Topics

16

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Wind wing sizes - let’s hear what you ride for what

« on: January 02, 2021, 10:00:16 PM »

Pono represents a certain size range, but I’m closer to the other end of the spectrum. Based on the Slingwing thread I wanted to see what sizes were comfortable with what wind speeds and rider size.

This is mostly selfish as I’m not ready to get into real wind yet but after feeling what a 20mph day feels like I can’t imagine 30-40.

At my early stage with a 5m swing I can get foiling in 15 really easily and stay up below that of course (seems like maybe 10?) but I can’t imagine riding above 25 on that wing.

What do you Gorge and HI guys ride when it’s macking? And how do you put together a quiver? I doubt I’ll get into serious wind but wondering what the general ranges are like and what’s the top end. Are people really riding in 50mph wind?

17

Foil SUP / North County San Diego foil spots

« on: September 26, 2020, 02:06:08 PM »

Yo, please don’t blow up spots here unless they are “SanO level” of public lol. But I’d love some DM’s and I’ll be happy to share back any spots that I pioneer. (I have a couple of spots from corners of Surfline and Google earth that might fit the profile.

I’m respectful, alone, and can prone or SUP depending on conditions and vibe.

Thx

18

The Shape Shack / Shame Bobber - wingfoil invention

« on: August 31, 2020, 08:00:49 PM »

I dub it the “Shame Bobber” and it solves two problems.

1 Tangled leash while foiling. Need floaty bobber. Since foam floats and is also soft...

2. Walk of shame foil mast shoulder pad that’s always handy. The traction pad foam is stiffer and grooved to hold the foil mast. I wrapped it with some black duct tape to keep it from separating.

I also shoulder carry from the car so this works for surfing too.



If it works I’ll make it more hydrodynamic.

19

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Wing foil sessions - beginner

« on: August 29, 2020, 08:54:25 PM »

First day out on wing ding today. Light wind, maybe 8 mph I’d guess? (I have no real sense yet but going on weather report.) Probably too much swell (and shore break) but new stuff, you know. First thing to note is that I surfed before and then the wind came up and instead of heading home, I went down the road and got in again. This is what I wanted when I got into foiling.

Anyway, my 6’6” x 28” foil SUP turns out to be a great wing board to learn on. Got advice to skip the plain SUP and it was right on. Got out and without any wind experience figured out the “move the wing to point the board” thing. (Thank you Zone and YouTube) after 10 min on my knees I was over it. (And creaky in the knees and ankles) so I figured it was time to fall. I saw a video recently where a guy actually started with his front foot flat and back knee down and that seemed like the best for me. It was. I popped the wing up, then without waiting popped the back leg up and was standing (and surprised.) I cruised for a couple hundred yards then luffed the wing and sat down. Not enough wind to get on foil but I got to get the feel and even see how a wing pump can keep you from falling, basic stuff like that. Ok, now, toe side. Turns out that’s easy... if you just sit on the board haha. I could do it kneeling but really couldn’t stand 8n the conditions. Maybe next time.

I ended up doing maybe a quarter mile walk of shame but I was surprised at how long I managed to hold out as long as I did. I joked with the lifeguards on the way back, they’d been watching me and talking on the radios about me as I drifted past 3 of them lol. I told them about winging and thanked them for not calling the boat on me. I explained that if the see a new guy not to panic, we just blow into shore and walk back.

Anyway, I call it a win and I actually liked it. I totally get why all you guys like it. I think it’s going to be a fun addition to the kit. Now, expect a thread on taking care of these things. So weird and messy coming back to a beach and packing up, wtf? Hahaha. 

Now to get COVID under control so we can shuttle again. Maybe these new 15 min tests will be an answer? “Dude, hit the local Walgreens and I’ll pick you up.” I’m already planning routes.

20

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Wing Surf World Magazine

« on: August 16, 2020, 07:17:55 AM »

https://magazine.wingsurfworld.com/issue-01//

Really well done, imho.

Digital format works well and makes sense. No horrible plugins to load. Also seems like a sustainable size and scope so that it could keep going as a side hustle for a magazine or even just a good editorial who can sell ads.

