Wing Foiling Session - 12/25/2024

Yesterday the forecasts were calling for a spike of wind (in the wingable range) - so I passed on the dawn patrol (plus it was Christmas and I wanted to spend it with the family in the morning).

When I got to the beach, it was blowing - but onshore (so the whitecaps were a little deceiving).

I setup the North Nova Pro 5.0 (which seemed like it would be a little too much wing - but it was actually perfect), No.34 with the F One Eagle 890/DW190 on the Evolution Cedrus Wind Mast.

I had to paddle way out to get to water deep enough to flip the board over.  And even then I found myself in some shallow spots (and the Eagle touched down a few times - ugh).

The wind on the outside was strong - fueled by the heated land.  And it bent more eastward than SE.

The swell was small but it did offer push on the foil.  The whole session actually felt like a continuous downwinder.

I totally got the thermal at it's peak.

I was up on foil for a majority of the session - except for the gap towards the end.  You can see the drop in the wind towards the end of my session up above.  The earlier drops were me tripping on the foil while trying harder turns.

I only did a couple of tacks - with the wind direction I thought they would have been slower to execute (and would have me in the water more).

Eddy came along after I was in.  I told him it was dropping and might not be worth it since this was a thermal event.

Nice to get in a wing session when the forecast has us in a light wind period.

W:153/PW:2/FD:99/F:5/S:29

Evening Session - 10/23/2024

The crew was buzzing the text group that there was strong wind blowing at the Plains -

I was napping hard.  But as I stirred, I figured the thermals would die off pretty quickly - so I put the Foil Drive equipment in the truck (I did not want a repeat of Monday).

Well - when I got to the beach Prayot, Zach and Duke were well powered on 5m+ wings.  The thermal was hard side onshore (almost onshore).

Marvin came with FD gear.

Same lower assembly for me - just swapped 34 for 33 (figuring there would be some chop from the thermals).

This session had a carving emphasis - I predominantly went right and kicked out before I got into the shallows - but along the way I would crank some hard turns.

The wind never really stopped this afternoon - despite the thick cloud layer above Makakilo.  Oh well - the lose some and other times you pay more dues.  It's good to remember that I get to live here and do this as much as I do - if I miss a session every now and then, it's still more winning than losing!

I'll call this 15 rides in an hour - super fun!!!

The wind is forecasted to come back strong starting Saturday evening - I'm going to keep an eye on the weather for tomorrow.  But I also have to fix a board for Greg, cut the lawn and trim the hedges....

W:130/PW:2/FD:76/F:5/S:19

Wing Foiling Session - 3/3/2022

While I was driving home, Harris texted me and said there was wind.  I had noticed the thermals kicking in from the west, but I didn't check on it until Harris said Hickam was not that good, but White Plains did.  I checked the wind chart and was totally surprised - thermals blowing from the WNW (offshore at WPB).

I got home and asked Marlon if he wanted to go to the beach.  He asked what I was doing and I had already begun to pack the winging gear.  He said he was pass on surfing (based on an earlier drone recon mission) and just take pictures.

Here are two he grabbed of me.

I forgot my watch, so I won't be posting speed charts and track overlays.  But this was pretty spot on magnitude wise.

This direction of wind is rare on the south shore.  I was riding waves that were forming in the strong west winds.  The wind was full of holes and I had my fair share of lulls.  I did manage to get some really good rides in - wide wing foiling board, Ocean Rodeo A 5.0, GoFoil's GL180 - great equipment!

Hopefully another thermal develops tomorrow!

W:11/F:22/S:9