Author Topic: Geezer Foiling  (Read 6768 times)

PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25864
    • View Profile
Geezer Foiling
« on: January 20, 2018, 10:57:31 PM »
Day one of my foiling journey. I still plan to develop the Geezer Foil board in Hood River next year, but it's a completely different bird from standard foiling. So I bought a GoFoil twofer kit, with a Maliko 200 and an Iwa wing. I didn't have any real problem attaching it to my 8'8" X 32" L41 board. Today was the first day getting it wet.

I thought there was a good chance for a Maliko run today, and since I missed two epic days I wanted to get one in if it presented itself. The wind at Ponohouse looked great, but it had a little south in it, and was sheering way offshore by Ho'okipa. I had the foil board and my trusty Foote 10'4" Triton with me, plus my SIC Bullet 17 just in case, and as it turned out Kanaha looked decent, so I paddled the Foote out only to find what looked like decent leftover swell was just junky windswell. Caught a couple, gave it up, and went to the harbor to at least get the foil wet.

When I got there I was surprised to see a little bit of surf and no wind. Junya and Alan Cadiz were just packing up after foiling through the morning. Junya pronounced it perfect for learning, so I set up with the Maliko 200 and headed out.

The board felt very weird with the foil under it. There's some added stability but there's also a funny roll and pitch that feels like something pushing on the bottom of the board--probably because there is. I paddled around for about half an hour, getting used to the feel and getting comfortable going out through waves and turning the board. I finally felt good enough to go for some waves. There were a couple of SUP and longboard surfers out, and I didn't want to be anywhere near them, so I stayed inside, looking for waves they didn't take. The energy was pretty low, but I got a few reasonable faces that gave me enough push to make the board lift a bit and wobble around. I realized my back foot wasn't back far enough to give the board stability, so I practiced hopping into place with my back foot over the mast and front foot on the centerline.

I got a few bigger lifts that way, but they pitched me off pretty quickly. I focused on keeping pressure on my front foot and went after some steeper faces. Delusions of competence. I got one good lift that felt like I had some semblance of control before I fell off to the side. I realized as I was falling that my weight was on my heels. Obviously, I need to stay centered to get rolling. After about two hours I decided I'd had enough and went in. The wind was coming up, and as I was loading up, shooting the breeze with RR, my board nearly blew out of my hands.

Talked to Covesurfer who said he'd seen some promising swell on the west side during his morning bicycle ride, drove over to look. Nada.

Came home and watched a bunch of foiling videos. I think I need something on my deck to show me by feel where my feet are. I don't want to use footstraps yet. I have a kitesurfing lesson tomorrow, but I should be able to get a few hours in first on the foil.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

Dwight (DW)

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 4780
    • View Profile
    • supSURFmachines
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2018, 03:29:02 AM »
Once you get dialed into the balance with a foil bolted to the bottom, it’s hard to get dialed back into a SUP without a foil bolted on. Your natural instincts get messed up royally.

There is a big difference in added stability provided by different foils. The flatter front wings, offer the least paddling stability. The more the front wing tips bend down, the more paddling stability it offers. Plus, bent wing tips give more exit speed on a carving turn. Like a swept windsurf fin. A flat wing turns like a slalom fin. Yuk...

The funny thing about foot placement for me, was how critical is was compared to riding the very same foil with my kite. With a kite, it’s easy to readjust foot placement at any time, so not critical at all.  You have so much speed, it’s always more stable.  With SUP, you’re often flying just above stall, so stability isn’t as strong. You really need to have the feet right at take off, you don’t usually have the luxury of shuffling the feet.

Hope that helps

supuk

  • Teahupoo Status
  • ******
  • Posts: 1957
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2018, 03:56:18 AM »
I got back on my normal surf Sup the other day after 6+ month of only foilinging and I was so messed up it took 3-4 waves just to take off and feel comfy I need to switch back and forth more often it was like I had totally forgot to surf.

As for foot position just run a strip of deckpad down the stringer line front foot is key to be centered back foot as you progress not quite so but still good to have a reference point.

surfcowboy

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 4929
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2018, 07:22:19 PM »
Pono, stoked to hear you're starting in. Tracking everybody starting on here helps ease the dread of those first dozen sessions.

It's also nice to hear beginning foil stories that aren't all crazy. Back a year ago everyone was going to die from foiling just like SUPs were gonna kill everyone in the lineup

TonyGring

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 254
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2018, 10:00:45 PM »
Who's RR ? Ricky Ryan ?

PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25864
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2018, 10:30:16 PM »
Randy Royce. Local all-around Maui waterman and an absurdly funny guy.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

jondrums

  • Peahi Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 894
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2018, 10:42:43 PM »
I stuck the middle part of one of these right on the centerline where my front foot goes and it has transformed my foot placement.  I could feel the Tuttle fin bolts on my back foot already, but having one of these on the back foot would probably help too.


PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25864
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2018, 10:58:37 PM »
I put strips of deck pad in the middle of the front foot area and a short one between the Tuttle bolts, as UK suggested. Works fine.

Day two was kind of a clusterfuck. I wasted time looking for surf again before just going to the Harbor to practice. Bill Boyum called me while I was on my way to the harbor--he wanted to play too, so we got together to swap out on the board. The wind was up by the time we got there and most of the foilers were headed out--Kathy, Junya, Chris, etc.. But I figured nasty conditions make good training, so I talked Bill into it, and we went for it. I went first and flailed around, not getting much of anything. I gave up pretty quick and turned it over to Boyum, who did a lot better. He popped up a couple of times and even got a short ride--sort of. No semblance of control, but it was pretty nasty. I was having some challenges just standing up on my 10'4" foote, which is the size of a modest dock. We stayed at it a while and provided some quality entertainment for the onlookers.