My reading of this should also signal that yes, it’s true, you have all gotten to me. I have a 5m swing on the way. Haha.

21

Foil SUP / Building a Gong foil wing quiver - Help me out here

« on: August 03, 2020, 06:46:31 PM »

Alright, another long-ass post from the Cowboy. First, thanks to all who pitch in on these. I truly appreciate it and try to write stuff up clearly in exchange for the knowledge I get for fun and for free here. (Hopefully these are educational for other folks and entertaining for others.) This is a super confusing process. I tried to gather this into something coherent but it evolved over a few days as I wrote it so bear with me if there’s repetition and call me out if I’m trying to fit too much into one wing slot as you will see there’s some leeway on what I am buying.

I’m considering some life changes (good ones) and so I want to speed up my foil progression. Part of that acceleration is... more gear! (right?) lol But seriously, as Erik A from the Progression Project Podcast says, “new gear teaches you things.” I’m not hitting the limits of my current wing yet, but I know that I’m limited in certain conditions now and assume that will only become more common. Rather than not go out, I’d rather have lower lift/faster wing options to use. That, with the long lead time on most Gong orders, and my smaller physical size so there’s less opportunity to try others gear, have made me step up my timeline more than I might.

Here is the main info:

Rider - 5’8” (172cm), 135lbs (63kg), 53 year old male. “Decent” shape, (depending on who I’m standing next to) but decidedly below average endurance. Lazy fitness habits, but better food habits is probably fair to say. Surf 1-2 times a week. (This is part of what will be changing. I will be surfing far more soon.)

Use cases: FoilSUP Surfing, ProneFoil Surf (limited TBD) Wind Winging (again, limited now, but likely more common in winter and spring so want to consider it lightly.)

And now the objectives, numbered for ease of tracking the thread. I’m thinking I would like to have a quiver with a total of 3-4 wings. I’ll post the Gong wing line in a reply. If you know Gong stuff, you can skip the followup post with the specs and just shoot an answer/guess.

Big Beginner and small wave “fun” wing - got this covered, Rise XL

First Step Down -  Either main day to day foil, or intermediate step on the way down.

Second Step Down - Maybe optional, if First can be my day to day, but this would be my main workaday foil if I need a step in the learning curve.

High Aspect Downwind/Pump, not really needed but seems fun and interesting.


Starting Quiver: Rise XL, Pro M (Not sure where the Pro M fits yet, I’ll have it here in a week or two, thanks Thatspec!)

Ok so here’s your chance to stop reading and reply. Feel free to just offer wingspans and/or area ranges. Or... choose your own adventure and dive into my brain below and the whole Gong line. lol

1 - First Step Down: “Go to” foil for everyday riding knee to chest high waves in SoCal. I love the XL for ankle to thigh high. But it feels like as I progress a lot of my SoCal riding will be knee to chest which seems just outside the XL’s range for my size. I’ll likely never foil bigger waves.

Candidates: Rise M or L, Pro M, or L

My thoughts: My newly purchased Pro M “seems” like it might work? (It’s similarity to the Kai and Takuma 100 in size makes me think that it might work since a lot of you learned on those.) My only question is will I need a smaller step like staying in the Rise series which is slower, lowering lift but not picking up speed while I learn? Or do I just “man up” and get used to hauling a$$ down the line? If Rise, or Pro, what is the best size for me to step down to? (L Pro, or Rise M?) I’m dropping 21cm (8in) and bumping to a faster profile with the M Pro. I’m really asking, is that a mistake or likely a do-able/advisable step?

I’m fine to buy another interim wing if it makes learning easier. That 45cm mast was a great investment imho. I like easy progression, I never lose more than 6” at a time between my surf boards as I progress. (12” on SUP.)

2 - Second Step Down: This is sort of optional. If the consensus is that the Pro M will be a good step down for me right away I might skip this. But if not, I’m assuming that the Pro M will be this position. But I do wonder if for ease of use something “L” is needed of any series? (Is this where the H/A comes in?)

Candidates: Pro M, Pro L

3 - Down Winder/HA: (Also, Pump foil for flat water goofing off.) Ah, and here we go. I’m not really ready for a Veloce, but at Gong prices I’d like to have it here if I can. So, L, XL, or XXL for a guy my size to downwind and wing? Can I surf this thing? Will it wing? etc.

Assume all of this is in the surf for now. I know I’ll add a wing this year and mix it up a bit. But I know that there will be overlap and I can add again once my wing progression is in position so assume this is my first high aspect pump surf wing for this pick.

SoCal has “fake” downwind conditions. We don’t get Maui swell but guys do DW here. Not giant swell, but long period, so moving along at a clip. This is largely theoretical but I’d like to know and might throw it in just to play with it and sell later. (Or grow into.) It also seems like whatever this size is it will be useful for wind wings in certain conditions.

On DW, does my XL cover me here? I’ve heard of guys using M200’s which are similar size and shape. If so, then should I instead just get a high aspect wing in my “regular” sizes to feel the difference? This is the least likely purchase and might delay this if you think this is more than 6 months out in my learning curve. The recovery from breaching does pique my interest though.

Candidates: My existing Rise XL? Pro XL or XXL? Veloce XL/XXL? What do you folks think would work for my size?

Extra points: If I wanted to surf a Veloce, but am not an expert, would a size L be solid for that?

Stabilizers / Tails

I have a Rise/Curve 45cm tail. I’ll likely add at least one more tail from Gong and then make a couple of simple variations (flat with a different couple of lengths and chords) Based on the wings above, what tail to add to the mix?

I assume I’d add the Rise 40cm to my kit this round. If I get a Veloce wing I’ll add a matching stab and likely use surf stab at first to tame it a bit. Do I need more than a couple of options?


Summing up, really the overall idea is to end up with 3 to 5 wings to play with while I figure this out. I’ll pare down what I don’t love or maybe I’ll sell it all at the end and go Axis or Go Foil, CloudIX or whatever gets good next. But for the price of a 1 or 2 wing set I will have tried a ton of foil options and learned a ton.

(All companies need to build a US rental quiver by the way. Mailing out wings with a return shipping box & label for a month at a time.)

22

Foil SUP / Learning to foil SUP - Riding waves

« on: August 03, 2020, 08:19:00 AM »

Ok so after my last session I feel like it’s time to change focus so I’ll slow down the other thread til some other new person picks it up to ask more questions. I can catch waves on a foil SUP.

Now, I watched the surfline cam (I’ll try to figure out the best way to post video now) and saw that I’m really not getting any altitude. I’m either tail dragging or flying so low as to just be hopping off the water. So now it’s time to learn to ride higher and go down the line.

My first step (I think, give me feedback) feels like leaving my 45cm (18in) mast and go to my 65cm (26in.) is this a good idea? My thinking is that I’m worried about breaching and so I bail probably before I need to. So my thought is when it feels “way too high” I can rest easy that, first, it’s not. (lol) And second, I have a little leeway to bring it down.


Secondly, I’m pumping on these slow waves a bit and I think I need to learn to stop the pump cleanly and fly. I sense that my movement is too abrupt and that smoother will be better.

I’m also ordering a few more wings so I hope to move down to wings with less lift so I can not worry so much about the extra lift when I get a bit more push and just know that no matter what I can land the foil.

Lastly, I’m trying to get some boat time this month (letting some buddies try my foil/tricking them into joining me.) I figure that will help me feel what the right height looks and feels like.

Post up any ideas or advice you have about sessions 10-20 where I hope to learn to fly a foot to 18” off the water , in control, and go down the line. I’m tired of these 10 second touch and go’s. Time to progress.

23

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Low wind conditions - video ID

« on: July 26, 2020, 09:41:47 AM »

Ok for those of us who teeter on the edge of having enough wind to do this sport and who have no idea what wind speeds feel like, I offer this.


https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDEm4FkJtIu/?igshid=2guwhihs9hft

What is your guess on the wind speed there?

