Messages

1

Classifieds / FS - Kalama Barracuda

« on: March 11, 2024, 05:43:58 PM »

FS - Kalama Barracuda 7'8" x 18'5" @ 92L
Brand new, with bag. 
Location: Virginia
Cost: $1200
Local pickup

https://kalamaperformance.com/product/barracuda/

2

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 400 Hours On Foil: A summer on narrow boards and the search for a perfect surf e

« on: November 22, 2023, 07:23:05 PM »

Great write-up B-Walnut!  I agree so much. Getting to the point where you are properly powered up on a smaller wing and foil is just sublime.  If anything is out of balance, it’s just not as good. 

I’m behind you at around 300 hours on foil and since I’ve picked up my 6’3 x 18.75 x 85L, I’ve hardly touched my 4’11 x 23 x 60L board, and I definitely have not touched my 7M or 5M for that matter. 65 KGs here.  I’ve also sold all of my bigger HA foils and mainly ride my ha525, ha725, MA625, or MA800, unless I’m going for distance dw and grab the new DW930 or 755 from Armstrong. 

I have a new 4’4” x 18.5” x 40L on the way for when I really want to let loose. I’m nervous that the length is so short when it would probably ride the same if it was stretched out to 5’.  I’m thinking I’ll probably sell my 60L and keep it to the 85L and 40L as my board quiver.

Powered up carves from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock on the DW board feel great! The narrowness really frees up the angles more than my 60L. I was even doing these types of carves with my dw board, 955dw foil and 93.5 cm mast in flat water and having a blast with tips out. Adding the elevation changes for speed and fluidity through the carves just adds to the awesome sensation.  Snowboarding pow turns for free (once the gear is paid for at least)!

3

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Narrow vs Wide Boards: Beginners to Advanced

« on: June 26, 2023, 10:41:14 AM »

The board that I started on was 5'2" and 24" wide.  My first session on it I couldn't even get to my knees with enough balance to the get the wing up.  I ended up taping some foam "bumpers" that ran along the rails to give an extra inch of width on each side and that made it much easier.  Eventually I got a proper board that was 5'3" and 27" wide and it was much better for me to progress on.  I'm a lightweight at 65 kgs and have surfing, SUPing, snowboarding, and skating.

I'm just over a year into it and went out on the 24" wide board without the bumpers recently and found it extremely stable. 

I personally wouldn't push a beginner without foiling experience and sailing experience into something narrower.  All that said, I have't been on any longer boards so I don't know how they feel balance wise.

Do you remember how much trouble you had on the 24" wide board with the fore/aft balance?  That's one benefit of the longer narrower boards, as you only need to focus on side to side balance.  The smaller footprint of the traction pad should reduce poor knee/feet placement when getting going.

 I remember learning on my 105L 5'11" x 30 something" wide SUP Foil board at 65KGs.  I needed a slow and lifty foil to work, and in the end that was probably for the best, as I progressed my foiling and winging a lot on my old 2400 Armstrong foil when learning.

I'm loving my 6'3" x 18.75" Armstrong DW boards for winging and learning to SUP paddle.   I'd consider myself an 'experienced' winger and a moderate beginner SUPing.  I would put the balancing level at 20% easier than my 4'10" 60L Armstrong board.  Part of that is due to the shorter 6'3" length, which will allow me to burry the nose if I'm not careful, but it does torpedo right back to the surface no problem. 

I want to get a board to have for my kids and wife to play on, and I almost picked up a used 134L 6'4" x 33" behemoth, so this discussion is very interesting to me!

Even 27" would be considered narrow here. I see most beginners out on 30"-34" wide boards. The length does, in fact, add a lot of stability but as we all know, we didn't get to try anything like that when we first learned.

4

Foil SUP / Re: SUP vs hand paddles on barracuda style boards?

« on: May 16, 2023, 09:55:02 AM »

I'm using Waterspeed App paired with my Apple Ultra watch. 

I've owned a 12' 6" touring SUP for years and take it out a few times a year.  Just did a 7.75 mile canal paddle with my wife.  Talk about grueling!  I tried SUP Foiling  my FSM 5'11" a few times, but didn't understand the J stroke, so it was a bit too much for me at the time.  I've been prone surfing for years, so plenty of actual prone paddling experience.  Never tried the kneeling prone style paddling before this.  I will note that it does tax the hip / lower leg muscles quite a bit and will take time to build stamina.  Skateboarding since a kid as well, so a lot of balance practice on a regular basis I guess.  I'd put myself at above average balance/skill level at my 38 year age group. 

That 8' x 21" x 112L sounds like a weapon!  Keep us posted on progression. 

5

Foil SUP / Re: SUP vs hand paddles on barracuda style boards?

« on: May 16, 2023, 03:47:55 AM »

Last attempt with a light tail wind and some residual 6” wind swell I maxed at 4.3mph hand paddle and 3.3mph SUP.  Looking back at that successful prone paddle up, it looks like I hit 4.3, then speed dropped to 4 (getting to feet) then slowly built up as I pumped onto foil off the water.

6

Foil SUP / Re: SUP vs hand paddles on barracuda style boards?

« on: May 15, 2023, 06:14:54 PM »

I’ve been dialing in my 6’3” 86L DW board (I’m 65kgs). I’ve been winging, then taking out the SUP paddle or hand paddle co. out to get some reps in.  So far, I’m progressing much faster with hand paddles and have managed to get up on foil in small 25knt onshore conditions off of a 5 mile fetch in stomach deep water with a 60cm mast and 1325HA wing. I tried SUPing that session as well and the short mast made it too unstable for me.

I’m getting about 25% faster padding speed on my knees with the hand paddles.  Next good wind day, I’m taking my 1750ma out with wing and anchorman leash with hand paddles on my waist. That way I can put myself in a good zone. Release the wing with anchor in place and practice prone paddle ups.

If I were to be targeting more open ocean conditions or really focusing on SUP, I would have got a longer, higher volume board.  For my bay, river, and occasional ocean runs, I’m happy with my choice for now

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Wing Foil in the Lightest Winds Possible With a Downwind Board

« on: May 12, 2023, 10:53:18 AM »

My 6'3" Armie DW board paired with 1750MA and 7M OR Glide is a crazy combo.  I just need enough breeze to hold the wing slightly vertical so I can bounce the board, the foil gets going on it's own and I basically can start pumping the board before any wind is really helping much (just some light back foot/calf pumps to create a rocking motion). Then I can get speed up and take find the wind.  It helps weighing only 65kgs.

Last session was averaging in the 8 knt range and I was able to get up super easy on my strong stance.  The session goal was focusing on learning to ride goofy (i'm a regular stance rider).  Despite over 1,300 miles logged winging, I've never taken the time to learn to switch my feet!  Trying to take off switch stance was just impossible! I would taxi around to my strong stance and presto, no issues.  It's crazy how much you can dial in muscle memory for efficient take-off.  With out putting in the time to build the skill, no matter how good the gear, it's a struggle.  In the end I was finally able to switch stance on foil and managed (2) 20 second rides in my switch stance and was beyond stoked, haha, just like learning all over again. 

I want to test my 1750MA vs 1325HA back to back in really light wind to see how they compare.  The low end lift of the MA will be hard to beat I think.  Those monster HA wings are wild and I'd love to try one. 

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Classifieds / Re: Armstron MA 1225, 1000 and stringfellow fuse

« on: April 27, 2023, 07:31:00 PM »

Also messaging on 1225.

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Hotel advice Hawaii please.

« on: December 30, 2022, 03:19:33 PM »

My wife and I just stayed at Turtle Bay recently. We both loved the resort and I was able to wing at various spots within 10-30 minutes drive. Coulda winged next to resort had I talked to Bigmtnbill earlier in my stay. He helped out a bunch. 

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 3D dropstitch

« on: November 30, 2022, 12:05:58 PM »

Great point about inflatable boards...I hadn't even thought of that.  The current offerings are as appealing as a pool toy. 

The website talks about low manufacturing costs.  I bet that's after you factor in the cost of the machine.

The proto wing reminds me of the intro to the show Westworld on HBO haha.

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 3D dropstitch

« on: November 30, 2022, 08:05:30 AM »

https://www.enserinkdesign.com/project/shapewave-true-3d-shape-inflatables


Oh man, that is so nuts!  1 bar max pressure = 15 PSI.  I imagine that a wing ding made out of this would be exceedingly heavy however.  I'd give a 2.5M version a go! 

I think KD Maui mused about making a full blown shaped wing out of EPS and thin layers of fiberglass on a podcast a ways back.  Would be the most efficient and fast wing ever, but also the most impractical thing ever made.  An inflatable version that can be deflated and rolled up would be crazy.  The foil section on top and bottom could be perfectly refined.  Who knows what the future holds. 

12

Classifieds / FS: Armstrong 100cm Mast

« on: October 19, 2022, 01:15:36 PM »

For Sale out of Virginia

Armstrong 100cm Mast. A+ (converted)- puchased late 2020.

Condition is great - rarely used! My spots are tidal so I just don’t use it enough.

$650 including shipping to lower 48

13

Random / Re: Apple Watch Ultra

« on: October 06, 2022, 11:20:17 AM »

Stella,  spot on with the screensaver issue.  I noticed that on my first run and just assumed it could be toggled off.  Hopefully there will be some updates to take advantage of the new orange button and allow that screensaver to be turned off thanks to the bigger battery.

14

Random / Re: Apple Watch Ultra

« on: October 06, 2022, 08:06:47 AM »

Anyone discovered a replacement for Waterspeed?

When Waterspeed went from $6/yr to 30/yr, then kept making the app more complex, I stopped my subscription. I’m using the free version for now. It was so much better before.

WorkOutDoors might be the ticket. $6 cost (one time).

Here is the video that sold me on this app.



 I’ve only tried it on a run so far, but the data accessibility and customization options are amazing.

15

Random / Re: Apple Watch Ultra

« on: October 05, 2022, 07:48:21 PM »

Ultra is great. Big, flat, bright screen.

Recommended apps:

Athlytic. Like woop.
Workoutdoors. Super customizable anctivity app. Maps on watch.
Waterspeed
Dawnpatrol

Less likely to end up on the water with a low/empty battery while needing help/call for a pickup / whatever. 

Ocean band is nice. Got the extra long band as well to wear over my wetsuit in winter. It was a pain to fit under glove and sleeve before, so this is great. Just loose heart rate monitoring.