Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: North Nova 4.2

Turns out my instinctual way to jibe on a wingfoil is via duck (pun intended.) But I was letting go with my back hand instead of me front.

In the words of The Great Balz:

"I...really recommend that you get into duck jibing, cuz it's simply the best way to turn"

Board: Quatro Wing Drifter Pro 6'0"         Sail:

Experiment day. Damien suggested I try his "big" board to see if it would be more stable for me. When I picked it up from his house, it did not look so big. He reassurred me. It is the Naish Cossover Hover SUP. Same width, 1.5 feet longer, but 10 liters less volume. So, with little to no wind on the lake I paddled and popped on my knees with both boards. They were about equal in stability. Both, just barely floating on the surface. I liked the Quatro better. I think getting the footstraps off my board today allowed me to get both feet planted on the deck and then my toes were naturally placed against the kick pad which gave me a lot more control. Popping up felt more like a surfboard pop up, and paddling was comfortable and natural. I wish the wind was better, I brought my SUP today to try, but there was not enough wind to pump up the wing. I am pretty sure I have the right board for me, but I need to be able to pop up quickly and confidently to use it.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: North Nova 4.2

Whadingy thingy.

Leash tangle madness. Once that happened, leash awareness kicked in and seemed to prevent it again.

Made 2 non-flying jibes. Launched from the point...won't be doing that again. 

Got flying a number of times. Not skilled enough yet to keep it going or get it going when it's slightly too light wind. Maybe next time.

Damn foot strap was even more in the way after I moved it all the way forward. Must find a leash hook to screw into a foot strap hole...

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Foil, with 1 foot strap. Weird.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '20

Great long rides. I mistakenly rigged overpowered, so I struggled with my bottom turns but worked on practicing spilling power. I'll miss these cold front days. Sailed with Barry and Matt.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: North Nova 4.2

Wing

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.0

Foil

Board: Angulo Triumph 81, JP radical wave 65L         Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18

I don't like this launch but came to sail with V & C, so that part was fun. I was overpowered and tried to work on power spilling jibes...blah. 

Board: Quatro Wing Drifter Pro 6'0"         Sail: 5.5 Armstrong A-Wing

Beautiful day, too good to pass up. I have got to get healthy first, and then, I need a bigger more stable board to learn with. I am sure my board will work better if I am more confident and pop up quicker.

Board:         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

I don't wing much, but today confirmed that it really can perfectly fill that gap when it's just under windsurf planing but I don't have the kind of time to drive to Bird for LWF. 18 mph was my sweet spot today. I was able to cruise pretty well up and down North Beach on the foil with maybe a tap down here and there. The swells were decent bay size, and I don't yet know what to do with them. I practiced turning down a couple but I am not yet fine-tuned enough to be able to use that momentum. But I can see how with continued practice that could come.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

A nice last session before surgeries! First up, bone grafting and meniscus repair, then 3 months later, new ACL. 

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Le foil

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Everybody bailed and went to Dougs except us and Royn and a few wingers. The wind picked back up and delivered a perfect 4.2 session.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Foil

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Love big board, small sail combo. Fun!

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85, '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7, '14 The Fly 3.2

First on the freestyle, which sucked.

Then on the foil, which didn't suck.

Board: Quatro Wing Drifter Pro 6'0"         Sail: 5.5 Armstrong A-Wing

Tough first try with the wing gear. I only managed to sail on my knees. My board was very tippy and I never felt enough power in my wing to try to stand. In the lulls, at times, it was impossible to keep the wing tip out of the water, and I was just praying for a gust to fill the canopy. My proximal hamstring tendon is not happy with me this evening.

Board: '? RRD Wavetwin 66         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.0

I'm always wary of up/down 3.0 days, but it came through for me today. Mostly up and enough swell to keep me going when wind was down. Nice swell!! The nose of my board got run over by a truck, but it should be repairable and I most likely will not need it for about a year!

Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Legacy

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Nice, mellow 4.2 session. When I leave the Gorge even for a few days, I am always stunned with the beauty and feel so lucky!!

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Foil.

Sailed out of that move I mentioned yesterday after a few crash and burn attempts.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Foil. No rubber on my head. No extra rubbers on the torso.

Worked on grabbing the mast down low with the back hand while grabbing the board rail with the front hand while powered by the swell. Inspired by Royn, who was in turn inspired by Balz.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '20

Wind shut down and I wound up way down the beach. 

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.0

Foil

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Freestyle

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Much better wind than yesterday!! Nice swell too!

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Top-notch Packery conditions! What a treat. I did have a hard wreck going over the falls on a head-high wave. I was feeling kind of off kilter for the rest of the session and thought maybe I was just shaken up, but when derigging I realized one of the bolts was missing from my mast plate. I was sailing with a loose and off-center mast plate! I do blame my not noticing that on being shaken up and thinking it was in my head. Icing my hamstring now - feels like I pulled it. I still absolutely loved this session. Epic

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Very up and down conditions. My hands got cold. I didn't last long, but any day where windsurfing is involved is a great day!!

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

So warm I didn't even need a hood! Quite up and down, but still fun to be on the water!

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Foil

Board: inflatable SUP         Sail: North Wing 4.4

Tried out Buck's new toy a bit! Fun to try something new on a hot, sunny day.

Board: Body Glove Oasis Yoga SUP         Sail: North Nova 4.2

Wing play

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Waited on standby all day for the storminess to stop and for the direction to be right. Wind and waves were marginal but I'm glad I went. 

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro

Really nice North wind day. I wanted to test my injury. Sadly, it is not ready yet for windsurfing. I rigged at the boat ramp to have an easy launch and no gear carry. My leg/hip was feeling OK sailing across the lake, but I felt it in the foot changes of the jibes, and also a waterstart on the inside. I am starting to feel much more comfortable foiling in gusty conditions. The wind in the channel started to average 20 @1pm. I knew I could possibly reinjure things, so I called it despite it being so nice. Live to fight another day. More rehab.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 3.8 S2 Dragon '17

Well, this was unexpected! Not a storm but a mini-front that turned out extra strong. I got lucky and timed it just right. It was fading at the end of my session. Got my second shot today and again, although my arm starting feeling quite sore, using it made it much better. I'm feeling great and grateful. 

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Sunny, gorgeous day! Not ideal conditions, but a little bit of swell. Lots of ducks - worked on throwing the rig and catching it on the other side closer to the mast rather catching it mid boom and inching into place.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

My first run was the only planing run. It shut off right away. I still sailed for an hour or actually stopped 5 minutes short because I got vertigo with all the sea motion. I'm grateful for the practice. The break was crowded with surfers, which made it extra challenging to navigate not planing. But once out I stayed outside. Really appreciating being back on this board with how well it points in current.

