Garage Works - 2/12/2022

Rumor mill had everywhere but north shore at none to 1'.  Instead of trying to fight for waves at a single takeoff spot, I opted to catch up on some things that have been on my mind.  First up was changing the fins on a couple of boards (so I can get the keels on the Sunday).  I took the Eric Arakawa's (and the Solara) off the Greedy Beaver and replaced them with the Grennan quads.

And I took the fins off the Pigfish (these actually came from three different sets of fins). 

After that I checked on the OR A Series Glide - came back from the repair shop.  I went ahead and got the leash and harness line back on.

I'll do an inflation test soon.

Marlon also got restarted on shaping his performance longboard.  He did not want to use the electric planer, so he was making lots of passes with the surform.

We also had to pick Noe up from her Laser racing, so we took off a little early so he could purchase a board that caught his eye yesterday - the Firewire Seaside at 5'2" in Helium construction (with a cool paint job to boot).

Stopped off at Kailua Beach Park on the way to Noe - not a single kite, wing or sail out...

We got home and Marlon and I waxed up our boards.  La noted we have different styles and methods for waxing boards.

I prefer my method - just look at the consistency and the tight, tiny wax bumps.

There is supposed to be a swell in bound - hopefully it gets here soon - I have a bunch of things to get done and I might actually do them all if there isn't any wind or surf.

21st Anniversary Present

Yesterday I was able to sell one of the foils that I had not really bonded with - goodbye Lift 150 Surf V2 and the 25 Glide rear stabilizer...

And today I picked up what is officially my 21st Anniversary present!!!!  Introducing the 6'8" Firewire Sunday!!!  I already have plans in my head to surf this as a twin using the Futures EN keels, then the original Akila Aipa Twinzers with a tiny trailer, then dropping in the Greenough Power Blade and Power Glide with and without side bites, and the Greenough High Speed... you get the picture!!!

As much as I love foiling and winging, those disciplines have conditions that suite them best - when it is low tide I would rather surf and this board will really help keep surfing fresh and new for me.

I brought Marlon with me so he could take a look at the multitudes of really nice surfboards.  He was almost going to buy the 5'2" Firewire Seaside in Seafoam (with the black rail stripe and wood reveal - BEAUTIFUL BOARD) - but he is definitely more disciplined than I am (I would have left with the board).

There is a swell forecasted to arrive on Monday - and the tide will be low in the daylight hours so I'm looking forward to anointing the Sunday!!!

Checkout Clips Surf Shop near Ala Moana - really cool shop!!!

Evening Session - 2/10/2022

Tide was way too low this afternoon for the foil - but not for longboarding!  The waves were small, but every now and then a waist high set would come through.  It's times like this that the Viking comes out to play!

This board is so much fun!!!

For as long as it is, it still maneuvers super easy - and it just keeps going and going and... (it is called a glider for a reason).

Roland came out - totally loyal to the foil!

Wait a minute... is this guy goofy???  Why yes I am!

And a special guest appearance by Marlon!!!

W:5/F:13/S:6

Evening Session - 2/8/2022

The thermals were in effect at WPB this afternoon - but the tide was really low.  With that I opted for a longboard session.  Waves were a little bumpy - but waist to belly high.  I got lots of fun rides!

Marlon opted to fly his drone today (says a lot about the waves).  Eli was out on a 7m Blue Planet wing - it was definitely enough for that wing.

Post Script - I actually went to Hickam yesterday to wing - but the wind died and I was just floating around - I'm not taking credit for winging yesterday.

W:5/F:13/S:5

Wing Foiling Session and the Anointment of No.23

The wind was forecasted to be at doable levels today.  I've been waiting for this for over a week - and the weather was definitely up and down.  But - for a window from 1pm to 3pm, the wind came through for me and I got to properly anoint No.23.

This is a flat transome/tail, square railed wing foiling board.  I wanted to try this for two reasons - Dwight Fisher has been building these for quite some time and has raved about how these rails compliment the latest high aspect ratio front foils.  Second - the first boards I built were inspired by the description on the FCD Surfboards website of their prone foilboards - they took what were the fastest human powered boards (prone paddleboards) and used elements (square rail, flat bottoms) to make their first generation foil boards.

I happy to report this board delivered tremendous results.  I was able to get this board up off the water much faster than any other board I've used so far - a few pumps and up I go.  Water releases from the tail so fast...

I'm definitely building all my future foil boards like this.

I got to do a side by side comparison with Harris's Flying Dutchman - pretty similar lines.

