand up and peel to the right.  The only issue was the super nuking wind - which made the runs a little rocky.

I spent the second half of this first run trying to see how fast I could go

I went in and swapped wings.

I didn't entirely trust the Ezzy, but I did develop an understanding of it (again - it's been a while since the wind was strong enough to use this wing).  I think if I treat this wing more like a 3.5m wing, my expectations will meet the performance.

I did not venture out to Firsts on this run - I didn't want to deal with any issues out there, and the waves seemed to die back (so not worth the effort).

Of notice is the higher top speed using this wing.  I don't think the wind was stronger - it's just that this wing performs better at it's top end.

Fun session and confidence inspiring for the SK8 750.  Basically if I'm going to use this foil, I'll just have to use an appropriately sized wing - bigger than what I would use for my main stay foils (but this is not new information).

W:144/PW:2/FD:80/F:5/S:20