I needed to stick around Kanaha for my kite lesson so I went to get coffee and read my books. Did OK at the kite lessons though I was a bit bushed to start with, might still have a bit of flu stuff hanging around (or maybe I'm old) and stupidly didn't wear a wetsuit. My permanent Orca suit wasn't enough and I got chilled to the bone. My IQ drops to surrounding temperature when I get cold and the instructor figured out that I was zoning out (so to speak) and called it quits an hour early. Or maybe I might have begged a bit to cut it short. I didn't get the squishy computer rebooted until the temperature in my truck got up to the point that the dashboard was sagging.

Yeah, I know, Hawaii. East coast. Wisconsin. Canada. No idea what cold is. Wimp.

Bah.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

stoneaxe

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 12084
    • View Profile
    • Cape Cod Bay Challenge
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2018, 07:43:45 AM »
Definitely a "Harden the fuck up moment".... ;)

On a more serious note I'm starting to think foiling is probably out for me...haven't tried it but hearing about folks struggling that are so much more capable than I am and that it screws you up on a SUP..... >:(.  I can't afford to add anything that might screw me up in the slightest...already screwed up enough.
Bob

8-4 Vec, 9-0 SouthCounty, 9-8 Starboard, 10-4 Foote Triton, 10-6 C4, 12-6 Starboard, 14-0 Vec (babysitting the 18-0 Speedboard) Ke Nalu Molokai, Ke Nalu Maliko, Ke Nalu Wiki Ke Nalu Konihi

PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25864
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2018, 09:15:17 AM »
Most of the people I know who are foiling say that it screws them up for surfing--that it takes some time to transition back. Nothing permanent, it's just that most of these folks are good surfers and they are surprised to have their ability compromised. But yeah, long learning curve, not easy, fairly dangerous. Some of the folks doing it are not better surfers than I am, but most are. I find it irresistible, but I don't think it's for everyone and I expect a long struggle. My balance isn't all it could be. I know Sam Pa'e struggled with it and he can surf rings around me.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

Zooport

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 3533
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2018, 11:25:39 AM »
PB, you are my geezer hero!  I said I was too old to try foiling, but because of you, I might give it a go.  (Maybe I'll wait to see if you get through the experience intact first)
8'6 Soul Compass
9'1 Sunova Creek
9'6 WaveStorm SUP
9'8 Starboard Element

Beasho

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 3224
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2018, 12:37:55 PM »
Most of the people I know who are foiling say that it screws them up for surfing--that it takes some time to transition back. Nothing permanent

True - At First, Then - False as you get better and switch regularly

Great to hear you are on a proper foil and looking forward to the progress report :)

I was exclusively foiling for 3+ months and when I got back on a regular SUP my turning sucked because I was used to NOT moving my feet.  That was 3 months ago.

Since winter has brought bigger swells I am switching off between SUP'ing (typically consistent 10+ feet with power) and Foiling when <8 feet all the time.

I am now turning better than ever on my SUP's.  I have convinced myself that the Foiling is now delivering some Kai Lenny blessed crossover benefit. 

opie

  • Rincon Status
  • ***
  • Posts: 181
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2018, 04:43:11 PM »
I am now turning better than ever on my SUP's.  I have convinced myself that the Foiling is now delivering some Kai Lenny blessed crossover benefit.

Five months straight of kite foiling had a similar effect on my regular SUP surfing.

PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25864
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2018, 04:16:02 PM »
Day three was pretty good. Awesome in fact. I was switching off with Headmount, alternately riding the foil board and paddling around on my Foote 10'4" yelling useless suggestions to irritate each other. "Your feet are in the wrong place!" Splash. "Don't you fucking think I know that?"

After a little wobbling around I lead off with a good ride of probably 100 feet with some semblance of control until I turned my body a little and let my ass hang off the board, which initiated an uncontrolled turn in that heavily weighted direction. I got a few more rides, swapped with Boyum and started offering my newfound expertise.

We both did pretty good, considering. I am now fully convinced I can do this sport, though I can see that the learning curve is as flat as any road in Nevada. Gonna be a while until I'm anything like good at this.

One interesting thing is that the advice I'm getting from other foilers is ALL useful. Usually, I have to play any advice through the filter called "I'm a fat 71 year old geezer and I can't bend that way".  But literally, everything anyone tells me works well. Getting my front foot deep into the footstrap and squaring my shoulders to the front of the board helped greatly. Bending my knees and pushing my hips forward works. Pushing heavily on my front foot and decreasing pressure only through very small body shifts works well. So thanks everyone for all the tips and encouragement.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

SUPcheat

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 2677
    • View Profile
Re: Geezer Foiling
« Reply #14 on: January 28, 2018, 11:44:06 AM »
My learning curve is too pathetic to attempt this right now.  I am giving myself a full season of lazing about on Hammer, which I can balance pretty easily, since I have finally learned surf basics and can turn and ride up and down the lip when the wave gives me the opportunity.  I will attempt more challenges later.

Maybe foiling naked at the naked beach?  If you are going to do something different, may as well go all the way.

2013 Fanatic Prowave LTD 9'3"x30.5x@134L
Sunova Speeed 8'10"x29.12@131L
Sunova Flow 8'7"x30.25"@121L
Carbon 9.3x32@163L Hammer
Me: 6'1"@230 lbs 68 years old

 


SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal