Topics

1

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Typical wind in the gorge for April and May

« on: March 09, 2022, 09:38:40 AM »

Hello All,

I'm doing some work in the gorge during the first week of April and then again in May. For those of you who spend some time there, what's the typical wind and water temp I'm looking at? I googled this and it seems like you have to sort through a million advertisement ridden sites to find something that actually answers the question.

Thanks

2

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Armstrong HA925 Thread

« on: September 30, 2021, 08:53:24 PM »

About 4 weeks ago, I asked the question if anyone had winged with the HA925. After watching a very talented rider at my local spot just killing it with one, I decided to grab one.

As of this past week, I've now had four sessions riding one with my 4'8" 69L Jimmy Lewis board, Flying V tail, and V2 4.5M Armstrong (I'm 165lbs). All in marginal conditions, but hardly a marginal experience. The 925 has exceeded my expectations more than any piece of foil gear I've tried. This morning in 10-15mph winds. Even when the wind occasionally dropped to 6-8mph, the foil was so efficient, I was able to stay on foil by pumping and building apparent wind in my wing.

I hit a personal GPS speed record of 20.3mph dropping into a waist high chop with the wing flagged behind me. I also survived a hard turn when the tip came out of the water (I could hear it) without any consequences, it just flowed through. The glide is off the charts, turning is very similar to the HS1250 and I'm finding as I figure out the technique, I think I can get it up onto foil in less wind than the 1250.

I can't wait to try this in some bigger surf and, even more, I can't wait until the rumored HA725 surfaces at some point in the coming months. This foil is a total game changer. 

I know a few of you have tried this, how's it going so far?

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Anybody winging in surf with the Armstrong HA925 yet?

« on: September 02, 2021, 04:05:53 PM »

Hello All, I'm currently riding the HS1250 and HS1050 and love them both, but I'm also curious about the performance of the HA925 for winging in surf conditions. I've watched what's available on YT, but curious if anyone here has any experience with this?

Thanks

4

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Anyone using more than a +1 shim with Armstrong foils? And video from Real

« on: July 29, 2021, 05:06:57 PM »

I've been using the +1 with the V2 1550 and 1250 and have nothing to complain about, but I'm curious if anyone is using or had experience with +1.5 or 2.0? I know I can try it myself, but wanted to see if anyone else has insight about if it's worth bothering?

Thanks!

BTW, Matt N. put out a great video on shims today:

5

Gear Talk / Impact Vests with Floatation

« on: July 30, 2015, 07:44:30 PM »

I know this has been discussed before, but somehow I'm not finding quite the answers I'm looking for.

After catching the rail of my board in the ribs on a windy day last year, breaking some ribs, and missing almost the entire winter I started wearing an impact vest and swear by it. I'm using an older Dakine vest works great for protection, but doesn't give much float, not a big deal most of the time.

What I'm looking for:

Most of my riding is between head high to double overhead+ and the impact vest is fine for this. Occasionally, I'll be out when there are bomb sets 15 to 20 feet on the face. For those days I'm looking for a vest that stays in place, isn't too bulky, and has enough float to pop you up and keep your head above water. I've read about the Gooru and a little on the Patagonia R1.

Has anyone had experience in these kinds of conditions with floatation devices that they would recommend? Also any thoughts on sizing for whatever you suggest?

6

Gear Talk / 2014 Naish Hokua 8'5"GT versus 2010 Naish Hokua 8'10"

« on: May 24, 2014, 08:18:49 PM »

I picked up a used 2014 Naish 8'5" this week at a pretty fair deal and have had it out 3 times in the last 4 days. My previous board was an 8'10" Naish Hokua from 2010.

For starters, the 8'10 is a really nice board and shines no less after riding the 2014 8'5" they both have their strengths and draw backs. Several times this winter I had the 8'10" out in surf from head high to double overhead and it was fantastic. I was amazed how it handled some very late and steep take offs, transition from rail to rail is really good and when you step on the tail it really livens up. The biggest drawbacks are two (1) domed deck makes for legs getting tired faster and balance more challenging and (2) rocker is great but board pushes water and you end up needing to take off in the pocket.

Over the last couple days I have had the 8'5" out in shoulder to slightly overhead conditions and here's my take so far. It's lighter weight (about 18 lbs with fins) and straighter rocker line make it easier to get into waves than the 8'10". The flat deck also is much easier on the legs and helps to make the 8'5" not any more difficult to balance on than the 8'10". Where I have found myself having to adjust is related to the flatter rocker line on the 8'5". Naish calls it a "progressive" rocker that is flat in the middle and more pronounced in the tail. Getting used this different rocker meant I missed a few really good waves... TODAY, I missed the wave of the session  because I pearled the board while dropping in.

You really have to move aggressively towards the tail and, it seems, avoid straight drops. Later into my session this morning, I adapted and was making some equally steep waves, but you can't just dive bomb like you can on the 8'10, it takes a little more "technique." Once on a wave the board is pretty fun and lively, but I do think the 8'10 transitions from rail to rail a little better. If you get yourself in the sweet spot it can definitely be snappy. I had one wave the first day out where I was able to really get dialed in and swing the board around quickly off the top of the wave, I'm working on dialing that in.   

Now here's the thing, new the 2014 is $1995!!!! You can find the 2010 8'10" for anywhere from $500-$700. Both shapes are old Harold designs so who cares what year they are. I think the 8'10 was more consistent with traditional surfboard shapes and the 8'5 is a more contemporary take. For those who have done some wave sailing, the difference is a lot like going from the more aggressive rocker lines on older wave boards to the newer flatter designs. There is a place for both, you just have to figure out what direction is best for your style.

Aloha

7

Gear Talk / just did a redeck - goo gone my friend

« on: February 25, 2014, 02:32:13 PM »

Hello... new here...

I have a board that is a few years old and the deck was slippery from a few years of sun on the deck. After reading around, there seems to be a variety of ways to go at getting the old pad off, here's what worked for me.

1. Goo gone - soaked deck with an entire bottle and let it sit all day. In the areas where the goo gone was able to pool a bit (flat part of the deck) the pads came off almost effortlessly with a putty knife. In the areas where it did not pool, it took a lot of work.

2. After Goo gone and scraping, I used a power sander with 60 grit (CAREFULLY) to remove left over pad and old adhesive and finished with 180 before putting new pad on.

I cut my own pad out of some left over deck material graciously given to me by a friend. I made a template using paper over the original deck and it was VERY easy to cut out a new deck. I'll post photos later, but basically this process was $50 versus $130 for a pre-cut one.

I'll post photos soon, but I'm pretty thrilled with how it came out. Some solid NNW to N swell due later this week so I'm looking foward to riding a board that my feet will stay on!