Board: Starboard Nuevo Twin 82         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '20

South wave season opener! This board didn't point well at all in the onshore wind and strong current. I was wishing for my Angulo! But it's not like I packed the car specially for this launch. I have some rearranging to do now that we are starting summer season. Just me and Mark out.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: Maui Sails 3.8

Nice swell, good time! Not a huge fan of sailing with mitts. Possibly will cut the palm out?

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Foil

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro

8 hours of driving for 45 minutes of foiling. It was good while it lasted, or until my body failed me. I aggravated my R proximal hamstring insertion on a simple foil jibe. Made the jibe, but ended my session. I am not sure how long I will be out. Hopefully, not too long.

Board: Starboard Nuevo Twin 82         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Nice strong wind and no one there. I didn't feel tuned in for some reason, but was really grateful for the sesh. 

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

The wind got a bit funky so just a short session, but sure was a gorgeous day!

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Foil

Board: JP radical wave 65L         Sail: 3.4 S2 Dragon '19

Another day on my smallest gear. Storm conditions with big messy waves and high tide reaching the bollards. Although much bigger seas than Sunday, this day was much easier, due to a notch less wind and side-on rather than side-off. Over head wave riding in both directions. Rode with Olivier and Matt. Another windsurfer I don't know was also out, Gordon was on the beach waiting for it to drop a bit for foiling, plus we had a larger group of kiters than usual for this much wind. They were all good riders and a pleasure to share waves with. 

Board: Starboard Nuevo Twin 82         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Fun sesh with Gordon! Very low waves, hoping for bigger tomorrow!

Board: Fanatic Quad 75L, JP radical wave 65L         Sail: 3.4 S2 Dragon '19, 3.8 S2 Dragon '17

Finally, a Port A wave day! And it was strong. I sailed two runs on the 4.2 and it was ridiculous, sailed an hour on the 3.8 very overpowered, then sailed another hour on the 3.4 still quite overpowered. For the last sesh I tested Olivier's 75L fanatic quad board. I have come around a lot to the quad style. I used to not be able to ride them comfortably. It wasn't great testing conditions because I was still too overpowered to turn downwind very well, but I loved how it jibed and turned. I'm grateful that I had rare flexibility in my day to spend 4 hours at the beach rigging and talking and testing. 

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: Neil Pryde Wizard 4.8

So nice and warm that I didn't even use the mitts!! Glad I rigged big. Had a mellow session with some duck jibes and DW360s.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro, 5.9 Severne Freek

Superb! Perfect air temp, water temp, wind, and sunshine. Foiled briefly with small sail and small front wing, then windsurfing freestyle bliss. I do not understand why someone who windsurfs would want to foil in these conditions. What a day.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Foil

Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

March Madness

Board: '? RRD Wavetwin 66         Sail: Combat Fly HD 3.2

First March sailing session in the Gorge for me everrrrr!!! My new wetsuit was amazing along with exo top on top of it, really nice booties (could not even feel the 45 degree water when I stepped in), hood and mitts. The air temp was 56 and sunny. I actually felt toasty warm!! Even after falling in a few times. Nice swell to ride! I wore my knee brace and my knee felt fine (didn't even swell up like it has been doing when skiing). I would have kept sailing, but the mitts made my forearms sore and I started having trouble keeping hold of the boom well. 

Board:         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

I was very overpowered at times but did get practice at spilling off power. Although I kept asking myself, "why aren't I windsurfing?" It was reading 17 and didn't look windy from shore, so I thought it was clearly a foil learning day, but there turned out to be some killer gusts. I hit the ledge for the first time. I was able to run it out and didn't fall or get hurt. Hopefully I got that rite of passage out of the way and won't repeat it! I got cruising well in both directions and increased my comfort level on starboard. Also figured out turning downwind in a controlled way and riding off of the wind. 

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

Too beautiful day not to try. I got 3 flights and 2 hours of shlog.

Board:         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

I wasn't even going to log this, but it was still an effort so I will. Due to a tragically-timed birthday party, my time was really bookended today. It was the first sailable front in a month and Port A was too far, but I thought I could get in a session at Cole Park on the wing. By the time I dressed, rigged, and walked the gear out past the end of the ledge...I had time for a 15-minute session. Which really sucked. I was overpowered and don't yet have any skill at feathering off power, but I wasn't able to get into a groove learning in such a short time. And I still ended up 10 minutes late, whoops. 

The good part - I got my vaccine yesterday! My shoulder was extremely sore, and I didn't care a bit other than wondering if winging would even work with it feeling that tight. It worked and it actually loosened up the muscle and made it feel much better. So there's an extremely practical trick for anyone else getting their shot. 

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125         Sail: 4.7 Severne S-1

Disappointed. I got to the lake with lots of daylight left. It looked SUPER windy with a lot of dust in the air. I saw no sails/kites on the water (even looking toward Mansfield Dam), which was a suprise. I thought I saw Darren's van leaving as I was driving down Commanche Trail. I rigged up my smallest sail and decided to go for it. Last reading on iW was 30mph gusting to 40. Once I got my wetsuit on, the wind seemed to be backing off a little. Brian S. showed up to kite foil, and I just beat him out on the water. I had a decent run out, but then started to shlog... a lot. I did get a few good runs in, but was never overpowered. I had to make sure I stayed upwind so I was able to make it back if the wind backed off. Bad wind direction? Warm wind not getting down to the cold water surface? Too small of sail for sure.

Board:         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

Suddenly I know how to wing foil! On a beginner level, at least. I got on this board and was just up and riding pretty stably as long as I wanted, at least in one direction. I turned back and it took me a couple of runs to figure starboard out, but now the two sides are about equal. The difference was 100% the board. The old board had those slick deck spots that kept me from standing where I needed to, which took me many sessions to figure out because I didn't know how the sport worked. Having a good spot to stand also got me planing in much less wind than I was needing before, so my plan of having the 5.3 for lighter-than-windsurf-planing wind is now making sense again. There were no weeds and the spring visitors are starting to come, so that was fun.

I got to ride with and meet Nina, and I'm grateful to her (and the time change) for getting me out.

Board: Starboard Nuevo Twin 82         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '20

From storing our ice cream outside less than a month ago to sailing in a shorty and feeling overdressed! Spring season is here. It definitely felt like a rustbuster session. Also I am giving the twin fin board another shot. With the skills I've been practicing, I have more appreciation for the areas it gives an advantage, rather than only noticing the shortcomings as I did before. I think I was able to cut back harder rather than fighting the fin. Although it was not a great swell day, so hard to get a full sense of it. I'll try it in the waves also.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro, 5.9 Severne Freek

So good! Windsurfing is the best wind sport in the world. Sailing, kiting, foiling (wing, kite, wind, SUP)....nah. A good day windsurfing beats it all. Surfing a perfect break may be best, but who has access to that?

