Dawn Patrol - 8/6/2023

Dawn patrol had a surprise - larger than expected surf!!!  The wind had been on it a little bit throughout the night, and knowing this is probably being influenced somewhat by Hurricane Dora, the texture was not a surprise.  Tide was a medium high.  Great conditions for Foil Drive foiling!!!

The experimenting continues - this morning the subject was the Kujira 1095.  Actually, I had thought it was going to be smaller than yesterday - that's why I brought the 1095 - but I think today's testing would have been more appropriate for the 980...

Weekend dawn patrol foil crew

Pre-setup

Perfect placement - well balanced and progressive lift from this setting.

This foil takes off nicely, is really fast, has plenty of lift and pumps through flats easily.  It does not roll easy (not a surprise).  The HPS 980 carves the best out of the foils I've used for FD so far.

I caught several incredibly long waves today - picking them up way outside Middles (I think this is 5-Os) and riding them pretty much to where the prone foilers were trying to takeoff.

Tomorrow starts a run of really strong wind - this testing will have to be put on the back burner until next weekend.  I'd like to test out the Kujira 980, the Vyper 170, HPS 700 as conditions allow.  I'm really not interested in purchasing any new front foils - but depending on this testing, the Spitfire 900, the SK8 950 and Hyper 170 are on the desired testing list.

W:75/F:71/S:31

Wing Foiling Session - 4/10/2023

Hit WPB after work.  The wind was definitely blowing - when I pulled up, there were white caps all the way to the inside.

I have been wanting to do a comparison between the Eagle 1090 and the Kujira 1095, but it has been difficult with the winds all over the place.  The winds should be up through Wednesday, and the afternoon tide should be high enough to not worry about grounding.

Today I setup the Kujira 1095/178.

The rides were fun.  I was able to get up on foil quickly.  I turned as hard as I could given the conditions.  There was glide to get through the lulls.  

I did try to tack onto waves - and I've done it before, but I wasn't able to today.

I foiled 18.35 miles in 1.5 hours.  When I was down, I was checking on the bolt tightness on the foil and another time retying the knot for the harness line.

On the inside, you can see my tracks bending more East-West.  These are the runs I had surfing the inside.  I would line up and carve up and down the swell as it stood up - way too much fun.  I had to dodge a few surfers, but it was all good.

The wind was pretty consistent - that's been a rarity lately.  I really love wing with the Reedin SuperWing V2s - they luff super stable and I even use them one handed to keep just enough power on

There was a lot of chop in the water.  Enough to make it challenging to get up on the board.  I think cutting through all that was speed limiting... or maybe it is the front foil...

Tomorrow will be the Eagle 1090's turn

W:33/F:21/S:23

Wing Foiling Session - 3/7/2023

The west wind arrived today in full force!!!  I got to the beach late - Eli had already come and gone, and Kalani and Roland were already out.

In the interest of time, I grabbed the foil that was already put together - the 1095/178 from the last prone session and headed out the door.  I could see white caps - so really I should have pumped up the 4.2 - which I did not have, so 4.7 it is.

More on this in a minute, but I think the 1095 is perfect for prone foiling and winging in cleaner water - not for excessively choppy conditions.

I was well powered today (definitely could have used the 4.2), and I had a great time riding swell back in REGULAR FOOTED AND LUFFING THE WING!!!  I love west winds at WPB!!!

I only got an hour in - slower pace than normal.  I believe it was the 1095 - it was really pitch sensitive and keeping it calm in super choppy conditions was a challenge.  I did appreciate it when riding waves in and needing to glide through (or muscle through) a fading wave and on to the next one standing up.  But when going straight, I could feel every bump - I guess exercising muscles I normally don't use isn't a bad thing...

Nice strong consistent wind!!!  It would have been nicer if it had more west and less south - but it was still great!

Kalani and Roland were having difficulties with the different direction - but it was perfect for me.

Tomorrow is supposed to be stronger!!!  I'll likely use the 980 tomorrow...

