Wing Foiling Session - 7/22/2022

Hit Hickam this afternoon - wanted to try out some downwind techniques in preparation for the race on Sunday.  I used the Takuma RS 5.1, the 1210 and the 178 rear stabilizer.

The new board just keeps getting better and better with each use.  Today I was able to get some dry tacks in (heel to toe), and even one toe to heel tack.  I'm going to hold off on putting the footstraps on for a bit - I think being able to move freely over this smaller deck is better for now.

After a few runs on the inside, I headed out to Firsts.  The waves had come down considerably - but I had a couple of fun ones (but not enough to push the thrill meter).

I headed in from Firsts and that's when I started working on my transitions.  These are definitely more sensitive on this board - its narrower than the other two (bigger) boards so I need to use smaller movements and rely more on pressure.  You can see the tacks on the bottom left side of the inside runs - the "V"s in stead of the loops.

The RS 5.1 worked really well in the wind today.  I had contemplated setting up the 6.1 - I'm glad I didn't.  The graph shows stronger winds that what I recall winging through.

Towards the end of the session, the wind stiffened up and I tried doing a downwinder through the harbor.  Wings do not function well going dead downwind - especially the ones that were designed to rip upwind (like the OR Glide and the Reedin SWX).  The Takuma RS does not pinch hard up that well (it can be coaxed into it, but it is not automatic - and if you go too far, it revolts), and because of that, it does go on a broad reach better than the high forward drive wings.  This is what I was working on today.

I think I'll be riding regular foot the whole way, and I'll switch tacks as I need to in order to stay with the wind line.  I'm not sure what will happen after Diamondhead - but I'll deal with that when I confront it (pump like heck???)

I ended the session with some speed runs - I got the 1210 up to 22.6mph - not too shabby.

W:72/F:61/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 7/21/2022

The wind had been ripping since about 11am today.  I had my stuff with me, but I didn't have a higher wind wing.  I ended up heading home to pick up the Reedin SWX 5.2

I also bolted on the Kujira 1210 and used a shim plate under the mast base.  Everything gear wise was perfect for the conditions today.  No.25 is certainly a magic board - gets up off the water incredibly fast.  It is narrower than I usually use and I'm still getting used to that, but I didn't have much trouble at all in the swell and chop getting up.

I didn't tack onto a wave today, nor did I put the footstraps on just yet - I really wanted to focus on getting a feel for this board in the challenging conditions always present at WPB.

I took a ton of pictures, but these were the only ones where a drop of water didn't mess up the image.  Here I'm mid-jibe getting ready to drop in on a wave.

And this is how I usually luff the wing while using the Reedins - I use my downwind hand and hold it in neutral.  I can even power up from this position if I need to

I got in almost 16 miles in about an hour and a half.  You can see all the surfing I was doing along the unbroken swell - I totally love foiling these waves... no one but me extracting this energy!!!

Perfect conditions for the 5.2!!!  And I came in just before the drop off.

I thought I broke 20mph... rounding up doesn't count here.

I'm so stoked about No.25!!!  I think the next time I'll have the footstraps on.

W:71/F:61/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 7/20/2022

Work was busy today - and I had the privilege of getting to pick La up from her work (and I got to talk to Mark about wing foil racing in San Francisco) - so we got to Hickam a hair later than I normally do.

I went to drop off the Narrow Wing Foiling Board with Jim.  He's going to try it out and see if he likes it (I need to thin the herd).

The wind looked light, but I decided to try something different.  I pumped up the RS 5.1, and then bolted on the Axis ART 1099/400P.

Using the foil position card I made from all my empirical data, I plopped the foil in place and headed out.  The ride was consistent with what I felt on the 999 and 899, but with more front foot pressure needed to calm the additional lift.

The nose of the board is to the right of this picture - and the 2 hash marks are where the Kujira 1210 was lined up.  The position where the mast is in the picture is where I had it set for the 1099 during today's session.

The wind was pretty light.  With the 1099 though, I was able to get airborne pretty quick even with the RS 5.1 (really should have had the 6.1 out, but I wanted to see what the lower limit was on the 5.1).

The wind seemed lighter than what the graph is showing.

I think I may have hit the top end on the 1099 (at least in combination with the 400P rear stabilizer).

W:70/F:61/S:17

The Anointment of No.25

Today (during my lunch) I was able to spray the clear coat on the top deck and get the deck pads on - No.25 is finished!!!

I sprinted to the beach after work and as usual - the wind that had been cranking since the mid-morning died.  I went ahead and pumped up the RS 5.1 and bolted on the Kujira 1210.  The mast positioning was a guess (but that was ok because I had the wingscrews on).