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo

I should have got there earlier, my laziness cost me. I did get both windsurfing and foil in. I sailed from 3p to sunset. The 6.2m2 was too much for the foil, but I was too lazy to rig down. Lazy, but at least I made the drive (good decision).

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

The wind has been nice yesterday, today, and looks nice tomorrow....if you can get off work and sail in the afternoon. If you can't get there until after work (aka a RJ approximately 5pm), it is probably not worth it. I did not try yesterday, but the banter on Signal went on all evening about how great it was. So today, game on. I drove home and loaded my car at lunch time. I got to Four Points after work at 5p, and looked at the wind graph. It had been 20, now it was 6mph. I was going to turn around, but since I was almost there, I pressed on. Everyone was leaving and packing up at the point. I decided to check out the boat ramp. Bingo, Damien. This guy is hard core. Dressed for work, like me, he was inflating his wing and quickly putting on his wetsuit. I finally found some motivation to rig up and go out. I got plenty of flights, as the gusts were pretty good. It is starting click for me going downwind and ditching the power of the sail. It was cloudy, so it was hard to judge how much time we had to sail before getting locked out. I bailed a little after 6, since it takes me a while to disassemble my foil ( no Quick Lock ). Worth it? I'm not so sure. I will pass tomorrow, but hoping for windsurfing this weekend.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro

I had to use the short fuse when I discovered today my long fuselage was bent from sailing last Saturday. Britt took care of it for me, so a replacement is on the way. I love the Quick Lock system. I wish I could get a custom tailpiece for wind foiling. I went small on the sail size today and took off one back foot strap. I already knew from Saturday that I needed to put the mast base all the way back in the mast track. When the wind was light, early take off was weird, and simple  non-planing jibes were tricky. When the wind was stronger and gustier, I found my groove. I found that downwind was actually fun today! I am not sure if it finally clicked for me, and I was not exactly riding real swell, but I was having a blast carving downwind riding the foil and ignoring the sail. Upwind was great too with the one back strap off. I definitely would modify my board for a single rear strap if I were to stay with the short fuse. I will probably do it anyway, but I want to see how it is with the longer fuse first. The downside to the short fuse is the jibe. It is so foot pressure sensitive, that it makes the flying jibe almost impossible for me. Today, I found I had to fly low and touch down so I would not get bucked off. I also had awesome fast heli-tacks. I have to find a longer Quick Lock rear fuselage solution, and a single rear strap. That and a better pumping technique so I can use a smaller sail size all the time. The downwind carving today was plain awesome, and I already am craving more of it.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

I sailed my ass off. I am finally able to foil at Bird again. I found a 65 cm Starboard mast by buying a used surf foil with an adapter plate and taking the plate off. I experimented with using the short Quickloc surf fuselage since it is very easy to use and light! Flights were surprisingly stable, turning radius was tighter, but I needed the UJ/mast base all the way back in the track and it was still very back footed. The long fuselage is easier for this reason, but the short Quickloc fuse is SO much nicer to rig and switch out front wings if desired. IF I ever get better at this stuff, I could see preferring the short fuselage. I am very tempted to try put in inserts in my board for a single back foot strap. This is just where my back foot wants to be. I often put it between the two rear footstraps or hook my toes under the leeward one. It is just uncomfortable stepping on top of them. I keep saying I will take the rear footstraps off, but never do.Today, we had two 20mph peaks that were brief and also a brief 12mph lull in the wind, but the foil allowed me to stay on the water nearly the whole time. I would rather windsurf any day of the week than foil, but there is no doubt the foil leads to more time on the water.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '20

I never got around to logging this, as our power went out for three days and I was more focused on survival mode for a while. But I did get to sail the second front of the historic winter storm. With the bad weather and the freeze predicted later that evening, I stayed very close to home. I launched at Poenisch around 3:30pm. Rigging was very cold because the parking lot forms a wind tunnel. It was 36 degrees. Juan came to watch with the girls, both for entertainment and safety. Poenisch has eroded a lot since I last sailed there, and the launch was a little difficult, but getting out of the water was very hard. My hands got cold on the water and I had the hardest time lifting my gear high enough to clear the broken concrete, with the wind tunnel effect and steep hill only complicating things. Other than my hands, I stayed toasty warm the whole time in my semi dry suit. And my hands came right back with some warm water Juan poured on them at the car. I only got chilled taking my suit off. Not great sailing conditions at all, but I loved conquering the storm. So I sailed fronts #1 and #2, but #3 was a no-go as by then the air and water temps were lower and I was cold even inside my house.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Beautiful clean surf. Air was 43 degrees on my car thermometer, but on the water it had to have been warmer because the water is still 60. This caused a rare winter steam front! Which was weird because there was so much steam you could not read the coming sets until they were already starting to reach you.

By the end of the session the waves were dying down noticeably. I felt wonderfully comfortable and appreciated my warm wetsuit and gloves. Four sessions into using this boom I finally learned to rig it without crossing the lines! Hoping this giant front brings more fun!

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

WTF!!!!!!!!!! The forecasts I keep looking at are getting it all wrong. Last Saturday the wind was supposed to die by noon in Corpus making the drive not worth it, and it blew 20 all day. Today, a skinny spike of N wind of 15mph was predicted at 3pm by iW, Wind Guru, NOAA, Windfinder. I get there early, but only bring my foil board and 2 sails. I am sure I will rig my 5.9m2 Freek, and just have to decide on the front wing. I get there and look at the water, and I have to say it looks windy, so I rig optimistic and go for the 5.6m2 S-1 and small front wing. I get out there, and I am powered nicely. Then, some massive gusts come through. I am keeping it together, but ending up a little upwind. Then, the water turns white and the sailboats racing near by are broaching. A few are in massive trouble with their spinnakers. I head up to the water inlet north of WP thinking it will pass relatively quick. I am sailing back and forth dodging the motorboats who use the inlet for lake access. And I keep telling myself this high wind will pass any minute. Every time I test myself and make it to the channel I just get punished. When it finally lets up to @20mph I was agressively heading way downwind aided by the chop, but when I would jibe to the other tack, it would pick up again and I would end up back upwind. The whole time I am thinking to myself what a great time I would actually be having if I was on my freestyle board. I also kept saying to myself this is how you get better at foiling....Really???

Board: Goya Quad 84         Sail: 5.2 S1 Pro

I windsurfed!! Well, shake it up baby now. Twist and shout. Come on come on come one baby now. Come on and work it on out. Ooohhhh!!!

