Dawn Patrol - 6/19/2021

Dawn patrol again.  I brought the same setup as yesterday (and got nearly the same result).  I even had the GL140 in the truck... I've got no one else to blame.  So for sure the NL160 is not the foil to use when it gets overhead.

Marlon brought the midlength - I didn't see him out, but he said he got some good ones.

I'm torn between bringing out a surfboard tomorrow, or the new 4'8" foil board with the smaller Armstrong front foils...  

All I know is I have to buck this trend.

Dawn Patrol - 6/18/2021

Marlon and I hit the dawn patrol yesterday.  Our dragon fruit cactus was in bloom.  The surf was big, but it was really choppy.

Marlon brought the Sub Moon.

I brought the wide 4'10" with the NL160.

It didn't matter - I got taken to the cleaners.  The foil hit me on my right calf, my head and my right foot.  It was pretty frustrating.

Evening Session - 6/4/2021

First off - Hauoli la Hanau to my sister Veronica.

Next, Marlon and I hit WPB after I got home from work.  It was windy - wing foiling windy - but I didn't bring my gear.  Instead, I brought the wide 4'10" outfitted with the NL160.  Marlon brought his trusty longboard.  Besides the wind, the conditions had a high tide and a decent swell running - chest high on the sets!

Kalani had come in by the time I showed up - he had brought out his new Axis 910/chopped 370 foil.  Roland and Prayot were out.  I caught a bunch of waves and got to ride them for a long time.  All was not perfect though - there was significant chop on the water and it caused me to pop the tail more than a few times.  I pumped back out on a few of the waves - I love this front foil more than any other foil that I have tried to date.  It is fast, it holds in drops and it pumps out with the best of them.  This is Prayot's Lift HA170.  It is actually kinda funny how all of us have drifted away from Armstrong for prone foiling - Kalani has broken masts and fuselages, Prayot is more dialed in on his Lifts, and I have gone back to GoFoil.  But we still gravitate to Armstrong for winging.

The wind is finally filling back in - winging sessions abound!!!

Things to note - booby bird was flying around the break today.

Dawn Patrol - 5/31/2021

Pulled a dawn patrol at Firsts this morning.  Marlon brought he longboard, I brought the wide 4'10", and the short Go Foil with the NL160.

Seconds had more waves breaking, but there was also a SUP crowd on it.  Marlon was picking off some good ones, but it didn't seem like the rides were long. 

 

I stayed at First the whole time.  The bigger waves were coming in, but the wait was pretty long - maybe 15 to 20 minutes.  I caught some awesome waves - with a running left wall with rides touching 500'.  My longest was almost 800'

The speed off the Garmin is pretty suspect (64 mph...) - though the 22 mph on the long runs are probably correct.  I was able to pump back out on a couple - and got a 2 for 1 - its been a while (not sure why...???).  Prayot was out on his Lift HA170 and Marvin was using his HA120.  On Marvin's last wave he was able to take off on the inside of Seconds, pump across the channel and pick up another wave at Firsts!  

Evening Session - 5/30/2021

Marlon and I waited for the higher tide to go to the beach.  We got there around 4pm - and there was a howling south wind (straight onshore) - thermals likely from the stagnant winds today.  There were some sets of size today, but you had to wait patiently for them.  I brought out the NL160 again - fourth session with this front foil and it has yet to disappoint.

I got really lucky with the initial placement of this mast/foil - spot on!

I caught several really long waves - and kept going left (crowds to the right and the swell was coming from the south - left was what was open).

I got a couple of waves where I pumped back out - this front wing is really versatile.  I got past 22 mph today, so it is fast.  I can pull banking turns redirecting on breaking sections easily - maneuverable.  I hate to admit it, but this is quickly becoming my favorite front foil.  

One last note, I did put a coat of carnauba wax on the fuselage, the front foil and the rear stabilizer - now it cuts like a hot knife through butter! 

Evening Session - 5/25/2021

The swell that started hitting yesterday was in full swing - Marlon and I went after I got home from work.  I didn't even see Marlon out the entire time.  I paddled out to Two Cots - catch two on the inside to get used to the extra height on the takeoffs, then paddled to the outside to catch some of the bigger waves.