The major difference was the tail and the rails.

It felt good to be able to get jibes in on the first session.  I was a little concerned when I tried starting the board in light wind - I sank to my waist.  This is definitely a board for stronger wind days, but it is good to know what the bottom end is.

The wind when it was up was perfect for the Reedin SWX 5.2

It's always cool to see how my speed mirrors the peaks on the wind chart.  It's also cool to see my top speed go over 20mph.

And I now know where to place the footstraps.  Oddly enough, from looking down while I was riding, my left foot (going strong side) is forward just a notch than my right foot (riding switch).  My left foot is beneath the third hole on the top insert, while my right foot goes behind the fourth hole.  While riding regular foot, my right foot is behind the fourth hole on the front insert.

This is some sick gear!!!

There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your family do wonderful things - but a close second is making a board and having it exceed your expectations!

Fun day to start a connection with a new board!

W:5/F:13/S:4

Dawn Patrol - 2/5/2022

Marlon and I hit the dawn patrol this morning.  It looked really good from the beach - almost bigger than yesterday's session, but there was the tiniest texture and the tide was almost double yesterday's.  And the air temperature was a chilly 62F.

I saw Marlon catch a really nice one - but after that he was off towards Middles and Fenceline.  I even saw Harris SUP Foiling over at Fenceline.

But the swell seemed to drop off really fast.  After I cheated inside, I started picking up rides.

Fun dawn patrol, but I still couldn't stop thinking about how good yesterday evening's session was.

W:4/F:13/S:4

Evening Session - 2/4/2022

I picked Marlon up at school this afternoon, headed home to pick up the boards and then hit the beach.  The surf was fantastic!!! Chest high on the sets and zero wind for super clean conditions.

I brought out the same gear as yesterday - Takuma Kujira 1095/Project Cedrus 75cm mast/one of my rear stabilizers on the 4'8" prone foil board.

I'm totally getting this foil wired!!!  This foil glides so well I hardly have to pump.  It carves incredibly, especially considering its span.  And it never feels like I'm going to lose lift going slow (but maybe because that is because I'm not going slow).

I tried to pump back out today - it is so easy!!!

I also tried to get a couple of double dips - again - so easy!!!

I took off on some steep waves today - the initial lift is super progressive and after I get set on my feet, I gently weight my back foot until I get to the level I want to and it's all good from there.

I have nothing bad to say about this foil - and may now have to find a new home for my 1210... (and maybe the 980???).

Marlon said he got an awesome last wave - lots of floating and carves.  This is totally the best way to close out a busy week!!!

W:4/F:12/S:4

Evening Session - 2/3/2022

Pulled an after work session on the Kujira 1095.  Paired it with the 75cm Project Cedrus Mast and my super thin rear stabilizer.

Last time I had this out, it felt more like the Armstrong HA1125 (which turned me off).  But listening to the feedback on the internet on how this foil can generate glide, can turn well (even better than the 1210???), and does not drop off foil like the Armstrongs.

This was my guess on where the foil would be balanced - and it was pretty good.  After the first ride, I thought it might be a bit too far back (not enough lift).  That was the "progressive" lift.  My next wave, I popped the nose up (back foot pressure) and it was up where I wanted it.  I used that trick on every wave after.

I did not get a chance to ride out the back of a wave and try for a double dip - the waves were big enough that they were closing out Fenceline.  And I was concentrating on dialing in the ride and getting the feel of this foil.  This foil totally has potential....

And this swell is supposed to stick around for a few days (throughout the weekend) - I see more testing in my immediate future.

W:4/F:11/S:4

Wing Foiling Session - 2/1/2022

The wind was forecasted to be wingable on Tuesday afternoon.  Well - as I was pulling up it was wingable, but by the time I was rigged and waterside, it was barely moving.  But I went out anyways because....

I wanted to test the repaired Narrow Wing Foiling Board.

While repairing this board, I decided to move the boxes forward since the previous iteration ended up being short up front while using smaller front foils.  I had the PNL185 mounted and it was sitting towards the very back of the tracks.  At 1305cm2, this is now one of my larger foils (along with the Kujira 1210, the GL210) so I think the box placement was pretty good.

The wind certainly light - but there were three gusts that I was able to pump up onto foil with.

Far from a "fun" session, this was strictly testing.

Considering the wind speed, the recorded speed is impressive - that I am attributing to the SWX 5.2

At least I got up on foil!!!

W:4/F:10/S:4