W:26/F:14/S:13

Dawn Patrol - 3/5/2023

Marlon and I had high expectations for this morning's dawn patrol - the forecasts were calling for a smoothed out version of yesterday (which was chest to head high occasionally).

We got half of that forecast.  It was definitely smother, but the size pretty much dropped in half.

With the tide supposed to be high, I had the Kujira 980 front foil setup.  Learning from yesterday, I did bring a second front foil to prevent going out on the wrong equipment.  I put the Kujira 1095 on the fuselage, adjusted the mast and headed out.

I caught a couple of handfuls of waves.  This setup delivered!!!  Triples, big carving turns, speed runs - it does it all!

Mondays are pretty busy for the family - so the next outing will likely be winging the developing west winds on Tuesday.

W:25/F:14/S:13

Evening Session - 2/3/2023

I wanted to finish off the work week with a good foiling session.  The wind was slowly starting to turn back to trades.  The tide was low..... and the swell was starting to languish.

I setup the 4'8" prone foil board (my foiling "longboard") with the 68cm Project Cedrus mast/Kujira 1095/178.  I haven't had this front foil out for quit some time.

I caught plenty of waves - and was able to pump back out on most, but I was pretty tired from work this week and it showed in my foiling - I didn't get many double dips.

I was keeping tabs on the mast height above the water surface and the depth of water to make sure I did not breach.  In the past, this short mast and this front foil have not been user friendly (lots of breaching).  Without thinking about it too much, I didn't have any breaching events.

Such a fun foil!!! 

W:6/F:7/S:11

Dawn Patrol - 12/26/2022

Marlon and I dawn patrolled on Monday.  I was hoping for some residual surf similar in size to Christmas Day (evening), but even if it was there the super high tide drowned it out.  It was still ridable, and in fact it was pretty fun - but it wasn't the same as the evening before.

Marlon brought his longboard, but opted to pilot his drone.  Funny story - his girlfriend's family saw him sitting on the other side of the fence and went over to chat with him.  I was wondering why the drone wasn't out for a while.

I brought out the Kujira 1095 mounted on the direct bolt Stringy fuselage, one of my thinned out rear stabilizers and had it on the 75cm Project Cedrus mast.  I had a blast catching several waves.  It was funny that the 178 rear stabilizer can pump, but with my rear stabilizer I have to work it.  I did get several doubles - but it got crowded.  I called it when newbie longboarders were moving into the foiling spot and were complaining about wavestormers pushing them out...

W:127/F:100/S:44

Wing Foiling Session - 10/30/2022

The winds came up - but it was either way up (small wing like a 4.2) or way down (like my 6.1 wouldn't get me up).  I had actually pumped up the RS 5.1, but after watching Ryan schlog on his 5.8 I decided to go big.

I launched and was up pretty quick - and after doing a couple of warm up runs, I headed back and was going to switch over to the SWX 5.2 - but knowing that would take time away from riding, I just stuck with the 6.1

I headed out to Firsts and caught some really good, clean, long left rides.  Top to bottom carves (both regular and goofy footed) on head high set waves - doesn't get much better than this.

Then you could feel the wind starting to drop.  I made my way in but touched down at the first channel marker (the dead wind zone).  I spent a while waiting for a gust to get back up - and finally got one.  I headed out towards Firsts again to get some speed up to punch through the channel area.  It took some time to get back to the launch area (but I did without swimming).  I had to adjust to the wind direction shifting north.

High highs and low lows.

Got the 1095 up past 20mph!!!

There will be some wind tomorrow - but the day to tune in to is Tuesday -

W:103/F:93/S:34

Wing Foiling Session - 10/29/2022

My phone started making a lot of noise around 11 - the Hickam crew were buzzing that there was some good wind filling in.  I got there at 12:30 and the wind was strong.

I brought No.25, the 85cm PC mast, the 1095/178 on the Stringy direct bolt fuselage.  With the wind, I pumped up the Reedin SWX 5.2 - this was a change from the normal equipment (but the wind seemed steadier and stronger than normal).