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

It was great just getting out after such a rough winter for wind. I did have some issues. Out-of-shape arms, my big fin wasn't bottom turning, I had forgotten my small winter fin, and the waves weren't holding up very long so not a ton of turns to be had. Despite that I had a great time. Highlight was when Mike, Olivier, and Mark all arrived over time and were doing some awesome turns and back loops around me. I love that energy of a group session and thrive on being surrounded by more skilled people. Everywhere I looked there was someone and something to learn from. 

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

Much better day!

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

A brief flight, then hours of hopeful shlogging. The wind was way below forecast. The wind in Corpus was supposed to tail off at noon, so I did not make the drive. Big mistake. Oof.

Board: Fanatic Falcon TE 138, Flikka Custom Freestyle 125,         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro, 6.2 Avanti Echo, 8.5 GA Phantom

Foiling at BIB has been cancelled for me until I can find a shorter mast. 72cm is not short enough for BIB. I am bummed. Foiling waiting for the wind to build and later after it tails off has been the best thing about foiling so far. I brought everything gearwise, and I felt like I used everything today. I am still not a big fan of slalom gear, but if you can't foil... I got a little time at the end of the day on my freestyle board. I only planed long enough for one jibe, and thankfully, nailed my donkey jibe. I do not want to rig up any more gear for a while.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

That first plunge into the cold lake water gave me a brief ice cream headache (next time wear the beanie). It ended up being a nice after work session.

Board: JP radical wave 65L         Sail: 3.8 S2 Dragon '17

First session of the year! I was looking forward to waves for over a month, but it turned offshore when it was not supposed to. Temp dropped to 43 while I was at the beach. I wore my heavy suit and was toasty and warm inside. I think the new gloves worked well, but my session was too short as I was overpowered and way too offshore. Had to know my limits and called it off very quickly. I stayed until Matt finished to make sure he got in ok. Big messy waves and I regret not trying earlier in the day when the direction might have worked better.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

Warm air and cold water. Big front wing day.

Board: Starboard Trance 94         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Back in a shorty suit in December, because I was overdressed yesterday and regretting the full suit. This has been an oddly warm and oddly NW wind winter so far. (Thanks to La Niña?) I wanted to practice skills from my lesson but never got settled in and comfortable. It was all gusts and holes. Borrowed Andy's fanatic freeskate 85 to try, and apparently I had the mast track in the wrong position and it needed to be all the way forward. I didn't work at all for me. I got to try his larger version of that board yesterday and last month, and I can't seem to get used to how squirrelly they feel. That's probably how freestyle boards are now and I'm just that far behind the times.

Board: Starboard Trance 94         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '20

I did a lesson with Andy and worked on shakas on port, vulcans on starboard. I'm not very close to either but it was fun to have some fresh advice. I'll keep trying. 

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

Started with light wind @15mph. I was happy since I wanted to try my new shorter Starboard aluminum foil mast at Bird. The foil still dragged bottom. The shorter mast was expensive too! Bummed, AB came to my rescue and pulled out his Wizard 150 with an i84 and 61 cm mast and short fuse. Finally able to foil (easily). He strongly suggests rig flip early before feet switch on the jibe. I am sure he is right, but that is not how I normally jibe. I did have a successful one with his advice. Wind fortunately came up, so I just windsurfed with the 5.6 m2 S-1 Pro that I was using foiling. I needed to add a cm of outhaul and move the harness lines back. What an improvement little adjustments make. I was able to practice rig flip first jibes, and they seemed OK. I tried many Donkey Jibes today and could not make one. Strange. The duck jibe part was easy but I had trouble with the sail/body 360 part. The wave sail's longer boom? It definitely turned into a beautiful day. I think that is it for me this year. I would have loved to stay for tomorrow, but trying to be safe.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125         Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo

Initially shocked by the wind that was an hour early and blowing a solid 20 mph, I put on my wet chilly wetsuit and rigged up the freestyle board. Two nice runs later it was a shlog fest, and I was fortunate to make it back to the boat ramp. The wind dropped to @15 mph and sunny, but I did not trust it to last long enough for me change to the foil board and a smaller sail. I was lazy. The wind responded to my leaving by stabilizing out @15 which would have been fine for foiling. Bird was above forecast today. Hard to know what to trust.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

Really solid windfoil day. I was flying most of the time with my smaller 1700 wing. The end was a bit of a bummer when a sailboat would not yeild and made me tack into the shallow area by the island. I thought I could slog it upwind enough to avoid hitting the bottom, but I was wrong. I scratched up the bottom port tip of my front wing. I also had one scary overfoil. I dont know why I still head upwind sometimes when overpowered. Overall, thrilled to get this session in today.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

Got a handful of flights. Probably the lowest wind threshold yet.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

Not enough wind to windsurf, not enough water to foil. A long day of driving for an hour of scraping the floor at BIB. It was nice to see Peter, Nina, and AB who was generously giving foil tips. Too bad I could not get on foil.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro, 5.9 Severne S-1

Wow, Lake Travis was firing this afternoon. When I arrived @2pm, there were 2-3 kites, and Rob wing foiling. Forecast was 20-30mph @ 3pm, but with a lot of West. I rigged for what I thought the forecast would be. By the time I hit the water, it was gusting over 40mph. I got spanked after 2 runs with the 5.9m2, and ended up downwind of the island. I had to get back sailing in the lee of Windy Point. People were showing up by now. I could barely carry my gear up the boat ramp. I rigged down to my smallest sail 5.2m2 ( was really 4.7 wind for me) and fortunately the gusts were only in the 30s by then. I sailed until 5pm. I had a lot of failed Dw360s in the inside today, but I did make a few. I had a few good floaty jumps, but they were all on the outside where it was less crowded and unsettled. I was overpowered most of the time, and I cannot remember the last time that happened to me at Lake Travis. I heard Rob ended up at Mansfield Dam at the end of his wing foil session. I am glad he is OK. I have to admit, the kiters surprised me how well they handled the conditions today.

Board: '19 JP 113 FWP         Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE

041 - Out to the IWC bridge then between Pita island and IWC. Only slough was final return. Very low water made the outside smooth.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

Sunny, 60 degrees, 10-13mph with occasional gusts to 18mph. First session with the 2400 S-Type front wing. I am pleased so far. It definitely confirms to me the best one front wing solution would be the S-type 2000, but the Supercruiser comes with the 1700. Mast base and stab were fine with no adjustments. My board and foil are now much lighter and easier to carry. I really like this, especially since the big carry to the water due to the lake being low. I was able to rocket upwind when powered, and stayed on foil through some major holes. Still not able to get flying as easily as Brian on the kite foil and Damien on the wing foil. I would not have bothered to go to the lake today based on the wind forecast. This is why I wanted a foil board.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

Oh yea, the unexpected foil session overdelivered. I only brought one sail, not expecting much, and I was thinking it was big wing day. I was super powered on my smaller wing and wishing for the 5.6m2. I can't believe anyone would want to foil in strong winds. Hopefully, one day I will be that comfortable on the foil. Rob C. is really progressing quickly on the wingding.

