Messages

1

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Winger's Knees - not abrasion

« on: April 24, 2022, 06:56:28 PM »

climb on the board and press the leading edge of the wing down hard onto the deck of the board. The wing pressed onto the deck creates stability for the board. While pressing it down, I just stand up. Ass toward the sky, still bent over pressing the wing on the deck. I grab the nose handle and stand upright real quick.
[/quote]

ok that seems like a pretty big finesse move.  i would think pulling the wing up from a bent over position would throw your center of gravity off and really make the board unstable.  im going to give it a try but a video would be helpful. 😏

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Winger's Knees - not abrasion

« on: April 24, 2022, 09:37:12 AM »

My wingers knee was also known as Maid’s knee. Tender under the knee cap to the point where stepping up into my van was painful.

I designed a board I could simply stand up on without doing knee starts, even in heavy seas. It also required learning new tricks to help me do this start in rough seas.

I almost never do knee starts now.

Dwight i am curious what your technique is to get to a standing position without kneeing first?  Can you describe in detailed steps how this is done?  A short video would be awesome?
I have chondromalacia patellae and find using my old volleyball knee pads keeps my knees from swelling, but using alternative techniques to skipping the knee start would be great.

3

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Armstrong Foil Board Review

« on: August 12, 2021, 10:50:31 PM »

Great info.  A few questions.  Does anyone have experience with the F-one Rocket as well?  How would you compare the 2 boards?
 
Secondly, has anyone used Axis foils with this new Armstrong board?  It seems that this board may be specifically made for Armstrong foils and may not work so well with other foils such as Axis. 

And lastly, for those in the 95-100 kg weight range and wing foiling in light wind (inland lake conditions). Comparing the 115L to the 132L board, is there that much of an advantage with the bigger volume and longer boards?  Or can a 15+L board be just as effective getting up on foil as the 30-40L+ boards?

4

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils

« on: May 28, 2021, 08:11:27 AM »

Does the 970 BSC have a higher top-end speed than the 1120?

5

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Axis Foils--2nd foil selection

« on: May 27, 2021, 11:32:11 PM »

I have recently purchased the new 1120 BSC axis foil to start wing-foiling.  Been out 4 times in light to moderate winds and I am starting to get comfortable on foil with pretty long foil rides.  Its awesome and way better than behind the boat!  I'm 6'6", 215# and the 1120 has been a dream to ride.  Very smooth, doesn't breach, and turns easy.  However, I am a little concerned using the 1120 in high wind conditions this summer in the gorge, as it may be too much foil even for my weight. 

What would your recommendations be as I move into higher wind/wave conditions like the gorge?  I have been rec the 1050 HPS by axis and others have said no way, its much too advanced at my stage, requires lots of speed to foil, etc.  I have thought about the 970 BSC, a smaller more nimble version of 1120.  Would strongly consider the 1010 PNG, but apparently there is no more inventory for the rest of the year in the USA.  1150 on a crazy short fuselage?  Thought about the 910 or 860 but I think given my weight and beginner stage, I need an area around 1500 sq cm. 

Appreciate your thoughts on this. 

6

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Initial purchase of Axis Foils

« on: April 05, 2021, 03:01:03 PM »

After reading all 62 pages of this forum, I am very appreciative to all the contributors as I have gained a great amount of knowledge about the Axis system and foiling in general. I would like some advice, given my situation purchasing the right foil gear.
I have kitesurfing and SUP experience in the past as well as I have wake foiled on Slingshot gear behind my boat last year. I’m fairly comfortable behind the 2nd wake on a 84” SS and did make a wake transfer by the end of the summer.

I’m looking to start Wingfoiling and Kitefoiling with the Axis System. I’m 6’6”, 210-215 pounds. Would be playing primarily on a lake in northern ID and a few days of the year in the Gorge and Maui. Wind conditions on the lake is mainly a SW wind 7-12mi/hr. Occasionally, we can get a NE at 18-30. I have purchased a 6.4 Slingwing V2, Gin Spirit 15m kitefoil, and a 6’2 142L Blue Planet Carver Foil Sup thus far.

So what to buy initially (and I realize people seem to progress through their early equipment as their skill level improves). I would like to get 1 foil for light-wind WF and a second foil for high-wind WF and light-wind kitefoiling (i don’t see myself kitefoiling when it’s cranking). To me, it seems rather obvious to start WF with the new 1120 BSC, 75” Al mast, short fuse with a 440 vs 430 stab. Thoughts? Would it be just as easy to start out it light conditions with the 1060 given my weight and lake conditions and perhaps use the foil longer?

I would like to use a 2nd foil primarily for high-wind Wingfoil and light-wind kitefoil. Is that reasonable? I was thinking maybe a 970 BSC vs 1050 HPS vs 980 HPS etc with the 390 rear foil. Any thoughts?

What would be your 2 foil recommendations for me? Or do I need a 3rd to kitefoil?

Given my age of 52 and my weight, etc, i don’t have any delusions of having to get a 1150mm to pump around the lake like Mr Wakethief.  But PB real likes his 1150, so maybe that foil is in the mix as well.

Interested in your advice, thanks!

7

Gear Talk / Re: Downwind leashes

« on: July 01, 2017, 10:17:05 AM »

Last year I noticed a number of people in the Gorge just securing the velcro leash part around their required waist PFD.  Do you guys think this is a safe alternative?  It definitely seems to make leash management easier as I hate leashes around my leg/calf.

8

Gear Talk / Re: Help Me Pick a 14' (Fanatic Strike, Infinity, Bic Tracer WS?)

« on: June 07, 2017, 09:24:03 AM »

Interesting, you say the BF is much faster on the flats compared to the Whiplash.  If the BF is a better all-around board and just as fast or faster than the Whiplash in calm conditions, why would one consider the later? 
Also watching Dave's BF video, he remarks how stable the board is in the 4 fin design, were someone who is comfortable on a 27" board could ride a 25" BF.  Given my size and weight, it would be great to get into a narrower board and thus increasing my speed potential. 

9

Gear Talk / Re: Help Me Pick a 14' (Fanatic Strike, Infinity, Bic Tracer WS?)

« on: June 06, 2017, 09:47:26 PM »

Interesting feedback on the Whiplash.  I currently own an SIC V2, which is great for DW, not so great in the flats.  I would like to get another 14' board that is more efficient on flat water, but also is effective in rougher lake conditions and DB.  Most lakes, even large lakes, don't get the Gorge like conditions and this is were I paddle 90% of the time.  Our lake usually has some kind of wind.   Sure it can be flat in the AM, but most of the time its wind effected. Most races on lakes are wind effected, such as the Race Around the Rock in Seattle.  I have read that the BlackFish can be just as fast on flat water as the Whiplash. Although, I'm thinking that would require a high paddle rate that the pros have no problem doing for long periods of time, but for us mortals, ie me, thats not possible.  I would like a board that would give a good glide with each paddle stroke, and is efficent in upwind, cross wind as well as down wind breezes. 
Which board would I benefit more from, the BF or the Whiplash?  I'm 6'7", 210-215#, so getting a 26" wide board with the Allison 4 fin setup is intriguing to me.  Or should I be considering a 26" Naish Javelin, or an Allstar 24.5" or 27". 
Your thoughts will be appreciated.

10

Technique / Re: Travis Grant's New Paddling Stroke

« on: August 30, 2016, 09:33:28 PM »

PonoBill said...I tested the Puakea stroke vs. my normal stroke on yesterdays fin testing. Puakea was about 2 tenths faster. Wears me out though, I was panting like a dog after 100 yards.

I guess I don't understand how the "Puakea stroke" would require more energy than say  "Larry Cain's" described stroke. 

Also, regarding technique, I do find it a little confusing physically to lead with the paddle side hip during the "catch", and then rotate the hips during the inital "power phase" (paddle side recoils back while the other hip thrusts forward), but the during the end of the power phase and beginning of the recovery, you are suppose to thrust both hips forward during the unhinging of the back. Maybe I'm trying to incorporate both stroke techniques and they are incompatible. 

Thoughts appreciated. 

11

Gear Talk / Re: Allstar 27 and 28 differences

« on: July 12, 2016, 08:39:26 PM »

thanks for the feedback (Eagle and Area 10).  Could you tell me how the Allstar 28" compares in flat water to say a SIC V2, or Bullet V1?  And do you have experience with the SIC FX pro 14'?  (from other sites, they are compared the FX pro and the allstar 25' to be fairly equivalent in flat water conditions)
From what you guys are saying, the 28" is very much a DW board, (not the all-rounder that the allstar is being advertized as) but does it have better flat water performance than DW specific boards?  thanks.

12

Gear Talk / Re: Allstar 27 and 28 differences

« on: July 12, 2016, 12:20:11 PM »

I'm 6'7" 215, and recently purchased a carbon 28" 2016 Allstar. This board replaced my 2013 27.5" Allstar carbon.  I was looking for a more all-around type board with a bit more DW abilities.  (I did not try the 27", but wished I had)

Compared to the 2013, the 28" has much much greater stability but noticeably a slower board on the flats.  It doesn't accelerate nearly as fast and seems to be a lot heavier than the 2013 in the water, but it isn't.  Even my wife, who is a recreational paddler at best, thinks its slow as our old yellow Lab and prefers our starboard Blend as it seems to be faster for her. I'm not sure how the new 27" with more vol and slightly heavier than the 28" could be that much faster in non-DW conditions?
I haven't done enough DWers to give a good a assessment, but initially it is promising.  Its amazing how you can sink the front of the board in the water and it will not pearl, something my 2013 would always seem to do.  Also the increased stability is a huge plus in windy conditions given my size and inexperience.

I have read some threads stating that one can not expect a fast board with a 27" or great width.  But my 2013 27.5" board seemed a lot faster.  Maybe the process of making the board more all-around, slows the board in the flats.  Although I must say, I was expecting a little more flat water performance out of a board that has 3 years of better technology and costs 4K. 

Insight of more experienced paddlers would be appreciated. 

13

Gear Talk / allstar 14' 27" vs 28"

« on: April 23, 2016, 04:35:33 PM »

fairly new to the site, great information and a wealth of experience contributing. i'm 6'7" 215 and looking to replace my carbon 2013 allstar 14. i do the occasional fun distance races (usually lake) but would like to do more downwinders and thus find a better all-around board that would give me a good experience dw.  i have read that the 28" allstar 14' is more downwind specific compared to the 27" board. how so? does it have more rocker compared to the 27"? i know the 28 has less vol per the star-board site, but unfortunately this site doesnt address the dw differences.  does the better proficiency in dw riding come at a substantial cost to the board's flat water abilities?  having an easier time dw is very appealing to me but i hope it would not grossly diminish the boards all-around characterics. also, given my height, im inclined to go with the wider 28 vs the 27 version for greater stability.  your thoughts and experiences appreciated.  rfh