On the big ones, the first few were more tests on the claim that the NL foils can punch through the whitewater.  I found that for the most part, the claim was true - and I would make it out of the wash and onto clean face more times than not.  A few broken waves had too much whitewater and I ate it - but those were the exceptions. Towards the end of the session, I started paddling for green, unbroken waves.  Honestly, I believe this is where the Go Foils really shine.  I think on the overhead faces, I would have had less drag (I could feel it on the really long runs on the lined up walls) if I used the GL140.  According to my watch, I hit 21.3 mph.   

This distance chart is where I disagree with the watch.  I know I caught one wave way outside and rode it all the way in - that should have been close to 1000' - I got a 900' ride the other day and this felt much longer.

Marlon had the Go Pro - and he had some good rides from the look of it.

Super fun session!  My verdict on the NL160... its a keeper and super fun.  I now need to thin out one of the G10 rear stabilizers I made - I want to make this foil go even faster (but I think it is the overall surface area and profile limiting the speed - but 21.3 mph is pretty darn good; if this swell sticks around, I'll bolt on the GL140 to compare the top speed).

Evening Session - 5/24/2021

A new south swell is hitting now - I kept the same setup as yesterday to get more time on the NL160.  I had some really long rides today - according to the Garmin, I got a 906' long ride.  I got three others that were at least 500'+ and several more between 350' and 500'.

I was able to paddle in to some white water bombs, stand up and ride through the turbulence, get setup on the face of the wave and ride the heck out of the waves.  I really like this front foil - so easy to ride!

Everyone was out today - Prayot, Kalani, Jeffrey, Scott, Roland and at least five other foilers - Eli launched with his Ensis 6.0 - from what I was seeing, there wasn't enough wind to get him going. This swell is supposed to stick around for a few days - looks like I won't be getting much else done... 

And in the name of science, I'll likely ride the Go Foil gear through this swell.

Dawn Patrol - 5/23/2021

Marlon and I hit WPB again on the dawn patrol.  The waves were pretty much the same as yesterday.  There was very little wind so it was really clean.  Unfortunately the tide was really low - more on this last bit towards the end of the post.

Marlon brought his longboard - and from what I saw he was catching a bunch.

Seeing Kalani and Tim foil yesterday made me want to bring a foil out today.  And I also wanted to try out my new to me NL160 - so I setup the Go Foil 24.5"+3" on the wide 4'10".  It was pretty shallow - but if you paddled out far enough, there was a small band where the waves still broke and you did not have to paddle into a grounding.  I caught three waves (had to come in earlier to bring Noe out to a sailing event) - each one was progressively better.  This front foil needs a bit more forward speed before it takes off - but when it does take off, it is solid, nimble and pumps well.  My first two rides were on the shorter side - take off, pump the foil up to speed, then ride high with plenty of pressure until the wave closed out.  Definitely more technical to lift compared to the GLs.

My third wave was a little different.  Caught the wave, started figuring out the lift pattern of the foil - pushed it to get to speed, up and running - then decided to go as far as I could.  I got over 500' (according to the Garmin) then found myself in less than a foot of water.  I pumped some more to a slightly deeper spot and kicked out.  The board went high, I went low.  I flattened out to avoid hitting the bottom at speed - then all of a sudden I felt the wing tip dragging along my left shoulder.

Ever since these NL foils came out, there has been a lot of debate on the internet about what these tips could do to you.  No debate from me - these tips need even more respect than normal!!!

I think I'm going to use this foil for this upcoming swell so I can get to know it better.

Dawn Patrol - 5/15/2021

Marlon and I pulled a dawn patrol - this is the biggest south swell so far this year.  We went early to beat the crowds and get ahead of the wind.  Marlon brought his longboard and after he started paddling out I didn't even see him.  I changed it up today - wide 4'10" with the CF1200 and chopped 300 tail.

The swell was overhead to head and a half high.  While we were out there was some wind, but it wasn't wing-able and it did put a little chop on the water.

I had some awesome rides today - paddle, make the drop, set the line, go fast, bank hard off a section to go back the other way, go fast and repeat.  I got a 600'+ ride and hit 18.2mph on the CF1200 - what a great foil!!!