Board:         Sail:

I took a foil lesson with Andy, and it was really amazing to work with him. It was blowing about 11-15 at the time I went, but that plus his coaching was enough to get riding. I did get pretty tired with all the pumping and his harness lines being too long for me to settle my weight into. By the last run I dared to try a jibe. I foiled through the first half and non-foiled through the second half. He gave advice for next time to keep my arms out farther away from me - recording that here for when/if there's a next time. I no longer have foiling gear other than my wing. Still not sure if I want to buy any. A good used deal would make it an easier choice but I imagine that would be hard to come by, and I haven't looked. I just love the opportunity to learn wind sports and don't pass that up when offered. Same reason I've taken about five kite lessons over the years but have never pulled the trigger on buying gear. Being satisfied but learning more is a good problem to have.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

I feel I am starting to gel with my new foil. I like how fast and quiet it is. It takes a different stance and technique than my previous HG set-up. More upright and further back on the board. I am tempted to take my back footstraps off, but the straps give me an idea where my back foot is. If they were gone, I am worried my back foot might slide off the tail of the board at an inopportune time. I really like foiling with the 5.6 S1 Pro, always have. It is my favorite foil rig, but it needs good wind. I will be interested to try my new 2400 wing next marginal day. Maybe I can get away with just the 5.6m2?

Board: JP radical wave 65L         Sail: 3.8 S2 Dragon '17

Epic! Overhead well-formed waves with multiple turns in either direction. I was perfectly powered on my gear. The water is still warm and air was in the mid to high 60s. Just me and Matt out, and it felt criminal being the only windsurfer enjoying these conditions. There was torrential rain on the drive out and I'm sure that kept people away.

I sailed really well for me. I do see a lot of room for improvement in my strength and endurance, so maybe I can get motivated to work on that. I think I sprained my wrist a couple of weeks ago, but luckily windsurfing wasn't a motion that aggravated it. This was one of my favorite sessions of the year.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro, 5.9 Severne Freek

Really nice day with lots of people out. The wind was much better on the outside. I initially rigged the 5.2m2, but that did not last long at all. The 5.9m2 was the right call. I felt very rusty. Too much foiling? Nah, too much C19 access loss and poor timing with wind and work.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Here I am back in a bathing suit in the Gulf in late November. The gulf didn't work, as I suspected and as others had reported, but I just had to try. Well I guess it could have worked but I wanted to be more planing and I was only planing on a wave. Went to Bird and hung out a bit but didn't end up rigging.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '20

Little session with Gordon. I finally got to debut my new Dragon sail! It's amazing. 

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18

I feel like time is standing still or going backwards. We did this two months ago - the tropical weather season, the "cold" front that's not at all cold, the sailing in a shorty wetsuit and feeling overdressed. I'm still on my summer fin because I feel like we have one foot in each season.

It felt so good to be back doing a sport where I feel confident and capable. Barry, Kathi, and Gordon were there. A lot of the local crew came. The waves were barely there and that left me hungry, but overall a gorgeous day I was very grateful to have.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

I went to Mansfield Dam Park for the first time @ 9:00am. The kiters were there. I looked at the boat ramp launch (which they do not use), and I concluded it was not that much better of slog out of that cove to the windline compared to WP, and definitely not worth the equipment carry. So, I drove to Windy Point. I decided to launch from the boat ramp since I was only going to foil. The wind was squirrelly as hell and east until in the channel where it was NE and steady with whitecaps. So, once I made it past the island at the point, the windline was blowing 20+. I guess this was good practice for me, as I hate being overpowered on the foil. I focused on just standing more upright and concentrating on riding the power in the foil while killing the power in the sail in the big gusts. It just feels bizarre to ignore sail power in the gusts.  At one point, I thought my mast base was sliding out of the track after I felt some play at the base during a helitack. I carefully sailed to the island and checked it out, and it appeared fine. I think the play is coming from the quick release connection at the Chinook 2 bolt base. I may need to investigate this later. Overall, I am stoked to get a second day in a row on the water.

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

Finally, some wind again. I drove to Sunset Lake on the advice of PKS because I guess that's where their wingfoilers go. It just looked...yucky. Even if I'd learn faster in flat water (which I'm not even convinced of), it's well worth the learning curve to not be in a stagnant mud hole. So I went to North Beach. A group of kite foilers had come from Wildcat, and I started out doing just awfully - falling a bunch and barely getting on the foil at all. A huge step backward from last time. I just kept going farther away in embarrassment, but they purposely rode to me later and every one of them came close and shouted encouragement. I appreciate that gesture.
 

And I don't know what was wrong with me for a little while, but I did end up getting it together and progressing.. I had just glued more deck padding to the board and it worked. Much more controlled feeling. By my last run I was up on the foil a good amount. The new foot placement is much better but maybe just took some getting used to.

Board: '14 JP 93 FWP         Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE

041 - Fairly high water bumpy inside but not outside where it was consistent and had no weeds. Out to the bridge and worked upwind between Pita Island and the IWC with just RB.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 6.2 Avanti Echo

Tried to windsurf, but not enough wind. I got a nasty ding on the bottom of my MUFFin hitting a rock 20 feet from shore shlogging out. I came back in after 30 minutes and traded it out for the foil board. That was pretty nice. I am very slowly getting better. I was still unable to keep it from overfoiling in one very strong (25mph) gust. I put the mast base 0.5cm forward after today's session, I hope that will help. The damn boat ramp dock is tearing up my gear. I got a small dime sized hole in the mast sleeve today from the nasty slime/mussle crud that adheres to the EPS floatation. I am hoping for a little session tomorrow with the  cold front.

Board: Fanatic AllWave 9'2"         Sail:

I had hoped to at least LWF, but it was glassy, so a quick SUP, and I cut my losses.

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

The tide is low in the bay again, so that's a pain. My learning curve has slowed a lot, so I'm picking up a little more skill each time but not the huge jumps of the beginning. My arms get tired quickly. I'm getting on the foil for maybe 20-second rides now. The more I do it the more I'm convinced foils don't belong anywhere near other people. I feel like there should be rules about this - not legislation, but the same general understanding and self-policing we have with right-of-way rules in other sports. I even feel a bit like I'm a danger to myself, so I'm thinking of cutting and running. Yet I still want to feel I've learned it decently and given it a full chance, and I'm not at that point yet. Luckily nothing is forcing my hand. I'll probably keep trying it in short doses.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 6.7 Severne Blade

I made myself stay out longer, just because. A few flights, one where I could not keep it from overfoiling in a gust. I guess I need to move the mast base forward a little.

