Messages

16

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: PPC Surge Wing

« on: July 03, 2021, 11:20:28 PM »

Test rode the 4.8 PPC in 14-19 mph winds, riding Armstrong 1850/1250 and Quatro 5'8".  It's a lite wing but has plenty of power.  Today was quite gusty so a lot of time was spent riding depowered, but the wing never felt overpowered.  I really like the design of the trailing edge, and how kite principles were incorporated to reduce flutter. 

As Phils pointed out, the wing has a tendency to flip when resting on the water after a gust  .  I think this is due to the non-dihedral leading edge.  Personally, I find this a minor inconvenience.  I'd rather have a reduced weight, even if it involves making a flatter wing.   To mitigate flipping, after crashes I started grabbing the corner tips, and partially submerging them to bring water and weight on to the wing.   

My only complaint is the leash.  I've noticed other brands using old boady board style leashes, where your hand goes into a cuff, then is tied to a rope.   I prefer coiled polyurethane as I find the leash to be a bit abrasive to the skin.  Also it would be nice if there was a key pocket.   Overall  PPC designed a decent wing that I highly recommend.

17

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: PPC Surge Wing

« on: July 02, 2021, 07:02:42 PM »

Just unpacked the 4.8.  Interesting, two separate valves for inflating the leading edge and center strut.  Seems like a good idea for minimizing pressure spikes when pumping up.  I like the valves screws, just turn to deflate.  The carry bag is made well, like most kite bags.  Has a couple pockets , one really large one.  Webbing on one side to facilitate drying.  Wimpy limpy bags really bug me.  Let's see how it flies tomorrow fingers crossed...

18

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / PPC Surge Wing

« on: July 02, 2021, 06:00:08 AM »

Just purchased a PPC 4.8 m surge wing to use as my daily driver for 11-18 knot wind range. For the past year.  I had been using a 6.4 m Slingwing for learning but found the wing gets overpowered easy.  Anyone have experience using this brand and model?

19

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: New Armstrong 1250 hs

« on: June 27, 2021, 07:24:15 PM »

Looks like I'm a little late to the party.  Got the 1250 last winter and finally got a chance to go winging in decent conditions.  I mainly ride the 1850 and find it works from 12 to 30 knots.    I've used the 1250 for prone surfing and like how  It turns rail to rail really fast.  Compared to winging with the 1850, the 1250 doesn't get up as fast and the pump cadence seems different.  With the 1850, I can pump 2 X and be up, but it's slightly more work on the 1250.  This might be due to the foil being 3/4 back in the boxes, so moving it forward might help.  I didn't track speed but a cpl buddies said I was moving pretty fast.  It felt stable but I did notice when gusts hit, the foil would move side to side, and had dump wing pressure.  Overall good for the money but the extra performance requires more frequent adjustments.  For winging I can see it being used in 20-30 knots. 

20

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Mast Position - Armstrong 1850 on Quatro 5’8’’ Wing Drifter Pro

« on: June 21, 2021, 11:21:49 PM »

We are also about the same height/weight.  I have the 5'6" version and exact foil set up. Personally I like the mast 3/4 of the way back in the tracks.  This helps on two fronts 1) the center of lift is closer to the mid point between the strap inserts, 2) nearly equal back foot pressure can be used to maintain flight.  I tried having the foil slammed forward, but didn't like the heavy front footing required to keep the board from breaching.  I've always used the zero shim when winging.  Winging in winds below 13 knots can be hit or miss.  It's certainly doable but other factors come into play, especially technique.  I find best results occur when a gust gets the board moving first about 5 mph.  When this condition is met and sufficient pressure is in the wing, it is then and only then that I pumping both wing and board.  Without a doubt, winging in 15+ mph wind is significantly easier but rare at my local spot.

21

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: How do you store your wing(s)?

« on: June 14, 2021, 04:01:28 PM »

I have a slingwing that doesn't have windows.  It lives stuffed in the backpack it came with.  Occasionally I'll rinse with water, let air dry, then back in the bag.  After almost a year, haven't noticed any issues.

22

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Most important factors for riding swell and waves efficiently on wingfoil?

« on: June 14, 2021, 03:57:42 PM »

One concept that helped was remembering just as the foil enters the swell front and starts the decent down, acceleration happens quickly leading to sudden lift.  It's important to add just enough front foot pressure to insure the plane of the foil matches the slope of the wave.  This helps keep the foil just under the water surface and avoid breaching at the critical moment. 

23

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: San Diego conditions

« on: June 14, 2021, 03:36:53 PM »

San Diego can be a fickle place for wind, especially if you have a 9 to 5 job.  Often there's only a 2 to 3 hour window, with best wind mid day. 

I weigh 200 lbs, and started with a 6.4 m Slingwing, Armstrong 2400, and 120 L  F-One Rocket about 11 mos ago.  This setup was good for learning in average local conditions (wind speeds of 12 mph).  When the wind drops below this, I find it more difficult to stay on foil.

During the past 11 mos, my technique has evolved to where the main foil getting used is an 1850 and also considering a 5 m hand wing.   

As a person  with zero experience in wind sports, I personally wouldn't get a 7 m wing . 
1) I don't think it buys much more potential relative to a 6 m, 2) you will outgrow it soon enough with more time on water and 3) when the wind spikes close to 20 mph even a 6 m can be a handful.     

24

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: The Right Stuff

« on: June 01, 2021, 08:50:24 AM »

Great story.  I too am impressed by physically disabled folks I run into on occasion, that don't let their situations hinder their passion for water sports.   

25

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Question for Wingfoilers using the Infinity 84cm

« on: May 19, 2021, 10:59:08 AM »

I'm about your weight, and have used a buddies Infinity 76 cm. 

It was really stable and I remember the lift being slower relative other foils.  We weigh about the same, it was set at position B all the way forward on a 4'6" prone board.

 

26

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Wing Harness (NSI)

« on: May 19, 2021, 10:31:04 AM »

I'm thinking of buying a harness for going upwind.  Sometimes my elbows get a little sore when the winds aren't steady, from having to slog while waiting for a gust.  I was a little concerned about a plastic hook, but appears well built.  Looks like it can easily unhook quickly.   

27

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: windows on wings - to have or not to have?

« on: May 19, 2021, 10:18:25 AM »

One of my requirements in a wing is pack down size.  When going on trips, there is never enough space in your luggage or even in the car with all the family stuff.  For this reason, I prefer wings sans windows. 

28

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Amos or FFB?

« on: March 09, 2021, 04:21:56 PM »

I came across a used FFB on Craigslist and started riding a 5'1" .  Its a good board.

Amos is also a good shaper, some top riders use his shapes.  Both shapers know their stuff so can't go wrong.

29

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: 30:1 -- wing sales vs. kite sales

« on: February 27, 2021, 09:05:57 PM »

I'm one of those who came into winging from a surfing background. What I've learned in the last 9 mos is not everyone lives in places with strong winds.  However there are plenty places with marginally windy days.  For folks living in these locations, a kite can get you more foil days over a wing. Some will bounce between kiting and winging depending on the day.  So I don't see kiting dying any time soon.  Quite the opposite.  Winging may have a positive influence on kite sales, and help expand that sport.

As a long time windsurfer  I can finally say....

“ kitesurfing has been canceled”

Windsurfers will know what I mean

So true 

We sold all our kites last summer when we got wings. Our friends said they would not stop kiting, but their kites are not used anymore. They are in denial.

30

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: Full interview on wing foiling -- Wyatt Miller

« on: February 27, 2021, 08:36:26 PM »

Yes I think La Ventana 

BTW...  Where is his camp or operation in MEX? 

Jim