Author Topic: Wingfoil lessons  (Read 7014 times)

PonoBill

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Wingfoil lessons
« on: April 20, 2019, 08:25:16 PM »
Allan Cadiz is a patient dude. He has to be to teach a few zillion people to windsurf, kitesurf, etc. etc.. And now he's teaching me to windfoil. I assumed it was going to be easy. Let's dispose of that right off the bat--if you're clumsy (check), heavy(check) and have a bad knee (check) things might come a little slow. I told Allen that if he can teach me, he can teach anyone. He might be counting on that.

The wing is fairly easy to handle, most of the stuff makes basic sense right away, but the movements are not intuitive and the wing doesn't really want to do the stuff you're trying to make it do. It does seem to me that the rigid boom of the Duotone kite I'm learning with make control very positive. I need to get the various moves into muscle memory--like any sport, reactions have to be trained with repetition.

This first lesson I did on a huge beginner windsurfer. I think that's a great choice for learning to manage the wing. I also think Mr. Fugly is going to be a good board initially.

Anyway, I was able to fly the kite on my knees, go upwind, jibe (slowly) and eventually stand. My knee isn't helping the standing part much, but we'll get there. I need to work on some techniques for cheating my way to my feet and getting them onto the centerline of the board as I come up.

Bottom line, I expect to be able to do this, and I'm glad I'm getting some instruction instead of just getting a wing and bashing around until a miracle happens. Once I have the basics in place, Hood River will be a great place to advance my technique.
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.

toejammer2

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Re: Wingfoil lessons
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2019, 11:08:56 AM »
Thanks PonoBill,
Any info on the size of the wing/wind speed you were in? I’m on a list  to buy one this summer and am thinking of going big for our light northern Ca summer south wind slop but maybe that’s not right for learning even though I know how to windsurf already.
Cheers!

PonoBill

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Re: Wingfoil lessons
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2019, 12:30:27 PM »
For the Duotome kites I think the sizes are 3, 4, and 5 meter. That might be flat out wrong, or at least not cast in stone. I have a crap memory, but I think I was using the 3 meter yesterday. We were having gusty winds that I'd guess were less than 20, and it could drag me around fairly well. I think the big issue will be what's big enough to get you up on the foil given the wind at your local. From what Allen says, we won't be going downwind to get up, there's more power, stability and speed available on a tack. As a windsurfer you know how unstable and wonky going straight downwind is.

Once you're up on the foil and heading downwind on bumps, the wing is relatively unnecessary. We'll probably be flying it in a neutral or near neutral position while we surf the bumps. When you hit a flat spot or come out of the power you sheet in and power up.

It sounds like the SUP sailing I used to love to do. Sail out to a break that's been abandoned because the wind is too strong, turn into a wave and catch it, then hold the sail by the mast with one hand while you surf the wave. Only on the foil it will be a lot easier and longer to coast since there's so little drag.
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.

Beasho

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Re: Wingfoil lessons
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2019, 05:41:04 PM »
Sounds dreamy

Rider

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Re: Wingfoil lessons
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2019, 06:43:20 PM »
You make it sound marvelous.

Dwight (DW)

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Re: Wingfoil lessons
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2019, 04:12:29 AM »
The details of power behavior that Allan points out, is exactly why this wing was reinvented for use now.

That behavior is what happens with kites too, and that limits how well you can wave ride.

Until you’ve experienced it, you can’t really comprehend just how extreme the change in power is.

In wind of 10-12 knots with a 8m kite, if you point upwind, the kite power will feel like it is blowing 20 knots. Then point to a slightly broad reach and the kite power feels like 8 knots. It is downright freaky.

This is almost certainly why your arms will not get tired using a wing surfer. Unless you need to up wind to get home.

FYI, the change in power is way less on a windsurf foil, than a kite. Windsurf development is still behind.
« Last Edit: April 22, 2019, 04:16:23 AM by Dwight (DW) »

 


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