Board: '? RRD Wavetwin 66         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Loved every minute!! Underpowered means ducking, perfectly powered means shredding, overpowered means really feeling WIND!! Ok, I did come in when I got just ridiculously overpowered.

Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Timed my (almost) one hour session just a little too early at 2:30. Starting a half hour later would have avoided the extended lull. Lots of extended lulls prior to that.

4 west wind days in a row in late October is nice.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

This time of year it always feels like you're having an early evening sess no matter the time of day. Tall shadows at high noon.

Or maybe it feels like a total solar eclipse sess with the subdued lighting.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: Maui Sails 3.8

Gorgeous! Plenty warm and plenty fun!

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '19 Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2

Toasty on October 28!

Board: Angulo Triumph 81, JP radical wave 65L         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18

Went to SPI with the kiters Matt and Jake to catch the Hurricane Zeta swell. We parked at the north dead end of the island. There was a pretty fun overhead wave there for a couple quick turns, then the whole thing would completely close out on you. Still fun to play around with. And quite spicy getting out through the shorebreak. Then in kiter fashion they wanted to do a downwinder. Ok. That started out fun. The problem for a downwinder is you have to rig not only for here and now, but for conditions 8 miles away and an hour or two later. The wind died. It turned into the last few miles of standing still balancing as I aimed south and waited for the parking lot to come into view. Luckily with the current and the occasional open ocean swell helping me along. I don't regret trying and think that if the wind held it could have been much more fun. We ended the day with the loss of a kite in the surf, but luckily everyone ok. Hopefully it turns up. 

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: Neil Pryde Wizard 4.8

Sailed until sunset...started about 40 minutes before sunset. Stayed plenty warm and had a very nice short session. 

Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Sick! And Sweaty! In all the rubber! Too much rubber!

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

I reached my 1,000th session! This says 1001, but technically one of my sessions is a joke so this is it. 

Foiling is happening more. Now that I'm flying more I'm discovering that much of steering happens with the hands. This brought me full circle, back to high school and collegiate sailing where the coach would take our rudders and we'd have to learn to steer with the sails. I'm still treading a weird line of being uneasy with this whole sport and thinking it's a recipe for disaster, vs being intrigued and grateful for this chance to really learn it and develop better-informed opinions. As of now the perfect wind range seems to max out just below where I'd plane windsurfing, so it's hitting that base I'd hoped for.

I'm finding it easier as a beginner to learn with a little more wind because it's so easy to pop up that way. I've tried the waist leash and foot leash for the board, and I think I like the waist better. I am at a point where I think the slick board and no straps is hindering me but I don't want to buy a board for this.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 6.7 Severne Blade

Slogfest on the foil. A few flights, but I had to wait a long time for any. Still wishing I had more front wing area. I feel am not getting as early and easy of take offs as I did with the i84. A new carbon mast and quiet flights instead of whistling due to it not being a dinged demo. I put the stab at neutral again, not good. I need to put it slightly back.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

Windsurfing rules! F. foiling or any other wind/water sport. I watched the live wind map all afternoon. When was the front going to hit? I got there early, I rigged up waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Should I just cut my losses and foil? I stared due north waiting to launch. The people fishing were probably wondering why I was just constantly staring upwind. Then the wind came. Damn, it felt so good to be powered up and bump and jumping. My first vulcan attempt was a violent yard sale. Who the f. cares. It felt great. 360s. It all felt great.

Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Sweatin' in my rubber. Bootie season is on!!!! Funny how the air/water combo feels so much colder coming off of Summer vs coming into Spring. I'd be basking in these conditions in Spring. But here I am, covering almost all parts of my body in rubber. It's all relative. Relatives. In-laws. Good times.

But I don't do easterlies, so probably just one more session on Wednesday then that's it. Temira says anywhere from 0 to 7.5 inches of SNOW AT RIVER LEVEL Friday night/Saturday!!! Whoah.

Board: '? RRD Wavetwin 66         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

I feel pretty in my comfort zone cruising now. I've figured out pointing, and now pumping is also making sense. I've balanced out my hand positions much more by getting further back, although there's still plenty of room for improvement. I also figured out a way to carry everything at once! That's huge for morale. And luckily Juan took a picture as I picked it up, because otherwise I would have forgotten how I did it. I'm loving the bay for learning.

I actually felt more inept on the foil today than last time. Last time I was low flying a lot and then practicing short elevations a bit higher and bringing it down. Today I was barely getting up and then losing control of the plane when I did. I know it's because it was marginal wind, so finesse mattered more and I don't have that yet. Another development - I'm blowing a lot of my tacks. I was better as a complete beginner than now. I think this is because I'm further back in a power position on the sail now, then I'm not properly doing the handwork to cross over. Plus I'm riding longer stretches and it's tiring me out, which makes me sloppy.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

The most sailors on the water (wingers, kiters, windsurfers) at Windy Point that I have seen in a long time. Kids windsurfing too! Wind was very up and down, but it was warm and beautiful. Brian Shepard was tearing it up. Foil boarding with a foil kite is obviously the most efficent form of light wind sailing that I have seen. There was a wing foiler getting flying before me too which was a bit crushing. I feel it has been a big set back trying to get the SC foil dailed in on my board, but I know I am close to getting it right. Hopefully, I will be flying through jibes again soon. I was close to a few flying exits today on several jibes. At least I am not falling in. The big drama was a trimaran sailboat flipped and turtled. The mast got stuck on the bottom. I missed seeing it happen because I had just got flying on that gust and passed them. It was not that windy, so they had to have really made a big series of mistakes for that to happen. There were lots of boats there quickly to help them. The trimaran was still upside down when I left.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Perfect conditions.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Board: JP radical wave 65L         Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18

Back in my happy place! I exercised restraint and let it blow alllll day and waited until the forecast best time. It paid off and I got chest-high or higher sets, whereas earlier had very little waves. I hadn't ridden this board since working more on my wave technique, and I appreciated this board's slashy turns. Highlight was sharing a wave with Matt and Gordon. 

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 6.7 Severne Blade

Horrible wind direction. Straight offshore from the boat ramp. I met a new to me guy named Steve, who was dropping names from HI. Kind of like Josh, only older guys, sailing Kanaha instead of Hookipa. He had a 100 liter Phil McGain slalom board and 90s NX race sail. He wanted to talk shop while I was rigging, and I wanted to get on the water and social distance. I finally told him to get out on the water, life is short. I was impressed he could get planing in the light winds. I had a few nice flights. Holes were the real deal. Beautiful 70s temperature and sunny. I will try again tomorrow, it will just suck that there will be more boat wake and humanity because of the weekend.

Board: '19 JP 113 FWP         Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE

040 - Near normal water level out to the bridge. Worked up near the IWC and Pita Island. Light weeds, barely chop but needed a bit more power at the last.