I ask because on my weather app and surfline they will report 10mph when it’s white capping like hell and is nearly impossible to SUP. These conditions don’t look like “less than 15” unless that means “half of 15.” Last week  “13” looked like a small day at the gorge with whitecaps everywhere.

What gives? Are we just being under reported or what?

Help us, oh wind sport oracles.

24

Prone Foiling, Surf foiling, Pump Foiling / Ok, post up your prone foil gear

« on: July 19, 2020, 08:14:33 AM »

Hdip, I’m talking to you and the other closeted prone foilers.

Mine is fresh off the racks.

https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,36197.0.html

I’m stoked to see this. Hope other folks will show up here. The other forums are lightly attended. A lot could come from collecting info here.

25

The Shape Shack / Custom Torx Tool for in water foil adjustments

« on: July 10, 2020, 06:42:35 PM »

Ok so sometimes there's just not the perfect tool for what you need.

Problem: Need to adjust your foil in cool water. No trunks, no pockets. Also, not stabbing yourself is a bonus feature.

Solution, use your overflow resin bucket to cut a handle out. Square and flat, so it fits in the chest zip section of your wetsuit (lies flat, not like a screwdriver), is easy to get grip on (round sucks when wet) and is short enough to not kill you even if it did somehow overcome physics to stab you.

Inspired by Josh Martin (Terry's son, look him up on Instagram, great feed!) I wanted to make an artful tool that was connected to surfing and board building. Note that the blue resin is actually from the board that I'll be adjusting the foil on.

Shots are:

1-3 cutting out the chunk from 3-4 years of resin catchment with a multi-tool

4-5 drilling the hole for the Torx Bit

6-7 the Bosch Torx Bit fitting in. Drilled a little deep, so had to put a 1/4" piece of wood dowel in to set the depth right

8-9 neon green resin mixed with some Q-cell and glass fibers for strength to hold the bit (Note that this is rough sanded to 220 grit now)

10-11 finished piece, wet sanded to 600 grit and drilled for lanyard.

I'll try both a bungee keeper and maybe an EVA piece to make a float and see which I like. EVA feels likely if a piece that fits in my wetsuit chest zip area is small enough to not bother me. Otherwise I'll tether it to my key keeper with a piece of small bungee.

I have another bit so I'll probably cut another piece from another block I have that's got weirder colors and maybe shape it a bit more too. Fun project, probably 30-45 minutes total, in 15 minute sessions after work. Perfect, low hassle, high output make. Next one will be 20 minutes I'll bet now that design decisions are made.

26

The Shape Shack / Cowboy Orange (Home Depot) Foil Board - Prone... sue me

« on: July 03, 2020, 05:06:35 PM »

Ok so if this offends, think of the tiny child who could SUP this 5'6" x 20 1/2" x 3" foil board.  It's Home Depot HDX orange in honor of its humble hardworking origins.

This is #2 of my Covid C-uiver project. It was shaped at the same time as the blue SUP foil then I glassed them one after another so the garage could be converted from one mess (dust) to the other (resin.) My hands got sore before I could finish the tow foil board that's coming next so I'm taking a break and learning to foil. Besides, the lockdown and pandemic has limited my boating offers for this season.

So I'll start with the stats and then run the images down with captions, (I hope)

Dims are as stated above 5'6" x 20 1/2" x 3"

Handshaped out of a 48"x96"x4" 1.5 lb eps (cost me $49, so I paid $16 per blank for these boards.) Total material cost (roughly) average $250 per board BUT if you're new to this... I have a grand worth of tools and other materials lying around. My first board cost me $800 and 100 hours of labor lol. These are boards 5-8 for me, I think.

I hotwire cut the base shape then sanded with a 36 grit 14" sanding board I made. Finished the blank to about 220 grit then sealed with fast and final sparkle diluted with distilled water.

Issues I encountered: I messed up the nose rocker and had to glue in a piece and then also had a rail chunk missing (I was cutting 3 boards out of a single sheet so I used every inch. When glueing in new pieces using Gorilla Glue, I'd recommend putting the glue only in the middle so the top layer can be sanded easier. Live and Learn.

That takes us up to the Box Install section, I'll add pics and do another post for that.