As I launched, the wind was filling back in (there was a large cloud that passed over - the wind stopped while it was overhead), but it still was light.  With the flat tail/square rails, I was able to get off the water with a few well-timed pumps of the foil and the wing.

I'm guessing this board is 75 to 80 liters.  When I was waiting for a gust, it would sit just under the surface.

I was riding the inside to get my footing defined, and to see what the board could do.  No surprises - it could do everything the WWFB could.  It did feel more stable than this board's smaller sibling (No.24) - which is what this board was shaped to be - 4'11"x23.5"x4" is probably the smallest wing board I can use without fretting.

When the wind popped up, Harris made a run for Firsts.  I joined him after a few minutes where I could see the wind was sustained.  I picked up four really good waves - the best being the largest one (overhead) from the outside.

You can see on the graph below the big gap between the gusts and the background wind.  This is where the RS excels - and I could have probably done better with the 6.1 (but the 5.1 held its own well).

This was a perfect day for testing out a new board - and having said board perform just as I had planned!  I am looking forward to foiling and learning to jump with this board!!!

Here's more pictures 

Lots more to come from this board!

W:69/F:61/S:17

Wing Foiling Session - 7/18/2022

The wind was supposed to be nuking this afternoon - it wasn't.  The surf was still extra large, but the tide was high - 1 out of 3 is not so good.  And the wind ended up switching direction and was up and down - at times I needed the 6.1, others I could have used the 3.6.  I ended up with the Takuma RS 5.1.

I also opted for the biggest foil I brought with me - the Kujira 1210.

Jim had his Duotone Unit D-Lab 5.0 out - it looked a lot like the Ocean Rodeo A-series Glide.

I made one run out to check the surf - nothing but white water and the wind even died on me.  I did not want any of it, so I rode one in and hung out on the inside to work on transitions and get some speed runs in. 

The wind did not look like this.  This would have been nicer - what we got was just right of frustrating.  Can't complain - got out and winged.

Surprising that the 1210 gets a faster top speed than the 1095.

W:68/F:61/S:17

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.

Garage Works - 7/16 & 17

I got some work done in the garage these past two days.  Yesterday I got the last fill coat on the rails and some of the spots where I shaved down the innegra on the top deck.

I also fixed the deck pads on Kalani's wing foiling board (rubber cement).

Today I got through all of the sanding on No.25 - that is until I finished and found four small spots that I should fill so they aren't problems later.  I grinded those open and applied epoxy with milled fibers, a little aerosil and some black pigment.

At the last second I remembered I had needed to patch some scratches on the 1095 and the 178 - with the extra epoxy, I applied a base.  Once this cures, I'll file and sand it flush.

Here is the 178 with the tips wrapped

And here is No.25 after the "final" sanding, and post grind and fill.  The small spots with epoxy fill should be faired in pretty quickly.  Then I'll start spraying multiple layers of clear coat on the board.

I started planning out the deck pad already.  If all goes according to plan, this board should be in the water on Tuesday (or Wednesday depending on the wind...)

Giant South Swell - July 16/17/?

There is a giant south swell hitting the islands right now.

The family went to WPB to check it out and Marlon was able to get a bird's eye view with his drone.

It was ridable on the inside - but the current was pulling hard and fast.  I already had a wing session at Kailua (so I opted to just enjoy the view).

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

Second Fill Coat on No.25 Top Deck

After I got home, I mowed the lawn and cleaned up a bit.  Once that was done, I still had some sunlight, so I sanded down the excess epoxy from yesterday's fill coat.  Then I taped up the board again and added what I hope to be the last fill coat on this board.

I used the "Pro" epoxy - I think the tint it has in sunlight will go really nicely with the blue on the top deck.

Tomorrow afternoon will see sanding, and if I'm lucky, deck pad application.

ALMOST DONE!!!

Wing Foiling Session - 7/15/2022

Afternoon winging session at Hickam after work.  I picked up Kalani at the NEX parking lot and we were setting up around 3pm.  The wind was steadier than it had been, but lighter also.  I opted for the Kujira 1440 and the RS 6.1

Correct call on the gear (finally).

Kalani used his 6.0 SW2 - but should have opted for the bigger front foil.

The tide was really full again so I went over the reef instead of through the channel.  There were some waves coming through - but not from the epic sized swell that is supposed to be on it's way.  

Even though it was on the light side, this has been the best wind all week (ENE and relatively steady).

Most of the knock downs I had were while I was trying to figure out how I had tacked this wing before.  Where it had been super easy before, I was back winding a lot the past few days.  Eventually I re-figured it out (gotta get the front of the wing up higher).

I'm not sure I believe the max speed from the runs today.

This weekend will see a supersized south swell hit and the remnants of Hurricane Darby pass to the south of us (bringing strong winds).

W:66/F:61/S:17