Evening Foil Drive Session - 4/25/2025

After missing two days because of the onshore south winds, I was going today regardless of the conditions.

The winds were there - and Roland and I went out anyways.

Nice high tide, pretty good energy levels in the water pulsing up from the southern hemisphere....

No.40 with some change outs - I used the original motor with the 15cm cable and the AFS Silk 850/142 rear stabilizer.

Once I got the characteristics of the foil down, this thing ROCKED!!!  The differences are well publicized - but you often don't get it until you experience it.

The Silk 850 is a devastating carving weapon - and it cut through big white water with zero drama.  I could feel the turbulence, but I never lost lift while moving through the aerated zone.  Not many foils out there that could do that.

The Enduro 900 also carves, but it isn't as visceral and it glides and pumps through the flats with ease. 

Today was challenging - the waves were really fat so they were hard to get on and stay out in front of.  And when I did get on them - they were jacking (and thus the opportunity to carve hard).

And Roland was finally getting up and riding using the Foil Drive.  He was getting up on both feet much faster.

He got even better (catching waves more consistently and riding) when the wind died back and we had moved over to the Cabins side.

22 rides on this choppy wave, challenging day.

I'm going to keep riding the AFS Silk 850 for a bit -

W:31/FD:60/PW:1/S:4

Evening Session - 2/28/2025

This one was too short.  It's hard to say for sure it's the lack of glide and the shape doesn't generate/carry speed since the waves were gutless - but I can say whichever factor is more influential, catching waves on this board with the Foil Drive was hard.

Definitely less of everything compared to No.29 - did I say No.26 is too small???

When I did catch a wave, I was able to ride it for some long distances.

I count 9 rides mixed in with a lot of missed waves.  Anyone want a slice of humble pie???  I've got plenty!

Tomorrow I'll try the recently made 4'8'

W:11/FD:36/PW:1/S:3

Evening Session - 2/27/2025

Norm and I hit WPB again this afternoon.  A little smaller than yesterday, and just about as windy.  The tide was a touch higher as well - but with the Foil Drive, it's all good!

These two were back at it - chillaxing in the sun!!!

So today was an eye opener - on top is No.40 - what I consider to be the pinnacle of my thoughts on what Foil Drive-ing (and winging) is - get up on to foil as quickly as possible.

Below is a blast from the past - No.29.  This is my first (on purpose) ay\symmetric foil board.  It was built two years ago and is the innegra on top - carbon on the bottom with a carbon hoop on the rails construction.  And it performed flawlessly today - challenging my preconceived notions of what foil assist surfing is and can be.

And I got the foil positioned perfectly on the first shot!  Splendid progressive lift.

This board requires me to move a bit forward from where I am accustomed to riding while prone.  But using the wave geometry to my advantage, it really didn't consume much more power to catch a wave than it does when I use the mid-lengths (34, 39 and 40).  I felt completely comfortable from wave one.  And on my last wave, I tried a "pop tart" takeoff where I sank the board, swung around and pulled the trigger to "pop" out of the water and get up to foiling speed faster.  I'm going to have to practice that some more. 

Riding waves once I picked them up was a joy - and this is where this board in particular is supposed to shine.  The asymmetry allows me to apply more leverage and have an advantage over symmetrical boards.  Turning was easier than it has been on other boards.  So basically - it seems as if the perfect board was hiding in my garage this whole time. 

Most of my rides were from all the way outside to all the way inside.  And I got a few double dips to boot!!!

15 rides in just over an hour - yet another ridiculous session!!!

Now I want to break out the other prone boards I had made before I picked up the Foil Drive Assist Plus (which is essentially the day my prone foil surfing days ended).  After today's "take a chance" move to No.29, I think there is some really good mojo sitting in the garage...

W:11/FD:35/PW:1/S:3

Evening Session - 2/26/2025

The winds were pushing onshore this afternoon - and not really at the strength to wing.

The tide was at a decent height and if you waited, some waves with decent energy would come through all the chop slop.

Same gear as the last Foil Drive-ing session - this shit is good!!!

Norm was out also.

This session was actually pretty fun.

The rides were actually pretty long - 

19 rides in an hour and 15 minutes - pretty ridiculous!!!

Lesson today - don't judge a book by it's cover -

W:11/FD:34/PW:1/S:3