27

Foil SUP / Learning to foil surf - catching waves

« on: June 04, 2020, 07:55:06 PM »

Ok guys, now it’s my turn to ask some questions. I’ve watched and read everything but a couple of things elude me as I suspect that most everyone moves past this phase quickly so it’s not discussed much. But I’m there so help a brother out before I get out this weekend.

First, this is really a SoCal thing I think as we have few spots near LA that have super mushy waves. So if anyone wants to hip me to another spot with a reform other than Steamroller and hdip’s secret spot in the next county up. Please DM me.

Here goes, I’ll number them so you can reply.

1, if a rider is on a 2000+ cm2 foil (Gong xl for me) is there a point at which you can’t hold the foil in the water on a drop? And, is that point less than say chest high? I ask because it’s terrifying and counter intuitive to just press the nose down when dropping in. If my foil is back in the box a bit and it’s waist high or under, can I survive a drop? Asking because I suspect I should just press down and go for it but it feels. so. wrong. So I want an idea of the limits.

I suspect that, like prone foilers I’ve seen, if the wave is under 3 feet or so your board just sort of comes straight forward off the top of the wave as if it’s falling away from you like a short board take off. But I’d like to know the limits before I launch myself over the nose.

2, must I 100% avoid any sort of hollowness, even at 1-2’? Or can I soon move into those? I’m traveling to the mush burgers with a reform but I’d like to know if it’s 1’ if I can deal with a little dump. Or am I better off going for a bigger day with a rolling high tide wave but no hollowness at all?

3, will I get better at paddling into non breaking waves, or is that just a hassle? I can’t do it at all right now and there’s a million “almost” spots near me. Will those open up as I get my technique down and more my foil forward?

Thanks, it’s fun to be a kook again. (Let’s be honest, it never stopped.)

The reason I ask

28

The Shape Shack / Sand thru’s / burn thru’s, what can I get away with?

« on: May 07, 2020, 08:54:11 PM »

Asking for a friend. lol

I’m finishing this foil SUP and trying to just prototype and not be a perfectionist. I’m shooting for say somewhere between Pono and Big Green. (Sorry guys, I had to, y’all made it ok for me to just go for it and I’ll never repay the fun I’ve had.)

But as far as watertight, do burn through spots leak? I’m figuring there’s some sort of capillary action around them but I wanted to ask.

I’ll probably just spot fix instead of another hot coat to keep weight down but I’ve never seen this discussed. I’ve gotten way faster at sanding but even with it, I’m trying to move fast and get these into the water and figure out the next size or shape without a lot of fuss.

29

The Shape Shack / New hotwire rail and bevel cutter

« on: April 04, 2020, 12:22:29 PM »

Made this up last night and finished it this am. Really works great.

Proud that I actually soldered up a cable too instead of my usual twist and go method.

Can and will probably improve the tension mechanism from it's current Gilligan's Island mode but this and some guides should make rail bands and bevels much easier and faster.



Ebay 12 volt 5 amp PSU about $12. Works great and will heat 30” of 22 gauge nichrome wire to juuuust about hot enough. Anything shorter is easy.

30

The Shape Shack / Jon Boat Tow Foil - for the country folks

« on: March 29, 2020, 09:00:37 AM »

As I was cutting the rough shape of this foil board a buddy from back home said, "looks like a Jon boat." It surely does.

I thought about it for a day or so and the joke was too good. I modified the shape a bit and just went for it.

It's a 4'1" x 20" x 3" toy that I will use behind the boat and for trying dock starts etc. Not really anything I expect to paddle or surf prone though I'll bet some buddies will. It's also a chance to mess with construction technique before I build my real beginner prone board.

Other than being a little thick, I'll bet it'll be fun behind the boat in a lake. Which leads me to the real point of this. Hilarious redneck decorations.

I'm thinking camo paint or olive drab with a fake registration number on the bow. For traction I want black with olive drab "seats" across it at appropriate points.

Any other ideas that might make this thing completely outlandish at a surf break are welcome. Enjoy.

Here’s the rough Hotwire shape.












Measuring



Sanded to 220, ready to seal