Lots of people winging today - Jesse had come and gone, Ryan, Bill, Ken, Jim, Harris and others.

By the time I got out (ended up talking with Ryan about where power comes from in wings, stabilizer size with Harris, and board attributes with Bill), the wind was in a lull so I had to schlog out for a bit before I got up on foil.

I usually warm up on the inside, but I just made my way out to Firsts.

The surf was fun sized, and with the steady wind, the 1095 was in its prime!  I got several waves getting to carve up and down open face - and I even got a full speed tack onto a wave (rare here at Hickam because of the wind direction.

The SWX 5.2 was a good wing to have up today - until towards the end of the session.  The wind fell off for an extended period of time, and I got stuck for a bit until I picked up a gust and got to head in.

The wing tip hit 3x today when I was on a starboard tack - I lost the wing since it twisted out of my hands (and I'd have to reset and takeoff again).  I don't recall having that happen that many times in one session before.  It may be that I haven't used this wing in a while.

I really enjoy using the 1095 - it has great lift and it carves exceptionally well.  As with all the Kujiras, it cuts through white water and turbulence and maintains lift (where other foils would drop).  The wind was just shy of being able to jump, so I didn't bother.  My left elbow and my right wrist aren't 100% either - so the rear foot strap was pretty much just in the way.  I eventually worked it out that my right foot while sailing out would just sit in front of the foot strap - when riding regular foot stance on a wave (I nabbed three waves where I was able to pull it off today), I'd have my foot in the strap and pushed towards the back.

I actually prefer to have the ability to move my back foot around as needed.  It is also one less thing to worry about while tacking/jibing.  After I got back to the parking lot, I just took it off.  FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, THE FOOT STRAP WAS ON THE FIRST HOLE (COULD POSSIBLE GO ON THE SECOND HOLE TO BE MORE NEUTRAL).

I've been riding shorter boards than I normally would lately - lots of reworking muscle memory and foot placement, but in the end, this extra work should give me more options.  I have now been contemplating converting No.26 into a high wind sinker wing foiling board...

Really fun session!!!

W:102/F:93/S:34

Dawn Patrol - 10/16/2022

Dawn patrol this morning with Marlon.  He brought his longboard - after he paddled out I did not see him (because he headed over to Coves).  He said he was also in testing mode, seeing what the different center fin positions did for his riding.

I was continuing with comparison weekend.  The waves came down a lot.  Was lucky if waist high.  The wind was still down and the tide was rising.  I started with where I left off yesterday - the 4'8"/Kujira 1095/218/75cm PC mast.  

I caught several waves at the crack of dawn in the middle of the pack before the waves really started dropping.  Got in a bunch of fun turns and pumped right back out.  Then the crowd started filling in so I moved over to the Cabins.  I caught a couple of triples, then decided to change out the foil setup to get more back-to-back data.

I switched to the ART999/400P/Crazy Short fuselage on the 68cm PC mast.

Out of the three setups I used proning this weekend, this one is the best (with my cadence and usage) at getting repeat rides and pumping back out.  It turns really well and never has any issue at takeoff (progressive lift).

The F One Eagle has incredible glide - at times I wasn't even pumping to trim - just along for the ride while the foil did all the work extracting the energy from the wave.  It turned well, but not as well as the other two.  What I couldn't do with this is pump back out for repeats.  I think it may have to do with the mast and the trimmed rear stabilizer.

The Kujira was the foil I had to manage the most on takeoff - I always stuck the takeoff and bottom turn - but for whatever reason, I always feel like I'm all the way up on the mast and that takes some getting used to.  I can carve this as hard as I want to and it does have times where the glide is effortless (but I have to trim it to get there - the Eagle did it automatically without input from me).  And I could easily pump out and triples are common place for me with this setup.

The ART - well - I can get in a 4x repeat if the waves are lined up.  I can pump as much as I need to, and carve up any wave - it really is the best all arounder.  But it needs more input while riding than the other two - in fact I find myself pumping while riding a wave to keep pace and get to where I want to be.  