I had contemplated bringing out the Go Foil GL140 - but zero regrets on the board/foil choice today!

Evening Session - 5/11/2021

Instead of wing foiling yesterday, I came home and picked up Marlon - he had just finished his last final exam for the semester (and technically speaking his last exam in high school) and I figured it would be a good way to celebrate.

I brought out the wide 4'10" with the HS1420CS/chopped 300 and Marlon brought his longboard.  The tide was high, the Mother's Day swell was still pushing some waves in and the wind was in the range of "too light for winging, but strong enough to make going right a little challenging".

I saw Marlon picking up a few shoulder high waves and riding them for some distance.  I got some good rides and the HS1420CS made the rides super fun - sticking to walls, cranking hard turns off white water sections, and stepping on the gas to cover distance.

Ended up talking foils with Eli and Gary afterwards - I love White Plains Beach!

Dawn Patrol - 5/9/2021

And knowing La wanted to sleep in late for Mother's Day - and that we always get blessed with a south swell on Mother's Day, Marlon and I did an early dawn patrol on this Mother's Day.  He brought his longboard and the GoPro - I brought the wide 4'10" with the HS1420CS/chopped 300 stab/A+ 60 cm fuselage.

The swell was up - the waves were definitely bigger than yesterday.  Marlon and I both paddled to the outside.  I saw him catch a few really good ones before I caught my first.

I got on some fantastic rides - super long, super fast with a few hard cranking 180 switchback turns thrown in.  Overhead on the takeoffs - head high walls all the way to the middle break.  I should have actually bolted on the CF1200 - it was that good.

I caught one over 700' and decided to get back in so we wouldn't be late (getting home before La woke up).  As we were leaving the crowd seemed to go into overdrive and the swell was backing down just a hair - the early bird gets the worm!!!

Dawn Patrol - 5/8/2021

Marlon and I hitched a ride on Prayot's boat out to Firsts.  It was a lower tide so Firsts was breaking - albeit a little less frequently than Seconds.  I rigged up the Wide 4'10" with the HA1125/232/A+ 60 fuse/72 cm mast.  Perfect setup for the conditions!

Every now and then the winds would pick up to winging strength - in fact Brian and one of his friends  did wing towards the end of our session.  I felt good about skipping winging because there were long lulls between the good wind.  Marlon started at Seconds, but after a while most everyone migrated to First.  Marlon picked up some really good waves.

I had some long runs - 623' was my longest, and according to the Garmin I hit 30.4 mph (not likely, but there were multiple over 20 mph runs).  I am starting to get the feel for this front foil.

I also met another retired Chief (DDC) - Marvin.  He was the guy that got Prayot sold on the Lift HA120.  Both Marvin and Prayot were on the HA170.

Here is the speed graph.  Not sure I believe the 30mph reading, but I do believe the other over 20mph readings.

The swell was building, but it wasn't quite filled in yet.  Mother's Day always has a swell!

Evening Session - 5/4/2021

Marlon and I hit WPB this evening.  There were big rain clouds above Makakilo so the winds shut down.  There was a small swell hitting - waist high with the occasional bigger sets.  The only bad thing was the tide - pretty low at 0.5'.  I normally would not take the Armstrong foils out on this low a tide, but I wanted to test out the HA1125.

I figured from the previous time I had prone foiled the HA1125, I should just move it as far forward as it would go.  Last time I had it set back from the CF1200 mark and it was porpoising.  Not so today - it was gliding so effortlessly.  It also did not buck me off once.  It did feel a little stiff in the turns - not surprising considering the huge wingspan, but I think it is just a matter of getting used to it.

I caught five waves in a little over an hour and they were all really long waves.  I was able to pump back out on one - could have turned in for a double dip, but I played it a little conservative today.  Even trying to pull back a little, I did catch one of the tips on my side - left a little warning scratch (not a cut).

Next time I prone this, I'll bolt on the 232 rear stabilizer and see if I can loosen up the ride.  Great second prone session on this front foil!!!

Evening Session - 4/30/2021

Hit WPB after work yesterday.  Used the HS1420CS with the chopped 300 rear stabilizer on the wide 4'10" - same setup as the day before.