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

Suddenly I'm riding mostly on the foil. The learning process is much faster than I'd expected, yet I still haven't decided how much I like the sport for myself. I'm intrigued enough and enjoying the learning process enough that I'm keeping at it to see where it leads. I'm not sure if my hesitation is that this board is slippery with nowhere to put footstraps, and I don't want to spend actual money on an appropriate one, or that it's just all so clunky. Supposedly the sport is freeing, yet it takes just as long or longer to set up than windsurfing, plus I feel so leashed. I'm tethered to the sail and the board. I feel like leashes are all over the place when I'm climbing on and standing up, yet they're necessary because the stuff truly does fly away on its own. The foil is huge and it's very hard to carry everything at once, especially getting out of the water. Ugh.

I feel like this is getting negative, so I'll also focus on some positive. This was full-on bay conditions with swell and a shorebreak, and the foil was very smooth riding out through breaking swells. I didn't feel them. I also feel like if you've foiled at all (I had windsurf foiled exactly once prior), it's really exactly the same feeling of popping up and leveling out so you don't shoot up too high. Not that I'm at all good at it, but it felt familiar and I knew what to do. I also feel like the learning curve is very fast. This was my 4th try with the foil and all have all been very short sessions - today was only about 30 minutes - yet it's a million times easier each time. For someone who has actual time to put into it, I think you could get riding in one day with good conditions and rest breaks, or at least within a couple days. Especially with guidance. It took me two sessions just to figure out I needed to stop keeping my front hand on the leading edge handle. 

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Board: '? RRD Wavetwin 66         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Board: '19 JP 113 FWP         Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE

039 - Nice surprise on another record high air. One tack to stay between the spoils and bridge. Worked upwind on the outside more than usual. Water level closer to normal kept it fairly smooth.

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

I got up a little on the foil but was uncomfortable with the setup at Bird and my gear, so I cut things very short...probably just 25-30 minutes on the water. It was shallow over the ledge, too deep to touch bottom past the ledge, and wind blowing away down the laguna. Plus sailor traffic on the water. I don't have a board leash and it all just felt like an invitation for me or my gear to blow away. 
 

I got some more tacks and got up on the foil a few times, very low and short durations. And met Tereseña, the first wing sailor I've gotten to talk with. She clarified for me where to hold the wing. She also lost her gear and a boat brought it back, which conformed my fears of not great conditions for this right now. It's funny that Oleander is turning out to have better beginner conditions than Bird, at least as long as this ultra high tide lasts.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

Not enough wind from Hurricane Delta reached us to enjoy the beautiful waves, so...wing day 2, first time with the foil.

I made every possible rookie preparation mistake and went up and down the hill 3x thinking I was ready to start, but hopefully I learned from that experience. The foil was much easier to point than the fin, so I could get back at least to where I started or even upwind. Wore the knee pads and it was dreamy comfortable compared with yesterday. 10/10. I feel comfortable standing and made all my tacks, some shaky, some feeling decently controlled. I felt the foil start to want to take over at times, but I didn't have the power to pop up, and I know that's due to inefficiency rather than wind speed. I felt comfortable pumping but wasn't loading the sail or foil efficiently. I'm still playing around with where to hold the wing and put my feet, and one issue is that some of the spots I want to pump with my feet are super slick. I need to figure out attaching some deck padding.  I only sailed about 40 minutes and was getting pretty tired, which is usually a sign I'm fighting instead of being efficient, so I decided to quit before getting hurt. I'll watch some videos and maybe they will make sense now that I've tried it. 

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Board: '19 JP 113 FWP         Sail: '20 EZZY 5.8 WAVE

038 - Out and back to Pita Island, slight chop, no weeds and high water. Never made it outside, RB found it very flat. Returns were best running with chop swell.

Board: Slingshot 98L frankenboard         Sail: 5.3 Naish Wing Surfer

I finally got time and conditions to try the wing surfer! Going to track some beginner impressions so I can look back and see how far I come...or just laugh at this.

I did a couple BAFs kneeling down, then one kneeling up, then tried putting one foot on the board and standing up. I didn't think standing would work, but it did and that got steadier after a couple standing BAFs. I made a tack kneeling and a shaky tack standing. All this was with a plain fin. There was a little shore break and chop, but I was able to stay upright through it. After 45 minutes I felt ready to put the foil in but had to leave for a tragically-timed dinner (these are the outer bands of Hurricane Delta, and Port A was just getting good). 

It's hard, but from comments I've heard, I expected the first day to be much harder.

I expected a "there's nothing to hold onto" feeling, but the sail feels pretty sturdy that it's actually a pretty solid feeling to brace against. Sail chi.

I was not staying entirely upwind. I had to a walk a little bit at the end of each BAF.

Kneeling on the non-skid wore the skin off my knees. I wished I'd brought my skating elbow sleeves to wear on my knees.

My mind is engaged in that learning feeling that I love.

Chop is not the easiest for learning, but also not insurmountable, and the depth and bottom at Oleander are great, plus the convenience.

I'm still nervous about the foil and getting hurt on it and will be paying a lot of attention to that.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: Neil Pryde Wizard 4.8

After 3 days mountain biking in Bend, I was happy to sneak in a short sesh to wash off the dirt :)

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85, '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '19 Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2

Tried the freeestyle, it didn't work. Gah. Foil.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '19 Goya Banzai X Pro 4.2

In the word of YouTube legend ChrisFix:

Good!

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4, '13 Combat HD 3.7

Gorgeous, warm day. First session the wind was holey, but really fun! Second session on 3.7 was nice as well, but I got cold. I need a new wetsuit!

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Nice

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 6.7 Severne Blade

I brought the SUP for LWF so I could just get on the water again (so bummed I missed Monday's wind), and I decided to go for it on the foil. I got a few nice long flights that I was not expecting at all. I must be getting closer on the foil/board settings. Technique-wise I still feel I need to get back much quicker to get the foil to lift the board out of the water, but once up feels good and balanced. 6.9m2 Blade felt good too. Extra power helped? Was getting almost as many flights as Rob C. half my weight on a 5.7m2 and SS Ghost Wisperer/FS 115. 

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18

Season opener! It was like Christmas and my birthday. Literally, because I took a portion of my birthday work leave to sail in the afternoon, and the New Mexicans came bearing a lot of gifts. Conditions were not Christmas, but still rewarding. The wind always had some west in it flattening things. Waves were trying to start. I waited around. They went from nonexistent to waist high. Progress! Shrinking everything is a learning experience because you can go for it without much penalty, so I milked those little waves for everything they were worth.