They are all good foils - but the scary thing is the Eagle has the potential to be a game changer (if I can get it to pump back out).

The rides this morning would take me across the breaks - starting at Towers, migrating to in front of the first Cabin, then going all the way over to the Admiral's Cottage, then back.  Mark had been on the outside with the rest of the foilers - but then we noticed he was hanging on the way inside.  We thought he was tired of waiting for ridable waves on the outside - turns out his mast broke at the base.

He was lucky to quickly find the lower set (sunk fast).

  

I thought the waves would have been bigger - but the session was good fun despite the small waves.

W:96/F:88/S:32

Dawn Patrol - 10/15/2022

Dawn patrol this morning - testing day.

Waves were chest high on the sets.  The tide was full - good for not touching bottom, but it did seem to drown out the breaking surf a little bit.  The wind was blowing from the north so it cleaned up the surf.  

I started with the F One Eagle 1090.

Same settings as yesterday.

I could catch waves and ride them almost effortlessly - but pumping out still was hard.  I'm thinking the chopped tail was hampering (based on my technique).  Jeff chopped this for performance primarily on the wing and I can see how this nip/tuck can speed things up.  But for prone and pumping back out, I think that added surface area would help out a lot.  I could still feel the mast flexing.  I just looked at the specs online - this mast is only 14 mm thick - that is probably a contributor to the speed this foil has (but it will cause more flex than I'm used to - pretty much nothing with the 19 mm Project Cedrus masts).

After catching several, I went in and switched out the foil from the F One over to the Takuma Kujira 1095 (75cm PC mast, Stringy direct bolt on fuselage and 178 rear).  After the typical "switching foil" three wave reset, I was catching triples.  The Kujira on the PC mast rides really high - and even though the F One mast and the PC mast I was using were essentially the same height, I felt like I was way higher using this foil compared to the F One.  Not that makes a difference - it just makes for a more thrilling ride.  The other difference I noticed was the Kujira did not go as fast.  I could get pretty much the same glide, but at a slower pace.

Both foils are incredibly similar - with the Eagle getting the nod in speed and easy glide, and the Kujira being more maneuverable and way easier to pump.

I think I'd have to use the Eagle with the full length DW210 stabilizer and the PC mast to get a proper comparison (but I'm thinking once I got that setup, that the Eagle will just get better all around).

I think tomorrow I'll test the ART999 against these two setups from today.

W:96/F:87/S:32

1095/178 Foil Resurfacing

I sanded the excess epoxy off the 1095 and 178

Despite what it looks like - it is smooth so it should cut through the water.  

I also sanded off the excess epoxy from the 178.

Wing Foiling Session - 7/16/2022

Did a dawn patrol over at Kailua Beach Park yesterday morning.  There was good wind so I pumped up the Reedin SWX 5.2 and bolted on the 1095/178/60cm fuse.

Kalani, Billy and Phil were all out - as were a ton of others I did not know (maybe 15 wingers).

I had a ton of really fun rides.  I'd head out on a starboard tack riding goofy, then when I got to the top of Jump City, I'd switch back to regular and jibe onto the cresting wave.  I actually stopped and just realized the wing and the foil have allowed me to get to this point - I wasn't able to get here with a windsurfer or kiting gear.  After catching a wave, I'd barrel down at high speed and bottom turn, then do turns up and down the wave as it rolled on through.  If there was a hair more wind, I would have been able to luff the wing, but I just kept it in my hands (or one handed it when the conditions allowed) so I could ride more efficiently.

After about an hour and a half, the wind started to back off (Kailua is usually an early morning, late afternoon wind spot) and I called it (so Marlon wouldn't have to wait around - he came with his longboard in case Flat Island was working - but there was too much wind so he flew his A2S).

Dropping down the faces, I felt like I had broken the 20mph barrier - but the Garmin speed log said other wise

This was another one of those really great sessions!  Here's Billy using his 6.0 SWX.  On the way out he would use the leash to get the wing higher up in the wind window.

Kalani riding goofy foot (he doesn't switch)

Awesome morning!

W:67/F:61/S:17