No work up today - straight to ripping.  I had a bunch of really fun rides - gliding on the walls and cranking turns when I hit sections.  Longest wave was 574'.  Tide was really high so no worries about grounding.  However the crowd was bad - way too many newbies - had to weave between the BOBs.

Kalani was out on his new HS1550v2 - he said he hated it.  I told him to try it winging before he gets rid of it - we'll see what happens.

Evening Session - 4/29/2021

After I finished sanding the rear stabilizer and Marlon finished his homework/studies, we headed to the beach.  There is a swell hitting - so Marlon brought out his Submoon - and I brought the HS1420CS/chopped 300 on the Wide Prone Foil Board.

Marlon was on the outside and was busy catching bombs.  I started out at Fenceline because it didn't look crowded and there were breaking waves (on top of the really high tide of 2.2'+).  I caught a few, but the tail felt draggy (I did use acetone to remove the wax and checked for any issues).  I decided to move over to Two Cots.  I caught some of the bigger gems that came through tonight.  Riding the foil high and parking in the pocket.  By the time I got my footing back, I then banked hard off the closing sections - SO MUCH FUN!!!

This is the perfect setup for 90% of the surfing sessions (if it gets bigger, I'll step down to the CF1200).

Great way to end the day!

Mid Day Session - 4/22/2021

I did get out today for a couple of hours.  It was a little windy (but it would have been marginal winging), but the tide was favorable for taking out the Armstrong foil and there was surf coming in around waist high.

And here is the setup.  I originally set the mast up way forward - pretty much where I have the CF1200/300 set up.  I got 5 waves with that configuration, after which I went ahead and pulled the mast back a couple of notched.  I caught 3 on that setting, then decided to pull it back some more.  This was pretty much where the HS1250/232 would normally be set up.  Finally, I took it back a little further and there it stays for now.

I caught three notable waves today.  First was the pump back out ride - after riding a wave towards the beach, I pulled off the wave and started pumping out.  Once up and going, this front foil definitely moves with little user in put.  The last adjustment made the foil behave better - but this foil did not have the normal "carry" that I've become accustomed to - so much so that on two separate waves, I was riding and suddenly dropped off foil.  This front foil definitely can move, but you need to keep your speed up.  More to follow on this - 

Dawn Patrol - 4/15/2021

Marlon and I hit the dawn patrol this morning.  Forecast called for the swell from the past couple of days to start dropping off (and it did pretty quickly).  Marlon brought his longboard - the right call for the majority of the waves present today.  I brought the same setup as yesterday.  I was able to pick up some fun rides, but I didn't go too far in as the tide was pretty low at 0.6'.  After yesterday where there was copious power in the waves, I noticed today that the tail felt a bit draggy.  For sure this would have been a good day to have bolted on the 232 rear stabilizer.

Yesterday was way better - but waves are waves and you need to get them when you can!

Dawn Patrol - 4/14/2021

Dawn patrolled this morning with the HS1250/chopped 300/wide 4'10".  The tide was on the low side, but with very little wind and a nearly head high swell - the session was superb!

I didn't have a whole lot of time but I got in four long rides with several large swooping turns down the peaking face.  This is what it's all about!!!

Dawn Patrol - 4/11/2021

Dawn patrol this morning - back on the boat!  The swell was supposed to be bigger, but it wasn't.  The wind was supposed to be dead, but it wasn't (until later).  I changed out the fuselages on my 72cm mast so I could use the HS1250 (again thinking it was going to be bigger today).  Prayot had the Lift 170HA and the Armstrong HS1250 on the 85cm mast. 

Prayot has been trying to pick up a wave at Firsts, ride it out to maximize speed, then pump across the channel to Seconds to link up on another wave.  He's gotten close (yesterday) - and still keeps on trying.

I spent half the session at Seconds - hanging on the inside to pick up the reforms that the plethora of SUPers weren't riding.  Then I paddled over to Firsts.  Firsts really is the perfect foiling wave - but it is a fickle spot.

Marlon rode at Seconds - he caught several of these and a few even bigger ones.  He was exercising the Submoon to good effect.

Another 3 hour session - so much fun!!!