Board: '19 JP 113 FWP         Sail: '20 EZZY 5.2 WAVE

037 - Good to be at back at bird. High water seemed to smooth out the south chop and almost submerge SI#1. Got a little more east late and able to stay on the sandbar and up to the parking lot.

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro

Rob C. saved me. He had his first go on his wing today. I showed up and realized I forgot my masts at home. He lent me his 400cm Goya. Glad I brought the 5.6m2. The SC/Foil-X still needs tweeking. Probably the best I have felt in strong gusts, but early take off still needs help. I shlogged for almost an hour watching everybody else get up on foil (kite, wing). I would have stayed out longer, but I did not want to hog Rob's mast.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Rigged for the gusts and it was fine. Makes it much easier to turn down the swell.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Mostly non-planing - a good core workout!

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

BAFing like the old guy that I am.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Much steadier wind...beautiful day....awwwwww!!

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: 2019 Goya Bonzai X Pro 4.2

Wind was all over the place. I did attempt and make 1 monkey duck which I hadn't done in a while. 

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85, '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

It's Autumn, and the winds in the corridor are acting appropriately. All over the place. OP'd on the foil, then UP'd on the freestyle except for the first few minutes. Glad to be able to breathe. The apocalypse will definitely involve not being able to breathe outside.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 3.8 S2 Dragon '17, 5.2 S2 Dragon '18

More swell from TS Beta. I drove and waited over an hour for the wind to come up. Almost left. Then it started to feel like enough. I thought awhile - worth carrying everything down the road for marginal conditions? (Beach parking was closed but I got a pretty close spot.) Ultimately decided yes. I rigged big. Suddenly the wind hit hard. After a few runs on the 5.2 I got frustrated being too overpowered to wave ride like I wanted. I rerigged to 3.8. Perfect! Fun waves head high or more with long rides. Strong current but luckily I just fell once and got up quickly. Rerigging on the beach with no shelter was nuts. Also crazy how the beach completely cleared out once the wind hit. From tourist Mecca yesterday to desolate off-season mode tonight. 

Board: Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.9 Severne Freek

Wanted to try the SC foil in no weeds. Big difference! Faster. Needs some tweeking. Mast base back 0.5cm helped a lot. I may mess with the rear stab angle after I get more time on it.

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Single digit AQI!  Instead of the literally off the chart unbreathable 500+.

Didn't sail yesterday at Hatch because it was too overcast and that freaks me out.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: Maui Sails 3.5

Good vibe on the beach. Everyone was just happy to be outside in breathable air. We rarely sail Dougs...choppy, disorganized swell, but I still had a nice session. I feel like my swell riding has improved this summer. I am cutting back more agressively and getting backwinded, which results in falling right now. I also am trying to lay the sail down more and my mind keeps going to McFox telling me to act like I am going to do a DW360, but then pull it back up. Hopefully I'll get a few more attemps in before winter.

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125, Starboard Foil-X 145         Sail: 5.6 Severne S-1 Pro, 6.2 Avanti Echo

Weedy and dying wind. First real trial with the SB Supercruiser foil was a disaster. I am not sure what to blame. Weeds, settings, not enough front wing area? LWF for the rest of the afternoon. Not worth the drive despite a gorgeous day.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18

Gorgeous big smooth waves today! Tropical Storm Beta surf arriving. Going outbound was mostly powered, but some holes that weren't even a problem because the waves felt gentle, despite being head high. Current didn't feel strong and pointing was easy. Big long wave rides inbound that you could ride either direction. Only drawback was the beach was a complete madhouse. I was shocked to see so many people traveling to the beach with a tropical storm offshore and a pandemic. The water was even a madhouse, which I'm not used to, although I am glad to see the stoke. Every surf sport was happening, including unfortunately surf casting - I got hooked. Luckily just a surface wound. When I first pulled on the hook I was worried it was deep.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: Maui Sails 3.5

That felt so good! It was such a relief to be outside exercising after a week of doing youtube yoga. Although I do believe the yoga strengthened my body in beneficial ways. It was still smoky, but bearable.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 5.2 S2 Dragon '18

Not quite the triumphant season opener I envisioned, but at least it was a season opener. The wind dropped after I rigged. Clear, pretty water. Weird day because it felt pretty normal, waist high sets at best, yet the town declared a state of disaster on the radio as I was driving home due to the predicted tropical storm or hurricane Beta. There is a cold front fighting with it. Who will win? I predict beach access will lose.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Wind, swell, jumping ramps, sun, FUN!

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85, '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7, '14 The Fly 3.2

First sess on the big gear, 2nd on the lil gear. Sick fun goodness. 

Trunk

Last west wind of the season? Probably not, but soaking it all in just in case. Next four days are east wind, time to head to le coast.

Board: '? RRD WaveTwin 66         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Really good sess until I got ran into. Patched up the damage with ding stick, had a lunch, and went back out for an under-powered 2nd sess.

Crochet wetsuit

Board: '? RRD Wavetwin 66         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

First session was full on, absolutely fantastic fun! Except for the amount of people. Fueled up with Leisj made huckleberry pancakes. Second session the wind got up and down 50% planing, but was able to play more on the swell due to less people and not being too powered. Good day!

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Buck took the longer puppy sitting shift, so I got a nice session in. Perfect rig for the variable conditions. We have decided dog sitting is much preferred to puppy sitting.

Board: '19 Slingshot 103 Wizard         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Short sess

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

A gusty, choppy, shifty sesh. September conditions have arrived? Never a bad way to start the day though!! Headed up the mountain afterwards and was introduced to two new to me mountain bike trails on Hood!

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85         Sail: '14 The Fly 3.2

Short sess.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 4.6 S2 Dragon '18

Lower key than the past few days but still a fun head high to over head wave, longer than usual and smooth on the outside. I think I lucked into one of the only straight hours where the 4.6 would have worked. They plowed Zahn Road, finally! I was able to leave without putting my car through the beach Olympics. And.....I see the first strong cold front on iWindsurf! Looks like another year with an early start?!! What an awesome September so far.

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Short sess.

Board: Fanatic Quad 81         Sail: '11 Naish Force 3.4

Beautiful!

Board: Flikka Custom Freestyle 125         Sail: 5.2 Severne S-1 Pro

Gusty goodness. Hands are toast now.

Board: Angulo Triumph 81         Sail: 4.2 S2 Dragon '18

Overhead waves and so fun! Every day has been a sail size smaller and a notch bigger waves, and all equally fun in their own way. I sailed with the clew view for the first time in a while. I did a duck jibe and hit my head on it...made the jibe, though! There was an offshore accident overnight, and the smell of gas was really strong on SPID on the island, but luckily not on the beach. I was ready to leave rather than breathe in whatever was going on.

Board: '16 JP Freestyle 85         Sail: '13 Combat HD 3.7

Short sess. Washing machine chop.